Today at the Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show, Rotorsim, owned equally by CAE (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced that it is continuing to expand with the purchase of two CAE 3000 Series Level D helicopter simulators.
Rotorsim will add the world's first-ever AW169 full-flight simulator to the Rotorsim Training Centre, which is part of the AgustaWestland 'A. Marchetti' Training Academy in Sesto Calende, Italy. The CAE 3000 Series AW169 simulator will be ready-for-training in mid-2015.
Rotorsim is also acquiring its second AW189 full-flight simulator and will deploy this simulator to a training centre in Aberdeen, Scotland. This CAE 3000 Series AW189 simulator, designed specifically to support training for search and rescue operations, will be ready-for-training in mid-2015 and be used to support Bristow Helicopters and other North Sea operators.
"We look forward to bringing the new AW169 simulator online in 2015 to support training for our new 4.5 tonne class helicopter," said John Ponsonby, AgustaWestland's Senior VP Customer Support & Training. "We are also excited to introduce AW189 simulator training in the United Kingdom to support search and rescue operations. Simulation-based training is a safe and effective method for training the challenging and demanding tasks associated with the SAR mission."
"Helicopter operators continue to recognize the value of simulation-based training for improving safety, operational efficiency and mission readiness," said Ian Bell, CAE's Vice President and Regional Business Leader - Europe. "CAE is proud to be AgustaWestland's partner of choice in developing high-fidelity training systems for operators of AgustaWestland helicopters."
Both the AW169 and AW189 full-flight simulators will be developed jointly by CAE and AgustaWestland and qualified to Level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators. The CAE 3000 Series helicopter mission simulator features unprecedented realism for helicopter-specific mission training, including offshore oil and gas producer (OGP), search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement and other types of operations. The simulators enable pilots to practice -- without risk -- challenging procedures such as low-level flight, confined area operations, autorotation and landing on platforms at sea.
Both the AW169 and AW189 simulators for Rotorsim will feature AgustaWestland-certified avionics and aircraft software combined with CAE core simulation technologies, including: CAE True six degree-of-freedom (DOF) electric motion system and high-performance vibration platform to replicate vibration cues critical to helicopter pilots; a high-fidelity CAE Medallion-6000 visual system; and a direct projection 210 degree by 80 degree extreme field-of-view dome display system.
Rotorsim was established in 2003 as a joint venture of AgustaWestland and CAE to provide synthetic training solutions for AgustaWestland AW109 and AW139 helicopter operators, and has now expanded to include AW169 and AW189 training. The Rotorsim training centre in Italy is located within the AgustaWestland 'A. Marchetti' Training Academy in Sesto Calende. Rotorsim also offers training on a CAE-built AW139 simulator located at CAE's North East Training Centre near New York City, and provides training in Sesto Calende, Italy, on the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH)/ Tactical Troop Transport (TTH) reconfigurable simulator.
About AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, the global helicopter company owned by Italy's Finmeccanica, is a total capability provider in the vertical lift market. Through its rotorcraft systems design, development, production and integration capabilities, its experience in the training business and its customer focused Integrated Operational Support solutions, the Company delivers unrivalled mission capability to military and commercial operators around the world. This expertise, backed by technological excellence and innovation, makes the Company a leader in a number of the world's most important helicopter markets offering the widest range of advanced rotorcraft available for both commercial and military applications. www.agustawestland.com
About CAE
CAE is a global leader in modeling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence. The company employs approximately 8,000 people at more than 100 sites and training locations in approximately 30 countries. CAE offers civil aviation, military and helicopter training services in more than 50 locations worldwide and trains approximately 100,000 crew members yearly. In addition, the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy offers training to aspiring pilot cadets in 10 CAE-operated flight schools. CAE's business is diversified, ranging from the sale of simulation products to providing comprehensive services such as training and aviation services, integrated enterprise solutions, in-service support and crew sourcing. The company applies simulation expertise and operational experience to help customers enhance safety, improve efficiency, maintain readiness and solve challenging problems. CAE is now leveraging its simulation capabilities in new markets such as healthcare and mining. More information can be found at www.cae.com. Follow us on Twitter @CAE_Inc and @CAE_Defence.
AgustaWestland contact:
Geoff Russell, Head of Media Relations
Tel: +44 (1935) 701117; Mob: +44 (7894) 005872, [email protected]
CAE contacts:
Nathalie Bourque, Vice President, Public Affairs and Global Communications,
+1-514-734-5788, [email protected]
Trade media:
Chris Stellwag, Director, Marketing Communications, Defence & Security,
+1-813- 887-1242, [email protected]
Investor relations:
Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategy,
+1-514-734-5760, [email protected]
