Mexico: CAE Trains PEMEX’s Offshore Helicopter Operator

CAE  yesterday inaugurated its first aviation training center in Mexico. CAE also announced that it has signed a training service contract with Heliservicio Campeche, a leading helicopter operator serving Mexico’s offshore oil and gas industry.

The inauguration was attended by Mexican government officials, business jet, helicopter and commercial aircraft operators, as well as CAE employees. “Latin America is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world and we are pleased to deliver training in-region for our clients,” said Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services. “CAE has been active in the region across four decades with many long-time customers in Mexico.”

The new CAE Mexico facility is the first business jet and civil helicopter advanced simulation training center in Latin America. The training center began operations in early 2012, offering pilot and maintenance technician training for the Bombardier Learjet 40 and 45 aircraft as well as the Bell 412 helicopter. The training center currently has four simulator bays and can be expanded further. It has the capacity to train about 3,000 pilots and maintenance technicians annually. The facility represents an investment of approximately US$40 million.

The training center also hosts Volaris A320 pilot training and related flight operations. Volaris is a rapidly growing low-cost Mexican airline. Volaris recently placed an order of 44 Airbus A320 which represents the single largest commercial aircraft order by a Mexican carrier.

Heliservicio Campeche

CAE has signed a training service contract with Heliservicio Campeche, a leading helicopter operator serving Mexico’s offshore oil and gas industry, for Bell 412 and Sikorsky S-76 training. Heliservicio Campeche pilots will conduct Bell 412 training at the new Toluca training center. Sikorsky S-76 training will be delivered at the CAE North East Training Center, near New York City, USA.

“We are excited at the opportunity to train our pilots with the world’s premier simulation and training company,” said Alejandro García Director General of Heliservicio Campeche. “The advanced training our pilots will receive will help fulfill our commitment to our customers to deliver reliable and safe services.”

“Heliservicio Campeche’s passenger and cargo transport services are a vital part of the oil and gas industry in Mexico, and their pilots face a variety of challenging flight environments,” said Mr. Roberts. “The immersive training experience provided by CAE’s full-flight simulators and experienced instructors will enable Heliservicio Campeche pilots to perform their missions safely, efficiently and effectively.”

Heliservicio Campeche operates a fleet of 30 helicopters, including 25 Bell 412 helicopters, generating an average of 3,000 flight hours per month carrying more than 1.1 million passengers per year. To date, Heliservicio Campeche has accumulated over 450,000 flight hours. Heliservicio Campeche has delivered helicopter services for more than 30 years to Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) and other oil and gas providers.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, April 26, 2012