Acron Aviation has received official UK CAA approval for its Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator at the Bangkok Training Centre, a move announced on August 26, 2025, that opens the door for UK-compliant A320 pilot training in Thailand for airlines and individual pilots across Asia and beyond.
The approval confirms the simulator’s compliance with current UK and EASA training standards and places the Bangkok site on the UK list of qualified Flight Simulation Training Devices. This allows the centre to run Type Rating, recurrent, and tailored A320 CEO/NEO training under UK oversight. The device is available immediately for both wet (with instructors) and dry (without instructors) lease, giving airlines flexible ways to book training time.
What the approval enables
- UK CAA-listed device: The simulator now appears on the UK CAA’s official register, allowing sessions completed in Bangkok to count under UK/EASA frameworks.
- Course scope: Initial Type Ratings, recurrent checks, and custom bridge or airline-specific modules for A320 CEO/NEO are permitted.
- Flexible leasing: Both wet lease (Acron instructors) and dry lease (airline instructors) options are available.
- Immediate availability: The device is open for bookings and can support urgent operator needs.
Facility and device details
The simulator is a RealitySeven A320 CEO/NEO Full Flight Simulator, paired with Acron Aviation Academy’s instructor bench to support high-fidelity training in flight, systems, and procedures.
Key capabilities:
– Training for normal and non-normal procedures, manual handling, instrument approaches, and airline SOPs.
– Ability to mirror company flows, callouts, and SOP-specific content.
– UK-aligned course outlines, grading, and record-keeping.
Benefits to airlines and pilots
- Airlines:
- Lower travel and per diem costs compared with sending crews to Europe.
- Faster crew scheduling and reduced downtime for pilots.
- Ability to schedule Type Ratings, recurrent checks, and differences training locally.
- Pilots:
- UK CAA-approved records that support applications with many international carriers and regulators.
- Less time away from family and home base.
- Simpler logistics for revalidation and recurrent checks.
Important: The approval date—August 26, 2025—is the reference point training managers should use when documenting currency windows or internal audits.
Logistics and trainee support
Acron Aviation’s Bangkok team manages travel and on-site logistics to simplify training visits:
- Airport transfers and accommodation coordination near the facility
- Classroom scheduling aligned with airline rosters
- Assistance with medical and licensing guidance tied to UK/EASA standards
- Basic visa support letters and entry guidance for short-stay training visits
These services reduce friction for crews and make the site attractive to multi-base airlines moving pilots between fleets and regions.
Regulatory assurance and public listing
The UK CAA approval confirms the simulator meets device standards and that training outputs align with UK and EASA rules. The device is listed on the UK CAA’s Flight Simulation Training Device list: https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/flight-simulation-training-device-list/fstd-search/.
This public register helps training chiefs verify that sessions completed in Bangkok will count toward company and regulator requirements, supporting multi-country airline groups in comparing options and maintaining audit trails.
Company background and strategic intent
Acron Aviation’s Bangkok Training Centre (operating since 1996 and formerly AATC) forms part of a broader strategy to grow accredited training capacity near major Asian airline hubs. The company brings together training legacies that include programs tracing back through major simulation firms such as L3Harris and Thales Training & Simulation.
Senior leaders driving this expansion include:
– Alan Crawford, CEO
– Kris Ganase, Chief Strategy Officer
– Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer
– Ben Swann, SVP, Training Systems
Their focus: increase certified devices and course options to meet rising airline demand for internationally recognized pilot credentials.
Market context and impact
- Asia’s growing narrowbody fleets and continued A320/NEO expansion create steady demand for training.
- Local UK-recognized simulators reduce the need to send crews to Europe, easing training budgets and fleet scheduling.
- Analysts expect UK approval in an Asian hub to drive strong booking pipelines and increase monthly training throughput.
- Cross-recognition of standards helps regulators and airlines by reducing duplication and providing clearer benchmarks.
Who benefits — summary
- Airlines: local access to UK CAA-approved Type Rating, recurrent, and custom A320 training; lower costs; faster return to line.
- Pilots: records that many international carriers accept; reduced travel and family separation.
- Regulators: expanded use of aligned standards and consistent device checks.
- Acron Aviation: consolidation of its role in Asia’s training market and expanded capacity near key hubs.
Step-by-step enrollment and logistics
- Contact the Bangkok Training Centre through Acron’s site and customer business team. The dedicated Bangkok page is here: Acron Aviation – Bangkok Training Centre.
- Choose the course: A320 Type Rating, recurrent, or customized training aligned to airline SOPs.
- Submit required pilot documents per UK CAA/EASA rules and a valid medical.
- Book dates; the team assists with lodging, ground transport, and basic visa support.
- Train on the RealitySeven A320 CEO/NEO Full Flight Simulator with qualified instructors and technical staff.
- Receive UK CAA-approved certification upon successful completion, suitable for international airline operations.
Practical considerations for planning
- The centre’s proximity to Bangkok’s main international airport reduces transfer times after long-haul or regional flights.
- Airlines can combine ATR and A320 training in a single trip where needed.
- Dry lease sessions allow companies to use their own instructors while Acron provides the device and technical support.
- Training managers should record the August 26, 2025 approval date in internal documentation for audit and currency purposes.
Outlook and next steps
Acron Aviation is likely to pursue additional approvals for other aircraft types and locations. The Bangkok hub, with ATR and Airbus capacity, is positioned to meet demand from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Australia.
In practical terms, the approval provides:
– A verified UK-standard training option in the region.
– Predictable training blocks and international recognition for course records.
– Reduced travel burdens for pilots and more flexible scheduling for airlines.
For booking and course enquiries, contact the Bangkok Training Centre via the Acron Aviation page: https://acronaviation.com/training-services/locations/bangkok/.
Key takeaways
The UK CAA approval for the RealitySeven A320 Full Flight Simulator in Bangkok (approved August 26, 2025) gives airlines and pilots in Asia a locally available, UK/EASA-standard training option for Type Ratings, recurrent checks, and tailored modules — reducing costs, travel time, and administrative friction while supporting cross-border pilot mobility.
This Article in a Nutshell
Acron Aviation’s RealitySeven A320 Full Flight Simulator in Bangkok earned UK CAA approval on August 26, 2025, enabling UK/EASA-compliant Type Rating, recurrent, and custom A320 training under wet or dry lease, with immediate bookings and full logistics support.
