Also Announces Training Joint Venture With CAE SimulFlite
Embraer announced
Monday at NBAA 2006 that it will build three new service centers in
the U.S. dedicated to full-service care for the Phenom 100, Phenom
300 and Legacy 600 aircraft. A fourth service center will be built
in 2007, at the Le Bourget airport, in Paris, France. The
investment for the new facilities will total around US $40
million.
The criteria for the selection of the service centers were the
location and suitability of available sites, skilled workforce in
the community, airport infrastructure and resources, and favorable
transportation logistics for customers and suppliers.
Embraer says the company thoroughly evaluated locations
throughout the Southeast, West Coast and Northeast US... before
selecting Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL; Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa, AZ, and Bradley
International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT, as sites for the new
service centers. Construction for each facility will commence in
2007 and be completed before the first Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft
enters into service in mid-2008.
"As we continue to expand our service center network on all
continents, these three U.S. service centers reflect our strong
commitment to our Executive Jets customers," said Mauricio Botelho,
Chairman, President & CEO of Embraer. "Our goal is to develop a
highly-efficient and customer-friendly support infrastructure that
will fully meet the expectations of our customers."
Each company-owned service center will consist of a facility
with approximately 40,000 square feet, comprising hangar, shops and
office space. The service center facilities will be capable of
providing full-service aircraft care, including routine inspection,
scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on airframe,
engine, avionics and other systems, 24/7 assistance, emergency
services (AOG Rescue/Mobile Teams), expendable and repairable parts
stock. Services may also include painting and interior
refurbishments.
New Training Program
In related news, Embraer also announced it has signed an
agreement to form a global training joint venture, which will
provide comprehensive pilot and ground crew training to Embraer
customers of the Phenom 100 Very Light Jet and Phenom 300 Light Jet
aircraft, which were first unveiled at NBAA
2005. The initial training program will be offered at
CAE SimuFlite, Dallas, TX beginning with the Phenom 100 entry into
service in 2008.
Plans for the joint venture include expansion to Western Europe,
and the Eastern US.
Under the terms of agreement, the joint venture will provide
entitlement training and postentitlement training for pilots,
maintenance technicians, and dispatcher personnel. This is CAE's
first training program for the Very Light Jet and Light Jet
markets.
"We have a longstanding relationship with CAE and are excited
that the new joint venture will be providing Embraer’s Phenom
customers with the high-quality training and personalized service
CAE is known for," said Botelho. "Our Phenom training program will
set the standard for training in the Very Light and Light Jet
markets."
CAE and Embraer will
work together to develop all required courseware and provide a team
of highly qualified instructors to deliver all ground school and
simulator instruction. As part of the training program, CAE will
design and manufacture the first full-flight simulator and combine
CAE Simfinity technology and devices into the comprehensive Phenom
training program.
Pilots will have the course content tailored to their specific
needs identified in the beginning of the process through tests,
interviews and curriculum evaluation. Upon request, a mentor pilot
program will be available and offered separately.