CAE and Volocopter will Collaborate to Create the Golbal Air Taxi Pilot Workforce of the Future

CAE, a global leader in aviation training, and Volocopter, a pioneer in urban air mobility (UAM), announced today the signing of a strategic partnership to develop, certify, and deploy an innovative pilot training program for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations, subject to final agreement. This eVTOL pilot training program, a first in the industry, will develop the pilot workforce of the future and ensure the safe introduction of eVTOL operations globally by leveraging CAE's advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), data analytics, and Volocopter's leading understanding of requirements for integration into the UAM ecos.

UAM is a new segment of the aviation industry that focuses on aerial connectivity in and around cities. The VoloCity, VoloConnect, and VoloDrone families of electric aircraft are intended to alleviate today's heavily fossil-fueled inner-city traffic for both people (VoloCity, VoloConnect) and cargo (VoloDrone). The VoloCity, the company's first commercial eVTOL aircraft, is well into its certification procedure with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and is on track to begin service in time for the 2024 Olympics Paris. Volocopter intends to offer its services in a number of locations across the world over the next five years due to existing agreements and collaborations with global giants such as Daimler, Aéroports de Paris, Microsoft Azure, and now CAE. Volocopter is dedicated to achieving the highest global safety standards for its aircraft and operations.

CAE intends to spend up to US$40 million in extending its global training network to satisfy Volocopter's anticipated pilot demand in the early years of operation. CAE will deploy training equipment and instructors in tandem with Volocopter's expansion. As part of the deal, Volocopter will acquire a simulator from CAE for use in the certification of its pilot training program. As Volocopter's courseware provider, CAE will develop new, student-centric courseware especially intended for future pilots and provide pilot trainees personalized tools that allow faster, more efficient pilot training.

According to CAE's Advanced Air Mobility white paper, which was released this month (link), advanced air mobility will result in an additional spike in demand for pilots, with an estimated 60,000 pilots required within the first decade of operation. As a result, Volocopter and CAE will collaborate closely to secure regulatory clearance for their future pilot training program.

About Volocopter
Volocopter is creating the world's first sustainable and scalable urban air mobility business to provide cheap air taxi services to megacities across the globe. The VoloCity is the company's first completely electric "eVTOL" aircraft under certification, designed to transport passengers securely and quietly inside cities. Volocopter leads and collaborates with infrastructure, operations, and air traffic management partners to create the ecosystem required to 'Bring Urban Air Mobility to Life.'

Volocopter, founded in 2011 by Stephan Wolf and Alexander Zosel, employs 400 employees across locations in Bruchsal, Munich, and Singapore. The company has raised €322 million in equity. Daimler, Geely, DB Schenker, BlackRock, and Intel Capital are among the investors in Volocopter.

About CAE
CAE is a high-tech firm on the leading edge of digital immersion, offering solutions to make the world a safer place. We continue to reinvent the customer experience and modernize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare, backed by a track record of more than 70 years of industry firsts. As a result, we are the preferred partner for customers all over the globe that operate in complex, high-stakes, and heavily regulated settings where successful outcomes are critical. Over 60% of CAE's revenue is recurring, demonstrating our customers' ongoing need for our solutions. With more than 10,000 workers, 160 sites, and training locations in over 35 countries, we have the largest worldwide presence in our industry.