morth shore news __. .. BUSINESS HIGH TECH mpany set to take off Bob Mackin — Contriburiia Writer A North Vancouver man is working hard to get his business of f the ground, even though he knows it won't really take off. Still, he anticipates healthy profits. Mark Hatton ns president and chiet exccutiye of cero Romht Sumuluen. a company thar plans te ope an rrrsrart simulation facihity next vear ar Vancouver Pntermanenal Aiport, Pfatten has assem Bled a private: group of atternanenal investors te Mnanes the purchase of twee Preleh baat Airbus Tndustre thathe simulators, Ringht waits to bus another sim inclines seme that smaizee Rehcapter thahts. Wsan acuee marker Patron says Pinanctal guru Warren Burtert and GE Capital have invested: im Hight simulariesy Companies. Hatton savs a chent asked him re cxantine aireratt traning meilities, He tound a huge need tor Airbus simulators. bart his cent thought the price tag was too hinh. So he assembled private tinancing and a manage: nent group comprised of aviation professionals. They made a) deal with “Phomson ‘Training and Simulation of England and is expecting the first sim- ulator to arrive in March. He's talking with International Aviation Terminal, a plaver in) air cargo at Vancouver Taternational Airport, about building the feility. “The demand we know is here. Right now there are 3h ainimes coming into: Vancouver, 10 of these dirlines are using Airbus. So they need it.” Airline pitots need to pass two flight: simulator tests ao vear to retam their licence, Hatton. said. Additionally, the simulators are usefil tor traming new pilots. A single simulator costs tram $15-19 million -— approximately a quarter of the cost ofa whole jet. “We can train pilots who have never own com: mercially and at the end of their training session with us, which could be 2,000-3,000 hours, can walk them onto a real plane, fully loaded with passengers and have the contidence.” The core of the business, however, will be pro- viding a venue where veteran pilots can brush up their skills with virtual reality: simulation of the world’s biggest airports . Session rental is up to $2,500 an hour in U.S. funds, Hatton says. Pilots generally train’ four-to- eight hours, (wice a year. “[ can’t believe the raining, what they put the simulators through, Cutting all the engines, cutting all the power, vou can’t even picture a guy getting into a plane and doing this on purpose. “I've seen some of these pilots come out and their shirts are soaked. OF course their licence is rid- ing on it.” Sk upgrades will provide further business as new planes become more technologically comptes and old pilots need to learn. And then there's the anticipated boom once the Asian economies recover from the current crisis, More traffic means more planes and more pilots. Hatton savs the Asian market will represent half of world air travel by 2010. Airlines from Asia may even send pilots here to train with Knight. “We know airlines are flying around the warld to train. Holland, Germany, some people go te Jordan. = MARK Hatton (at tep) is planning to open an aircraft simulation facility at Vancouver international Airport next year. “Ir’s far more cost effective, the Canadian dollar Two Airbus Industrie flight simulators will be purchased from U.K.-based Thomson Training and Simulation. Sixteen of works for us, Vancouver is a gorgeous place.” the 31 airlines flying into Vancouver use the popular Airbus. Photos submitted Fabricland — . : : ™ . ETi Fpre. ’ Fabyicland Sewing Club’ = gClub Members y