By WAM Staff in Porter Airlines — 27 Jul 2025

Porter Airlines E195-E2 Pilot Training Commences in Montreal with Revolutionary ECTS Full-Flight Simulator Technology

Key Takeaways

Porter Airlines has expanded pilot training operations with deployment of a state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 full-flight simulator at CAE's Montreal training centre, operational since May 20251 2
The simulator features the latest CAE 7000XR Series technology with CAE Prodigy visual system powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine for photorealistic training environments1 2
This strategic deployment enables Porter pilots to train closer to home, supporting the airline's rapid fleet growth from 46 delivered aircraft toward up to 100 E195-E2s expected1 2
The training facility is operated through Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS), a joint venture between Embraer and CAE that represents expanding global E2 training network1 2
The Montreal-manufactured simulator contributes to skilled aviation job creation in Canada while enhancing Porter's operational capacity and safety standards1 2

Porter Airlines has marked a significant milestone in aviation training with the launch of its E195-E2 pilot training program in Montreal, utilizing one of the most advanced flight simulators available in the commercial aviation industry. This development represents a convergence of cutting-edge technology, strategic partnership, and Canada's position as a global aerospace leader.

Strategic Partnership Enhances Training Capabilities

The collaboration between Porter Airlines and Embraer CAE Training Services ( aviation training. ECTS, established as a joint venture between Embraer and CAE, has positioned itself as a premier provider of specialized aircraft training services globally1 2. The deployment of the E195-E2 full-flight simulator in Montreal represents the latest expansion of ECTS's growing network, which already includes E2 simulators in Singapore and Madrid3 4.

Kent Woodside, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Porter Airlines, emphasized the significance of this partnership: "This partnership with ECTS brings together three leading aviation organizations. CAE's expertise in training and simulation technology ensures our pilots receive the highest quality and safety standards for our pilots operating Embraer's latest E195-E2 model"2 5.

Advanced Simulation Technology Transforms Training

The heart of this training initiative lies in the CAE 7000XR Series full-flight simulator, which represents the latest evolution of CAE's industry-benchmark simulation technology1 2. This state-of-the-art simulator was developed and manufactured by CAE in Montreal, showcasing the city's prominent role in aerospace manufacturing and innovation1 2.

The simulator incorporates the revolutionary CAE Prodigy visual system, which leverages Epic Games' Unreal Engine to deliver unprecedented realism in pilot training1 2 6. This gaming technology integration marks a significant advancement in aviation simulation, providing photorealistic renderings and enhanced moving models that create an incredibly immersive training environment1 2 6.

The CAE Prodigy Image Generator represents a breakthrough in simulation technology, offering several key advantages:

Ultra-realistic virtual environments with high-fidelity graphics and physics-based simulation6 7
Thousand-fold increase in the number of entities that can be supported in virtual environments6 7
Enhanced lighting and special effects capabilities for more authentic training scenarios7
Scalable quantities of entities and lifeforms to realistically populate virtual environments7

Michel Azar-Hmouda, CAE's Division President for Commercial Aviation, highlighted the technological significance: "We are thrilled to welcome Porter, a new airline partner, to CAE's training centre in Montreal, and we look forward to supporting their training on the E2 aircraft. Our joint venture with Embraer enables us to elevate aviation safety and training standards by delivering world-class solutions"1 2.

Porter Airlines' Fleet Expansion and Training Needs

Porter Airlines' investment in advanced simulator training directly supports the airline's ambitious fleet expansion program. The airline has already taken delivery of 46 E195-E2 aircraft, with plans to operate up to 100 of these next-generation jets1 2. This expansion represents one of the most significant fleet modernization programs in Canadian aviation history.

Porter Airlines serves as Embraer's North American launch customer for the E195-E2, a distinction that underscores the airline's pioneering role in introducing advanced aircraft technology to the North American market8 9. The airline's initial order included 30 firm commitments with 50 purchase rights, later expanded through additional firm orders, bringing the total potential fleet to 100 aircraft8 9 10.

The E195-E2 has proven to exceed Porter's operational expectations, particularly in fuel efficiency and passenger satisfaction. Michael Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines, noted: "The jet is exceeding our expectations, especially in terms of fuel use, and delivering an incredible level of customer satisfaction to our passengers with a quiet, comfortable ride"10 11.

