The Moncton Flight College has become the first Canadian school to join a new global network of aviation training facilities — a network that aims to help with a shortage of airline pilots.

The CAE Global Academy, established in 2006, designs training programs to meet the needs of specific airlines. The network was started by Canadian company Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd., which takes the needs of specific airlines around the world and develops educational programs around them.

The result is specific education programs that are targeted to people who want to get into the airline industry.

Mike Doiron, president and CEO of Moncton Flight College, said one of CAE's exercises involves working with airlines to supply qualified flight crews, which is important because there is a worldwide shortage of pilots.

"There is a lot of work being done to find suitable candidates and getting them into the airline seats," Doiron said.

Demand for pilots dipped during the airline industry downturn that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but since then the industry has bounced back and the demand for pilots in Asia is growing steadily, he said.

Newly designed programs will offer graduates a chance to jump into a hot market, particularly in countries like China and India.

"Worldwide, the international civil aviation organization has stated that there is going to be a doubling of airliners in the air over the next 20 years," Doiron said. "If you think about the current industry, and you double that, you've got a lot of personnel you've got to hire."

The new program will give students in Moncton access to more advanced flight simulators, which will help shape their skills to fit the needs of specific airlines.