AS PART of his working visit following a Key Plaque Presentation ceremony yesterday, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam spent his time touring the new CAE Multi-Purpose Training Centre (CAE MPTC) in Kg Rimba.

Upon arrival, the monarch consented to sign a commemora-tive plaque to mark his visit and was given a tour of the three-storey facility, one of the largest in the region, by CAE MPTC General Manager, Kevin Speed, and also piloted one of the simulators in the state-of-the-art Helicopter Training Centre.

CAE is a Canadian private company and global leader in modelling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence sectors. Together with the Brunei Government, they have agreed to jointly invest in the $19 million Multi-Purpose Training Centre under a joint venture company, CAE Brunei Multi-Purpose Training Centre Sdn Bhd.

The construction of the new facility at the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) Rimba Digital Junction Industrial Park was done in phases in the last 12 months and is now near completion with only its administration zone and external works remaining and slated to be ready within the next few days. It is targeted to be fully operational by July 16, following a full occupancy permit from the Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi).

The centre boasts among others five simulator bays including two simulators for S-92 and Blackhawk helicopters training, 23 classrooms, four technical rooms and brief/debrief rooms, conference rooms, computer rooms, a library, OPS rooms and a media room.

According to the BEDB in its press statement, apart from primarily providing one of the largest helicopter simulator training facility in the region, the facility is also green sustainable and environmentally conscious. “This facility will benefit both local and international community for the purpose of education, skill and career enhancement.”

BEDB also said the training provided by the facility will be on specific sectors such as aviation, defence, oil and gas, as well as crisis and emergency management. The project, it added, encourages business, investment and financial development for the Sultanate and is expected to provide up to 45 jobs to locals from 2014 to 2016.

During the visit, His Majesty, who is also a trained helicopter pilot, experienced the CAE 3000 Series S-92 Simulator in the facility and also watched a demonstration on a crisis and emergency management training. - Borneo Bulletin (3 June 2014)