Embraer E195-E2: Technical Excellence and Performance

The Embraer E195-E2 represents the pinnacle of regional aircraft technology, featuring advanced aerodynamic improvements that deliver double-digit fuel consumption reductions compared to previous-generation aircraft12. Key specifications of the E195-E2 include:

Aircraft Performance Specifications

Specification	Value
Maximum Takeoff Weight	61,500 kg (135,585 lb)12 13
Maximum Range	2,600 nm (4,815 km) with full passengers12 13
Maximum Cruise Speed	Mach 0.8212 13
Service Ceiling	41,000 ft12 13
Seating Capacity	120-146 seats (depending on configuration)12 13

Porter Airlines has configured its E195-E2s in a 132-seat all-economy layout, featuring a comfortable 2-by-2 seating arrangement that eliminates middle seats10 14. The aircraft offers multiple seat pitch options (36", 34", and 30") to accommodate different passenger preferences10 14.

The E195-E2's environmental performance is equally impressive, certified to the strictest international noise standards with a noise footprint up to 76% smaller than previous-generation narrow-body aircraft14. The aircraft also delivers 25% lower carbon emissions compared to previous generation aircraft9.

Global Aviation Training Market Growth

The deployment of advanced simulator technology in Montreal aligns with significant growth trends in the global aviation training market. The pilot training market is experiencing robust expansion, driven by increasing demand for commercial pilots and enhanced safety regulations15 16.

Market Growth Projections

Market Segment	Current Value	Projected Value	Growth Rate
Global Pilot Training	$9.41 billion (2024)16	$31.38 billion (2034)16	12.80% CAGR16
Flight Simulator Market	$5.54 billion (2025)17	$6.89 billion (2029)17	5.6% CAGR17
Commercial Flight Simulator	$2.5 billion (2025)18	TBD (2033)18	7% CAGR18

This growth is fueled by several key factors:

Rising demand for new commercial and military pilots due to fleet expansion and pilot retirements17 19
Technological advancements including virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and gaming engine integration15 16
Enhanced safety regulations requiring comprehensive simulation-based training15 16
Cost-effective training solutions that reduce dependency on actual aircraft for training purposes17 19

Montreal's Aerospace Excellence

The selection of Montreal for this advanced training facility reflects the city's status as a global aerospace manufacturing hub. Montreal ranks as the world's third-largest center of aerospace manufacturing and is unique in being the only area where an entire aircraft can be assembled from locally manufactured components20.

Montreal Aerospace Industry Highlights

Over 36,000 aerospace jobs across 200+ companies20
$15+ billion in annual aerospace shipments, making it Quebec's leading export industry20
Major aerospace companies including Bombardier, Airbus, CAE, Rolls-Royce, and Lockheed Martin20
Five original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and 15 senior partners20

The aerospace sector in Montreal is expected to create significant employment opportunities, with industry projections indicating over 30,000 aerospace positions need to be filled within the next decade21. This includes 8,816 newly-created positions and 22,865 positions resulting from retirements21.

ECTS Global Training Network Expansion

The Montreal facility represents a strategic expansion of the ECTS global training network, which continues to grow in response to increasing demand for E2 family aircraft training. ECTS currently operates training facilities across multiple continents:

ECTS Training Locations

Location	Aircraft Type	Operational Status
Montreal, Canada	E195-E2	Operational (May 2025)1 2
Singapore	E190-E2/E195-E2	Operational3 4
Madrid, Spain	E195-E2	Operational3
Various Locations	Phenom Family	9 simulators globally1 22

The expansion of ECTS training capabilities reflects the growing global fleet of E2 family aircraft and the need for comprehensive pilot training infrastructure. Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, emphasized this commitment: "This is part of Embraer's commitment to growing our infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific and contributing to the aviation growth story in the region. Together with CAE, we maintain our commitment to providing high-quality training to our customers and their pilots"4.

Regulatory Framework and Certification

The operation of advanced flight simulators in Canada requires compliance with Transport Canada's stringent certification requirements. The CAE 7000XR Series simulator achieves Level D qualification, the highest certification level for full-flight simulators23 24. This certification ensures that the simulator meets the most demanding training standards and can be used for all phases of pilot training and certification.

Transport Canada's approved training organization (ATO) framework provides the regulatory foundation for professional pilot training in Canada25 26. The framework ensures that training providers maintain the highest safety and quality standards while enabling flexibility in training methodologies26.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The deployment of the E195-E2 simulator in Montreal generates significant economic benefits for the local aerospace sector. The Canadian-built simulator brings jobs and opportunities to the local community27 5, contributing to Montreal's position as a global aerospace training center.

