Rockwell Collins and Bluesky to form ACCEL (Tianjin) Flight Simulation joint venture
TIANJIN, China, 18 Jan. 2014. Rockwell Collins and Beijing Bluesky Aviation Technology, an AVIC subsidiary, are establishing ACCEL (Tianjin) Flight Simulation Co. Ltd. joint venture (JV) with the intention to create a simulation and training center of excellence in China for commercial flight simulation and training solutions.
Under the terms of the agreement, both parties are contributing financing, tangible assets, and intellectual property to design, manufacture, sell, and support the commercial flight simulators for China and eventually the global market. The JV has selected Tianjin Airport Economic Area, a major and growing hub for the aviation and aerospace industry in China, as its location.
ACCEL will use Rockwell Collins CORE Simulation Architecture technology and leading visual systems, and Bluesky’s expertise on Chinese commercial aircraft flight simulation training solutions and local service and support.
“With this agreement, Rockwell Collins and BlueSky are transferring all their commercial simulation systems business to the JV to create a global center of excellence,” says LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and general manager, Simulation and Training Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “It marks the strongest collaboration yet between our two organizations, and is a monumental step in developing the fastest growing region in the world for commercial simulation and training.”
"The signing of the JV agreement marks the beginning of our new journey together between Bluesky and Rockwell Collins," adds Jin Dongsheng, chairman, Beijing Bluesky Aviation Technology. "With the combined expertise from both companies, I'm fully confident that the JV will be able to deliver world-class simulators and other training devices to meet our customers' training needs worldwide."
Upon approval by government and regulatory authorities, ACCEL will be incorporated in the city of Tianjin, with a grand opening anticipated by May 2014.
ACCEL will be managed by Andrew Morris of Rockwell Collins. Morris is a 38-year veteran of the simulation and training industry with extensive experience in China. Mr. Jin will serve as chairman of the Board of Directors for ACCEL.
Flight simulator image courtesy Shutterstock.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
