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NEWS
RELEASE
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CONTACTS:
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Patricia
Roquebert -
Panama
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(507)
304-2672
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Carmina
Reyes - U.S.
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(210)
222-1933
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COPA
AIRLINES RECEIVES EMBRAER 190 FLIGHT SIMULATOR
Copa
is the first Latin American airline with both Embraer 190 and Boeing 737Next
Generation simulators
PANAMA,
Aug. 12, 2008 - Copa
Airlines
(NYSE:
CPA) has received an Embraer
190
flight simulator,
becoming the first airline in Latin America with both Embraer 190 jet and
Boeing
737 Next Generation simulators for pilot training.
The
Embraer 190 flight simulator was unveiled today during a ceremony at Copa
Airlines’ Training Center in Panama, attended by Panamanian President Martin
Torrijos, members of his Cabinet and special invited guests.
“The
new
Embraer 190 simulator allows all our pilots to receive the best training
with
the most advanced technology in the industry, without having to travel
to other
countries,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO, Copa Airlines. “We are very proud of our
leadership in Latin American aviation; once again we are in the vanguard
of
training technology.”
The
new
Embraer 190 simulator, certified by the Civil Aeronautics Authority of
Panama
(Autoridad
Aeronáutica Civil),
utilizes CAE
5000
technology. The simulator incorporates electric motion and high-definition
visual systems that replicate the flight experience and enable pilots to
receive
training in a variety of Embraer aircraft procedures and maneuvers.
“Having
an Embraer 190 simulator in Panama means greater staff productivity and
flexibility for the company,” explained Captain Larry Ganse, Senior Vice
President of Operations, Copa Airlines. “The simulator is programmed for more
than 7,300 hours of use per year - the equivalent of an average of 20 hours
of
use a day a day by Copa and Aero República pilots.”
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continue --
Copa
Airlines receives flight simulator/Page 2
This
is
the second simulator at the Copa Airlines Training Center in the City of
Knowledge (Ciudad
del Saber),
an
international complex for education, research, and innovation. The Training
Center has had a Boeing 737 simulator since 2006.
In
addition to the two flight simulators, Copa’s Training Center has a cabin
simulator for flight attendant training, as well as door and emergency
exit
window training devices for both types of aircraft. The Center provides
training
for approximately 230 new pilots and 150 new flight attendants each year,
as
well as recurring training for 500 pilots and 700 flight attendants
annually.
Currently
Copa’s fleet consists of 13 Embraer 190 and 27 Boeing 737 Next Generation
aircraft. Copa’s fleet is one of the youngest in the Americas, with an average
age of 4.1 years.
About
Copa Holdings
Copa
Holdings, through its Copa Airlines and Aero República operating subsidiaries,
is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo service. Copa
Airlines currently offers approximately 136 daily scheduled flights to
42
destinations in 22 countries in North, Central and South America and the
Caribbean. In addition, Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to
flights to more than 120 other international destinations through codeshare
agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines. From the U.S.,
Copa
offers nonstop service to Panama 20 times a week from Miami; daily from
New York
City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.; and 12 times a week from Orlando.
Aero
República, the second-largest domestic carrier in Colombia, provides service
to
12 cities in Colombia as well as international connectivity with Copa Airlines’
Hub of the Americas through daily flights from Bogotá, Cali and Medellin. For
more information, visit www.copaair.com.
CPA-G
###