DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES--(Marketwired - May 27, 2013) - Emirates and CAE today officially inaugurated their ultra-modern pilot training facility at the world-class commercial park Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), hosting an event attended by customers and officials from around the world. The DSO centre is the second training centre owned and operated by Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT).
Completed last month in record time after a whole year in the planning construction phases, this state-of-the-art centre brings Emirates and CAE's joint investment in the region to over US$260 million.
Having celebrated the 10-year milestone of their joint partnership in the region last year, Emirates and CAE have continually invested in the management and expansion of their joint venture - Emirates CAE Flight Training - growing the business substantially and earning ECFT its reputation in the industry as a centre of training excellence.
The new DSO facility will initially house five full-flight simulator (FFS) training bays with three already installed, substantially increasing the region's vital pilot and technician training capacity and providing much-needed support for its established and increasing group of airline customers. ECFT's new 55,000 square foot facility already boasts industry-leading Airbus and Boeing flight training simulators with breakthrough visual realism, cockpit replication and high-fidelity avionics simulation with flight and ground-handling characteristics indistinguishable from an operational aircraft.
The centre also features ten briefing/de-briefing rooms, three large classrooms and a high-tech computer-based training room offering clients everything they need to prepare pilots and technicians for a safe career in the skies.
Founded in 2002, ECFT's early business was conducted from a satellite centre in modest premises in the Dubai Airport Freezone, with just two full-flight training simulators. The business soon expanded and on 6th December 2003, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai officially opened the current facility in a bespoke training centre adjacent to the Emirates Aviation College in Garhoud, Dubai.
Today the Garhoud centre boasts some 13 training bays and is one of the largest pilot training facilities in the world. Now almost most reaching full capacity, the need arose to expand and construct the new DSO centre inaugurated today.
About Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT)
ECFT is jointly operated by Emirates, one of the world's fastest-growing airlines and CAE, a global leader in modelling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence. The original facility, housed in a training centre adjacent to the Emirates Aviation College in Garhoud, Dubai, was the first training centre of its kind in the Middle East to be approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Continuous expansion increased the facility's capacity to its current position of servicing over 200 aviation clients and training more than 10,000 pilots and technicians a year on a range of Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream and Hawker Beechcraft aircraft types. Commercial airlines, business aircraft and helicopter operators also train their crews and maintenance staff at ECFT. In addition, management works in close collaboration with more than 20 different National Aviation Authorities to ensure that their specific requirements are also fulfilled.
ECFT offers a range of simulated aircraft types and type-rated courses, covering business jets, as well as narrow and wide-body commercial jets. The centre also offers courses in pilot and maintenance training.
Notes to Editors
Captions for images:
Image One: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group presents plaques commemorating ten years of the Emirates-CAE Flight Training partnership to: Jeff Roberts, Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services, CAE (left) and Gary Chapman, President, Group Services, Emirates (right).
Image Two: A pilot receives training in a CAE-built full flight simulator from a member of ECFT's experienced training team.
Image Three: An exterior view of new Emirates-CAE Flight Training Centre in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Image Four: An interior view of new Emirates-CAE Flight Training Centre in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Contact Information:
Helen Ward, Public Relations Manager
Direct line: +9714 708 2144
Mobile: +971 50 950 8152
helen.ward@emirates.com
Media contact for CAE:
Nathalie Bourque, Vice President,
Public Affairs and Global Communications
+1 514 734 5788
nathalie.bourque@cae.com
