Thursday, January 31, 2002
Simulators at CAE's Toronto and Madrid Aviation Training Centres Receive Level D Certification - News Editor @ 12:35 PST The Airbus A320, A330/340 and Boeing 747-400 FFS at the Toronto centre have received Transport Canada's TP9685E (rev.2) Level D standard certification. Equivalent Level D Federal Aviation Administration CAE's Toronto aviation training centre is located close to Toronto's Pearson International Airport. The full-service facility, which opened in December 2001, offers training to airlines and government agencies around the world. Anchor customers are Skyservice, Air Transat and Air Canada. A Bombardier Dash 8-100/300 FFS will be installed in early 2003 to train Air Canada Regional pilots. The Madrid centre's Bombardier CRJ-100/200/700 FFS has been certified in its 100/200 configuration to the highest European standard, JAR Standard 1-A Level D, by the Spanish authorities (DGAC) last December 2001, and Air Nostrum pilots have been training at the centre since. The 700 configuration is scheduled to be CAE's Madrid aviation training centre, located near Madrid/Barajas International Airport, will also also offer Bombardier Dash 8 training in the second quarter of 2002 in order to meet the growing needs of European and North African airlines.
CAE today announced that all Full Flight Simulators (FFS) at both its Toronto and Madrid aviation training centres have received Level D certification, the highest level in full flight simulation.
(FAA) certification is planned for later in 2002.
certified later this year.
L-3 Contracts for F-22 Trainer - News Editor @ 12:32 PST
L-3 Communications' Link Simulation & Training Awarded F-22 Trainer Production Contract (Business Wire) L-3 Communications today announced that its Link Simulation & Training division has been awarded a $26 million production contract from Boeing Defense and Space Group to build two full mission trainers and four weapon tactics trainers that will support pilot training on the nation's next generation F-22 stealth fighter aircraft.
CAE announces US$36.4 million project financing for South American aviation training centre - News Editor @ 12:32 PST The seven and a half year term loan issued by the Brazilian bank demonstrates that country's continuing confidence in CAE's aviation training initiative. This project financing enables CAE to borrow exclusively on the strength of its Brazilian operations. Bank ITAU is Brazil's second largest private bank with assets exceeding C$67 billion. CAE's South America aviation training centre began operations in April 2001. CAE's facilities in Sao Paulo will train in excess of 4,000 pilots in its first full year of operation. Through its current installed base of Airbus A320, A330/A340, Boeing MD-11 (McDonnell Douglas), Fokker 100 and Boeing 737-NG simulators, CAE South America caters to airlines of Brazil and Argentina, notably TAM, VARIG, GOL Airlines and LAPA. The South American aviation training centre has recently received the prestigious "Brazil 500 Years" award for its contribution to South American aviation training. CAE has a global aviation training network with an installed base of 75 full flight simulators.
CAE today announced the completion of a US$36.4 million (approximately C$60 million) project financing transaction with Banco ITAU of Brazil for its South America aviation training centre, located near Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
(Associated Press)
A380 in Production - News Editor @ 12:29 PST The A380 entered production on schedule today at Airbus' Nantes site in France. The A380 will enter into service in the spring of 2006. The traditional "first metal cut" from the machining of an aluminium triform (wing-to-fuselage junction) was accompanied today by the production of the first carbon fibre component for the centre wing box. The A380's centre wing box measures 7 metres by 6 metres by 2 metres (23 feet by 20 feet by 7 feet) and weighs 12 tonnes (26,500 lbs). The use of composite materials for the manufacture of this part is just one of the many innovative features of this new aircraft. Specialised in the field of structural composites, Airbus' Nantes plant achieved a world premiere with the A340-600, which features the longest carbon fibre keel beam ever built for a civil airliner. In October 2003, all the A380 parts manufactured at various Airbus sites around Europe will be transported by land and sea to Toulouse for final assembly. With 97 firm orders and commitments, the A380 has achieved a resounding success on the market in just one year since its launch. Based in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the U.K. and Spain, as well as fully-owned subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.
THE A380 ENTERS PRODUCTION - 23 January 2002
(PR Newswire)
"The A380 entered production on schedule today at Airbus's Nantes site in France," the company said.
One of the first parts to be made was the giant plastic girder that would lie at the junction of the aircraft's wing and fuselage, Airbus said.
The immensely strong, 12-tonne "centre wing box" is one of the advanced weight-saving parts that Airbus says will help the double-deck plane to carry passengers 15 percent more cheaply than the world's current largest airliner, the 747-400 of U.S. rival Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - news).
The A380 entered its $10.6 billion full-scale development programme at the end of 2000. The first one is scheduled for delivery in 2006.
