Today, Aquarius Aerial Firefighting S.à r.l (Aquarius) unveiled its new Simulator and Training Facility. Drawing on the long-standing experience of its mother company Cargolux Airlines International S.A., this infrastructure marks a significant step in the organization’s ambition to raise aerial firefighting training to airline-level standards. This investment will significantly
contribute to building training capabilities both for Aquarius and for the industry.
The AT-802 Fire Boss simulator, developed by entrol, reinforces Aquarius’ commitment to structured, competence-based pilot training. Ensuring pilots are not only qualified but genuinely mission-ready is central to the organization’s approach. The simulator allows pilots to train both normal as well as abnormal procedures and replicate critical situations which would pose an unacceptable level of risk if practiced in the air.
The device is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including motion and vibration cues, formation-flying capabilities, a glass-cockpit, Head-Up-Display, and a selection of highly detailed terrain areas, which sets it apart from other training equipment. Combining a range of theoretical and practical training, Aquarius’ courses are designed to ensure the highest standards of pilot competence and confidence.
“With this simulator, we are strengthening our ability to train pilots effectively and consistently while enhancing the overall safety of our operations,” said Wieger Ketellapper, CEO of Aquarius Aerial Firefighting S.à r.l. “We also offer these capabilities to external operators to support the wider community and help strengthen mission readiness in aerial firefighting for all partners who share our purpose.”
Aquarius covers the full range of instructional and examining roles under EU regulations 1178/2011 Part-FCL for class rating, instructor, and examiner training, and 965/2012 Part-SPO operational training and checking for aerial firefighting. For external partners, Aquarius offers tailored training programs including ground-, simulator-, and flight training. The new simulator facility adds meaningful capacity to the aerial firefighting training landscape. The simulator is already actively in use and undergoing the certification process for FTD-2 level.
This new facility provides a strong foundation for Aquarius to establish itself as a leading reference for aerial firefighting training in Europe and to further bolster its expertise and capacity to combat devasting fires.
