Mubadala Aerospace, Abu Dhabi Aviation build
partnership to drive forward advanced flight training in Middle
East
Mubadala Aerospace, through its subsidiary Horizon Flight
Academy (Horizon), announced at the Dubai Airshow a joint venture
(JV) with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) to establish an advanced flight
training facility in the emirate dedicated to serving global
commercial and defense customers.
Furthermore, Horizon announced that it had signed a contract with
CAE (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) for the purchase of a CAE 3000 Series
full-flight simulator (FFS) representing the AgustaWestland AW139
helicopter to be owned and operated by the JV. The joint venture is
subject to any required antitrust and other regulatory
approvals.
"Mubadala Aerospace is at the forefront of creating a local and
international aerospace industry in the UAE and surrounding region
built on mutually beneficial partnerships," said Homaid Al
Shemmari, Executive Director, Mubadala Aerospace. "This joint
venture between Mubadala and ADA will bring together over 40 years
of combined aircraft operating and training expertise and will
capitalize on the significant projected global aircraft fleet
growth in the coming years in both the commercial and defense
markets. This will require well-trained, highly-skilled pilots and
through ADA and Horizon we aim to set the benchmark for pilot
training in the Middle East. The AW139 simulator from CAE will play
a key role in delivering the highest-quality helicopter
training."
"ADA is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle
East and we are delighted to be partnering with Mubadala Aerospace
to develop additional training capabilities for the region. Both
ADA and Mubadala have a long-term commitment to the aerospace
industry, and this JV and the purchase of this simulator will
ensure that our dedication to the highest standards of safety,
quality and efficiency will continue," said H.E. Nader Ahmed
Mohammed Al Hammadi, Chairman of ADA.
Captain Michael Burke, Director of Training for ADA, added, "CAE
has a long-standing reputation as the leader in helicopter
simulation, and we are excited to bring the new CAE 3000 Series
full-flight simulator to the Middle East. To ensure the highest
level of training, state-of-the-art technology and facilities are
essential and the JV's investment in the 3000 Series is evidence to
our focus on providing unparalleled training efficacy for our AW139
aircrews."
"CAE has designed training systems for the greatest variety of
helicopters, including a range of AgustaWestland platforms such as
the AW139," said Martin Gagné, CAE's Group President, Military
Products, Training and Services. "We are pleased Horizon and ADA
have selected the new AW139 CAE 3000 Series, which was specifically
designed with extensive input from AgustaWestland and our
Helicopter Advisory Board and incorporates some of the latest
simulation technologies to enhance safety and efficiency."
Bruno Spagnolini, Chief Executive Officer of AgustaWestland,
added, "AgustaWestland is very pleased to support this new Joint
Venture and looks forward to working closely with CAE in the
development of the new AW139 simulator for Horizon. We also looking
forward to extending our working relationship with ADA, Mubadala
and the JV as an AgustaWestland Authorised Training Centre to
support type conversion, recurrent and operational role training
for our AW139 customers from the Middle East."
The CAE 3000 Series helicopter simulator features unprecedented
realism for helicopter-specific mission training, including
offshore oil and gas producer (OGP), law enforcement, corporate VIP
and other operations. The simulator enables pilots to practice
challenging procedures without risk such as low-level flight,
confined area operations, autorotation and landing on platforms at
sea. The AW139 FFS for Horizon and ADA will feature the CAE True
six degree-of-freedom (DOF) electric motion system as well as
high-performance vibration platform to replicate vibration cues
critical to helicopter pilots and extensive input from
AgustaWestland to ensure full compatibility with the aircraft
configuration. The simulator will also feature the high-fidelity
CAE Tropos-6000 visual system and a direct projection 210 degree by
80 degree field-of-view dome display system. The CAE 3000 Series
AW139 simulator will be delivered in 2013 to Horizon and ADA.
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