- Conair of Abbotsford, British Columbia announced this week that its six flight training devices (FTDs) have been certified by Transport Canada to Level 4 standards, meaning they can be used to train pilots and the logged time is recognized. A unique characteristic of the devices is that they can be linked, allowing the pilots to train as if they are in separate aircraft fighting the same wildfire. The FTDs certified include those designed for the Dash 8-400AT, RJ85, Cessna 208B, TC 690 and the AT802. These are the first in the world to be so certified.
- Friday (March 8) marks International Women’s Day and is the day Air Canada and leading flight training company, Montreal-based CAE jointly announced the winners of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship winners. Four women who are pursuing a career as commercial pilots were chosen by CAE, and four women pursuing a career as pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers were chosen by Air Canada. The four CAE awardees are Ashley Gellatly, Chloe Muhl and Trisha Virdee, all from Ontario, and Nyssa Hansen from British Columbia. Air Canada awardees are Harnoor and Harman Bagarhy from Ont., Emily Contos from Manitoba and Chanelle Wilson from B.C. The scholarships are named after Air Canada’s first female pilot hired by Air Canada, in April 1978. The scholarship program is administered by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.
- RCAF Captain Workman of the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School was flying his helicopter near Southport airport in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba when he saw something on the ground that, although difficult to see, caught his attention. It was the remains of a Bristol-Fairchild Bolingbroke, used during the Second World War for flight training. (See this week’s video for the full story.)