Emirates-CAE flight training opened at Dubai Airport Free Zone

Emirates' Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, and Gary Scott, Group President Civil Simulation & Training, CAE, cut the ribbon to open the new facility, which is situated in Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ).

Sheikh Ahmed commented: "I am very pleased to be inaugurating this new Flight Training premises with our partners at CAE.

"The facility is the first part of Emirates' ambitious plans for developing our operations in this field which will be achieved when we open our new Aviation College at the end of the year.

"We are confident that this will place Emirates at the forefront of aviation training in the region, offering the very best in training and facilities to both airlines and corporate aircraft operators."

The Emirates-CAE Flight Training premises in the airport's Free Zone is a state-of-the-art training facility, housing the Boeing 737-NG/BBJ and the Airbus A320 family Full Flight Simulator (FFS).

In addition, the facility is equipped with the industry's latest training technologies including the CAE SimFinity™ classroom trainer and convertible A320/B737 Integrated Procedures Trainer (IPT).

CAE SimFinity™ classroom trainers and IPTs use the same high fidelity software used in CAE's FFSs, offering a unique consistency in training.

In operation since June 2002, the facility now has training services agreements with seven airlines: Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Yemenia, Air Sahara, Helios Airways and Air Seychelles, as well as numerous corporate aircraft operators.

The pilots undergo European JAA and UAE GCAA-approved training on CAE FFSs, produced by CAE at its Montreal headquarters.

Mr Scott said: "For over a decade, we have been proud to be partners with Emirates, a true success story.

"The strengths of an ideal partner, Dubai's strategic location, excellent support infrastructure and accessibility all combined to make a compelling argument for this initiative.

"We believe that this partnership will continue its great success."

Emirates-CAE Flight Training will expand into the new Emirates Aviation College being built near Dubai International Airport and due to open later this year.

The 14-bay centre, when completed, will initially house six FFSs, including an Airbus A319/A320/A321, an A330/340 dedicated to third-party training, as well as a Boeing 737 NG/BBJ, plus Gulfstream IV and V corporate jets, which are currently undergoing final testing at CAE headquarters in Montreal. The simulators will be certified to meet FAA and JAA Level D standards, the highest in FFS equipment.

Emirates-CAE Flight Training is jointly operated by Emirates and CAE Inc. under a ten-year agreement.