- The Ontario government has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for three H135 helicopters for the Ontario Provincial Police in Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area and in the OPP’s North West (Thunder Bay) Region. The aircraft will be built at Airbus’s Fort Erie, Ontario plant, which was established 40 years ago by Airbus Helicopters predecessor Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB), a West German company.
- There has been no progress in talks between Air Canada and its pilots, represented by ALPA, their union. “Recent government interventions to end labour disputes in the federal sector have negatively altered employers’ willingness to do the hard work required to conclude fair collective agreements with their employees,” said ALPA Canada president Capt. Tim Perry. Air Canada says it will start cancelling flights ahead of a walkout by the pilots, which could occur on September 18.
- Boeing has entered into a “collaborative agreement” with Stoney Mountain, Manitoba firm MicroPilot. The arrangement is through Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences and it will give MicroPilot access to two Skyron-X advanced drones for which MircoPilot has already supplied autopilot software. An infusion of cash is also expected. The agreement is part of the obligation Boeing has with the Canadian government to invest in Canadian aerospace companies and related projects in exchange for the defence procurement contracts awarded to the American aerospace giant.
- Volatus Aerospace, which recently merged with Drone Delivery Canada, announced this week that it has obtained approval from Transport Canada to conduct BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) flights without an observer having to maintain visual contact with the aircraft. “This is a significant achievement not only for our company but for the entire drone delivery sector,” Volatus CEO Glen Lynch said. “With BVLOS flights and dangerous goods transportation authorization, we can now take a giant leap forward in transforming the way healthcare supplies are transported, ensuring faster delivery times and enhancing overall patient care.”
- Billy Bishop/Toronto City Centre Airport is hosting a “Girls Take Flight” event on Saturday, September 21. The free event, held for the first time at this airport, is meant to encourage young women to experience aviation up close and consider making it a career. Hangars will be open, noted speakers will be making presentations, familiarization flights will be available and interactive exhibits will be present. Those wanting to learn more about the event can click here.
- Connecticut-based Whelen Aerospace Technologies (WAT) has acquired Idaho-based AeroLEDs. The former, founded in 1952, has specialized in aircraft lighting as well as automotive and industrial lighting products. The latter was founded in 2006 and specializes in LED lighting technology for aircraft.