Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
May 29, 2015
The following is being distributed at the request of the Research & Development Corporation:
Strengthening the Economy Through Investments in Research and Development
Hibernia Project and RDC Investing in New CAE Helicopter Training and R&D Centre
The Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) and the Research & Development Corporation (RDC) are investing over $16 million in a new helicopter training and research and development centre in Newfoundland and Labrador. HMDC will contribute $13 million to the centre and its helicopter simulator system, while RDC will contribute $3.3 million towards the cost of five research projects and the simulation system. The Honourable Darin King, Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation made the announcement this morning at CAE�s facility in Mount Pearl.
�Our investment in CAE helps bring critical new R&D capacity to Newfoundland and Labrador. Supporting CAE brings a world-class researcher and collaborator to the province and promises economic benefits from applied industry R&D.�
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
The centre is being developed and will be operated by CAE, a leading Canadian provider of training and simulation technologies. The simulator will provide unprecedented realism for offshore facilities and local weather conditions, and will feature the first approved helicopter simulator with night vision capability in Canada.
�This state-of-the art facility will stimulate increased R&D activity and collaboration. It will provide a platform to develop and test new products and services that further enhance safety, improve transportation efficiency, and drive economic benefits from industry R&D expenditures.�
- Glenn Janes, CEO of the Research & Development Corporation
�The training and R&D centre will create local jobs, build local expertise, and support local research that is specifically designed for our regional environment and our offshore needs. Having this facility in the region will increase the level of research related to helicopter operations, which we believe will contribute to improved operations and flight safety.�
- Jamie Long, President of HMDC
The new centre, which will be located in Mount Pearl, is expected to be operational by early 2016. Spare training capacity will be offered to other organizations outside the province.
�CAE is proud to receive this investment from HMDC and RDC to set up this new training and R&D centre in Newfoundland and Labrador. We look forward to offering the highest-quality flight and mission training to pilots working offshore in the province.�
- Nick Leontidis, CAE President of Civil Aviation Training Solutions
CAE is a global leader in the delivery of training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. With a track record of service and technology innovation spanning seven decades, CAE designs and integrates the industry's most comprehensive training solutions.
�We have very high flight crew training standards for our offshore operations in Newfoundland and Labrador. A training centre right here in the province will give our pilots and crews the opportunity to train locally, and that means more training and less travelling.�
- Hank Williams, General Manager of Cougar Helicopters
RDC is a provincial Crown corporation responsible for improving Newfoundland and Labrador�s research and development performance. RDC works with research and development stakeholders including business, academia and government agencies and departments to make strategic investments in highly qualified people, R&D infrastructure and innovative research.
QUICK FACTS
- The Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. and the Research & Development Corporation are investing over $16 million in a new helicopter training and research and development centre in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- HMDC will contribute $13 million to the centre and its helicopter simulator system, while RDC will contribute $3.3 million towards the cost of five research projects and the simulation system.
- St. John�s facility will be equipped with the first Level D simulator with night vision in Canada and is anticipated to open in 2016.
- Additional Information on RDC can be found by visiting www.rdc.org
or on Twitter @RDCNL .
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Media contacts:
|
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Chris Flanagan Director, Marketing & Communications Research & Development Corporation 709-758-1021, 691-1009 chrisflanagan@rdc.org |
|
Margot Bruce-O�Connell Hibernia Management and Development Company 709-778-7222 margot.p.bruce-o�connell@exxonmobil.com |
H�l�ne V. Gagnon CAE 1-514 340-5536 helene.v.gagnon@cae.com |
BACKGROUNDER
Additional Company Information
Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd.
Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. is the operator of the Hibernia field which began petroleum production offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in November 1997. HMDC is owned jointly by ExxonMobil Canada, Chevron Canada Resources, Suncor Energy, Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Oil, and Statoil Canada Ltd. Find out more about HMDC at www.hibernia.ca .
CAE
CAE designs and integrates the industry's most comprehensive training solutions, anchored by the knowledge and expertise of 8,000 employees, world-leading simulation technologies and a track record of service and technology innovation spanning seven decades. CAE�s global presence is the broadest in the industry, with 160 sites and training locations in 35 countries, including joint venture operations, and the world's largest installed base of flight simulators. Each year, CAE trains more than 120,000 civil and defence crewmembers, as well as thousands of healthcare professionals. Find out more about CAE at www.cae.com or on Twitter @CAE Inc .
2015 05 29 10:50 a.m.