Supporting Canadian Research and Development (R&D) doesn’t just help us build a better aircrew training program, but fosters a more innovative and dynamic Canada.

Research and Development will be an important component of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program. By fostering and nurturing homegrown R&D, the benefits of a truly Canadian solution will extend far beyond the FAcT program.

In 2018, CAE announced a $1 billion, 5-year investment program in innovation to stay at the forefront of the global training industry. The project allows CAE to continue to play a key role in making air travel safer, defence forces mission ready and helping medical personnel save lives. Other benefits include reducing aviation’s environmental footprint and addressing the worldwide demand for aircrews. The Government of Canada and the Government of Québec are providing a combined investment of close to C$200 million over the five-year period.

CAE’s Project Digital Intelligence- an ambitious venture to develop the next generation of training solutions. Project Intelligence has already created over 300 additional jobs in Canada and more than 500 student internships and scholarships.

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Invested by CAE for 5 years innovation plan
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Active academic institution/research centre collaborations by CAE and KF Aerospace
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of CAE’s R&D takes place in Canada

CAE: Driving global innovation from Canada

CAE’s research-focused approach and innovative business practices keep the company at the forefront of the global aircrew training industry.

CAE employs thousands of Canadian engineers, software developers, scientists, mathematicians, and technologists. They collaborate with more than 20 universities and research centres, integrating emerging technologies such as biometrics, neuroscience, and big-data analysis to study behaviours and improve training solutions.

CAE also works with regulatory bodies and trade associations in Canada and globally, actively shaping the future of training. As of today, CAE holds over 160 patents and 150 patent applications thanks to its creative employees and the teams that support them.

CAE Innovation Highlights:

Advancing tech in Canada

Research collaborations

CAE partners with leading Canadian universities and research centres to study how advanced technology such as biometrics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence and big data analytics can enhance training.

CAE currently supports research project with partners that include Condordia University, McGill University, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the Université de Montréal, Université Laval, McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal, HEC Montréal’s Tech3Lab, CRIAQ and IVADO.

CAE Women in Flight

Scholarship programs

Every year, CAE awards up to five full paid scholarships to aspiring female pilots, covering the entire cost of their cadet pilot training, including accommodation and travel. Upon successful completion of training, the selected candidates will either commence or have the opportunity to secure their first pilot job and fly with a participating airline.

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Sustainable Products

Environmental Impact

CAE is a global leader in the sale of full-flight simulators. The use of these simulators in flying training save millions of tonnes of CO2 annually.

CAE’s innovation in pilot training solutions, including CAE Rise and CAE Trax, add more advanced training options that reduce the carbon footprint of pilot training.

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Encouraging Inventors

Intellectual Property (IP) / Innovation

In a competitive, technology-focused industry, it is crucial to protect intellectual property and foster the emerging innovators in our companies.

In 2020, CAE was granted 30 new patents derived from R&D activities from previous fiscal years. CAE initiatives such as the OneSpark program encourages employees to share ideas that lead to new inventions and technologies. The CAE Technical Star Forum recognizes outstanding technical know-how and leadership. And the Patent Wall at CAE’s Montreal head office pays tribute to more than 70 years of past and present innovators, underscoring the pivotal role innovation plays at CAE.

KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence

Canada’s Okanagan Valley in British Columbia has an incredible history of achievement in Canadian aerospace. To celebrate this heritage, KF Aerospace has built the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence – a state-of-the-art aviation museum and conference facility at the Kelowna International Airport.

Welcoming visitors, residents, schools and businesses, the 60,000 sq.ft. facility offers something for everyone – from holographic media to flight simulators, a conference centre, an airfield viewing gallery, an exhibition space with access to view some of history’s greatest aircraft, and the ability to host tours and educational programs.

The KF Centre for Excellence is a marvel of design, a nod to tradition, and an immersive educational aviation centre inspired by aeronautical engineering.

The KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence is a non-profit organization established as a legacy project by KF Founder, Barry Lapointe, with the mission to:

  • celebrate the people and history of our aviation community
  • promote career development through education and training support, and
  • advocate on behalf of the Canadian aerospace community

The project is made possible through a collaboration with the Kelowna International Airport and the City of Kelowna.

Spotlight:
The CAE Air1 Ventilator created in record time to save Canadian lives

When Canada was rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, CAE answered the Canadian government’s call on the private sector to step up and help produce life-saving medical equipment.

Leveraging its trademark innovation and vast network of Canadian suppliers, CAE partnered with the Canadian government to design, build and manufacture a made-in-Canada ventilator. Two months after work began, the CAE Air1 ventilator received Health Canada certification and the first of 10,000 units began shipping across the country.

“CAE, one of Canada’s leading aerospace firms, stepped up early on with their commitment to produce a made-in-Canada ventilator design that will help save the lives of COVID-19 patients battling the disease. Today’s announcement is a testament to CAE’s agility and innovative capability. I am glad that we were able to support CAE in accelerating the design and manufacturing of CAE Air1 ventilator that is now ready to be used by our frontline healthcare workers.”

– the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.