Plans To Expand Ab-Initio Training, Add New Type-Rating
Programs
ANN
has learned CAE recently acquired Sabena Flight Academy for cash
consideration in order to expand its ab-initio training capability
and CAE Global Academy and to add new type-rating training programs
in Europe.
Sabena Flight Academy (SFA) specializes in ab-initio pilot
training as well as type-rating training for airlines. It operates
an ab-initio flight academy equipped with approximately 40 aircraft
in Mesa, Arizona, USA, and a six-simulator training center in
Brussels, Belgium. Sabena Flight Academy is a JAA- and JAR-approved
Flight Training Organization (FTO) with 135 employees and more than
50 years of experience in professional pilot training.
"This strategic bolt-on acquisition is another step towards
developing our training network in order to better address the
global pilot shortage. It is also in support of our CAE Global
Academy as it will bring our capacity to train cadets to more than
1,400 a year globally. The acquisition will also enhance
CAE’s ability to deliver type-rating training in Europe as it
adds new training programs and an extensive range of new customers
to our network," said Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President,
Innovation and Civil Training and Services.
"Sabena Flight Academy is a first-class operation with a solid
management team and a proven track-record of profitability and
customer service. Its Brussels training center and the mix of its
simulator fleet complement well our existing training network and
our Brussels training center,” Jeff Roberts added. "It is a
pleasure to welcome the leaders of SFA Jacques Waldeyer and Kris
Van den Bergh to the CAE team. Jacques will lead all of our
Brussels operations and Kris the flight training organization in
Arizona and contribute to the leadership of our global ab-initio
training operations."
Sabena Flight Academy (SFA) is one of Europe’s oldest and
most respected pilot training organizations. After providing Sabena
Airlines with world class pilots for more than 60 years SFA has
become an independent training center operating on two continents
and training more than 400 cadet pilots per year.
SFA offers cadet training, advanced training, medical services
and aviation consulting. These services are customer-oriented for
airlines and self-sponsored pilot candidates. The Brussels-based
simulator center currently operates AVRO RJ85/100, Airbus 320, 330,
340 and Boeing 737 and 737NG full-flight simulators. The
Arizona-based flight academy currently operates a fleet of
approximately 40 aircraft, including an Eclipse 500 VLJ.
CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling
technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil
aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. The company
employs more than 6,000 people at more than 75 sites and training
locations in 20 countries.