As part of the most recent updates to the Airbus A320 family, MPS is now offering the A321 Standard 3.x, rather than only the previous A320 based Standard 2.x, for its FTDs. This new A321 offering provides MPS customers with a broader and more versatile range of training tools, enabling them to better align solutions with their specific operational goals and aircraft selection. The first of these MPS A321 simulators will roll out this year to Riyadh Air who contracted MPS in Q1.
From an airline standpoint, Airbus notes that the A321 neo delivers 20% less fuel burn per seat as compared to the previous generation and it offers a seating capacity of 180 to 220 passengers in a typical two-class configuration and 244 passengers in a high-density layout. The long-range variant (A321LR) can fly up to 4 000 nm/7 400 km. Based on the above, the aircraft is proving popular with airlines, with many planes already on order. From a training perspective, this means that additional training is needed. However, Airbus Standard 2.x to 3.x (320 to 321) requires differences training only, and based on this, the Standard 3.x MPS FTD eliminates the need for airlines to buy a 3.x FFS.
This expansion in training tools comes after an announcement last week that MPS is also adding Embraer E-Jets to its product line.
