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Virtual Aviation, the privately-owned UK-based flight simulator training and experience company, is bucking the trend of economic gloom with the opening of a new base in Palma Mallorca, Spain. The new site, at the HQ of Globalia, is conveniently located just 10 minutes’ drive from Palma Airport, complements Virtual Aviation’s existing simulator facilities at London Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester. A fourth UK base in Southampton Airport in central southern UK comes on line this month too.
The latest facility offers two state of the art full-flight simulators certified to Level D -so realistic they can be used for zero flight time training. This means that commercial pilots can complete 100% of their training in the simulator, without the need to fly real aircraft until their first commercial flight. The two Boeing 737 New Generation machines can be configured to simulate flying on the B737-700 and B737-800 passenger jets, as well as the BBJ (Boeing Business Jet).
Virtual Aviation offers a range of services to visitors at the Mallorca location, including bespoke flight simulator training for commercial pilots; LPC/OPC refresher courses; future flight programmes for those interested in exploring a career as an airline pilot; jet orientation courses to assist pilots changing aircraft types, and full-on flight experiences for those looking to fulfil the dream of flying a jet airliner.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, and with a team of bilingual professional airline pilots assisting, the Mallorca site is set to appeal to commercial pilots looking for an alternative (and sunny) destination to improve their skills, as well as flyers ‘for fun’ who wish to indulge their passion for airliner flying.
Clients can book from between one to four hours in the simulator either exclusively, or on a shared basis (up to four people). Virtual Aviation also offers open-dated gift vouchers for the aviation aficionado.
“These advanced simulators, combined with the attractive location of this popular Balearic Isle will be attractive to both professional pilots and serious aviation enthusiasts,“ says James Stevenson, Managing Director of Virtual Aviation. “After all, in a locked cockpit-door environment, this is the only way aviation enthusiasts can come close to experiencing the environment of the flightdeck.“
Prices start from £594 and the simulator is also expected to attract small incentive groups looking for a unique team-building experience. Tailor-made challenges involving communication, mental agility and adaptability can also be created for individual groups seeking an original task to test their teams. The area around Llucmajor is very popular for corporate weekends with a number of luxury hotels offering conference facilities, a selection of fine golf courses, spas and close proximity to the buzzing city of Palma. In Mallorca the company is marketing the offering through tailor- made holiday specialist Balearic Discovery.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
