Simulation-Based Training To Reduce Costs, Increase Safety

At the Dubai Helishow last Thursday, Emirates-CAE Flight Training signed a three-year contract with Caverton Offshore Support Group to be their exclusive Bell 412 helicopter training provider.

Caverton Offshore Support Group recently acquired five Bell 412 EP helicopters to provide support to offshore operations in Nigeria. Caverton's Bell 412 pilots will undergo specialized training tailored to their needs at Emirates-CAE Flight Training in Dubai. The program includes simulator training on the CAE-built Bell 412 full-flight simulator, enhanced classroom-based training and crew resource management.

"We chose Emirates-CAE Flight Training because it is the only training center that offered customized training solutions, which suited our specific needs," said Mr. Sola Falola, Managing Director of Caverton Offshore Support Group. "We will be reducing our costs and increasing the safety of our pilots with the simulation-based training offered by Emirates-CAE Flight Training. The program will reduce the financial burden of training pilots on our new helicopters or having to send them to a remote location. It will also increase our fleet's availability to meet our clients' needs."

"This is a significant step toward expanding our training presence in Africa as well as our Bell 412 program," said Walter Visser, Vice President and Managing Director of ECFT. "I am delighted that Caverton has chosen Emirates-CAE Flight Training and we look forward to providing their pilots a best-in-class, fully customized program."

ECFT is home to the only Level D Bell 412 FFS with JAA and FAA approval in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. To date, more than 30 clients, including offshore operators, police forces and companies specializing in search and rescue, train their pilots through various programs offered by the ECFT. The company has also been certified by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority as a Type Rating Training Organization for the Bell 212/412 type, and undergoes regular auditing by the QCAA to ensure that the highest training standards are maintained.

As ANN reported, ECFT signed a separate Bell 412 training agreement with Gulf Helicopter Company last week.

FMI: www.ekgroup.com, www.cae.com