Airbus belongs to Franco-German European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co NV and Britain's BAE Systems Plc (quote from Yahoo! UK & Ireland: BA.L).
Lockheed Martin Information Systems, Orlando, Fla. contracts. - News Editor @ 12:25 PST
Lockheed Martin Information Systems, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $6,022,787 firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for aircrew training for C-130 aircrews, maintenance and support of flight simulators. At this time, the total amount of funds has been obligated. This work will be complete September 2002. The contractor will perform this effort at Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga. The Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42630-99-C-0195, P00070).
Airbus Plans to Cut 1,000 Jobs - News Editor @ 12:24 PST (Associated Press)
European plane maker Airbus said Thursday it plans to cut about 1,000 jobs, or 2.2 percent of its work force, amid a decline in new orders from airlines suffering from a devastating industry slump.
CAE's Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) technology will be used to monitor and control the platform machinery of a ship, including propulsion, electrical, damage control and auxiliary machinery and systems. It also provides advanced automation for enhanced operational effectiveness and survivability of the ship. CAE's IPMS is the world's first and leading digital control system for naval ships.
The Royal Malaysian Navy plans to build up to 27 of these new ships designed to have low radar detectability, low noise, low heat dissipation with an economical cruising speed. Modules for the first two vessels will be built by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg and then assembled in Lumut, Malaysia, while the remaining four vessels will be built by PSC Naval Dockyard in Malaysia.
"CAE is proud to be selected for this prestigious Royal Malaysian Navy project and continue our longstanding and valued relationship with Blohm+Voss," said Rashid Khan, Executive Vice President, Marine Blohm+Controls,
Offshore Systems International and MarineSafety International JoinForces to Provide Electronic Chart Training to U.S. Navy - News Editor @ 12:21 PST Under the agreement, MarineSafety has purchased Offshore System's proprietary Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS®-M) for installation at MarineSafety's three training facilities. Offshore Systems will install ECPINS in classrooms and on the full-mission bridge simulators at MarineSafety's ship-handling training centers located on U.S. Navy bases in Norfolk and San Diego, and at MarineSafety's training center in Newport, Rhode Island. Using ECPINS as part of its U.S. Navy Certified training courses, MarineSafety will provide training to Navy crews using a system that meets the U.S. Navy's ECDIS-N standard. John Jacobson, President and CEO of Offshore Systems, said, ``Training is a key link in the logistics chain that the Navy requires for all of its deployed systems. Having ECPINS throughout the MarineSafety training centers ensures that ECPINS training is available at the home bases of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. MarineSafety's world-class facilities, instructors and curriculum will provide unmatched training for growing numbers of ECPINS users.'' MSI will add ECPINS-M systems to its current USCG approved 5 day Electronic Chart Navigation (ECDIS) course and the ECPINS-M system will be integrated into the simulators used in existing ship-handling courses offered by MarineSafety. Additionally, a new one-day ECPINS Introduction course will be available to new ECPINS users. MarineSafety International MarineSafety International has been providing training and research to the U.S. Navy and the commercial maritime industry since 1974. Its roots trace back to the early 1950's when its parent company, FlightSafety International, began training commercial aviators using mechanical simulators. FlightSafety International has since grown to become the world's largest provider of simulated aircraft training. Coordinated from its corporate headquarters at LaGuardia Airport's Marine Air Terminal in New York, MarineSafety International owns and operates ship-handling simulator learning centers in Newport, RI; Norfolk, VA; and San Diego, CA. These centers incorporate the latest in state-of-the-art simulation techniques. Captain Victor Goldberg Offshore Systems International Ltd. Founded in 1977, Offshore Systems designs, develops and markets the proprietary ECPINS® (Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System) line of electronic chart navigation systems for ships. ECPINS® helps to reduce the risk of navigation-related incidents by giving bridge crews a precise, realtime display of their position, course and speed, against a background of fixed obstacles and other navigational hazards. Offshore Systems has developed a strong market position in military navigation, and has ECPINS® systems deployed with the United States Coast Guard, the Canadian Navy, the Royal Danish Navy and the United States Navy.
Offshore Systems International and MarineSafety International Join Forces to Provide Electronic Chart Training to U.S. Navy VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2002--Offshore Systems International Ltd. (TSE: OSI - news), a marine electronic navigation company with a strong defense niche, and MarineSafety International, a long-time naval training and research company, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to offer ECDIS-N (Electronic Chart Display Instrumentation Systems-Navy) training to the U.S. Navy.
