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Tropic Air Logo

About Tropic Air

Founded in 1979 by John Greif III with just a single airplane and two employees, Tropic has steadily grown to become the largest and most experienced airline in Belize. Tropic Air operates fourteen Cessna Grand Caravans (208B) – Glass Cockpit, one Gippsland Airvan (GA8), and two Cessna T182T’s – Glass Cockpit. These aircraft are configured for three to fourteen passengers. 

Tropic Air Cessna Carvan

The Challenge

Before partnering with Redbird, Tropic Air trained its staff of 70 pilots exclusively in airplanes. With the high costs of aircraft fuel and maintenance, it was difficult for the airline to streamline training beyond the minimum legal requirements. Tropic Air also planned to add international routes to its flight schedule, which meant that its pilot program would need to increase IFR training. The airline recognized that it would need more cost control without compromising on safety.

The Goal

  • Control training costs while improving safety
  • Increase the quality and amount of pilot training
  • Add additional Instrument Flight Rules training
  • Reduce the dependency on actual aircraft during pilot training

The Solution

Tropic Air worked with Redbird’s CEO to develop an Aircraft Model Specific (AMS) simulator for a Cessna Grand Caravan. Using the simulator, the airline was able to increase total training hours for pilots while decreasing fuel costs. After five years of operating the simulator, the quality of training offered is unmatched, resulting in safer pilots at a much reduced fuel and maintenance cost.

Redbird CRVRedbird CRV Cockpit

The Result

Training Sessions Per Year
Saved per Year
Increase in Fleet Size
Tropic Air Caravan
The positive results were immediate. Training doubled to tripled immediately. Pilot skills and aircraft handling in instrument conditions have been greatly increased.

Raul Alamilla
Chief Safety Pilot, Tropic Air

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