Regional Express (Rex) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a SAAB 340 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) from FlightSafety International. FlightSafety will also provide product support services and spare parts.

This full flight simulator was the last SAAB 340 simulator built by FlightSafety, and is the youngest of its type in the world. This simulator will be equipped with FlightSafety's VITAL 9 visual system and will include some of the latest visual models available for this generation of simulator. The visual package includes such locations as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Townsville, Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Singapore, Wagga Wagga, Auckland, Christchurch

and Wellington to name just a few.

The simulator will be installed at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) in Wagga Wagga. A purpose-built training facility will be constructed at AAPA to accommodate the simulator and will boast the latest training technology to ensure effective pilot training. Plans for the building are well under way and construction is planned to be completed by late September 2013. The simulator is expected to be qualified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in October 2013.

Commenting on the acquisition, Rex General Manager of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot Neville Howell said, "With a fleet of over 50 SAAB 340 aircraft in the Rex Group, it has become timely to secure another simulator. The additional simulator in the training system will bring greater efficiencies to crew resource management and provide greater flexibility with training and checking requirements."

"This is another milestone in the growth and development of Rex and demonstrates the commitment the Board and Management have in ensuring the highest standards of training."

Rex will continue its long standing relationship with the Ansett Aviation Training (AAT) facility in Melbourne, and continue to use their SAAB 340 FFS.

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia's largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of more than 40 SAAB 340 aircraft on some 1,300 weekly flights to 35 destinations throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland. The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel-Air Aviation and Dubbobased regional airline Air Link, as well as the pilot academy Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

Rex Media Contact:
Corporate Communications
+61 402 438 361