CAE to develop Wildfire Training and Simulation Centre in British Columbia

Today at the Conair Aerial Firefighting Aerospace & Technology event, CAE announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Conair to develop a Wildfire Training and Simulation Centre in British Columbia.

Under terms of the MOU, CAE intends to establish a new Wildfire Training and Simulation Centre that will feature a CAE-built Avro RJ85 full-flight simulator qualified to Level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators.  Conair will procure long-term pilot training services from CAE to train their pilots who provide aerial fire suppression services using Conair's RJ85 Airtanker aircraft.

"We are excited by the prospect of expanding CAE's already substantial footprint in Canada to British Columbia and applying our world-class training system integration expertise to public safety and security," said Mike Greenley, Vice President and General Manager, CAE Canada.  "Simulation-based training is ideal for safely and cost-effectively preparing people who must operate in challenging and often dangerous conditions, and our Wildfire Training and Simulation Centre will offer world-class training programs for preparing to fight wildfires." 

In addition to the training program for RJ85 aerial firefighting pilots, CAE expects the Wildfire Training and Simulation Centre to be part of a distributed simulation network that connects wildfire training and coordination centres throughout Canada for purposes of conducting simulation-based mission rehearsal for wildfire response. 

"Conair is pleased to be partnering with CAE to establish a world-class training centre, which will be another great example of the aerospace and wildfire innovations being developed here in British Columbia," said Barry Marsden, Chief Executive Officer of Conair.  "We are a leading provider of aerial fire control products and services, and as a leader we need our people to be highly skilled and trained.  The new Wildfire Training and Simulation Centre will contribute to the preparation and readiness of our pilots and other professionals."

Over the next several months, CAE and Conair expect to identify training centre facility requirements and location, begin procurement of the RJ85 full-flight simulator, and engage other potential clients in Canada and internationally.

CAE also announced it has signed a contract with Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) to conduct a comprehensive training needs analysis that will provide the foundation for more effective training solutions related to wildfire fighting. This work is funded through the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP), a federal program led by DRDC CSS, in partnership with Public Safety Canada.

About CAE

CAE's Defence & Security business unit focuses on helping prepare our customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness.  We are a world-class training systems integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of training centres, training services and simulation products across the air, land, sea and public safety market segments.  We serve our global defence and security customers through regional operations in Canada; the United States/Latin America; Europe/Middle East/Africa; and Asia/Pacific, all of which leverage the full breadth of CAE's capabilities, technologies and solutions.

CAE is a global leader in delivery of training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. We design and integrate the industry's most comprehensive training solutions, anchored by the knowledge and expertise of our 8,000 employees, our world-leading simulation technologies and a track record of service and technology innovation spanning seven decades. Our global presence is the broadest in the industry, with 160 sites and training locations in 35 countries, including our joint venture operations, and the world's largest installed base of flight simulators. Each year, we train more than 120,000 civil and defence crewmembers, as well as thousands of healthcare professionals. www.cae.com

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CAE contacts:
Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice President, Public Affairs and Global Communications, 
+1-514-340-5536, [email protected]

Trade media:
Chris Stellwag, Director, Marketing Communications - Defence and Security, 
+1-813-887-1242, [email protected]

Investor relations:
Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Strategy and Investor Relations, 
+1-514-734-5760, [email protected]