Named General Manager Of Training And Simulation Division

Pacific Sky Aviation has appointed Mauro Pezzetta, a flight simulator industry veteran, as General Manager of Training and Simulation. In this role, Pezzetta will oversee the development of Pacific Sky’s world-class Twin Otter Training Center and the implementation of the world’s first Twin Otter Level “D” full flight simulator (FFS).

Pezzetta will be also responsible for leading the Pacific Sky Aviation Flight Training School, offering Private and Commercial Pilot licenses (PPL/CPL), as well as Multi/IFR, Float, Night and Instructor Ratings.

“Mauro is joining Pacific Sky at an exciting time in our company’s development," said Michael Coughlin, CEO of Pacific Sky Aviation. "As we move closer to launching the world’s first Twin Otter Level “D” full flight simulator, we expect will attract Twin Otter pilots from around the world. We welcome Mauro to the Pacific Sky Aviation team and look forward to the experience and leadership he will bring as we expand the range of training and simulation services we offer our clients.”

Pezzetta comes to Pacific Sky Aviation from CAE, where he served as the Technical Operations Manager in Vancouver, and previous roles focusing on simulator training with South African Airlines, Canadian Airlines and Air Canada.

Pacific Sky’s Twin Otter Level “D” FFS will feature a seaplane capability to train pilots from around the world who operate the highly successful 19 passenger Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft manufactured by Viking Air Limited. The new simulator uses the very latest in motion technologies, including 60-inch stroke actuators to provide full range of motion for water operations, expanded visual technologies and field of view, and a powerful and flexible instructor station with expanded debriefing capabilities. The simulator will be qualified to the highest regulatory standard for Twin Otter operations on wheels with full training credits available for the aircrew. The simulator will also provide real-life simulation and dynamic surface modeling for seaplane training operations, the first of its kind.

The simulator will be ready for training in 2016 and will be housed into a new 13,000 square foot Pacific Sky Aviation training facility to be constructed adjacent to Viking’s corporate headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia. The expansion of this business will mean the hiring of approximately 20 people at Pacific Sky Aviation over the next 2 years.

(Twin Otter pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.pacificsky.ca