CAE is to develop a modular maintenance training programme that aims to optimise the time required to train Bombardier service centre maintenance technicians. The testing phase of this training programme will take place at Bombardier’s service centres in Wichita, Kansas; Tucson, Arizona; and Opa Locka, Florida.

CAE’s 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast predicts a need for 402,000 new maintenance technicians industry-wide by 2032, more specifically 74,000 in business aviation.

“While there is a need to better promote the career path of aircraft technician to students around the globe, a big part of the challenge is that it currently takes too long to train new technicians, and even longer to train them across several aircraft platforms,” explains CAE business aviation division president Alexandre Prévost. “CAE’s new modular solution, developed for Bombardier, will reduce training time by consolidating courses for an entire aircraft family since they share many components and features.”

“We are very excited about this potential new programme. Given the need for qualified technicians in the marketplace, it is imperative that we maximise their time working on aircraft and optimise the value of their time away for training. The goal of this new modular system is to allow us to better tailor our training to the needs of our technicians, our organisation and ultimately our customers,” adds Mike Menard, senior director Bombardier Aircraft Services Americas. “Providing our customers with exceptional service availability and quality continues to be at the centre of every initiative we undertake. Expertly trained technicians are core to Bombardier's continued success.”