Canadian Coast Guard helicopters donated for training
Surplus aircraft from the Canadian Coast Guard are to be donated to educational institutions across Canada, in a plan backed by the Canadian Government.
Surplus aircraft from the Canadian Coast Guard are to be donated to educational institutions across Canada, in a plan backed by the Canadian Government.
The announcement was made by Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Longueuil-Charles-LeMoyne, on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, that 10 training facilities across the country had been given a Coast Guard Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo.105 helicopter.
The aircraft type has been in service for the Canadian Coast Guard for over 30 years, with the first being purchased in 1985. The Coast Guard have purchased and deployed 22 new helicopters as part of its fleet renewal plan, including 15 Bell 429s and seven Bell 412EPIs.
“I am proud that these Coast Guard helicopters will help develop students across the country allowing them to have practical and hands-on experience,” said Wilkinson. “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.”
École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA) are one of the 10 training centres to receive a Bo.105 helicopter. Its Director Sylvain Lambert said: “By adding to the 37 aircraft 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.”