When it comes to training, Jeff Roberts, executive vp for training
at CAE, has a simple rule: One size does not fit all. "We're
trying to define ourselves a bit differently by recognizing that
there's a tremendous amount of segmentation in the aviation market,"
Roberts says. "We're tailoring our programs to each segment."
That concept has guided the company's growth over the past few
years, spawning among other things the development of the "Simfinity"
product line so prominently displayed at NBAA. Simfinity is a
family of interactive simulation tools that can operate on a student's
laptop computer or on a 3-D Integrated Procedure Trainer (IPT)
in the classroom. The programs all use software developed for
CAE's Level D simulators. Simfinity is designed to be used at
home or on the road in a self-paced environment via a secure Internet
connection, allowing pilots and technicians to be better prepared
for classroom training time. "Simfinity allows you to take
information that's historically delivered to the training location
and make it continual learning," says Roberts.
Coming up with lower cost training options that take advantage
of the high fidelity aspects of Level D simulators to boost safety
and cut training costs is but one of the efforts Roberts and CAE
are undertaking to increase its business aviation market share,
not to mention acquiring simulation companies. In December 2002,
CAE purchased Dallas-based SimuFlite, the second largest provider
of business aviation training behind FlightSafety International,
for $247 million. As a whole, CAE now has 92 simulators in 18
locations worldwide and 44 business aviation simulators, including
29 at CAE Simuflite in Dallas and after this month, five in Dubai.
Roberts says he has simulators for about 85% of the active business
aviation fleet, up from 53% three years ago.
Back by popular demand at CAE's Booth 2339 at NBAA this year is
the IPT with its simulation-based, graphically displayed virtual
cockpit, aircraft system panels and schematics.
