High tech helicopter flight simulation creates international flight training opportunities
Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre offers world class pilot training
(Edmonton, AB) – A state of the art helicopter flight simulation training device opened for business today at Edmonton International Airport. The device so closely replicates actual flight conditions that it is the first of its kind in in North America where pilots will receive credit for in-aircraft hours as part of an approved training program. The HNZ Topflight $3,500,000 Airbus Helicopter AS350B2/H125 Level 7 Flight Training Device provides synthetic training for one of the most popular commercial helicopter types.
The new training device is the latest initiative of the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre (AATC), a partnership by Canadian Helicopters (an HNZ company), Edmonton International Airport, Canadian North, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and the Government of Alberta. AATC also supported the installation by Canadian North of an advanced Boeing 737, simulator at EIA in 2015. Alberta now offers complete, start-to-finish aviation training ranging from basic aviator skills to advanced technical certifications, improving the competitiveness of Alberta pilots, positioning our province to help supply worldwide pilot demand, and attracting new airline and industry partnerships and investments.
“World-class pilot training through the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre is a perfect example of our aerotropolis strategy, where business in one area drives success for other industries. This will support existing airlines, attract new air service, and drive economic growth for our region even beyond EIA’s existing $2.2 billion economic impact,” said Tom Ruth, President and CEO of Edmonton International Airport.“
“The new HNZ Helicopter Training Device will make a great addition to the AATC, opening doors for further expansion and enhancement of our air transportation industry in the Edmonton Region. The partnership between these organizations has successfully connected technology and aerospace in the region to create economic growth in a developing industry,” said Brad Ferguson, President and CEO of EEDC.
“We are pleased to partner with AATC with the support of EIA and the Alberta Government to bring this Flight Simulation Training Device to Edmonton. We believe that the introduction of this device into our training program will enhance our industry leading safety standards for the benefit of our crews and customers. Synthetic training is recognized by Transport Canada and our major customers as being a highly effective tool, and this FSTD represents the very leading edge of technology in simulated flight. As a result of this acquisition, we will realize significant safety as well as environmental and economic benefits, and we expect that other operators in the industry from across North America will also want to avail of this Edmonton based opportunity,” said HNZ’s President and CEO, Don Wall.
In addition to pilot training, the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre will act as a nucleus of technology education, research and development. Going forward, AATC will pursue and support research and development projects that can enhance aerospace and aviation-related technology, developing economic opportunities in the technology sector that will boost economic growth for our region. The centre is part of the Port Alberta initiative, a collaboration by EEDC and EIA to increase the overall competitiveness and trading volume of the Edmonton Metro Region.
About HNZ Group Inc.
The Corporation is an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services with operations in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Southeast Asia and Antarctica. The Corporation operates in excess of 115 helicopters to support offshore and onshore charter activities under a number of different brands. Offshore operations are provided under the Norsk brand in Norway and HNZ elsewhere in the world, while onshore charter operations are under the Canadian Helicopters brand in Canada, Acasta in Northern Canada and the HNZ brand in Asia-Pacific and Antarctica. Clients consist of multinational companies and government agencies including offshore and onshore oil and gas, mineral exploration, military support, hydro and utilities, forest management, construction, air ambulance and search and rescue. In addition to charter services, it provides ancillary services which include third-party repair and maintenance services and flight training including the internationally recognized HNZ Topflight advanced training center in Penticton, British Columbia and state of the art helicopter synthetic flight training in Edmonton, Alberta. The Executive Offices of the Corporation are located at the Edmonton International Airport. The publicly traded Canadian Corporation employs approximately 600 personnel from 38 locations around the world.
www.hnz.com HNZ:TSX simtraining@HNZtopflight.com
About Canadian North
Canadian North and its founding companies (Canadian Airlines, Pacific Western Airlines, Transair, Nordair) have proudly served Canada’s North with passenger and cargo services for more than 80 years, with scheduled flights to 17 destinations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, via the southern gateways of Edmonton and Ottawa. Canadian North is also the premier provider of air charter services for large resource sector clients requiring dependable, efficient and economical fly-in/fly-out charter services, as well as charter flights across North America for sports teams, cruise lines and large groups. Canadian North is a subsidiary of NorTerra Inc., which is owned by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, representing the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic. For more information please visit www.canadiannorth.com
About Edmonton International Airport
Edmonton International Airport is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation whose mandate is to drive economic prosperity for the Edmonton Region. EIA is Canada’s fastest-growing major airport over the past 10 years, the fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic and the largest major Canadian airport by land area. EIA offers non-stop connections to 60 destinations across Canada, the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. EIA is a major economic driver, with an economic of over $2.2 billion, supporting over 12,600 jobs.
About Port Alberta
Port Alberta is a collaboration led by Edmonton Economic Development (EEDC) and Edmonton International Airport (EIA) to increase the overall competitiveness and wealth of the Edmonton Region by supporting industry growth, expanding trade and investment, and improving how goods and people flow into and through our community. Visit http://portalberta.com/ to participate.