FlightSafety and Piaggio Celebrate FAA Level D Qualification of P180 Avanti Simulator

LA GUARDIA AIRPORT, New York (October 16, 2006) – FlightSafety International announced today that its new Piaggio P180 Avanti full flight simulator has received Level D qualification from the Federal Aviation Administration. The advanced technology simulator will provide professional training to Piaggio aircraft operators at FlightSafety’s West Palm Beach, Florida Learning Center.

In addition, FlightSafety, the official factory-authorized training organization for Piaggio Aero, will design and manufacture a new Avanti II flight simulator. The location of this simulator will be determined based on customer needs.

“The FAA Level D qualification of the Piaggio P180 simulator, along with the completion of the comprehensive training programs, was accomplished in just over 14 months. This significant achievement is a result of the expertise, experience and dedication of FlightSafety teammates,” said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International. “We value and appreciate our close working relationship with Piaggio Aero and look forward to serving our mutual customers with the new Avanti II simulator.”

“The owners and operators of the advanced Piaggio P180 Avanti and Avanti II turboprop aircraft have and will continue to benefit from the quality and value of FlightSafety’s training programs and products,” said Piaggio America President and CEO, Tom Appleton. “Congratulations to the team from FlightSafety and Piaggio who helped make the FAA qualification of the P180 Avanti and the addition of the Avanti II simulator possible.”

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier aviation training organization. Over 75,000 pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals train at FlightSafety facilities each year. The company designs and manufactures full flight simulators for civil and military aircraft programs and operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at 40 training locations.