The broader impact includes:

Direct employment in simulator operations, maintenance, and instruction
Indirect employment through supporting services and aerospace supply chain
Knowledge transfer and skill development in advanced simulation technologies
International recognition of Montreal as a premier aviation training destination

Training Program Structure and Capabilities

The Montreal facility provides comprehensive initial and recurrent training for E2 pilots, designed to enhance Porter's pilot training program capacity1 2. The training program structure includes:

Training Components

Initial type rating training for pilots transitioning to the E195-E2
Recurrent training to maintain pilot proficiency and regulatory compliance
Advanced scenario training utilizing the simulator's sophisticated capabilities
Emergency procedures training in a controlled, risk-free environment

The simulator's advanced capabilities enable training scenarios that would be impossible or dangerous to practice in actual aircraft, including:

Adverse weather conditions and emergency situations
System failures and complex operational challenges
Airport approach procedures for various international destinations
Crew resource management and multi-crew coordination training

Future Outlook and Industry Implications

The success of the Montreal E195-E2 simulator training program has broader implications for the aviation training industry. The integration of gaming technology and advanced visual systems represents the future direction of pilot training, making simulator sessions more realistic and effective than ever before28 29.

Key trends shaping the future of aviation training include:

Increased adoption of virtual and augmented reality technologies in training programs16 30
Artificial intelligence integration for personalized training and performance analytics16
Competency-based training approaches that focus on specific skill development30
Remote and distributed training capabilities enabled by advanced simulation technology31

The partnership between Porter Airlines, Embraer, and CAE through the ECTS joint venture demonstrates how collaborative approaches can deliver superior training solutions while supporting economic development in aerospace manufacturing centers like Montreal.

Conclusion

Porter Airlines' launch of E195-E2 pilot training in Montreal with the new ECTS full-flight simulator represents a significant advancement in aviation training technology and capability. The integration of CAE's 7000XR Series simulator with Prodigy visual system technology, powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine, delivers unprecedented realism and training effectiveness.

This initiative supports Porter Airlines' aggressive fleet expansion program while contributing to Montreal's continued leadership in global aerospace manufacturing and training. The success of this program will likely influence future aviation training investments and technological developments across the industry.

As the aviation sector continues to grow and evolve, advanced simulation technologies will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring pilot competency and flight safety. The Montreal facility serves as a model for how strategic partnerships, advanced technology, and regional aerospace expertise can combine to deliver world-class training solutions.

Q&A Section

1. What makes the CAE 7000XR Series simulator at Montreal unique?

The simulator features the latest CAE 7000XR Series technology with CAE Prodigy visual system powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine. This combination delivers photorealistic graphics and enhanced realism that significantly improves pilot training effectiveness. It's the first Level D-qualified full flight simulator to integrate gaming technology in its visual system28 29.

2. How many Porter Airlines pilots will benefit from this training facility?

The facility is designed to support Porter Airlines' expanding fleet of up to 100 E195-E2 aircraft. With 46 aircraft already delivered and comprehensive initial and recurrent training requirements, hundreds of Porter pilots will utilize this facility over the coming years1 2.

3. What is ECTS and how does it operate globally?

Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS) is a joint venture between Embraer and CAE that operates specialized aircraft training facilities worldwide. ECTS currently operates E2 simulators in Montreal, Singapore, and Madrid, plus nine Phenom family simulators across multiple international locations1 3 22.

4. How does this simulator benefit the Canadian aerospace industry?

The Montreal-manufactured simulator creates skilled aviation jobs in Canada, supports the local aerospace supply chain, and positions Montreal as a global center for advanced aviation training. It also enables Porter pilots to train closer to home, reducing training costs and improving operational efficiency1 2.

5. What are the key specifications of the Embraer E195-E2?

The E195-E2 is the largest aircraft in Embraer's E-Jet E2 family with a maximum takeoff weight of 61,500 kg, range of 2,600 nautical miles with full passengers, maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.82, and seating capacity of 120-146 passengers depending on configuration. Porter configures its aircraft with 132 seats in a 2-by-2 layout12 14 13.

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Porter Airlines E195-E2 Pilot Training Commences in Montreal with Revolutionary ECTS Full-Flight Simulator Technology