Story ID: 
CHC sells training ops to CAE
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Offshore oil and gas helicopter company CHC is selling its training operations to Montreal-based CAE for an undisclosed price.
Word Count: 284
Offshore oil and gas helicopter company CHC is selling its training operations to Montreal-based CAE for an undisclosed price. The deal includes the transfer of 32 employees, four simulators and two training facilities to CAE as well as the ongoing training of 1,000 CHC pilots and another 1,000 maintenance personnel. The acquired training facilities–in Aberdeen, Scotland and Stavanger, Norway–will also be used to train non-CHC customers. In addition, Vancouver-based CHC will gain access to training at other CAE facilities.
CHC CEO William Amelio said the deal would help the company “focus on our core business” while providing the ability to scale training to demand. He called the move “the way of the future for the helicopter industry.”
Simulators covered under the agreement include a Eurocopter AS332/L1 Super Puma and a Sikorsky S-61 in Stavanger, an AS332L2 in Aberdeen and a Sikorsky S-76 in Vancouver. CAE’s existing helicopter training network includes Bell 412 training in Dubai; AW109 and AW139 training as part of the Rotorsim joint venture with AgustaWestland in Sesto Calende, Italy; and S-76C+, S-76B and AW139 training (via Rotorsim) in Morristown, N.J. CAE also is planning to offer 412 training in Mexico and India. The company operates military helicopter training centers in the UK and Germany and offers military helicopter training in Italy and India.
CAE employs 7,000 at more than 100 sites in 20 countries and operates 29 civil and military training centers. The company trains more than 75,000 crewmembers annually and last year revenues topped $1.4 billion.
CHC operates 270 aircraft in 30 countries and is the parent company of global maintenance provider Heli-One. It was acquired by private equity firm First Reserve for $3.7 billion in 2008.