CAE closes acquisition of CHC Helicopter's training operations and becomes CHC Helicopter's training provider

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA--(Marketwire - March 4, 2011) - CAE (NYSE:CAE)(TSX:CAE) and CHC Helicopter, a global leader in helicopter services, announced today, at the eve of Heli-Expo 2011, the closing of the acquisition by CAE of CHC Helicopter's helicopter flight training operations. They also announced the execution of the agreement that will see CAE become CHC's long-term training partner, responsible for training more than 2,000 helicopter pilots and maintenance engineers as well as providing general training, pilot provisioning and certain types of search and rescue training in support of CHC's global fleet.

The arrangement, announced in December 2010, offers CAE a strong foothold in the helicopter training market and provides CHC with access to CAE's world class training network, equipment and personnel. CHC Helicopter's simulators and two training centres located in Stavanger, Norway and Aberdeen, United Kingdom, have become part of the CAE global training network. 

"This is an innovative partnership and one of the most significant developments in helicopter training in a decade," said William J. Amelio, President and CEO of CHC Helicopter. "Training is a critical part of our business and it is very specialized. CHC Helicopter's partnership with CAE offers us flexibility, scalability, access to leading edge simulation equipment, accredited trainers and curriculum developers, but still allows us to maintain complete control over our training."

Amelio added that the contract represents the first time a helicopter operator the size of CHC has adopted this model for training: "Training is critical to the success of CHC. We know that by working with a professional training organization like CAE, we will further enhance our training capabilities, our safety and our quality standards."

"The helicopter market is of strategic importance to CAE," said Marc Parent, CAE's President and CEO. "We intend to continue growing our helicopter training network, leverage our experience in the training of fixed wing pilots and continue to invest in research and development in order to provide the best training possible for helicopter pilots and engineers." 

About CHC Helicopter

Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, CHC Helicopter has annual revenues in excess of $1.3 billion and is a global leader in helicopter transportation for the offshore oil and gas industry, operating some 250 aircraft in more than 30 countries around the world. It is also a world leader in the provision of civilian search and rescue services, with current contracts in Australia, UK, Ireland and other locations around the world. CHC is the parent company of Heli-One, the world's largest independent helicopter maintenance company. With its headquarters also in Vancouver, Heli-One provides tip-to-tail maintenance services for a wide range of helicopters at bases around the world. www.chc.ca

About CAE

CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1.5 billion, CAE employs more than 7,500 people at more than 100 sites and training locations in more than 20 countries. We have the largest installed base of civil and military full-flight simulators and training devices. Through our global network of 32 civil aviation, military and helicopter training centres, we train more than 80,000 crewmembers yearly. We also offer modelling and simulation software to various market segments and, through CAE's professional services division, we assist customers with a wide range of simulation-based needs. www.cae.com