A Tampa company is soaring to new heights in the aviation world. 

• CAE is a Tampa company that trains C-130 pilots 
• Company recently received $40 million contract with the Air Force
• CAE, USA

CAE uses simulators to prepare pilots for the Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft cockpit and now has landed a $40 million contract to train pilots from around the world. 

The organization uses virtual simulators to conduct its training. 

And the simulators can model taking off and landing from Tampa International Airport, as well as airports from around the world. 

"Looks like a C-130, feels like a C-130," said pilot instructor Geoffrey Borree on the simulator. "And there's times where I'll be flying this for a little bit knowing that it's a simulator but it feels like I'm actually flying a C-130."

During the next five years, thousands of international and military students will use the facility to become better pilots. The company's $40 million contract is with the Air Force through 2022.

"We provide the most realistic environment," CAE President Raymond Duquette said. "We want to put them in a total immersive environment so that the pilot and the crews feel like they're actually there."

Whether it be Tampa, Orlando or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the company's C-130 Hercules simulator can replicate airports and conditions across the globe to train pilots. 

The simulator creates an environment where rookie pilots can learn from their mistakes without catastrophic results. 

"By making those errors and mistakes, you learn from them what not to do," Borree said. "Or what you can do better..."

The company also offers maintenance technician training, allowing students to practice repairing equipment through the use of simulators.