CAE-Lider and Leonardo Helicopters launched a new training partnership in South America this week at the Heli-Expo show. The agreement signed on Wednesday designates CAE-Lider’s facility in São Paulo, Brazil, as the recognized flight simulation center for training in the Italian manufacturer’s AW139 helicopter.

The recently delivered AW139 full-flight simulator (FFS), jointly developed by CAE and Leonardo, has been qualified to Level D standards by Brazilian civil aviation agency ANAC. The CAE 3000 Series FFS for the AW139 has been in use since the fall of 2016, supporting initial, recurrent and offshore oil and gas training for pilots in Brazil and throughout South America.

CAE-Lider receives support for courseware and training standards from Leonardo’s A Marchetti Training Academy in Italy, which will also assist the approval process for the new training center in São Paulo. Leonardo’s Brazilian subsidiary will also support the new venture, which teams CAE with Brazilian business aviation services group Lider Aviação.