- Canadian Army General Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff, is set to retire this summer, according to an announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office Friday (Jan. 12). Last fall, the holders of the purse strings in Ottawa told the Department of Defence to slash $1 billion from its budget. In response, General Eyre said to MPs in a committee meeting that, “Our people see the degrading, declining security situation around the world, and so trying to explain this to them is very difficult.” The PMO said a selection process for his replacement will begin soon. General Eyre has served 40 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, with a little over two years in the top job.
- Helicopter Association International has announced that it has named Cathy Press, CEO of Chinook Helicopters, as the 2024 recipient of the Salute to Excellence W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year Award. According to a press release, the award acknowledges “superlative contributions by a helicopter flight instructor or UAS flight instructor in upholding high standards of professionalism.” Press will be presented the award at the annual HAI Heli-Expo conference in Anaheim, California on February 26. Chinook Helicopters of Abbotsford, British Columbia, offers both fixed- and rotary-wing training and is Canada’s biggest helicopter flight school.
- Ultra-low-cost carrier Canada Jetlines is adding three leased Airbus A320-214 to its fleet, bringing the total to six. The aircraft will serve destinations including Mexico, Jamaica, Las Vegas and Florida. Of the 174 economy seats each of the 320s are configured with, 18 will have extra legroom.
- Whitehorse airport (CYXY) is to receive up to $186.2 million for infrastructure improvements, including upgrading the parallel runway, reconstruction of the main runway, replacement of the maintenance facility and the construction of a helicopter area. “We’re investing in the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport to support the growth of the tourism and economic sectors in Yukon,” federal transport minister Pablo Rodriguez said in a press release.
- The Royal Canadian Mint is marking the 100th anniversary of the RCAF by issuing special coins honouring the military branch. A ‘fine silver proof’ coin with a nominal value of $1 features images of four historic RCAF aircraft overlaying the RCAF roundel and sells for $69.95. On the reverse side is an effigy of King Charles III, with 35,000 of this coin to be struck. A pure gold coin, with a nominal value of $100 is offered featuring an image of a Tiger Moth overlaying the RCAF roundel on one side and King Charles III on the other, sells for $1099.95, with only 1,500 being struck.