MONTREAL, CANADA--(Marketwired - Oct. 9, 2014) - (NYSE:CAE)(TSX:CAE) - CAE today announced it has signed a series of civil aviation training solutions contracts worth more than C$200 million with airlines and aircraft operators in the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Middle-East. These orders form part of CAE's second quarter order book and include:
-- a long-term training agreement expansion on multiple platforms including a new 10-year agreement for A350 training with an airline group in the Americas;
-- a Bell 412EP full-flight simulator (FFS) and training centre operations services to Abu Dhabi Aviation;
-- an A330 full-flight simulator to an undisclosed customer in Asia;
-- a long-term contract to train 200 new pilot cadets for Air Algerie;
-- a contract for B737NG training services for an undisclosed airline in the Americas;
-- and simulator update services to a series of customers.
"These orders, together with the joint venture we announced earlier this week with Japan Airlines, show major progress in applying our strategy to deliver comprehensive and highly differentiated solutions to our customers," said Nick Leontidis, CAE's Group President, Civil Simulation and Training. "We are proud to be the training Partner of Choice of many airlines and aircraft operators, including Japan Airlines, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Air Algerie, and to provide them with innovative, high quality training solutions to meet their pilot training needs as they continue to expand their fleets. These contracts are a testament to CAE's unique ability to offer such a vast array of training solutions on so many aircraft platforms and in so many locations globally."
Abu Dhabi Aviation
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, has purchased a Level D Bell 412EP helicopter full-flight simulator (FFS) from CAE as well as training centre operations services under a multi-year agreement.
"Our pilots have been training in CAE's global network of training centres for close to 10 years, and we are pleased to expand our relationship with the purchase of this state-of-the-art simulator and to benefit from CAE's expertise in training centre operations over the long term," said H.E Nadir Al Hammadi, Chairman of ADA. "Simulation significantly reduces our fuel costs, maximizes the time we use our helicopters for operational needs and at the same time increases safety."
The Bell 412EP simulator is a Level D CAE 3000 Series FFS model equipped with the latest generation visual system, the CAE Tropos-6000XR. The simulator features CAE's revolutionary roll-on/roll-off cockpit design, which enables cockpits representing various helicopter types to be used in the simulator. When a cockpit is not used in the full-flight simulator, it will be used as a fixed-based flight training device (FTD) for systems procedures and maintenance training. The Bell 412EP simulator will be installed in the new ADA Training Centre in Abu Dhabi and will be ready for training by the end of 2015.
Air Algerie
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy (CAE OAA) has signed a contract with Air Algerie to train 200 new cadets for the airline over the next four years on an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) training program. The cadet training will be delivered in Oxford, UK and Phoenix, USA. The first course is scheduled to start in early 2015 with additional courses commencing at four to six month intervals thereafter.
As the global leader in training commercial aviation pilots, CAE offers a full range of training solutions, from cadet training to type-rating, to help solve the shortage of qualified pilots. The industry predicts that as many as 20,000 new pilots will be needed per year over the next 20 years globally to support an average 5% annual growth in passenger travel.
Cadets will be selected jointly by Air Algerie and CAE Oxford Aviation Academy's assessment centre before they start the ATPL ground theory training phase in Oxford. After the ground school phase, the Air Algerie cadets will start their foundation flight training in Phoenix before returning to Oxford to complete the advanced Instrument Rating, Multi-Crew Co-Operation and Jet Orientation phases.
About CAE (NYSE:CAE)(TSX:CAE)
CAE is a global leader in providing comprehensive training solutions based on world-leading simulation technology and integrated training services. The company employs 8,000 people at more than 160 sites and training locations in 35 countries. Our vision is to be our customers' Partner of Choice and we take a long-term approach to customer relationships. We offer our civil aviation and defence and security customers a complete range of highly innovative product, service and training centre solutions designed to help them meet their mission critical needs for safety, efficiency and readiness. We provide similar solutions to customers in healthcare and mining. CAE has the largest installed base of civil and military flight simulators, supported by a range of after-sales services, and has been serving the needs of its customers for nearly 70 years. We have the broadest training services network in the world and offer civil aviation, military and helicopter training services in 67 locations worldwide and train more than 120,000 civil and military crewmembers annually. www.cae.com
