Defence Minister Senator David Johnston today officially opened CAE Australia Pty Ltd’s new King Air 350 Full Flight Simulator facility in Sale, Victoria.
Joined at the opening by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, who is also the local Member, Senator Johnston said the facility primarily supported the Royal Australian Air Force’s Number 32 Squadron and the School of Air Warfare.
“It enables aircrew to receive critical training in Australia that was previously only available through overseas providers,” Senator Johnston said.
“The Defence Materiel Organisation contracted CAE Australia in October 2012 to provide 1500 hours of simulator services per year, as opposed to Defence purchasing a simulator device.
“This approach allowed an aggressive schedule to be achieved and will result in long-term cost savings, because CAE Australia can offer use of the facility to third-party customers with resultant cost benefit to Defence. It is an outstanding result.”
The simulator facility was developed by CAE Australia to meet the RAAF’s training requirements and achieved Civil Aviation Safety Authority Qualification and Acceptance by Defence in late December 2013.
The simulator is used to conduct initial conversion and currency flight training for 32 Squadron Pilots and training for Air Combat Officers and Navy Aviation Warfare Officers, including emergency procedures training which are not able to be completed in flight.