HAVELSAN, the pioneering company of the defence industry, is rapidly expanding its customer network in the civil aviation market. Following institutions like Turkish Airlines (THY), IFTC, and Simaero preferring domestic systems for pilot training, SunExpress has also entrusted its flight preparations to a HAVELSAN simulator. The company successfully delivered Türkiye's first Boeing 737NG Level 2 simulator, produced for SunExpress, to the centre in Antalya.
The weight of domestic engineering in the civil aviation sector is increasing day by day. Flight training systems, which were once imported from abroad at a cost of millions of dollars, are now directly designed and exported by Turkish engineers. Indeed, HAVELSAN, surpassing its global competitors, has added SunExpress airline to its customer portfolio after THY, IFTC, and Simaero. This development clearly proves that domestic systems are being accepted as standard by industry giants.
Türkiye's First Level 2 Boeing Simulator
The device installed at SunExpress's Antalya Training Centre represents a first in the sector with its technical specifications. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation has officially certified this new system to both FNPT II MCC and FTD 2 standards. Consequently, this device has earned the title of the first Level 2 flight training simulator produced in Türkiye.
So, what does an FTD Level 2 simulator offer pilots? These devices do not contain massive motion platforms. However, they replicate the exact cockpit of the aircraft, both in hardware and software. Thus, pilots can practice flight procedures and emergency scenarios with high realism on this system.
National Optics for Perfect Realism: STARVIEW-B
At the heart of the simulator lies the STARVIEW-B collimated display system, originally developed by HAVELSAN engineers.
This advanced optical system allows the pilot to perceive the outside world as if in a real aircraft. Moreover, thanks to its collimated, infinite-focus structure, the captain and first officer in the cockpit see the outside view from the same perspective without error. In short, this high-fidelity visual presentation elevates the pilot's perception of realism during training to the highest level. The indigenisation of such a critical component as the display system reinforces Türkiye's strength in simulator technologies.
Producing Solutions for World Giants
HAVELSAN General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar made a strategic assessment following the completion of the project. Nacar stated that the company has strengthened its claim in the flight simulator market and is reaping the rewards of its infrastructure investments.
General Manager Nacar noted:
"While developing simulators for Türkiye's national air platforms, we are also producing solutions for leading players in the international aviation industry. Offering a device certified with the original Boeing data package reflects our determination to meet leading airline standards."
The fact that SunExpress pilots will now be trained using a completely domestic system constitutes a historic turning point for the Turkish civil aviation industry.
