CAE to Deliver First “Breakthrough” Simulator for Eve Air Mobility Pilots

At the Singapore Airshow on February 4, 2026, CAE announced a significant milestone in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sector. The training technology giant confirmed it will deliver the first CAE 3000 Series full-flight simulator (FFS) to Embraer-CAE Training Services (ECTS). This device is specifically designated to train the “first wave” of pilots for Eve Air Mobility, Embraer’s eVTOL subsidiary, ahead of the aircraft’s planned entry into service in 2027.

According to the company’s official statement, this delivery represents a critical step in establishing the infrastructure required to operate urban air mobility (UAM) networks safely. The simulator will be used not only for pilot training but also to support the certification of Eve’s aircraft, leveraging high-fidelity visuals to replicate complex urban environments.

Gaming-Grade Visuals for Urban Flight

The core of this announcement centers on the technological capabilities of the CAE 3000 Series simulator. CAE describes the device as a “breakthrough” due to its integration of the CAE Prodigy™ Visual System, which is powered by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. While traditional flight simulators often prioritize high-altitude terrain rendering, this new system is optimized for the unique challenges of low-altitude urban flight.

In its press release, CAE highlighted the necessity of this visual fidelity for eVTOL operations:

“The system brings high-fidelity, gaming-grade graphics to professional aviation training, allowing for the ultra-realistic simulation of dense urban environments.”

The simulator is designed to render thousands of dynamic entities simultaneously, including pedestrians, ground traffic, and drones. This level of detail is essential for pilots who will be navigating congested city centers and landing on vertiports surrounded by skyscrapers. The system also features physics-based lighting to simulate realistic shadows and variable weather conditions in “urban canyons,” providing critical visual cues for vertical landings.

Strategic Timeline and The “First Wave”

The delivery of this simulator is timed to align with Eve Air Mobility’s commercial roadmap. With an entry-into-service target of 2027, the industry faces a tight schedule to qualify the initial cadre of aviators. Embraer-CAE Training Services (ECTS), a joint venture established in 2007 and expanded to include Eve in 2024, will operate the device.

According to data released by Eve Air Mobility, the company holds Letters of Intent (LOI) for approximately 2,900 aircraft. This substantial backlog suggests a future requirement for thousands of qualified pilots. The initial training phase will focus on test pilots, instructor pilots, and the launch operators responsible for the aircraft’s debut.

While the specific location for this first simulator unit was not disclosed in the announcement, ECTS currently operates major training hubs in São Paulo, Dallas, and London (Burgess Hill).

AirPro News Analysis: Solving the Pilot Bottleneck

We view this announcement as a pivotal moment for the eVTOL industry, shifting the focus from aircraft prototyping to operational readiness. One of the most significant hurdles facing the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector is the potential shortage of qualified pilots. By deploying a Level D-capable full-flight simulator, the highest standard of realism in aviation, CAE and Eve are addressing this bottleneck directly.

Furthermore, the use of such high-fidelity simulation for certification purposes signals a mature approach to regulatory compliance. By validating the aircraft and training pilots in a virtual environment that can simulate “edge cases”, such as sudden wind gusts between buildings or rogue drones, the partners are likely aiming to build confidence with regulators like ANAC in Brazil and the FAA in the United States.

Sources

Sources: CAE Press Release