RICHMOND, BC, Feb. 15, 2019 /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.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard today announced that the British Columbia Institute of Technology's Aerospace Technology Campus has received a Coast Guard Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO105 helicopter.

In total, 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.

Coast Guard's helicopter fleet plays an essential role 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

"This Canadian Coast Guard helicopter will further students' education and training here at BCIT 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. 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

"With this generous gift, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) supports the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with an indispensable learning tool that supports the next generation of skilled aerospace technicians. The fully-operational Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 light twin-engine helicopter represents a valuable hands-on training aid, that integrates seamlessly into BCIT's unique applied learning model."

Guy Ellis, Associate Dean, School of Transportation, BCIT

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 Canada, Pacific Region

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2019/15/c9404.html