On the eve of Heli-Expo 2011, training provider CAE (Booth No. 1253) announced both the completion of its acquisition of CHC Helicopter’s flight training operations and a partnership agreement to provide flight training for CHC Helicopter personnel.

Montreal-based CAE manufactures simulators and develops modeling technologies and integrated training solutions and maintains the world’s largest installed base of full-motion simulators for civilian and military aircraft. CHC Helicopter, based in Vancouver, B.C., provides helicopter transportation for the oil and gas industry and operates some 250 helicopters based in 30 countries.

“The helicopter market is of strategic importance to CAE,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s president and CEO. “We intend to continue growing our helicopter training network, leverage our experience in the training of fixed-wing pilots and continue to invest in research and development in order to provide the best training possible for helicopter pilots and engineers.”

Under the agreement, CAE will train 2,000 of CHC’s helicopter pilots and maintenance engineers, as well as provide other training support for CHC personnel. Said William Amelio, CHC’s president and CEO, “Training is a critical part of our business and it is very specialized.” Amelio called the agreement “one of the most significant developments in helicopter training in a decade. CHC Helicopter’s partnership with CAE offers us flexibility, scalability, access to leading-edge simulation equipment, accredited trainers and curriculum developers, but still allows us to maintain complete control over our training.”