Oil company Hibernia Management and Development (HMDC) have announced a $16m investment in helicopter training and research and development (R&D) centre in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The centre will feature helicopter simulator with night-vision capability and will also carry out research related to helicopter operation.
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Expected to be operational by early 2016, the centre will be developed and operated by Canadian training and simulation technologies provider CAE.
The new centre and its helicopter simulator system will receive a $13m boost from HMDC, while RDC will contribute $3.3m to the cost of the helicopter simulator system and the completion of five research projects.
To be located in a new building on Topsail Road in Mount Pearl, the new R&D centre is claimed to feature the first approved helicopter simulator that will be able to replicate the capability of nightvision for training purposes.
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HMDC president Jamie Long said: "The training and R&D centre will create local jobs, build local expertise, and support local research that is specifically designed for our regional environment and our offshore needs.
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By GlobalData"Having this facility in the region will increase the level of research related to helicopter operations, which we believe will contribute to improved operations and flight safety."
CAE Civil Aviation Training Solutions president Nick Leontidis said: "We look forward to offering the highest-quality flight and mission training to pilots working offshore in the province."
Cougar Helicopters will train its pilots at the new centre.
HMDC operates the Hibernia field, which began production of petroleum offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in November 1997.
HMDC is 33.125% owned ExxonMobil Canada, 26.875% owned by Chevron Canada Resources while Suncor Energy holds 20% stake, Canada Hibernia Holding 8.5%.
Murphy Oil and Statoil Canada hold 6.5% and 5% stake respectively.
Image: HMDC and RDC to invest in helicopter training and research and development centre. Photo: courtesy of Dave Howells and RDC.
