Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT), a JV between Emirates Group and CAE, said it plans to open a second facility in Dubai next year to provide additional training capacity for pilots and aviation maintenance technicians.

The facility will initially house four full-flight simulator (FFS) bays with plans to expand to as many as 10 bays. The first FFSs installed will replicate the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families of aircraft.

'Continued strong airline growth in the Middle East and neighbouring regions is driving the need for additional highly qualified flight deck crew and maintenance personnel,' said Gary Chapman, ECFT chairman.

'Our partnership has proven over many years the ability to consistently provide world-class training programs which leverage market-leading simulation technology,' he noted.

The current ECFT facility has played an integral part in the UAE's aviation industry. Located at the Emirates Aviation College campus near Dubai airport, the current centre officially opened in 2003 with six FFS bays and is approaching full capacity with 12 full-flight simulators.

'Training is provided for Airbus A320/ACJ, Boeing 737 NG/BBJ, Boeing 777, Bombardier Global Express, Dassault Falcon 7X, 900EX EASy and 2000EX EASy, Gulfstream IV, V and 550, Hawker Beechcraft 800, 800XP and 800 XCPi, and Bell Helicopter 212 and 412 aircraft types.'

'The agreement between Emirates and CAE to launch ECFT was announced 10 years ago this month in July 2001, so it is quite fitting that today we announce another centre to further serve the growing training needs of the region,' said Jeff Roberts, CAE's Group president for Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services.

'Our partnerships with respected organizations such as Emirates have enabled us to serve their crews as well as the training requirements of numerous airlines throughout the region,' he noted.-TradeArabia News Service