CAE USA opens training center for military pilots

CAE USA officially opened a pilot training center Tuesday for U.S. military pilots at the Dothan Regional Airport in Alabama.

The simulation company's Dotham Training Center was mainly developed to support the Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training program and will provide training to more than 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force fixed-wing aviators annually.

"The grand opening of the CAE Dothan Training Center marks the end of an extraordinary journey that included the development of this facility and comprehensive training program in less than 12 months, but more importantly, it signifies the beginning of a new partnership to provide a modern, flexible and cost-effective training program specifically designed for fixed-wing aviators," said Ray Duquette, president and general manager of CAE USA.

"I would sincerely like to thank the United States Army; all the local, state, and federal officials; our industry partners; and the employees of CAE for the opportunity to deliver training that will ultimately help enhance the safety, efficiency and readiness of our customers."

CAE now manages the syllabus to deliver all the training required for the following Army aviation courses. Among them: the Initial Entry Fixed-Wing C-12 Course, which includes academic, simulator and aircraft training; the C-12 Aviator Qualification Course; C-12 Instructor Pilot Course; and the C-12 Aviator Refresher Course.

All the courses involve simulator training.

CAE said at an opening ceremony that the first class of U.S. Army aviators officially started training at the center last month, including the first class for the Initial Entry Fixed-Wing training track, which was created by CAE and the U.S. Army to provide training to experienced Army rotary-wing aviators transitioning to fixed-wing aircraft.