Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) is set to offer training early in the new year to Middle East-based operators of the Bell 412 and 212 helicopters, with Qatar-based Gulf Helicopters as its first customer.
The Middle East’s first Bell 412 full-flight simulator, manufactured by Canada-based CAE, is currently being installed at ECFT’s facility in Dubai.
ECFT’s Managing Director, Dave Barrette, said: “With the installation and certification of this new simulator, Emirates-CAE Flight Training will be able to offer comprehensive training programmes for regional helicopter operators. I am delighted to welcome our first customer Gulf Helicopters to the facility.”
The simulator and related training programmes are expected to be approved by regulatory authorities over the coming months, and the training for Gulf Helicopters will begin as soon as it enters into service.
Last year, Gulf Helicopters, based in the Qatari capital, Doha, signed a five-year exclusive agreement to train its Bell 412 and 212 pilots at ECFT. ECFT was also selected by Bell Helicopter to become a Bell Associated Training Facility for Middle East-based operators of the Bell 412 helicopter.
Emirates-CAE Flight Training is located close to Dubai International Airport and is jointly operated under a long-term teaming agreement by the Emirates Group and CAE, the Montreal-based manufacturer of full-flight simulators and training provider. Qualified to both JAA and FAA standards, the facility offers training to commercial airlines and corporate aircraft operators in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.
In addition to the Bell 412 helicopter simulator being installed, the 14-bay centre houses seven full-flight simulators: an Airbus A320/ACJ, an Airbus A330/340, two Boeing 737 NG/BBJs, a Gulfstream IV, a Gulfstream V, and a Hawker 800/800XP.
Two more simulators – a Boeing 777 and an Airbus A320 – are due for installation over the coming year, which will bring the total number of simulators operated by ECFT to ten by the end of 2006.
The Emirates Group comprises Emirates Airline, Dnata, the largest travel services provider in the Middle East, and a number of commercial relationships.
Emirates is the world’s second most profitable airline and among the 20 largest. It is based in Dubai, one of the few cities in the world that pursues an open-skies policy, with more than 110 airlines in free and fair competition.
Emirates’ 83 all wide-bodied fleet includes seven freighters and is among the youngest in the skies, with an average age of 55 months – over eight years less than the industry average. The airline plans to more than double its size by 2012 and currently has 132 aircraft on order, worth US$37.4 billion at list prices. Visit www.ekgroup.com
CAE is a leading provider of simulation and modelling technologies as well as integrated training services for commercial and business aviation, and defence customers worldwide. The company has annual revenues of approximately C$1 billion, with operations and training facilities in 17 countries on five continents. Visit www.cae.com.
