LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 16, 1999 -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has qualified the 717-200 full-motion flight simulator built by FlightSafety Boeing Training International, and the first pilots from AirTran Airways have started training on schedule. Captain Greg Brown, director of AirTran training and flight standards (left), and Captain Lee Nall, the airline's 717 fleet manager, prepare to "fly" the state-of-the-art simulator, located at the Boeing Long Beach Division in California. A related significant milestone was reached recently when the 717 achieved the same type rating as the DC-9, an important factor in crew training time. AirTran, the 717 launch customer, is scheduled to receive its first 717s in late September.
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