LE BOURGET, Paris, June 19 /CNW Telbec/ - (NYSE: CGT; TSX: CAE) - CAE has signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to develop the National Flying Training Institute (NFTI). CAE has also signed a memorandum of understanding to become the managing partner of the Indian government’s flight training academy: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA). More than 400 pilots would be licensed annually through these new schools. The total output would grow to over 600 pilots with the Multi Pilot Licence (MPL) stream of licensing.

The selection of CAE by the government of India for these schools is a significant milestone for flight training in India," said Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President, Innovation and Civil Training & Services. "Given our extensive experience in building world-class flight-training organizations, we intend to provide India with the expertise and support they need to develop a solid infrastructure and implement the most modern standards in flight training. With these new schools, which would complement our upcoming training centre in Bangalore, we will be able to address the need for pilots in India."
   
"Creating these world-class institutions in-country with CAE as our partner is a major government initiative targeted at tackling both the acute shortage of Indian pilots while improving the overall quality of the cadet supply within India," said The Honourable Praful Patel, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation. "Today there are approximately 2,500 active pilots in India and we estimate that we will need up to an additional 5,000 pilots over the next 5 years to meet the needs of the industry. These initiatives will go a long way to help remedy our pilot shortage."
   
Over the next decade, the rapid growth in air travel will generate an enormous demand for pilots, cabin crew, maintenance staff and infrastructure to support this growth. The Air Passengers Association of India estimates that the annual air traffic growth rate in the country has been around 26% over the past two years, causing the Indian airline industry to order approximately 400 new aircraft, to be delivered by 2010.
   
Once final agreements are signed, CAE will offer these schools the possibility of becoming members of the CAE Global Academy. The CAE Global Academy is a worldwide network of flight training organizations that offers pilot candidates an optimized program with standard operating procedures. CAE currently has six member schools in its Global Academy and can license annually 1,000 pilots. Once they have graduated from the Academy, the new first officers are able to proceed for type-rating in one of CAE’s training centres, including CAE’s upcoming training centre in Bangalore. CAE has contracts with several airlines to supply them with pilots. CAE has recruited, trained and supplied more than 800 pilots for commercial airlines over the last year.

   
Joint venture with AAI
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the National Flying Training Institute will be jointly owned by CAE and AAI. Located at GONDIA in the State of Maharashtra, the Institute will include a state-of-the-art facility equipped with classrooms, a hostel, a library, a workshop, a cafeteria, a guest house and a club. The school will operate new aircraft, and will use CAE’s courseware and innovative training equipment. The total investment for NFTI is approximately US$25 million. When fully operational, it is estimated that the NFTI will create approximately 200 pilots a year.
   
Managing partner of IGRUA
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, CAE will manage IGRUA’s existing flight school activities, including maintenance of aircraft, flying operations, air traffic control, runway maintenance, NAV aids, fire fighting facilities, medical facilities, security, staff and student facilities, as well as transportation.
   
As part of the memorandum of understanding, CAE will transform IGRUA into a Centre of Excellence for India, leading the Indian market in the delivery of a complete range of high-quality aviation training programs. IGRUA currently licenses 200 pilots annually.

   
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) is the Indian government’s national flying school located at the Fursatganj Airport in Rae Bareli. Opened in 1986, it is equipped with aircraft including a Trinidad TB-20, a King Air C-90A and a Zlin 242L. It also includes a full-flight simulator for a King Air C-90A and cockpit procedure trainers for the Trinidad TB-20. IGRUA currently employs 250 people.

Source: CAE
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