Emirates-CAE first training provider in Middle East & Asia for Bell 412 helicopter

Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) has become an authorised Bell Helicopter Training Facility for operators of the Bell 412 helicopter across the Middle East and Asia.

Following his official inauguration of the Dubai Helishow 2006 at Dubai Airport Expo, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, signed the agreement at the event with Bob Pope, Regional Sales Manager Europe, Middle East, Africa, Bell Helicopter.

In attendance at the signing were Graham Rush, Head of Consulate and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate of Canada in Dubai, and Dave Barette, Managing Director of Emirates-CAE Flight Training.

Sheikh Ahmed said: “Emirates-CAE Flight Training is now well established as one of the leading centres for aviation training, attracting pilots from around the Middle East and Asia. I am pleased to welcome Bell Helicopter and I am confident that this agreement to become an authorised Training Facility will serve the requirements of our customers, both in the commercial and government aviation sector.”

Emirates – CAE Flight Training is approved by both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA). The Bell 412 full flight simulator is certified to FAA Level D standard and is also the first of its type in the world to be certified to Level D standard by the UK-CAA.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Pope said: “Bell is very pleased to join forces with the Emirates-CAE team in providing world-class 412 flight training for our customers in this part of the world. Having Emirates-CAE as our 412 flight training partner in Dubai provides our customers with Bell quality flight training in a state-of-the-art full flight simulator and in a very accessible location.”

Sheikh Ahmed also signed an agreement with Amer Al Sulaim, Executive Director – Aviation, Saudi Aramco, to train its helicopter pilots at ECFT, extending the current training agreement for the Gulfstream, Hawker and Boeing business jet.

“I am pleased to see a first-class aviation training facility within this region that is FAA certified,” said Mr Al Sulaim. “This agreement is an extension of our on-going, fruitful relationship which is in line with our strategic focus on working with businesses in the region.”