Aerospace Events

CAE's CEO Marc Parent to be inducted as Living Legend of Aviation

Posted 12 January 2024

CAE President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Marc Parent will be inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation during the organisation's annual gala on 19th January 2024.

Image courtesy CAE

The Living Legends of Aviation are individuals who are recognised for their exceptional contribution to the field. This year's other Living Legend inductees will include Prince Harry (The Duke of Sussex), Fred George (a US Navy pilot and world-renowned aviation writer) and Steve Hinton (an American aviator who held a world-speed record from 1979 to 1989).

"For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about aviation and driven by the desire to make the world safer. I feel humbled to be joining the ranks of some of the most iconic figures of this industry," said Marc Parent. "In the same way that I have been influenced by the Living Legends who came before me, I hope the stories of today's aviation leaders inspire the next generation to take to the skies and become the Living Legends of tomorrow."

Throughout a career spanning more than 40 years, Marc has helped shape the aerospace industry in Canada and around the world.

At just 17, he earned his private pilot's licence, two years before his driver's permit. Marc graduated from Mechanical Engineering at Montreal's École Polytechnique in 1984 and joined Canadair as an engineer on the Challenger and Canadair Regional Jet programs. From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Parent held numerous executive positions within Bombardier Aerospace, leading a number of facilities and product lines. He ran operations for Bombardier's de Havilland site in Toronto. Later, he held the position of Vice President and General Manager, US Operations, with responsibilities encompassing Learjet facilities in Wichita, Kansas and Tucson, Arizona. In 2004, he returned to Montreal as Vice President and General Manager of the Challenger 300, 604 and 850/870 programmes as well as the CRJ 200 Regional Aircraft product line.

Marc joined CAE in 2005 and became President and CEO in 2009. He has led the company to grow beyond simulation products to become the largest provider of civil aviation training services worldwide and a key provider of training and mission support solutions for defence and security forces. Under his leadership, CAE has transformed into a tech provider, bringing the digital and physical worlds closer together through advanced technology.

Committed to accelerating the development and safe adoption of world-changing innovations, Marc led CAE to become the first Canadian aerospace company to be carbon-neutral in 2020. Looking toward the future, Marc is continuing on his quest to make the aerospace industry more efficient, greener and safer than ever before.

Marc's impact was recognised in 2020 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, the country's highest honour. In 2022, Marc was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, named an Industry Leader of the Year by the Living Legends of Aviation and won Aviation Week's Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Living Legends of Aviation Awards
The 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards, are to be held on Friday 19th January 2024 and will honour those who have made significant contributions to aviation/aerospace. This year's star-studded event includes William Shatner, Kenny G, Kurt Russell and John Travolta, who as the 'Official Ambassador of Aviation' will host the event which will welcome four new remarkable inductees to their ranks, including Marc Parent:

Fred George - a Navy pilot with over 300 carrier landings, and now, a world-renowned aviation writer.
Marc Parent - appointed President and CEO of CAE in 2009, has led the company's growth beyond simulation products to include training and support services for commercial and business aviation.
Steve Hinton- an American aviator who held a world speed record from 1979 to 1989. He has flown as a pilot for film since 1977, working on 100 motion pictures and TV productions.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex - A British Army veteran and pilot with 10 years military service, flying training missions in the US, UK and Australia, as well as combat missions in Afghanistan saving the lives of allied forces and civilians and creator of the Invictus Games for wounded service members and veterans around the world.

Above: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Marc Parent, Fred George and Steve Hinton.
Courtesy Kiddie Hawk Air Academy

The Living Legends of Aviation Awards are produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a 501-c-3 non-profit organisation. Kiddie Hawk's mission is to educate children about aviation and aerospace. It states that the Living Legends of Aviation are remarkable people of extraordinary accomplishment in aviation/aerospace, including entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, astronauts, record breakers, pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots. More than 100 men and women from across the world are among their ranks.

Following the Legends' tradition, the programme will include the 'Flown West' tribute to four Legends who have 'Flown West' since the Legends last gathering. They include jet pilot and musician Jimmy Buffett, pilot and actor Treat Williams, Gulfstream's past president Larry Flynn and explorer Hamish Harding.