Piper Aircraft, Inc. and CAE announced today the introduction of 35 Piper single-engine and twin-engine training airplanes to its CAE Oxford Aviation Academy fleet.
The agreement includes firm orders for 22 single-engine Archer TX training airplanes and 13 twin-engine trainers, as well as parts and service. Deliveries will start this spring with 27 of the new aircraft going to CAE Oxford Aviation Academy in Phoenix, United States, and eight being sent later in the year to CAE Oxford Aviation Academy in Oxford, UK.
This initial order for 35 aircraft is part of a five-year fleet replenishment initiative agreement between the two companies. Under the agreement, CAE has designated Piper as its Preferred Aircraft Provider. CAE’s long term needs include the possibility of additional orders to continue its efforts to modernize its CAE Oxford Aviation Academy fleet.
“These Piper aircraft are equipped with multiple systems designed to enhance training and safety of flight, including flight data feedback systems and traffic awareness technology,” said Jeff Roberts, CAE Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services. “This addition of modern glass-cockpit aircraft is part of our goal to continue to make CAE Oxford Aviation Academy the highest-quality, safest network of cadet flight schools in the world. Once cadets complete their flight training at our academy, part of the world’s largest commercial pilot training network with long-term and joint venture relationships with airlines on every continent, they will be ready to fully realize their dream of becoming airline pilots.”
“Piper is absolutely delighted that CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, a recognized world leader in civil aviation pilot training, has selected our company for its next large fleet procurement of learning aircraft,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “The dual country destination for this fleet order is a first for Piper’s recent fleet sales and CAE’s order is confirmation that Piper single and twin-engine aircraft provide the best value and most appropriate training platforms in the industry for today and tomorrow.”
All of the aircraft will be equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics suites and Garmin Traffic Advisory Systems. The aircraft will have satellite enhanced dual antenna traffic awareness technology, enabling one-second updates for traffic situational awareness.
The aircraft will also become the first ab initio aircraft in the world to be factory-equipped with CAE-designed flight data analysis and cockpit video recording systems. These systems record data, audio and video and are important new additions to CAE’s Safety Management System (SMS). The recorded information will be replayed through the CAE Flightscape Insight flight data analysis software. It will enable students to debrief immediately after a flight using flight animation with synchronized audio/video and will allow CAE to gather statistical trends for longer term safety and performance benefits. This initiative provides for more consistent high-level training with objective flight animations and metrics to enhance the overall learning experience.
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy is the largest ab initio flight training network in the world with the capacity to train more than 2,000 cadets per year across 11 flight schools on five continents. Drawing upon over 85 years of pilot training expertise, CAE Oxford Aviation Academy cadet pilot training programs provide high quality, focused ab initio training to aspiring pilots across the globe. The range of programs includes CPL, ATPL and MPL training routes, all of which combine premier ground school courses with high quality flying instruction delivered in accordance with national aviation authority requirements. Training locations include Australia, Belgium, Cameroon, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
About the Piper Archer TX
The Piper Archer fulfills two missions with one airplane. The first mission is learning to fly. The second is gaining experience and knowledge in a very capable instrument cross-country airplane. As a classroom, the Piper Archer provides everything needed to learn to fly safely. Standard instrumentation includes the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit system, a perfect mixture of low workload and high technology. Comfortable leather seats are standard, and the option for factory-installed air conditioning adds to the Archer’s appeal as a training aircraft. It is powered by the 180 hp Lycoming 0-360-A4M and offers 128 ktas / 237 km/h cruise speed.
About the Piper Seminole
The Piper Seminole is an advanced training aircraft with consistency and proven reliability in more than 20 years of service and hundreds of thousands of hours in flight school environments throughout the world. Students admire the airplane for its ability to teach advanced flight training maneuvers and procedures. Instructors appreciate the Piper Seminole’s ability to teach these lessons in a safe and forgiving manner. Flight school owners appreciate the Piper Seminole’s ability to keep students and instructors happy while increasing operating revenue. The Seminole is a twin-engine piston powered aircraft that seats four and is equipped with ThermaCool air conditioning. It is powered by two Lycoming L/O -360-A1H6 each generating 180 hp. Its cruising speed at 75 percent power is 162 KTAS / 300 km/h. Its range is 700 nm / 1,426 km. Standard equipment includes the Garmin G1000.
About CAE
CAE (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) is a global leader in modeling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defense. The company employs approximately 8,000 people at more than 100 sites and training locations in approximately 30 countries. CAE offers civil aviation, military, and helicopter training services in more than 45 locations worldwide and trains approximately 100,000 crewmembers yearly. In addition, the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy offers training to aspiring pilot cadets in 11 CAE-operated flight schools. CAE’s business is diversified, ranging from the sale of simulation products to providing comprehensive services such as training and aviation services, integrated enterprise solutions, in-service support and crew sourcing. The company applies simulation expertise and operational experience to help customers enhance safety, improve efficiency, maintain readiness and solve challenging problems. CAE is leveraging its simulation capabilities in new markets such as healthcare and mining. www.cae.com
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About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla. The company offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series – the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix – offer businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
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Photos of the new aircraft are available in the photo gallery of www.cae.com/photos
Piper Aircraft Contact:
Jackie Carlon
Phone: (772) 299-2900
Fax: (772) 978-6585
Mail to: Jackie.Carlon@piper.com
CAE Contacts:
Nathalie Bourque, Vice President, Public Affairs and Global Communications,
+1-514-734-5788, nathalie.bourque@cae.com
Investor relations: Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategy,
+1-514-734-5760, andrew.arnovitz@cae.com
