The Government of Canada donates surplus Coast Guard helicopters

SAINT HUBERT, QC, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is supporting the development of well-trained, skilled personnel to serve the aerospace industry of the future, by donating surplus Coast Guard assets to educational institutions across Canada. These donations are helping to support aircraft maintenance training in Canada, providing practical and hands-on experience to students.  

On behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Longueuil–Charles-LeMoyne, announced today that École nationale d'aérotechnique, affiliated withCégep Édouard-Montpetit, along with nine other educational training institutions located across Canada, have received a Coast Guard Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO105 helicopter.

The ten BO105 helicopters were in service in the Canadian Coast Guard for more than 30 years. The first BO 105 helicopter was purchased by Coast Guard in April 1985, and the last unit was purchased in April of 1988. The helicopter fleet plays an essential part in supporting programs such as icebreaking, marine communication, aids to navigation, environmental response, waterway protection, conservation and protection, science and support to other government departments as required. 

As part of the Coast Guard's Fleet Renewal Plan, the Government of Canada has purchased and deployed 22 new helicopters, including 15 light-lift helicopters (Bell Epi 429) and seven medium-lift helicopters (Bell Epi 412).

Quotes
"I am proud that these Coast Guard helicopters will help develop students across the country allowing them to have practical and hands-on experience. These assets have a lot of history and are part of the Coast Guard's heritage. I am glad that they will benefit the generations to come in building high-level aircraft maintenance expertise."

Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Students from l'École nationale d'aérotechnique, will benefit from the Government of Canada's donation. There is nothing like being able to provide students with the opportunity to grow and develop their skills by learning on real Coast Guard assets."

Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Longueuil–Charles-LeMoyne

"École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA) is among the ten educational training institutions in Canada having received a BO-105 as a donation. By adding to the 37 aircrafts owned by ÉNA, it allows us to increase the educational value of laboratories and hands-on activities in the hangars on a new type of helicopter. We are very grateful to the Canadian Coast Guard for this donation that allows our students to acquire a training even more tailored to the needs of the industry, while at the same time renewing our aircraft fleet."

Sylvain Lambert, executive director of cégep Édouard-Montpetit, and ÉNA's director

Quick Facts

• In total, ten Transport Canada-approved training institutes offering aircraft maintenance engineer programs across Canada have received a donated BO105 helicopter.
• The Canadian Coast Guard has completed construction and delivery of 15 Bell 429 light-lift helicopters and seven Bell 412EPI medium-lift helicopters as part of its ongoing Fleet Renewal Plan. All 22 of the new helicopters have been deployed to Coast Guard bases across the country.
• The Canadian Coast Guard is currently building a full flight simulator that will provide a platform for training for the new fleet.
• The BO105s will be used by the recipient institutions for hands-on training for mechanical and engineering programs.

Associated Links

• Helicopters in the Canadian Coast Guard support government-wide, mission critical program responsibilities

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada

For further information: Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-992-3474, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca