CAE and Volocopter to partner and create the global air taxi pilot workforce of tomorrow
CAE and Volocopter have announced a strategic partnership to create a pioneering pilot training program for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This partnership aims to ensure the safe introduction of eVTOL operations globally, utilizing advanced technologies such as AI and VR. CAE plans to invest up to US$40 million to expand its training network in line with Volocopter's growth. The program responds to an anticipated demand for 60,000 pilots over the next decade, supporting Volocopter's launch of its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft by the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
- Strategic partnership with Volocopter enhances CAE's position in the emerging eVTOL training market.
- Commitment of up to US$40 million investment to support pilot training expansion.
- Potential demand for 60,000 pilots within the first decade of eVTOL operations presents growth opportunities.
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- Ground-breaking training program to focus on safety and operationalization of eVTOL urban air mobility
- Volocopter, urban air mobility pioneer, teams up with CAE, global leader in aviation training, to develop an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) pilot training program in preparation for Volocopter's first eVTOL aircraft upcoming entry-into-service
- CAE commits to expanding its international training network to support Volocopter's growth and global pilot training with a forecasted investment of up to US
$40 million
MONTREAL, Canada and BRUCHSAL, Germany, July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE) – CAE, a global leader in aviation training, and Volocopter, a leading pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), announced today the signing of a strategic partnership, subject to definitive agreement, to develop, certify, and deploy an innovative pilot training program for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations. A first in the industry, this eVTOL pilot training program will develop the pilot workforce of the future and ensure safe introduction of eVTOL operations globally by leveraging CAE's advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), as well as data analytics and Volocopter's leading understanding of requirements for integration into the UAM ecosystem.
UAM is an emerging part of the aviation industry focused on aerial connectivity in and around cities. Volocopter's family of electric aircraft are designed to relieve today's heavily fossil-fueled, inner-city traffic for both people (VoloCity, VoloConnect) and goods (VoloDrone) . The company's first commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, is well into its certification program with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and is positioned to launch first services in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Through existing agreements and partnerships with global leaders, such as Daimler, Aéroports de Paris, Microsoft Azure, and now CAE, Volocopter plans to launch its services in a number of cities globally within the next five years. Volocopter is committed to seeking certification with the highest global safety standards for aircraft and operations.
CAE commits to expanding its worldwide training network with a forecasted investment of up to US
"As we scale our UAM services in cities around the world, specific pilot training and qualification for our Volocopters will be an important element. We are proud to be partnering with CAE, who have a track record in developing best-in-class, innovative pilot training solutions for new aircraft programs. It will greatly benefit Volocopter's entry-into-service timeline and scale," says Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter. "We are excited about CAE's endorsement and look forward to collaborate as partners focused on combining future-oriented technologies to ensure aviation safety."
"As a high-technology company and the industry leader in pilot training, we continuously look at providing solutions that make the world a safer place," said Nick Leontidis, CAE's Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions. "We are committed to supporting Volocopter's inspiring vision and we look forward to leading in the design of UAM pilot training that prioritizes safety of operations through our data-driven solutions, world-class pilot training experience, and longstanding relationships with civil aviation authorities across the globe."
As outlined in CAE's Advanced Air Mobility white-paper published this month (link), advanced air mobility will create an additional surge in the demand for pilots, with an estimated 60,000 pilots needed within the first decade of operation. Volocopter and CAE will work closely together to obtain regulatory approval for their pilot training program of the future.
About Volocopter
Volocopter is building the world's first sustainable and scalable urban air mobility business to bring affordable air taxi services to megacities worldwide. With the VoloCity, the company is developing the first fully electric "eVTOL" aircraft in certification to transport passengers safely and quietly within cities. Volocopter leads and cooperates with partners in infrastructure, operations, and air traffic management to build the ecosystem necessary to 'Bring Urban Air Mobility to Life'.
In 2011, Volocopter performed the first-ever crewed flight of a purely electric multicopter and has since showcased numerous public flights with its full-scale aircraft. The most notable have been the public test flights at Singapore's Marina Bay in October 2019 and the world's first autonomous eVTOL flight in Dubai 2017. Volocopter is also developing products for the logistics space with their heavy-lift cargo variant, the VoloDrone.
Founded in 2011 by Stephan Wolf and Alexander Zosel, Volocopter has 400 employees in offices in Bruchsal, Munich, and Singapore. The company has raised a total of
Find out more at: www.volocopter.com
About CAE
CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. As testament to our customers' ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE's revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with approximately 10,000 employees, 160 sites, and training locations in over 35 countries. www.cae.com
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