On 4 September, aviation training specialist CAE officially inaugurated its first business aviation training centre in central Europe – CAE Vienna in Austria. The 86,000ft² centre has been in operation since April.
The centre is now offering pilot training on the Gulfstream G550, Bombardier Global 7500 and Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft types. An Embraer Phenom 100/300 full-flight simulator (FFS), part of the Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS) joint venture is also in operation. A fifth simulator, a Bombardier Challenger 3500 FFS, is scheduled to be ready for training in October and the sixth, a Pilatus PC-24 FFS, is to be deployed in the second half of 2026.
Like all CAE training centres worldwide – including CAE Burgess Hill in the UK and CAE Dubai in the UAE – CAE Vienna offers all phases of classroom and simulator training for established pilots to earn their type rating and complete recurrent training for differing authorities.
The maintenance technician training offered includes type training, engine run and taxi courses, technical training (including on avionics), as well as personal development courses geared at engaging, advancing and retaining maintenance technicians.
“The inauguration of CAE Vienna ushers in a new era for business aviation in Europe, adding critical training capacity in the region and making a broad portfolio of training programmes more accessible than ever for our customers,” said Alexandre Prévost, CAE’s division president, Business Aviation. “According to CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast, the business aviation industry in Europe will need 7,000 new pilots and 9,000 new maintenance technicians over the next 10 years. With the ability to train thousands of aviation professionals annually, CAE Vienna is ideally equipped and perfectly located to help meet that demand.”
Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, said: “With the location of CAE Vienna, we are sending a strong signal for Austria as a strategic hub for aviation, business and innovation. This training centre not only brings highly qualified jobs and local investment, but also clearly strengthens our competitiveness. We want Austria to be a player where the future and value creation are shaped – and aviation is a key sector in that.”
The centre is designed to make training more personalised, seamless and efficient, with smart technologies to simplify booking, check-in and access to training records. Amenities include self-serve kiosks, a barista café and a pilot lounge.
“This new centre represents our dedication to ensuring that every pilot and maintenance technician who trains with us receives the experience they deserve – one that equips them with the knowledge, skill and confidence to be at their best and always ready for the moments that matter,” added Prévost.
