Wizz Air has received approval from Hungarian authorities to implement both the Mobile Airbus Training experience (MATe) suite and Virtual Procedure Trainer (VPT) technology for pilot training. It enables Wizz Air cadets to undertake part of their training without using a flight simulator or on-site procedure trainer. The software solution immerses trainees within a virtual cockpit and coaches them on Airbus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). With Virtual Reality, the VPT allows trainees to drill procedures repeatedly within a fully interactive cockpit, and also do a walk around the aircraft. Trainees can act intuitively on each switch and lever, following the correct sequence whilst building their muscle memory and procedural knowledge. The integration of both training solutions at Wizz Air’s training center in Budapest will support pilots undergoing recurrent and initial Type Training. The VR tool and the A320 Type Transition Course program (based on the use of MATe tool) have been approved by the Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority. It will enable Wizz Air to train pilots to the standards set by Wizz Air’s Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
Wizz Air opened its first training centre in Budapest in 2013 with an A320 Full Flight Simulator and classrooms. Since then, the airline has opened a new training centre in Budapest in 2018 and will open another in Rome this year. The training centres are equipped with three A320 Full Flight Simulators, A320 Fixed-base Simulators, Cabin Evacuation Trainers, and Fire Trainers. The virtual training solutions by Airbus are the latest additions to Wizz Air’s training centre in Budapest.