For more information Contact
Director of Business Development
MarineSafety International
Tel: 718 565 4183
JetBlue to buy Airbus aircraft valued at $500 mln - News Editor @ 12:19 PST
Low-cost airline JetBlue Airways is expected to announce plans to buy additional Airbus [ARBU.UL] aircraft valued at about $500 million, according to a source familiar with the situation.
CAE makes first sale of Internet-based CAE Simfinity(TM) to Boeing - News Editor @ 12:19 PST Starting in 2002, Boeing's customer support engineers and field service representatives will have access to the sophisticated troubleshooting and training tool to deal with today's complex aircraft systems. Boeing employees will be able to access this tool around the world via the Internet. "This agreement with Boeing is a significant step for CAE in its e- learning strategy to provide its customers with web-based troubleshooting, training and support tools," said Kamilia Sofia, Vice-President, Interactive Learning Services, Commercial Simulation & Training, CAE. "CAE is proud to work with Boeing, one of our long-standing customers and a respected leader in e-services." "The selection of CAE Simfinity(TM) is attributable to its high fidelity simulation and its Internet capability," said John Banbury, Vice-President, Technical Services, Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "We believe that the combination of Boeing customer support tools and processes with CAE CAE is a global leader in the provision of simulation and control technologies and training solutions for aerospace, defence and marine markets. Headquartered in Canada, CAE employs more than 7,000 people around the world and generates annual revenues in excess of C$1 billion.
CAE today announced that it has made its first sale of Internet-based CAE Simfinity(TM) to Boeing. CAE and Boeing have reached a five-year, multi-million dollar agreement to use CAE's unique online airplane simulations - CAE Simfinity(TM) - to improve Boeing customer service.
Simfinity(TM) will improve our ability to support our airline customers more efficiently."
CAE wins C$24 million contract to relocate Canadian Navy VICTORIAClass Submarine Trainers - News Editor @ 12:44 PST Canada purchased four ex-U.K. Royal Navy's UPHOLDER Class conventional submarines in 1998, including the package of unique trainers. The Canadian Submarine Group (CSG), led by CAE, will move the trainers from the U.K. and operate and maintain the devices for a period of four years. The contract contains options for renewal for two additional 12-month periods. The CSG includes General Dynamics Canada and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. "Following our recent announcement of the UK Astute Class Training Service contract, this selection by the Canadian Navy reinforces CAE's thrust into marine training. It demonstrates that CAE is well positioned to support the Canadian Navy for trainers and training services," said Rashid Khan, Executive Vice President, Marine Controls, CAE. This is CAE's second naval training contract since the C$420 million contract for the U.K. Royal Navy's Astute Class Training Service (ACTS) awarded in September 2001. CAE is a global leader in the provision of simulation and control technologies and training solutions for aerospace, defence and marine markets. Headquartered in Canada, CAE employs more than 7,000 people around the world and generates annual revenues in excess of C$1 billion.
CAE today announced it has been selected by the Government of Canada to relocate, operate and maintain eight VICTORIA Class Submarine Trainers currently located in the U.K. to a new navy training facility at Canadian Forces Base, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The value of the contract is approximately C$24 million.
EasyJet in talks to buy 75 new planes - News Editor @ 12:15 PST
EasyJet Plc, Europe's second-largest budget airline, said on Monday it was in talks with the world's two largest civil aircraft manufacturers about buying 75 new planes as it expands rapidly.
Cubic Defense Systems to Provide Air Combat Training System for RoyalSaudi Air Force - News Editor @ 12:43 PST
The U.S. Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has awarded a $19 million contract to Cubic Defense Systems, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Cubic Corp., to provide a new air combat training system to the Royal Saudi Air Force for F-15 fighter pilot training.
B737-800 Simulator - News Editor @ 12:14 PST
B737-800 SIMULATOR Qantas this week signed a contract with Thales Training and Simulation Pty Ltd to supply a flight simulator for the Boeing 737-800 aircraft type. The simulator will be located at the Qantas Airport West Training Facility in Melbourne and will complement the existing B737 flight training operations. The simulator will be delivered in June and is expected to be fully operational by October.
CAE announced on December 18, 2001, that it had signed a definitive agreement with GE Capital Commercial Equipment Financing to acquire 100% of the shares of SimuFlite, including its three training facilities in Dallas, Texas, and Marietta, Georgia, for US$247 million (approximately C$390 million).
The SimuFlite transaction represents CAE's second major flight training acquisition this fiscal year. In August, CAE concluded the acquisition of Schreiner Aviation Training of the Netherlands. The SimuFlite and Schreiner acquisitions, combined with CAE's own global network of aviation training facilities, will enable CAE to have in operation an installed base in excess of 75 full flight simulators next year.