You started flying before you obtained your driver's license. Looking back, where did this early passion for aviation come from?
I've always been fascinated with airplanes; as a kid, I played with toy planes and it's not like anyone in my family was into aviation, except my great uncle who flew in the war. One day, I saw air cadets selling tickets to raise money and learned that you could become a pilot through their program. I got a scholarship at 17 since we couldn’t afford flying lessons, and that’s how I started flying. I still fly today, both my float plane and our company's business jet. It feels like a dream to be involved in aviation both personally and professionally.
How much of CAE’s focus is on training pilots versus building of its flight simulators?
Our focus is primarily on training; the mission is to be the training partner of choice for airlines and business fleets, using simulators extensively. Around 70% of our business is training services, while 30% is selling simulators. We designed our first simulator in 1952 and created the industry standard for training with simulators in 1982 with the FAA and United Airlines. This method, zero flight time training, is still the standard today and is very sustainable since all pilot training happens in the simulator.
The simulators are sophisticated and essential for training pilots, ensuring safety, which is why air travel is the safest mode of transportation. We are not the only company in this niche, but we hold a very large market share in both selling simulators and delivering training worldwide, selling to major airlines and business aircraft OEMs, including Airbus and Boeing, across both civil and defense sectors.
Safety is an increased concern for travellers given recent high-profile scandals. How do CAE’s advanced immersive technologies improve more realistic training scenarios and higher safety standards?
The technology we use today is highly advanced.
Our latest generation of visuals offers near-perfect visual acuity. The simulators are on jacks to mimic real flight movements, including acceleration, turbulence, and other cues. The alarms and sounds are exactly what pilots hear in real aircraft.
This level of realism is crucial for effective training, ensuring pilots are well-prepared for any situation. Safety stems from standardized training and procedures, but thanks to rigorous training, globally, safety is not an issue. Pilots are trained to handle specific scenarios consistently. We lead in this area with our technology, employing 2,000 software engineers to create realistic training environments. We record and analyze data from training sessions globally, allowing us to ensure high standards and make necessary improvements.
With a high demand for pilots, we use data to accelerate their training and ensure they reach required standards faster. We also work very closely with regulators and governments; civil aviation is highly regulated, which is essential for safety. Pilots must regularly re-prove their qualifications, and we prepare them for critical scenarios they might never see in their careers. We ensure that pilots are trained to handle emergencies efficiently, which is why they stay calm under pressure.
The aviation industry is facing the problem of global pilot shortages. How large is this supply-demand gap, and how does CAE plan to close it?
We forecast a need for 1.3 million aviation professionals over the next decade. Half of the pilots flying in ten years haven't started training yet. We have a big role to play in that, given that CAE trains more pilots than anyone else in the industry! We also have initiatives like the CAE Women in Flight program, which underwrites training with CAE for deserving women and then helps them pursue a career with airline partners. This helps bring more diversity into the field.
Our job is to train pilots, and we are focused on it. We screen candidates thoroughly to ensure they have the right skills. Once in the program, the pass rates are high. We also train military pilots, and our standards are very high because safety is paramount. In terms of the barriers pilots face, it varies. Some pilots love the challenge and unique environments, but balancing work and personal life is essential. Airlines are progressive in tapping into this potential talent pool.
Looking forward to the future vision of the industry, what projects is CAE is focussed on?
We are now anticipating and accommodating the demand for eVTOL aircrafts in both training and the building of our simulators. The eVTOL industry is like the Wild West, similar to aviation in the 1930s. New engine technology and software enable these vehicles to fly, and their noise and environmental footprint are minimal. We're involved in developing simulators and training programs for these aircraft, partnering with major players to help with certification and training.
With over 77 years in the industry, CAE’s credibility, leadership position and expertise are creating opportunities for us to expand into adjacent markets. A great example is our flexible, scalable and configurable Flight Operations Solutions, which enable end-to-end flight operations management, operational performance, profitability, and an enhanced passenger experience. Another example is our recent partnership with NAV Canada. Similar to the need for pilots, we are seeing growing demand for air traffic controllers and flight service specialists. This partnership is expected to support training for over 500 additional students by 2028 across Canada.
