HE - Wings - March - April 2022

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ENGINES

• GE T700/CT7

• Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T

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AIRFRAMES

• Airbus H120/EC120, H125/AS350, AS355, EC135, H130/EC130, H215/AS332

• Bell B204/205, B206, B212/412, B214, B407, B427, B222/230/430, UH-1 series

• Sikorsky S-76 & S-61

DYNAMIC COMPONENTS

• Airbus H125/AS350 & H130/EC130

• CRFT

AVIONICS

• AutoPilot

• ADS-B

• Glass cockpit FUEL SYSTEMS

LEADING EDGE

By Jon Robinson |

Tracking Ukrainian inspiration

The world’s largest operational cargo airplane is destroyed by war

The Antonov An-225 over the past two decades built a cultlike following within the global aviation community, which tracked this aircraft as it moved massive weight and unimaginable size through the air. Before it was heavily damaged by Russia early in that country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Antonov An-225, which is also known as Mriya (Ukrainian for “dream” or “inspiration"), was the world’s largest fixed-wing aircraft with a maximum a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons.

The story of the An-225 traces back to when the Soviet Union was locked in a space race with the United States and, by the end of the 1970s, there was a need for the Soviets to transport large loads. Mriya was initially designed to airlift Energia rocket boosters and Buran-class orbiters, but was put into storage when the program was cancelled.

The An-225 first flew in December 1988 under registration CCCP-82060, which was later changed to UR-82060 – a number that was tracked daily by plane spotters. Antonov initially focused on its smaller An-124 cargo aircraft, but the company in the late-1990s began to restore the An-225, which received its Type Certificate in May 2001 and carried its first record load of 254 short tons in September 2001 at an altitude of two kilometres.

Powered by six turbofan engines, Mriya had a maximum payload weight of 250 tons (275 short tons). Cargo could be carried inside or on its back. With the largest wingspan of any airplane in operational service, the An-225 would set a range of world aviation records and also serve a critical role in transporting humanitarian aid to some of the worst disaster areas over the past two decades, a fact that cannot be lost amid the current suffering inflicted upon the people of Ukraine.

Ukroboronprom, which manages the Antonov company, released a statement

The An -225 Mriya set a range of world aviation records and also provided critical humanitarian aid to disaster areas over the past two decades.

describing how the An-225 was destroyed as the Russian military seized control of the airport in Hostomel, where the An-225 was undergoing maintenance. At the time of the attack, Mriya had one of its engines dismantled for repairs, so it could not take off.

Ukroboronprom stated, “Currently it is impossible to assess the plane’s condition and the possibility and cost of its restoring due the lack of access to the aircraft as the control over the airport is taken by the Russian occupiers.” But the company estimated the rebuild would come at a cost of around US$3 billion and take five years. As Wings was going to press, the Antonov manufacturing plant had also come under attack by the Russian military. At the same time, there was no indication that NATO would establish a so-called no-fly-zone over Ukraine, which of course instead translates as direct

TOP DATA BURSTS… in this issue

1. Chorus’ purchase of Falko would see it control more than 350 aircraft. P. 8 2. Canada’s drone market is expected to grow 17% by 2027. P. 12 3. Angel Flight Alberta has conducted nearly 1,500 missions. P 16 4. Of some 35,000 Canadian pilots, roughly 5,600 are employed by business aviation operators. P. 22 5. Air Canada’s historic flight featured an all-Black crew of two pilots and eight flight attendants. P. 38

combat action by the U.S. Air Force.

As the United States and its NATO allies, including Canada, instead turned to economic sanctions, plane spotters became engaged by the Twitter account @RUOligarchJets created by 19-year-old Jack Sweeney. The college student is already well known for his account devoted to tracking Tesla founder Elon Musk’s private plane. Sweeney told CBS News that he was inspired to create @RUOligarchJets after people on social media asked him to repurpose his algorithm to monitor the private aircraft of Russian oligarchs. This Russian business elite is the target of Western sanctions for having corrupt ties to the Kremlin, with some of their yachts already being seized.

On February 24, Canadian business jet maker Bombardier said it will steer clear of business with sanctioned Russian individuals, companies and institutions. CEO Eric Martel said about five or six per cent of Bombardier’s US$6.1 billion in annual revenue comes from clients in Russia or the CIS. By the end of the first week of March, in addition to closing its airspace to Russian aircraft, the Canadian government laid out several financial sanctions against including 58 people and entities. Bombardier also joined several other Canadian companies in suspending its Russia-linked operations.

The Canadian Press notes there are now more than 1,000 people and entities sanctioned, or in the process of being sanctioned, by Canada since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. | W

PHOTO: LARSKE

ON THE FLY

COMMERCIAL

CHORUS MAKING TRANSFORMATIVE ACQUISITION OF FALKO

THE LEAD

WESTJET MOVES TO ACQUIRE SUNWING

WestJet Group reached a deal to acquire Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines, subject to approval. Anticipated to close in late 2022, WestJet explains the transaction would result in a new tour operating business including both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations to be led by Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter. The tour operator business will be headquartered in Toronto, with a Quebec head office in Laval and the business will continue to market the Sunwing brand alongside WestJet Vacations. The WestJet Group of companies will expand to include Sunwing Airlines.

Less than two weeks earlier, Alexis von Hoensbroech began his new role as CEO of WestJet. He previously served as the CEO of Austrian Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group and Austria’s largest airline, since 2018. von Hoensbroech joined Lufthansa in 2005.

Chorus Aviation reached an agreement to acquire Falko Regional Aircraft, an aircraft lessor based in the UK and owned by funds under the management of Fortress Investment Group. The total consideration for the transaction is approximately US$855 million comprised of US$445 million of cash consideration (inclusive of agreed adjustments) and approximately US$410 million of debt. The transaction includes Falko’s asset management platform and Fortress’ equity interests in 126 owned and managed regional aircraft.

The combined company would have a total of 353 owned, operated and managed regional aircraft. Upon closing, Chorus anticipates having 32 airline customers in 23 countries. Upon closing the acquisition, Brookfield Asset Management will invest US$374 million in Chorus.

LONGVIEW AVIATION CONSOLIDATES UNDER DE HAVILLAND

Longview Aviation Capital, established in 2016 to manage a portfolio of Canadian aerospace investments, announced De Havilland Aircraft of Canada will become the operating brand for the companies

currently operating as Longview Aviation, Viking Air, Pacific Sky Training and De Havilland Canada, which collectively account for more than 1,000 aerospace jobs across Canada. Longview, through its subsidiaries, holds Type Certificates for the entire product line of the original De Havilland aircraft company including the Twin Otter program and the DHC-1 through DHC-8 series of aircraft, as well as the Canadiar CL-215, CL-215T and CL-415 aerial firefighting aircraft; Shorts Skyvan 360 and 330; and the Sherpa family of aircraft.

De Havilland Canada also named Brian Chafe as CEO. He most recently as Chief Executive Officer of the PAL Group, a diversified global aerospace company active across a range of sectors including aircraft engineering, maintenance and modification, in-service support, special missions, and search and rescue.

HELICOPTERS

BELL 505 FLEET ACHIEVES 100,000 FLIGHT HOURS

Bell Textron on Feb. 9 announced the Bell 505 helicopter, which was first delivered to a customer in 2017, reached 100,000 global fleet hours. Bell has now completed more than 360 Bell 505 global deliveries, with the light single helicopter program primarily running out of its facility in Mirabel, Quebec.

The Bell 505 helicopter platform features the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and a dual channel FADEC

The Bell 505 helicopter now operates in 59 countries. (Photo: Bell Textron).

controlled Safran Arrius 2R engine. Bell explains the 505’s cabin versatility and performance make it well suited for missions ranging from private owners to public safety and training entities around the globe. Recently, the Bell 505 team celebrated the 60th European delivery to Montenegro Air Force, the first Bell 505NXi sale to Slovakia, and a delivery to the Indonesia Navy.

HONEYWELL ENGINE TO POWER DEFIANT

Lockheed Martin’s helicopter arm Sikorsky and its FLRAA development partner Boeing reached an agreement for Honeywell to serve as the engine provider for DEFIANT X. The advanced helicopter platform under development for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition will integrate Honeywell’s HTS7500 engine.

The development partners are designing DEFIANT X to be the fastest, most maneuverable and survivable assault

helicopter in history. DEFIANT X is described by Lockheed Martin as a complete weapon system that builds on the handling qualities and capabilities proven by the team’s technology demonstrator, SB>1 DEFIANT. It flies twice as far and fast as the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter it is designed to replace.

CARGO

KF AEROSPACE LEASES B737-800SF TO CHRONO AVIATION

KF Aerospace on Feb. 10 delivered a B737-800SF to Chrono Aviation for the Quebec based airline’s continuing push into cargo operations. The delivery marks KF Aerospace’s first commercial lease of a B737-800 series freighter aircraft. KF Aerospace purchased the aircraft in 2021 and performed what it describes as a full passenger-to-freighter conversion at its MRO facility in Kelowna, BC. The

Learn from the Experts. For over 30 years, AeroCourse has been a leader in advanced aviation training in Canada. We provide aviation ground school seminars and courses for advanced training along with publishing manuals and workbooks. The courses include IFR and ATPL seminars, online courses, and advanced aviation courses with flight colleges, schools and airlines. Our instructors are professional pilots and flight examiners with thousands of hours experience. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional materials and training.

conversion included the installation of an 11-ft wide hydraulic-powered cargo door kit supplied by Aeronautical Engineers, complete with a new freight interior and cargo loading system.

KF Aerospace explains the conversion included the first B737-800 cargo door to be installed on a Canadianregistered aircraft using the AEI Supplemental Type Certificate.

TRAINING

BLUE LINE HIGHLIGHTS DIAMOND DEAL

Blue Line Aviation celebrated the grand opening of its new facility at Johnston Regional Airport, KJNX, in North Carolina, featuring a new DA40/DA42 convertible Diamond Simulator. Blue Line’s new 50,000-square-foot headquarters at KJNX is an investment supported by what represents one of the largest fleet orders in Diamond Aircraft's history at 100 aircraft. First deliveries of the Diamond airplanes began last year.

This aircraft order has a significant impact on Canada’s aviation industry with Diamond Aircraft Industries’ operation in London, Ont., building the single-engine DA40 NG as part of Blue Line’s order, with the twin-engine DA42-Vi aircraft being built in Austria.

SPECIAL MISSIONS

PAL CONTRACT FOR DUTCH CARIBBEAN COASTGUARD

PAL Aerospace signed a contract to continue providing air reconnaissance and related support services for the Dutch Caribbean Coastguard. This new contract will see PAL Aerospace upgrade and operate two fully missionized DHC-8 maritime patrol aircraft, provide crew training on all systems, and support the program for at least a 10-year period, with options to extend.

PAL Aerospace explains the maritime patrol aircraft associated with this program will be upgraded with state-of-the-art sensor systems for tasks like maritime surveillance, AR, law enforcement for counter narcotics, sovereignty enforcement and customs enforcement. | W

By Scott Henderson |

The drone strategy Transport Canada’s seminal report on fostering domestic RPAS growth

Recently Canadian aviation and the drone industry hit several important firsts. The timing could not be better.

The stakes are high as the global drone market is expected to grow to $54.6 billion by 2025.

Two summers ago, Transport Canada granted Calgary company Canadian UAVs the first commercial special flight operations certificate (SFOC) to fly beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) in unrestricted airspace.

The significance of BVLOS flights cannot be understated. Initially, drone pilots had to see their drones to fly them. BVLOS flights are key to drone delivery, wildfire monitoring and pipeline inspection. Drones use onboard detect-and-avoid sensors and cover further distances at cheaper rates than helicopters and planes. Once information is transmitted from the sensors, the operator is informed on speed, direction, altitude and position of the drone.

The very first time Transport Canada issued a special flight operations certificate for drone cargo delivery services was at the end of 2020. The licence was issued to InDro Robotics, which has since been using drones for deliveries of medical supplies between hospitals on the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. Four months ago, Drone Delivery Canada conducted the country’s first drone delivery operation from within an airport, at Edmonton International Airport. The service sends cargo over the QE II highway to a delivery site close by.

Vice President, air service and business development, for the Edmonton International Airport (EIA), Myron Keehn, outlined the airports’ support for economic diversification by integrating new drone technologies in a media statement: “The integration of these sustainable technologies is the precursor to the enablement of advanced air mobility, and it lowers barriers for the movement of goods.”

Recent events like the so-called Freedom Convoy and blockades of border stations highlight the vulnerabilities of Canada’s supply chain and positions drone technology as a possible solution if blockades increase.

One of the biggest firsts for the drone

Drone Delivery Canada at the end of 2021 began cargo services at edmonton interntional.

industry in this country came when Transport Canada released its report on its strategy for Canada’s Drone Industry last year. The first of its kind, the Transport Canada Drone Strategy to 2025 report lays out the federal institution’s strategic vision for helping to foster the country’s drone industry. In addition to the global market growing to 54.6 billion, the report states, that here in Canada, the commercial drone market alone is forecasting more than 17 per cent growth by 2027.

The Transport Canada strategy report highlights the unique advantages making Canada very competitive in the global drone industry. The first comprehensive report on the drone industry in Canada, the Drone Strategy states Transport Canada’s vision is “for drone operations to be safely and securely integrated into Canadian skies as part of a modern national civil aviation system.”

The report focuses on raising awareness on how drone technology is disrupting the transportation sector, re-defining aviation, and establishing new industries. It shows how it is supporting innovation through safety regulations and highlights the economic benefits for Canada as drones are

integrated into operations of key commercial sectors. With its advanced aviation industry, Canada is positioned to capitalize on not just Canada’s growing drone industry but the global drone industry. Transport Canada collaborates on Research & Development (R&D) activities with industry stakeholders and other partners to test technologies and develop standards and regulations to enable the safe use of drones. Its Drone Strategy is an extension of this collaboration and the industry regulator acknowledges that boosting the drone sector’s economic potential is reliant on the swift growth of technology. It continues to work with industry to advance R&D in Canada and globally, while prioritizing projects relevant to Canada.

The Transport Canada Drone Strategy is a road map to how it is modernizing and regulating this new technology and a must read. It outlines how it is developing a drone traffic management system, how it is addressing drone security risks at airports and critical infrastructure, and how it will increase public trust in drones.

As a large geographical country with a relative low population concentrated in large cities, Transport Canada’s strategy focuses first on improving supply chain networks and connecting communities. Drones bring solutions that address Canada’s unique geography and create

commercial opportunities to collect data on monitoring wildfires, inspecting pipelines, search and rescue, operations, and drone delivery to remote areas.

To realize its vision, Transport Canada’s teams of multi-disciplinary experts have been developing security and safety policies, and regulations through consultation with stakeholders and partners to establish standards and certifications. Good policies are needed for drone safety, to assess applications for special flight operations and to ensure compliance and enforcement.

Recognizing the importance of BVLOS flights to the industry, Transport Canada’s top priority is developing regulations for lower-risk BVLOS operations in rural and remote areas, and it is conducting technology R&D, testing, and authorizing pilot projects to assist with policies and rules for medium-risk drone operations.

According to Frédérica Dupuis, senior advisor, media relations, Transport Canada, the priority areas outlined above continue to be relevant in 2022: “This framework has proven to be flexible, allowing the department to provide guidance and predictability to stakeholders, while adapting to the fast maturing, rapid developments of the sector.

“One year following the publication of the strategy, Transport Canada continues to welcome further input and feedback as it focuses on rapidly advancing a regulatory framework to allow for lower-risk BVLOS operations. The department will continue to engage with stakeholders to help shape its forward plans for the sector.”

Dupuis said that the department had received favourable feedback from industry stakeholders on its Drone Strategy as it provides clarity, a predictable operating environment and increases certainty that the federal government will be a partner in unlocking the potential of the sector.

“Engagement on the strategy has proven that industry stakeholders and Transport Canada have a shared vision for drone operations to be safely and securely integrated into Canadian skies as part of a modern national civil aviation system,” wrote Dupuis.

In the years ahead, Transport Canada will update the Drone Strategy as technologies continue to evolve, key areas are completed, or new areas of potential emerge. Transport Canada aims to review its entire strategy in advance of 2025 and then publish a new one for the period 2025 to 2030.

It is refreshing to see a government regulator up to speed on all the latest

technological developments and one that has a solid strategy for the immediate and not so distant future. Addressing key issues like drone traffic management, public awareness of drone safety, and supporting innovation through regulation will go a long way toward helping this very young business sector of Canadian aviation, capturing a significant chunk of the exponentially growing drone market.

We are at a critical point for Canada’s drone industry and it is good to see how industry stakeholders and government are well positioned to maximize on the opportunity

and adjust to developing trends.

The Drone Strategy to 2025 puts it best: “As drones become more commonplace, it has become clear they are a game changing technology not only within the transportation network but for society at large. Drones are transforming the transportation sector and redefining aviation with ground-breaking technologies both creating new industries and completely altering existing ones.”

These are indeed exciting times. | W

Scott Henderson is Managing Director of dHz Media.

By Phil Lightstone

Are you legal to fly?

Part two of how pilots can best approach Transport Canada exemptions

We live in a world of expiration and best-before dates, which includes aviation with key issues like medicals, navigation databases, charts and maps, the Canadian Flight Supplement, aircraft annual reporting, aircraft radio license, NAV Canada master flight plans, aircraft technologies like ELT batteries, and the Canadian Aviation Document Booklet (ADB) – among others. A Canadian Passport is a great analogy. You are still a Canadian citizen (or landed resident) even if your passport is expired, but you will have problems crossing into the United States with an expired passport. Aviation licenses and flight privileges are another story. Recently, a pilot, let’s call him Joe (to protect the innocent), when applying for a new type rating, was horrified to find that his pilot’s license had expired in 2018.

Transport Canada’s (TC) current time to process a renewal ADB is up to 40 business days, but TC recommends starting the process 90 business days before expiry. Once the renewal application form has been entered into TC’s systems, a temporary license can be issued for those pilots with an expired ADB. Pilot Joe, whose ADB was expired, was able to contact a TC staff member at 4900 Yonge Street, Toronto, and secure a face-to-face meeting.

The TC staffer was able to scan Joe’s picture, begin the ADB renewal process and issue a temporary license. Ten minutes after his scheduled appointment, Joe had his temporary license in hand. The temporary license, valid for 90 days, is normally sent by mail or email in a PDF format and resembles the old paper-style license. Patience goes a long way when dealing with the regulator.

The expiry of your medical certificate is not dependent upon the validity of the ADB. In some cases, a recent medical renewal by your Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) may not yet be in TC’s database. This will result in the newly printed ADB not showing your recent medical renewal date. In this case, keep your old ADB (especially when you fly) until your next medical or visit your CAME and have them update your new ADB.

The impact of flying with expired documents can be costly. Exercising pilot

Flying with expired documents can be costly... as much as $25,000 for a corporation.

privileges with an expired ADB can come to light in a variety of manners: During your medical examination with a CAME; when ramped checked; during a Transportation Safety Board investigation; a TC investigation resulting from a Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Report (CADORs); conducting flights with a new (to-you) flight instructor; insurance claims; during a Instrument Proficiency (IPC) check ride; a bi-annual flight review; or with an aircraft rental. The fine from TC could be as much as $5,000 for an individual and $25,000 for a corporation (CARs 401.03(1)).

Pilots are required to conform to foreign regulators rules, and penalties, while flying in foreign airspace and airports. One of the impacts of the terrorist events of 9/11 is the creation of the AOPA’s Airport Watch program in the U.S., which is designed to have individuals at airports keep a watchful eye for unusual activities and with a 24/7 hot line, 866-427-3287 (answered by federal authorities), to report unusual activities. A foreign registered aircraft spending a lot of time at a U.S. airport (e.g. Canadian snowbird) could be reported. The reported aircraft may be assigned to an FAA field officer for a ramp check.

With an expired ADB, the FAA might issue a fine and report the incident to TC.

In July of 2003, the FAA began issuing new security enhanced pilot certificates to approximately 600,000 active pilots. The credit card-sized license has a number of security features, such as a hologram of the FAA seal.

As of March 31, 2010, all pilots must have the new FAA plastic certificate, after which the old paper certificates will not be valid. The process to obtain a new FAA plastic certificate is not very challenging. For Canadian pilots with an FAA license based upon their Canadian license, the process begins with the FAA verifying the validity and currency of your license and medical certificate and requires a face-toface interview with the FAA at a FSDO.

TC does not charge a fee to renew your ADB, using its standard process. TC has a process to replace a lost, stolen or destroyed ADB with a onetime cost of $35. Setting up a reminder for each critical expiry date and, in the case of an ADB, 90 days or more, could help you avoid flying with an expired ADB or other things required to keep your flight safe and legal.

Creating and updating a simple Excel spreadsheet or Word file is another technique to organize your renewal dates and activities. After all, an ounce of organization is worth a pound of cure. | W

REWARDS OF ANGEL

PILOTS SUPPORTING CANADIAN COMMUNITIES

BY RYAN ABEL

Angel Flight Alberta, a registered Canadian charity, was founded in 2006 to help improve access to – often specialty – healthcare services for those living in rural communities. Thanks to a dedicated network of volunteer pilots, aircraft owners and ground support. Angel Flight Alberta (AFA) pilots have conducted nearly 1,500 missions, with a few even venturing into British Columbia and Saskatchewan to support the needs of some specific non-emergency patients.

In several instances encountered by AFA over the years, patients have been flown by air ambulance from rural Alberta communities around Grande Prairie or Fort McMurray to Edmonton for treatment, but then once treated the patient often no longer easily qualifies to be flown home, or the availability of a hospital bed to be transferred to at their local hospital doesn’t exist.

As a result, the patient ends up waiting a significant period of time to be flown home by air ambulance, or has to find

their own means to get home. AFA has stepped in several times in these circumstances to bring patients home, offering a clear benefit to the patient and healthcare system.

The vast majority of AFA’s angel flight missions have been for those who reach out and request a flight to get them to a specialist appointment or for diagnostic testing that simply isn’t available in the individual’s hometown. In many cases, AFA is flying a child or infant and one or both of their parents to and from Edmonton or Calgary, so they can access essential medical care.

Angel flights have significant benefits for those in need, not just because it saves a patient the time and stress of driving long distances, but also because of reduced costs like hotels and meals. There are many circumstances in which the only way to get someone to or from a medical appointment was by using General Aviation (GA) aircraft, as many communities are not served by the airlines. Angel flights truly provide a critical service to those in need, ultimately improving health outcomes for our communities.

As an AFA volunteer pilot, it only takes flying one angel flight mission to realize how incredibly grateful, and incredibly

in need, so many of our fellow Canadians are when it comes to accessing healthcare. For many of the patients we fly, it is their first time onboard a small aircraft, dawning a headset, hearing all of the activity on the radio, and seeing firsthand the people and systems in place so that we can safely operate aircraft in Canada with incredible ease and freedom.

There are a number of angel flight organizations across Canada and none of us could operate without the dedication and generosity of our volunteer pilots, nor the donations we receive to help reimburse fuel costs to the pilots donating their aircraft and time.

Angel Flight East Kootenay’s recent purchase of a Cessna 414 is a great example of local government recognizing the need for angel flights and dedicating funds. Not only have local governments become willing partners in recent years, Transport Canada employees have engaged with AFA to provide guidance and advice on numerous occasions to help ensure our operations remain legal and safe.

Above all else, safety is AFA’s numberone priority. Whenever AFA conducts an angel flight, passengers are always reminded that weather can play an unpredictable factor for GA aircraft, so it

Mike Edgar has been involved with Angel Flight Alberta for more than four years, as a director, pilot and fundraiser.

ANGEL FLIGHT

is important to have a back-up option in case of poor conditions. This is especially true during the winter months, where low ceilings, poor visibility, icing and unforecasted weather are often lurking. Thankfully, AFA has a few aircraft available in the volunteer fleet that are pressurized, multi-engined and turboprop-powered, offering some good winter IFR options when they are most needed.

AFA is continuing to expand on its safety culture with a number of initiatives. One example of this includes, not just an onboarding checkout flight by a qualified flight instructor, but also an annual recurrent assessment to ensure that our volunteer pilots’ skills stay sharp; and that the aircraft they use for angel flights are also kept in good shape.

Thanks to a number of flight schools that partnered with AFA in 2021, we will be rolling this new annual pilot proficiency program out in 2022.

Given that many pilots have been flying less during the past two years because of COVID-19, AFA feels this is one more thing that the organization can do to keep our passengers safe. At the time of this writing, AFA has three flight schools in Alberta – Absolute Aviation, Adventure Aviation, and Springbank Air Training

College – that have partnered with AFA to donate flight instructor time. We expect the number of supporting flight schools to increase in 2022 and help us offer even broader regional options for the volunteer pilots.

Another area where AFA is looking to expand is with mentorship opportunities for new and less experienced pilots by allowing them to conduct ride-alongs on angel flight missions and gain valuable, real-world experience.

This has multiple benefits in AFA’s eyes, as it allows AFA to show new pilots the airports and facilities we operate in and out of; and to help ensure there are no surprises when they are able to start operating angel flight missions on their own. It also allows us to demonstrate the many unique considerations that come with flying non-emergency patients to or from medical appointments, as no one situation or passenger is the same.

Many angel flight passengers are very capable of jumping in and out of a small aircraft, but some require special planning, especially where mobility or range of motion challenges exist. Matching an angel flight patient’s needs with the right volunteer aircraft is a very important part of what AFA’s flight coordinators do when

reviewing an angel flight request.

As with any volunteer organization, the lifeblood of AFA are our volunteers, who are second to none. In December, one of AFA’s volunteer pilots who lives in the Edmonton area was scheduled to take a patient back to Grande Prairie. Unexpectedly, they were contacted by their passenger at 3:30 am notifying him that the hotel they were staying at was on fire and everyone was outside. AFA’s volunteer pilot and his wife wasted no time in retrieving the AFA patient and getting their guest room ready so the passenger could stay the rest of the night in comfort and still be flown home later that day. Stories like this are a testament to the amazing volunteers AFA is so fortunate to have represent it.

For any pilots who have a renewed interest in putting your unique skills to good use, especially if you own or have access to an aircraft suitable for conducting angel flight missions, AFA is always looking to grow its list of volunteers.

Whether you are an experienced pilot accustomed to pointing a 737 in the right direction or hold a new Private Pilot’s License, we encourage you to reach out your nearest angel flight organization to help show how much good aviation provides for Canadian communities. | W

Angel Flight Alberta passengers in Grande Prairie with volunteer pilot Don Andersen and a Piper Comanche 250.

HOW COVID CHANGED SECURITY

EXPERTS DISCUSS HOW A GLOBAL PANDEMIC SHIFTED AIRPORT SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE

BY NEIL SUTTON, EDITOR, CANADIAN SECURITY

The dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation presented a new set of challenges for security professionals working in Canadian airports. Canadian Security, in collaboration with Wings magazine, asked some of these stakeholders to participate in a virtual roundtable to talk about this shift key issues affecting a new world of airport security. The roundtable discussion was conducted in the fall of 2021 and sponsored by Securitas Aviation Canada and Smiths Detection.

There are perhaps two hallmarks of the pandemic that affected airport security most keenly: Severely reduced travel volumes and new screening procedures.

“We went from being a relatively bustling airport of 15,000 to 20,000 people a day to days where we had maybe between 100 and 300 people in the airport,” says Michael Beaudette, VP of security, emergency management and customer transportation

at Ottawa International Airport. “I think there were some days where we had more birds in the terminal than we had people. That’s how bad it was.”

Airports are known for a strong security culture of eyes and ears and a see something, say something mentality. Facing staff reductions, Beaudette says he took the opportunity to provide as much security training as possible. “We started increasing our red teaming exercises to keep people on their toes.”

Exercises extended not only to airport staff, but to security partners as well, including police and government. “We had canine teams from the police force [and] counter-terrorism organizations coming in. That physical presence was a good thing to have here as well,” adds Beaudette.

The diminished presence of travelers and airport staff allowed airports to hone their security culture, adds Chris Phelan, VP of government and industry affairs at Canadian Airports Council (CAC). “We’ve

been doing a fair amount of discussion of this at the CAC Security Committee,” he says. “That’s one of the things that’s really come out this year is just how, when people hunkered down, the security culture of the airport has really revealed itself.”

Kelsey MacTavish, senior director of operations at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), describes the sight of empty airports as “a surreal experience… very bustling airports suddenly had very few people, if any, coming through screening checkpoints.”

An initial focus for CATSA was making sure its screening officers were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) so they “could continue to do their jobs, and felt safe doing it,” says MacTavish.

The onset of the pandemic was akin to “drinking from a firehose,” in terms of coping with the volume of information, she adds, but CATSA has worked through a health crisis before, albeit on a much smaller scale, during the SARS epidemic in the early 2000s. Months before the coronavirus pandemic was declared in March 2020, CATSA was already monitoring the situation and preparing for change.

Denis Perron, senior director, screening technology at CATSA, says the organization was tasked with deploying bodytemperature screening devices early in the pandemic and on short notice. Acrylic barriers were also introduced at screening points, to “add a layer of protection between screening officers and those being screened,” he explains.

“I’m proud to say that CATSA was always there to do its part in terms of deploying tools or whatever was required to support the screening officers and to facilitate that passenger experience.”

The development of remote monitoring for security checkpoint scanning equipment allowed operators to work in a standalone room.

JUNE 1-2, 2022

EY CENTRE, OTTAWA

With so many business travelers grounded, either due to COVID mandates or restrictions imposed by their employers, the people moving through airports during the pandemic were often leisure travelers, less familiar with airport procedures.

Flight departures were sometimes scheduled into very tight timelines, which tended to create condensed peak periods and bottlenecks at security checkpoints, says MacTavish. “We’re trying to work with airports and with air carriers to get the message out to these leisure travelers about how they can come to the airports better prepared for the screening experience,” she explains.

Beaudette says Ottawa Airport has observed a change in behaviour amongst some passengers as a result of added stress due to the pandemic and a lack of familiarity with airport procedures and etiquette. “They get much more flustered,” he says. “And so things escalate very, very quickly when there are delays or when there’s frustration.”

Security personnel can provide a reassuring presence during these times, says Beaudette. Police patrols and canine units have “a calming effect,” he says. “People want to see that security is there.”

Police presence “tends to bring the tempers down and help people realize that this is a serious business,” agrees MacTavish.

“When we have a calm and orderly processing of passengers, then the screening officers are better able to do their jobs, and to execute the mandate that they have.”

CATSA began implementing a more efficient approach to security screening several years ago. CATSA Plus is a screening system that incorporates the latest in available technology as well as streamlined processes that allow four passengers to divest their belongings simultaneously. It officially debuted at Calgary International Airport in 2016 and has since rolled out to other Canadian airports. “I’m hoping once you see the passenger volumes come back, you’ll see the benefits of the CATSA Plus concept, which offers enhanced security effectiveness, while also processing passengers at a higher rate,” says Perron.

Nanette Fraser, sales account manager, Canada, at Smiths Detection, a global provider of screening and detection technology, said the company is always working on improved product efficiency and effectiveness. The development of remote monitoring for security checkpoint scanning equipment, for example, would allow operators to work from a standalone room.

“Another item we’re working on is more of an artificial intelligence application or automatic target recognition application

(iCMORE) – what we consider deep learning,” says Fraser. The implementation of AI, configured for object recognition, would assist the operators in their detection duties during the preboarding security process.

Smiths Detection also develops CT (Computed Tomography) scanning technology, which, when used at preboarding security checkpoints, could significantly improve throughput. The technology is able to generate volumetric 3-D images of scanned carry-on baggage, meaning items like liquids and laptops may not need to be removed from bags.

Beaudette has implemented technology behind the scenes to improve the security posture in Ottawa. He indicated that video analytics technology has been very helpful in monitoring activity. Configured to detect movement, it can alert the security operations centre of any human activity in restricted areas, which helps the airport make the most of its security resources. Likewise, analytics can detect loitering and provide alerts. “It just makes you more situationally aware,” says Beaudette.

Virtual reality technology also plays a significant role at Ottawa Airport, providing a training environment that can be utilized not only by airport staff but by partners including police and fire agencies. The airport has implemented XVR simulation technology, which can replicate emergencies ranging from crash events to lost dogs on the tarmac.

“We had our airport 3D-mapped and geospatially-mapped,” says Beaudette. “You can deal with just about any incident you could possibly imagine, primarily geared towards air incidents.… Whatever your imagination can come up with, we can reproduce it in a virtual reality environment.”

Airport security professionals have had to react quickly to the strictures laid down by the pandemic, making adjustments to screening procedures and in some cases implementing new technology and mandates on short notice. But adaptation is a way of life in this industry.

The roundtable took place just after the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks — an event that forever changed air travel. CATSA itself was created in 2002, less than a year after the tragedy. “Transportation has continued to be targeted in the past 20 years in different ways,” says MacTavish. “But I think sometimes we forget that aviation security is a day-to-day thing. Its evolution is very incremental. And so a lot of what we deal with every day is about review, refinement [and] modifications to screening measures.” | W

TAKE TO THE SKIES

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PILOT SHORTAGE STRATEGIES

HOW AIRLINES AND THE INDUSTRY ARE LOOKING TO COPE WITH PILOT SHORTAGES IN 2022

BY PHIL LIGHTSTONE

Many airlines and charter companies in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic furloughed their aircrews given the decline in demand for air services from the public. During the course of the pandemic, Transport Canada’s (TC) tightly knit regulatory relationship with pilots was also impacted in terms of issuing medical certifications, Aviation Document Booklet renewals, new rating certificates (for addition to your ADB), and other licensing, all resulting in months long delays before many pilots can even return to the cockpit

Boeing’s 2019 Pilot and Technician Market Forecast for the next 20 years projects the need for 131,000 new pilots in North America and 645,000 worldwide. Airbus ’ Global Market Forecast projects these numbers to be 71,840 in North America and 549,980 worldwide. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reports, that at the end of 2021, there were 720,605 pilots, including students, up by 28,914 from 2020. Student pilots increased by 27,568 to 250,197 in 2021, representing roughly one third of all U.S. pilots. In 2021, there were 121,270 flight instructors, up by 3,712 from 2020.

TC has not released it 2021 statistics, but in 2020 there was a total of 35,073 pilots down by 14,597 from 2019. Canada has seen a decline in pilots from 60,840 in 2017. A total of 2,011 new pilot licences were issued by TC in 2020 (down by 46 from 2019), of which 608 were issued to Non-Canadians citizens. Pilot licenses issued to Canadian citizens has seen a sharp decline since 2012 (2,093 new pilots), but pilot licenses issued to Non-Canadian citizens has seen a sharp increase since 2012 (525 new pilots). Interestingly, Canada has a history of building flight training facilities and training aircrews. During World War II, under The British Commonwealth

Air Training Plan (BCATP), Canada trained 131,500 personnel, beginning in April 1940. BCATP cost $2.2 billion and employed 104,000 Canadians operating from 231 locations.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, on a January 13, 2022, earnings call, said: “Really there are no shortage of pilots wanting to come to us or really to our regional partners. It’s a matter of getting them through the training and getting into the right seat with the right number of hours.” Robert Isom, American Airlines President in January 2022 stated: “We’re going to have plenty of pilots. The biggest issue that we’re dealing with is the throughput of pilots and getting them through training.” Some U.S. airlines have created internal flight schools training zero-time student pilots and then funneling them into reasonably well-paid positions.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau recently stated: “There are other

unmistakable signs of revival. We have been actively restoring our network, with 118 stations served at the end of 2021, up from 70 at its start, and the average number of daily flights rising to 665 in December 2021 from 245 in January 2021. And, most importantly, we have recalled over 10,000 colleagues, including 3,900 in the fourth quarter; and we have also begun hiring new employees. As we move into 2022, all expectations are that the recovery in air travel will continue, albeit unevenly.”

During the pandemic, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, CYTZ, became a parking lot for Porter Airlines’ fleet of De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft, but Porter has been able to restart operations. As of March 1, 2022, Porter’s website listed more than 60 roles which they are trying to fill. A first officer posting of December 7, 2021, requires a minimum of 1,000 hours, but “pilots that do not meet the minimum

Transport Canada released statistics in 2020 showing the country had roughly 35,000 licenced pilots.

PHOTO: AAPSKY, ADOBE STOCK

requirements may be considered based on experience and other factors.” First officer opportunities are available at Porter’s five Canadian locations.

Porter has a variety of grassroots programs including: Women Soar at Porter; bursaries and transition programs for students and graduates; and Destination Porter. The Destination Porter program focuses on licensed pilots who have less than 500 hours. The mentorship program

is designed to pair a low-time pilot with a Porter pilot, focusing on providing career guidance. Once the candidate reaches 500 hours, they will be offered an interview for a first officer position. The hiring process involves both interviews and simulator evaluation. If successful, the candidate is offered a conditional offer of employment, upon completion of the IATRA/ATPL exams and reaching 1,000 hours. This strategy is designed to allow a symbiotic review of Porter and the candidate fueling intake process. Brad Cicero, a spokesperson with Porter, explains, “We recognize that demand for specialized roles, such as pilots, will increase in the coming years. Our goal is always to recruit quality pilots and retain them for an extended period. This is done through a combination of offering competitive compensation, providing an attractive working environment, and a distinct, enticing culture.”

Compensation, culture and work-life balance are key issues for commercial

pilots. These issues vary between business aviation (BA) and the airlines. Fundamentally, the aviation career path is one of stepping stones focused on gaining hours with the goal of attaining an interview and then a position in a commercial setting. The system sees recent graduates begin as 250-hour flight instructors. Some flight instructors with little experience train other pilots (and students), with the goal of building their hours. Other pilots will gain practical experience in the flight deck of Canadian bush operators in the North or as low-time first officers working for the small regional carriers.

“People do not want to be a number,” says Anthony Norejko, CEO of Canadian Business Aviation Association. “With the demand for charter flights on the increase, and businesses seeing the value in a flight department, BA’s need for experienced captains is on the increase. Overall, BA offers a completely different work-life balance and cultural fit than the airlines and typically not a stepping stone to the next chapter in their career.” Of the 35,000 Canadian pilots, roughly 5,600 are employed by BA operators.

Outside of work-life balance, compensation plans are made up of monetary (objective and quantifiable) and non-monetary components (subjective). The CBAA’s 2019 survey sees captain and first officer total compensation of between $79,665 to $234,188, for the former role, and $45,790 to $140,973 for the latter. CBAA survey results, containing both monetary and non-monetary components, were used to create a cultural happiness index. The BA pilot turn over in 2019 was 3.73 per cent, according to the CBAA, down from 7.38 per cent in 2018 with an average length of service of 6.26 years. While some of the airlines will see aircrews retire after 30-plus years of service.

Pilots at many commercial airlines in the United States and Canada are unionized. This means that each pilot group negotiates the pay, work rules and benefits for its members. Airlines should be able to collaborate with airline pilot unions like the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) to create innovative strategies to deal with aircrew shortages. ALPA recommends that airlines should invest into increasing student pilots using a variety of incentives including: Help students financially for flight training costs through subsidies; interest free loans while in school; federal funding programs for pilot academic education; grants to expand aviation and flight degree programs; increase the number of student pilots in certified aviation programs; awareness outreach to high schools; recruit a more diverse workforce; increase U.S. Title IV funding serving under represented communities; and special grants for minority

serving educational institutions to start aviation degree programs that service under-represented communities.

While BA’s working environment is different than the airlines, the challenges are similar. BA is looking for high-time captains, while the airlines will attract lowtime first officers. One airline pilot, who prefers to remain anonymous, reports: “Aviation is a financially tough environment. High school and college students are painted a picture of a lifestyle and $300,000 annual rewards for captains, but might not understand the road to attaining that reward is not dissimilar to professional hockey, where only a small number of players (in the system) make $12 million per year. Many of my colleagues see it as a job akin to a glorified bus driver. For some of us, flying is our passion. We fly our own aircraft on the weekend. We would do it if we were paid or not.”

Strategically, there are a number of fundamental changes which would improve the current status quo: Create a peoplefirst environment delivering a culture where aircrews are individuals not numbers; improve total compensation packages across the board aligned to total cost of living at specific geographies; break the stepping stone mentality through balancing people with profits; change student loan programs (like OSAP) to provide greater repayment timelines with ubiquitous student access across all flight training units; increase Canadian federal government investment into airport infrastructure (akin to the FAA’s grant programs) to facilitate increased flight training capacity; increase simulator time allocations based upon regulatory licensing restrictions; deal with airport neighbour noise pressures by mitigating the “not in my backyard” mentality of a small contingent of voters pressuring municipal leaders to eliminate or restrict flight training; and consider moving to an annual salary versus duty day or hourly flight time based compensation model.

Working for small businesses or large monolithic corporations both present their own challenges in the delivery of a healthy working environment. Over 60 years ago, an aviation career was seen as a glamourous and romantic, attracting more career pilots into the system. Fast forward to the 21st century, many airline aircrews see their career completely different. Low-cost operators and airfare competition has taken a toll on compensation, work-life balance and culture of employees throughout the aviation continuum (let’s not forget about the aircraft manufacturers and their challenges). As an aerospace sector leader or experienced captain, would you recommend an aviation career to your son or daughter? | W

PHOTO: DAMIEN FOURNIER, CONAIR Q400

Hope Aero Canada’s Leading Aircraft Component Maintenance Specialist

Hope Aero is Canada’s leading aircraft component maintenance specialist, optimally located to serve Canadian operators best. We focus on propellers, wheels & brakes repair & overhaul, dynamic balancing and NDT. At Hope Aero, “Our Team Cares About Maintaining Flight Safety.”

We support the newest high tech composite propellers, military and vintage aircraft propellers. We consistently hold ourselves to higher standards & work to tighter tolerances than required by manufacturers’ specifications. We apply our own additional requirements based on experience to the standards we meet.

Hope Aero has broadened its skills and expertise to include aviation wheel & brake overhaul and service. With more than 20 years of experience across a wide range of wheel and brake manufacturers Hope Aero is now the country’s leading component overhaul specialist in this sector. Our shop can currently turn 80 wheels & brakes per day and has the capacity to increase to meet demand.

Hope Aero is an authorized distributor of the Honeywell-Chadwick Dynamic Balancing product line. Our Dynamic Balancing specialists can provide on-demand balancing services that provide a “snap shot” of propeller / rotor balance conditions. Our “snap shot”readings allow for immediate, actionable maintenance to be preformed to improve balance & performance.

The Aerial Firefighting Directory, presented by Wings, Helicopters and UAV Canada features key suppliers of aircraft, equipment and services for the aerial firefighting sector. The directory also includes a range of rotary- and fixed-wing operators involved in emergency forestry services, as well key North American agencies and associations for the sector. As many companies involved in aerial firefighting, such as Babcock, Conair and Coulson, provide a range of services from developing and modifying aircraft to also operating and maintaining both rotary-and fixed-wing fleets for fire suppression, as well as training, they have been included here in their primary operating category.

AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

AIR TRACTOR

Olney, TX, airtractor.com

> Tracing its roots back to 1951 when founder Leland Snow designed his first ag airplane, Air Tractor today focuses its firefighting production around two aircraft, including: The AT-802F Initial Attack Firefighter, powered by powerful a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67AG turbine, and the AT-802F Fire Boss Amphibious Scooper Air Tanker designed to deliver up to 14,000 gallons per hour for extended attack or ground support.

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

Marignane, France, airbuscanada.ca

> Airbus Helicopters employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide. Its fleet in service includes nearly 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers across 150 countries. Its U.S. affiliate is headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas, while Airbus Helicopters Canada operates out of a 138,000-square-foot facility in Fort Erie, ON. In addition to hundreds of older-generation platforms in use to fight fires, the company's full range of helicopters can be integrated for fire suppression.

BELL TEXTRON

Fort Worth, TX, bellflight.com

> Bell, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron, is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned verticallift aircraft. It serves Bell customers in more than 120 countries, with its Canadian facility in Mirabel, QC, serving as a key contributor to Bell’s 505 and 429 helicopter production chain. In addition to a large legacy fleet fighting fires, Bell in 2018 introduced its 407GXi as a new platform for potential fire suppression integration.

DART AEROSPACE

Montreal, Quebec, dartaerospace.com

> DART, in operation for more than 40 years, has become one of the world’s largest rotor-

craft accessories providers, offering a comprehensive and diversified product portfolio through regulator approved certifications. Major helicopters OEMs like Airbus, Bell, Leonardo and Sikorsky, have trusted DART to collaborate on systems such as flotation, life rafts, landing gear and cable cutters, equating to more than 1,500 STCs. In 2021, DART established a partnership with United Rotorcraft for the development of Fire Attack systems for the Firehawk helicopter. It also earned an STC for the SkyCannon on UH-60/S-70 aircraft.

DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT OF CANADA

Calgary, AB, dehavilland.com

> With more than 3,000 aircraft delivered, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is well established across the globe with a near-100-year reputation for innovation. Its aircraft operate in some of the world’s harshest climates transporting essential cargo and millions of passengers annually. Its aircraft also support a variety of special missions including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, reconnaissance and coastal surveillance. De Havilland Canada’s portfolio of aerial firefighting aircraft includes the Canadair CL-215, CL-215T, CL-415 and CL-415EAF aircraft. Building on the pedigree of the CL-415, De Havilland Canada is currently working to launch the CL-515, a multi-mission amphibian and purpose-built aerial firefighting aircraft. In February 2022, De Havilland Canada became the operating brand for the companies that previously operated as Longview Aviation, Viking Air Ltd, Pacific Sky Training and De Havilland Canada.

ERICKSON

Portland, OR, ericksoninc.com

> Erickson, celebrating it 50-year annivesary

in 2022, has been a world leader in heavy lift and aerial firefighting for more than 20 years. This includes its S-64 Air Crane Helitankers, equipped with fire suppression systems, which can drop more than 95,000 liters every hour.

FIRE BOSS

South St. Paul, MN, firebossllc.com

> Fire Boss LLC is the manufacturer of the Fire Boss water scooping system exclusively installed on the Air Tractor AT-802. The Fire Boss system combines airframe modifications, performance enhancements and a pair of Wipline 10000 amphibious water-scooping floats that enable the AT-802 to scoop up to 800 gallons in 15 seconds.

HELITAK FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Noosaville, Australia, helitak.com.au

> Helitak develops a range of systems for aerial firefighting, including its underbelly Fire Tank featuring a new design to allow a flexible bladder to expand while being filled; and then retract within its housing when empty. These tanks are custom built with a carrying capacity from 1,000 to 10,000 litres.

KAMAN AIR VEHICLES

Bloomfield, CT, kaman.com

> Kaman Air Vehicles, a division of Kaman Corp., manufacturers the K-MAX helicopter platform, described as a rugged, low-maintenance aircraft with a counter-rotating rotor system that is optimized for cyclical, external load operations. The aircraft can lift up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg).

KAWAK AVIATION

Bend, OR, kawakaviation.com

> Kawak Aviation engineers and produces aerial firefighting products focusing on tank-

Longview Aviation in early 2022 brought all of its operations, including the Canadair water bomber, under the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada brand.. (Photo: YK, Adobe Stock)

ing systems, related pumps and hydraulics. Its tank systems, refill pumps and hydraulic power solutions are leveraged by a range of platforms like Bell, Kaman and Firehawks.

ISOLAIR

Bend, OR, isolairinc.com

> Isolair has been manufacturing helicopter systems for aerial firefighting, agricultural, and forest industries for more than 30 years with a range of certified equipment, from torches and buckets to tanking systems. Its Eliminator II Fire Fighting Systems, integrating tank, pump, doors and control, can be found working throughout the world.

RECOIL AEROSPACE

Josephine, WI, recoil-usa.com

> Established in 2008, Recoil Suppression Systems, a division of Recoil Aerospace, designs and manufacturers lightweight, carbon fibre composite Tsunami Wildland Fire Suppression tanks.

SEI INDUSTRIES

Delta, BC, sei-ind.com

> SEI Industries first introduced the original Bambi Bucket to the firefighting community in 1982. This lightweight, strong, flexible firefighting bucket – with its relatively low-cost plug-and-play capability – promoted usage of helicopters on wildfires and saw immediate success as a firefighting tool. SEI today services more than 90 per cent of the world’s aerial firefighting water-bucket market. Globally, the Bambi is now used in more than 115 countries and by more than 1,000 helicopter operators.

SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT

Stratford, CT , lockheedmartin.com

> Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service, with longstanding Canadian ties through its operation in Ottawa. Its new-generation S-70i Firehawk helicopter, using United Rotorcraft’s aerial firefighting system, features a 1,000-gallon belly tank, extended landing gear, 600pound rescue hoist and NVG compatible digital cockpit. The multi-role Firehawk can carry up to 13 firefighters and their gear, drop 1,000 gallons of water with precision, and perform at a dash speed of up to 140 knots.

UNIVERSAL AVIONICS

Tucson, AZ, uasc.com

> Universal Avionics, an Elbit Systems

Company, develops commercial avionics systems offered as retrofit and forward-fit solutions for a range of aircraft. Its combined Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) and Head-Wearable/ Helmet-Mounted Displays (HWD / HMD) provide enhanced situational awareness during the aerial fire suppression.

TRACKING AND IMAGING

CHURCHILL NAVIGATION

Boulder, CO, churchillnavigation.com

> Churchill manufactures systems to capture and record video, provide real-time augmented reality mapping, and to archive and index recorded video. Its systems are used by a range of operators in law enforcement, SAR, emergency management services, security, fire suppression, military agencies, and media.

FLIGHTCELL INTERNATIONAL

Nelson, New Zealand, flightcell.com

> Flightcell International is a global producer of airborne integrated-mobile communications and manufacturers the DZMx as an all-in-one Iridium and cellular solution for voice, data, and aircraft tracking. The DZMx is used by CAL FIRE, Erickson and Kestrel Aviation, among others, leveraging its built-in ATU and its broadband capabilities with fall-back to satellite. A range of

bucket/tank configurations and reporting options are available.

GUARDIAN MOBILITY

Ottawa, ON, guardianmobility.com

> Guardian Mobility develops technology to empower aircraft fleet managers and owner-operators with operational data for making timely decisions. Established in Ottawa in 2002, its flight tracking solutions include hardware, airtime, software and support. The technology is leveraged for mission critical environments like fire suppression, EMS, utilities and law enforcement. The Guardian Mobility ATU is an end-to-end system supporting ATU, AFF, text messaging and more in a single box. The company is backed by parent Metro Aviation, a world leader in aircraft modifications.

IQONBOARD

Squamish, BC, iqonboard.com

> IQonboard was founded by engineers and pilots aiming to add a new level of safety to the helicopter industry. It developed the IQtag and app as wearable technology to provide a real-time view of crew, cargo, and total payload, accessible through a web browser, including Fatigue Risk Management tools.

OVERWATCH IMAGING

Hood River, OR, overwatchimaging.com

> Overwatch Imaging designs and manufactures

thermal imaging systems with custom onboard AI software for both piloted and unmanned aircraft. Its systems can detect small spot fires, map large complex fire perimeters and provide decision makers with real-time situational awareness.

SKYTRAC SYSTEMS

Kelowna, BC, Skytrac.com

> SKYTRAC Systems is a leading provider of satellite communications and intelligent connectivity. It develops cost-effective technology to provide operators with real-time information for fast-moving wildfires. This includes SDL-350 and IMS-350 satellite communication terminals, working with recently launched Iridium Certus, allowing aircrews to send live video transmission, EO/IR imaging data, and more, directly to the ground.

SPIDERTRACKS

Auckland, New Zealand, spidertracks.com

> Spidertracks, a provider of satellite-based real-time flight tracking, active flight following and communication solutions, recently launched its next-generation Spider X to make flight data monitoring (FDM) accessible as a lightweight and affordable solution. Expanding on the power of Virtual FDR, it introduces an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) with data transmitted wirelessly over the air, providing information about an aircraft’s orientation and position.

TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES

Mississauga, ON, til.ca

> Founded in 1990, Technisonic focuses on the development of aeronautical band VHF ground equipment and Special Mission Airborne RF and audio communications systems. Its tactical airborne VHF, UHF and multi-band communications systems are used for air ambulance, electronic news gathering, fire suppression, and law enforcement.

TRACPLUS

Dunedin, New Zealand, tracplus.com

> TracPlus is one of the world’s most versatile and adaptable tracking and communications providers, offering real-time tracking, event reporting and messaging. TracPlus is unique in that it enables multiple asset types to be tracked and integrated into one cohesive system, meaning contractors can use their own tracking systems but send their data to TracPlus when working alongside others. With more than 1,000 customers in 40-plus countries, TracPlus has more than 7.5 million recorded operational hours.

MRO AND MODIFICATIONS

CASCADE AEROSPACE

Abbottsford, BC, Cascadeaerospace.com

> Cascade Aerospace, an operating unit of

IMP Aerospace & Defence, supports a diverse range of airframe platforms and operational needs. This includes supporting military, government and commercial aircraft. Cascade is well-known for its aerospace engineering services for custom product design, manufacturing and certification. In mid-2019, De Havilland Canada announced Cascade would serve as a partner for its Canadair Avionics Upgrade Program.

SELECT HELICOPTER SERVICES

Kelowna, BC, selecthelicopter.com

> Select Helicopter Services specializes in the repair and overhaul of hydraulic components and cargo hooks. It offers support of hydraulic flight controls and components installed on light and medium Bell helicopters, as well as Airbus H125 (AS350) and AS355 aircraft.

HOPE AERO

Mississauga, ON, hopeaero.com

> Hope Aero is one of Canada’s leading aircraft component maintenance specialists with a location near Pearson International Airport to serve the country’s aviation industry. The company is focused on propellers, wheels and brakes for both repair and overhaul, dynamic balancing and NDT, as well as painting, machining, shot-peening, and anodizing. Based on its growth, Hope Aero in early 2018 expanded its operation to Winnipeg, MB, to better serve central and Western Canada.

TAE AEROSPACE

Queensland, Australia, taeaerospace.com

> TAE operates facilities throughout AsiaPacific and the Americas to service a worldwide customer base, providing a range of aerial firefighting products and services for both fixed- and rotary-wing applications. The company specializes in OEM-backed fuel controls, power turbine and overspeed governor and starter generator services.

UNITED ROTORCRAFT

Englewood, CO, unitedrotorcraft.com

> United Rotorcraft is the products division of Air Methods with more than 25 years of experience installing airframe accessories on rotor and fixed-wing aircraft. The company designs, integrates and installs medical equipment, avionics, and accessories for EMS, medevac, firefighting, airborne law enforcement, and SAR operators.

WINAIR

London, ON, winair.ca

> WinAir has more than 30 years of experience as a leader in aviation management software, including its sector leading work through AV-BASE Systems, with an emphasis on fleet maintenance programs and inventory control. This includes hundreds of installations at aviation-specific organizations worldwide, including airlines, helicopter operators

and MROs. WinAir has developed expertise for helicopter operators to ensure compliance and be mission-ready with WinAir Version 7, the latest and fully web browser-based edition of its aviation management software. WinAir’s Heliops Package is specifically geared toward the needs of rotary-wing operations.

FUEL SYSTEMS

EXECUTIVE FLIGHT CENTRE

Calgary, AB, efcaviation.ca

> Executive Flight Centre’s core business has been aviation fuel for more than 40 years. It holds an established network, dedicated aviation trucks and long-term relationships with Canada’s primary fuel refiners to ensure a fuel supply of Jet A1 and Avgas (100LL) to customers throughout Western Canada. The company has been a provider of fuel to aerial firefighting operations for over 20 years.

PEAR CANADA

Mississauga, ON, pearcanada.com

> With a distribution centre in Richmond, BC, PEAR provides a range of aviation fuel handling needs, which includes filtration, fuel sampling/testing, aviation hose, filtration, single point and over-wing fueling nozzles, pressure/delta P gauges, hose reels, bonding reels, pumps, meters, filters and pipe fittings/valves, fueling cabinets and related products.

CANADIAN OPERATORS

49 NORTH HELICOPTERS

Campbell River, BC, 49northhelicopters.com

> Founded as a flight school in 2005, under the name of Coast Mountain, 49 North’s pilots hold years of in light and medium helicopters throughout western Canada providing a wide variety of services including, fire suppression, longlining, forestry operations, bird towing, surveying and patrols.

ABERDEEN HELICOPTERS

Prince George, BC, aberdeenheli.com

> Aberdeen is a multi-mission provider including fire suppression and a range of forestry applications, as well as missions for mountain climbing, back-country hiking, skiing, fishing, wilderness photography, mining exploration and powerline maintenance.

ADVANTAGE HELICOPTERS

Vernon, BC, advantageheli.com

> Founded in 1994, Advantage Helicopters is an owner-operator driven company holding Bell aircraft that are fire-suppression ready. The company primarily provides helicopter charter services, in addition to its aircraft maintenance organization status.

AHLSTROM AIR

Nordegg, AB, helinordegg.com

> Founded in 1997, Ahlstrom provides com-

mercial helicopter services with an emphasis on forestry, including fire suppression in addition to fish and wildlife survey, and animal tracking. In addition to seismic, oil and gas work, the operator provides support for remote access and SAR.

AIRSPAN HELICOPTERS

Sechelt, BC, airspanhelicopters.com

> A Transport Canada-approved maintenance facility, Airspan holds a fleet of six helicopters providing a range of services with an emphasis on forestry work, including aerial firefighting support.

ARROW HELICOPTERS

Revelstoke, BC, arrowhelicopters.com

> Founded in 2005, Arrow, which provides Vertical Reference Training for high- or lowtime pilots, specializes in SAR services. The Class D approved company also provides fire suppression in addition to mountain missions like avalanche control and heli-ski charters.

ASCENT HELICOPTERS

Parksville, BC, ascenthelicopters.ca

> Ascent is a Class D approved operator providing fire suppression in addition to a range of sectors like utilities, construction, film and television, heli-skiing, air ambulance and natural resources. With a second base in Fernie and a fleet or around eight helicopters, including NVG capabilities, Ascent holds a Transport Canada approved hoisting program.

AURORA HELICOPTERS

Vernon, BC, auroraheli.com

> Aurora Helicopters provides fire suppression and pre-suppression, which includes transporting firefighting personnel and equipment to pre-determined locations, as well as carrying out aerial smoke patrols to detect forest fires in high hazard areas. The company’s suppression activities include scene transport, airborne reconnaissance and communication, and water bucket drops.

BABCOCK CANADA

Ottawa, ON, Babcockcanada.com

> Babcock provides critical services, technology and support solutions for assets in the defence, emergency services, and civil nuclear domains. Babcock holds civil and defence, fixed and rotary wing, training, and operational aviation expertise and experience across several countries. The company has more than 30 years of providing aerial firefighting services, with more than 90 Babcock-owned aircraft in service, serving on more than 5,000 firefighting missions per year, accounting for more than 15,000 firefighting flight hours.

BAILEY HELICOPTERS

Fort St John, BC, baileyhelicopters.com

> Founded in 1989, Bailey provides a range of services across multiple industries and

sectors, including forestry support and fire suppression, from operations centres in Fort St. John, Fort Nelson and Prince George, BC, along with Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

BIGHORN HELICOPTERS

Cranbrook, BC, bighorn.ca

> Founded more than 30 years ago, Bighorn provides a range of services, including fire suppression, as an authorized operator for the provinces of Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The company is AOC and AMO certified and has access to a fully equipped SAR mobile treatment station.

BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS

Whistler, BC, blackcombhelicopters.com

> Blackcomb has provided firefighting assistance across BC and Canada for more than 30 years with services such as human transport, water bucketing, Bird Dog flights, and equipment transportation. The company is built on the concept of the Multi-Mission Helicopter, with an emphasis on rescue and medevac.

BLACK SWAN HELICOPTERS

Berwyn, AB, blackswanhelicopters.com

> In addition to charter and maintenance services for Airbus, Bell and Robinson helicopters, Black Swan’s forestry focus includes surveying, longlining and fire suppression. The company was founded in 2003.

BLACK TUSK HELICOPTERS

Brackendale, BC, blacktuskhelicopter.com

> Black Tusk has provided fire suppression for various agency and centres from BC to Quebec, with experience in longlining and water drops. Its fleet is equipped with Bambi Buckets and automated flight following systems to meet requirements of both BC and Alberta Wildfire agencies. Its Bell 214B and AStar are equipped with foam-injection systems. Certified to transport dangerous goods and to use two 16,000 plus litre fuel trucks and two 18,000-litre tanks to transport aviation fuel in support of aircraft fighting fires.

CANADIAN HELICOPTERS

Les Cedres, QC, canadianhelicopters.com

> Tracing its roots back to 1947 in Penticton, BC, Canadian Helicopters specializes in the transport of personnel and cargo to remote locations, fire suppression, conducting seismic surveys, aerial lift for construction and high voltage transmission line projects. The company, with associated flight training and maintenance operations, including Heliwelders, is located in eight Canadian province and territories.

COLDSTREAM HELICOPTERS

Kelowna, BC, coldstreamhelicopters.com

> With bases in BC and Alberta, Coldstream specializes in emergency helicopter services like fire suppression, mountain rescue and disaster support, as well as longlining.

CONAIR GROUP

Abbotsford, BC, conair.ca

> Founded in 1969, Conair is a global leader in aerial firefighting, operating the largest privately-owned fixed-wing fleet of specialty aircraft in the world. It operates in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia and beyond. Conair’s fleet of around 70 aircraft includes Bird Dogs, Land-Based Airtankers and Amphibious Aircraft, including the Q400AT, CL215T, CL415 and AT802 Fire Boss. Flying up to 12,000 flight hours per year, the company has developed more than 15 new aircraft types and over 175 individual aircraft for the airtanker and firefighting markets.

COUGAR HELICOPTERS

St. John’s, NL, cougar.ca

> Cougar has been providing SAR services since 1991, primarily focusing on its core offshore oil and gas clients with Sikorsky aircraft. The company also holds a Transport Canada Approved Maintenance Organization facility.

COULSON AVIATION

Port Alberni, BC, coulsonaviation.com

> With more than 36 years of experience in aerial fire suppression, Coulson is one of the world's largest players in the sector with operations in Canada, Australia, Chile and the United States. In addition to its leading modification of fixed-wing aircraft and heli-

The S-70 FIREHAWK helicopter can transport firefighters, drop water on wildfires from its 1,000-gallon belly tank, and perform hoist rescues. (Photo: Sikorsky, CAL FIRE)

copters for fire suppression, Coulson’s other rotary-wing operations include heli-logging, powerline construction, passenger transport and heavy lift. Its fleet is geared for mobility and self-sufficiency with support by mobile fuel tankers and aircraft maintenance service vehicles staffed with qualified engineers.

CUSTOM HELICOPTERS

St. Andrews, MB, customheli.com

> Founded in 1977, Custom holds a fleet of around 25 helicopters providing a range of services, including fire suppression, as well as applications for powerline, construction, mining exploration, oil and gas (utilities, including offshore), medevac, SAR, Class D external loads and wildlife surveys, among others.

DELTA HELICOPTERS

Sturgeon County, AB, deltahelicopters.com

> In addition to its Edmonton head office, Delta holds five other base locations and has more than 45 years of experience working with the forestry industry across Canada. For fire suppression support, Delta provides sling gear, longlines, nets, drip torch, water bucket, infrared and video scanning equipment.

DISCOVERY HELICOPTERS

Atlin, BC, discoveryheli.ca

> Founded in 1990 as a family-owned company, Discovery’s helicopters are fire suppression capable with satellite-based flight following systems, satellite phones, Bambi buckets, and longlines. Its crew members are trained in mountain flying and fire suppression.

EAST WEST HELICOPTERS

Salmon Arm, BC, eastwesthelicopters.com

> Founded in 1997 to focus on logging operations, East West Helicopters holds vast longline experience and work in aerial firefighting. The company specializes in precision lift work, holding a self-contained service facility and its own tanker for helicopter refueling.

ECLIPSE HELICOPTERS

Penticton, BC, eclipseheli.com

> With bases in Penticton and Cranbrook, BC, Eclipse provides a range of services

including aerial firefighting, as well as SAR and U.S.-based operating experience.

EDMONTON REGIONAL HELICOPTERS

Edmonton, AB, erhelicopters.com

> Edmonton Regional holds a main base at Edmonton International Airport (CYEG), with offices at Executive Flight Centre Terminal 1. The company provides a range of forestry services throughout central Alberta, including west to the Rocky Mountains.

FOREST HELICOPTERS

Kenora, ON, foresthelicopters.com

> Founded in 1997, holding an AS350focused fleet, Forest Helicopters supports all aspects of fire suppression. Its pilots’ proficiency extends beyond baseline requirements for crews to hold in-depth knowledge of fire behaviour, logistical support, and tactical applications like aerial ignition.

FRONTLINE HELICOPTERS

Williams Lake, BC, frontlinehelicopters.ca

> With its main base located just south of Williams Lake, Frontline provides wildfire suppression and related services like air taxi, infrared scanning and mapping, as well as wildlife capture and survey.

GREAT SLAVE HELICOPTERS

Yellowknife, NT, gsheli.com

> Great Slave operates a fleet of more than 30 single- and twin-engine helicopters, with more than 20 per cent being aboriginally owned, through partnerships with a range of operators. The group holds around 15 bases with a range of forestry services.

GRIZZLY HELICOPTERS

Campbell River, BC, grizzlyhelicopters.com

> Founded in 2008, Grizzly flies ASTAR350 B2 helicopters out of bases in Campbell River and Port McNeill, providing firefighting services in the region, as well as forestry applications like remote access, medevac, powerline patrols and wildlife management.

GUARDIAN HELICOPTERS

Calgary, AB, guardianhelicopters.com

> Guardian was founded in 1995 in Fort

Nelson, BC, before relocating its head office at Springbank Airport. Beyond its oil and gas work, Guardian provides a range of forestry services for management and protection, as well as fire suppression with expertise in aerial ignition, infrared scanning, cone collection, GPS and video mapping.

HELI SOURCE

Red Deer, AB, helisourceltd.com

> Heli Source provides a range of services for the forestry sector including fire suppression, aerial seeding and fertilizing, logging support, heli-torching and more. This includes mountain flying and vertical reference (longline) operations, while being equipped for water delivery and crew transport.

HÉLICOPTÈRES HÉLICARRIER

Royale, QC, helicarrier.com

> Founded in 2010, Hélicarrier holds heavy lift capabilities and provides a range of forestry services including firefighting by both bucketing or deploying retardant. The Sikorsky-equipped company provides fire suppression throughout North America.

HELIQWEST

AVIATION

Sturgeon County, AB, heliqwest.com

> With a second base near Duncan, BC, in addition to its Edmonton-area location and Colorado international headquarters, HeliQwest is a charter company specializing in external load and operations like fire suppression, as well as seismic, aerial harvesting, inspection and surveillance, mapping, photography, survey, and general transport.

HIGH TERRAIN HELICOPTERS

Nelson, BC, highterrainhelicopters.com

> Serving the Kootenays since 1992, High Terrain operates Bell and Airbus helicopters out of Nelson, Nakusp and Kaslo. Its capabilities include longline slinging, water bucketing, bird dogging, and crew transport.

HORIZON HELICOPTERS

Whitehorse, YT, horizonhelicopters.ca

> Based at Whitehorse Airport with a satellite base in Dawson City, Horizon since its founding has provided wildfire support within Alberta, BC and the Yukon, leveraging a fleet primarily comprised of AS350 helicopters.

HY-RIDGE HELICOPTERS

Coleman, BC, hyridge.ca

> Also flying out of Sparwood, BC, Hy-Ridge provides a range of mountain-focused services, including fire suppression, leveraging an AS 350 B3 throughout Western Canada.

MAG AEROSPACE CANADA

Dryden, ON, magaero.ca

> MAG operates, deploys and maintains fixed-wing and RPAS aircraft for fire surveillance (detection and mapping) and airspace

A Conair Group Air Tractor works in the Kootenays. Conair in 2022 expanded its industry leading Training + Tactics Centre and its new Mission Training System. (Photo: Tim Garris)

management services. It provides civilian operators with a range of aerial fire services: pilots and mission operators; maintenance for aircraft, sensors and equipment; logistics and support; and site and program management.

MONASHEE HELICOPTERS

Vernon, BC, monasheehelicopters.com

> With a new base in High Level, AB, to better serve the north, in addition to its existing Vernon home base, Monashee provides firefighting, construction, film and movies work, and passenger transport services.

MOUNTAIN VIEW HELICOPTERS

Calgary, AB, mvheli.com

> Based at Springbank Airport since 1995, and with a newer location at Drumheller, Mountain View provides a full time Commercial Helicopter Pilot training program, including a hangar that houses a stateof-the-art FLYIT simulator, in addition to its onsite AMO.

MUSTANG HELICOPTERS

Blackfalds, AB, mustanghelicopters.com

> With a multi-type fleet of around 30 helicopters, including lights, intermediates, mediums, heavy lift and twin-engine Cat A & Class 1 capabilities, Mustang provides a range of forestry services like transporting crew, water bucketing, belly tank, running an aerial ignition device or moving cargo.

PANORAMA HELICOPTERS

Alma, QC, helicopterespanorama.com

> Founded in 2000, Panorama provides a range of aerial firefighting services like detection, logistics, bucket watering (Bambi), IR imaging and related services like medevac.

PHOENIX HELI-FLIGHT

Fort McMurray, AB, phoenixheliflight.com

> Phoenix provides a range of light and intermediate helicopter firefighting services like initial attack, sustained action and heli-torching on fires of all sizes, as well as experience in using aerial ignition techniques.

PRAIRIE HELICOPTERS

Gimli, MB, prairiehelicopters.com

> In addition to its flight training, Prairie Helicopters offers a full range of helicopter charter services including fire suppression. The company operates Bell helicopters and was founded in 2000.

RANGE HELICOPTERS

Drayton Valley, AB, rangeheli.ca

> Range Helicopters provides fire suppression services including crew/camp moves, infrared scanning, water bucketing, GPS mapping and drip torching.

RIDGE ROTORS

Blue Ridge, AB, ridgerotors.com

> Ridge Rotors provides services primarily in Northern British Columbia in addition to Alberta for the forestry sector through timber cruising, VRI surveys, mountain pine beetle surveying and extermination projects, as well as fire suppression, emergency evacuation and SAR.

SARVAIR AVIATION

100 Mile House, BC, sarvair.com

> Operating out of Williams Lake, BC, and 100 Mile House, Sarvair specializes in longline and vertical lift missions like heli-logging, drill moves, tower and cone construction, and fire protection, as well as general charter, medivac, heli-hiking or fishing.

SELKIRK MOUNTAIN HELICOPTERS

Revelstoke, BC, smheli.com

> Founded in 1991, Selkirk provides aviation services to heli-skiing operations as well as SAR support, while also aiding in avalanche snow safety and firefighting across the region, including drip torch and Class D certification.

SEQUOIA HELICOPTERS

Abbotsford, BC, sequoiahelicopters.com

> Founded in 2004, Sequoia Helicopters is active with provincial forestry agencies across Canada aiding in fire suppression, utilizing Bambi Buckets with foam kits and extensive longline experience.

SIERRA HELICOPTERS

Pitt Meadows, BC, sierrahelicopters.com

> Sierra provides a range of services throughout Vancouver’s lower mainland and beyond, including fire suppression and other forestry missions like LiDAR imaging.

SILVER KING HELICOPTERS

Smithers, BC, silverkingheli.com

> Silver King provides a range of services for the forestry and mining sectors, including fire suppression by working with initial attack crews and water bucketing. The company also specializes in providing emergency services.

SKY HELICOPTERS

Pitt Meadows, BC, skyhelicopters.ca

> Founded in 2011 and now holding six helicopters in its fleet, SKY has relationships with provincial governments to assist in wildfire

management and forestry work. This includes holding year-round fire suppression pilots and thermal imaging to detect hot spots.

SKYLINE HELICOPTERS

Kelowna, BC, skylinehelicopters.ca

> Skyline operates from its main base in Kelowna and a satellite base in Terrace, specializing in longline operations with a strong focus on oil and gas, forestry and heli-skiing. It has long been involved in fire supression.

SLAVE LAKE HELICOPTERS

Slave Lake, AB, slheli.com

> Founded in 1998, Slave Lake specializes in providing services for the forestry sector, including fire suppression and related services like LiDAR and infrared scanning, as well as crew transport. The company is also equipped for SAR, medevac and Class D external cargo.

STAR HELICOPTERS

Cold Lake, AB, starhelicopters.com

> Star has been involved with the forestry industry since 1982, carrying out operations from firefighting to wildlife surveys, including infrared scanning of hot spots with Flir cameras, longline and drip torch services.

SUMMIT HELICOPTERS

Kamloops, BC, summithelicopters.ca

> Summit delivers remote helicopter aviation solutions in Western and Northern Canada with bases in BC, Alberta and Northwest Territories. The company holds a fleet of intermediate aircraft to support fire suppression and forestry research.

SUNWEST HELICOPTERS

Qualicum Beach, BC, sunwesthelicopters.com

> Founded more than 27 years ago, SunWest, based on Vancouver Island, provides a range of services with its fleet of light, intermediate and medium Bell helicopters. In addition to its longstanding work in fire suppression and crew transport, the company holds experience in longlining, medevac, SAR, exploration, seismic and tower construction applications.

TAIGA AIR SERVICES

Winnipeg, MB, taigaheli.com

> Taiga specializes in providing strategic ther-

The Bell 407GXi is a new multi-role utility aircraft platform, building from the 407GXP, suitable for upgrading to aerial firefighting use. (Photo: Bell Textron)

Guardian Mobility Inc. (GMI) has introduced the G4MX2 as an enhanced single box solution for helicopter and fixed wing aerial firefighting with new features:

Iridium Only or Dual network modes, with automatic & manual switching between Iridium and Cellular Networks, for areas that have Cellular coverage, providing lower cost and if required faster Additional Telemetry Units (ATU) and Automated Flight Following (AFF) update rates;

Expanded I/Os allowing support for multiregion ATU Combo contracts and custom ATU with external input generated Mapping event operations; and

Support for both US Forestry, NAFC OPS-014 and custom ATU contracts out of the box for Buckets, Tanks, Combo and non-ATU operations.

How does Guardian Mobility support its Canadian operators?

Guardian Mobility supports its Canadian operators with end-to-end solutions that provide Automated Flight Following (AFF) tracking, Additional Telemetry Units (ATU), two-way messaging, voice/ PTT, billing services, and data capabilities. By using Iridium® satellite and cellular services, Guardian Mobility’s products provide truly global coverage enabling organizations to manage their fleets which provides safety and accountability for their teams. Guardian is based in Ottawa and offers support in multiple languages.

What innovation best describes Guardian Mobility’s advancement of aerial firefighting?

Guardian Mobility’s latest innovation is the ATU capability in their G4MX2 product which is changing the way governments globally fight fires. ATU provides a capability to measure water volumes and retardant(suppressant) type used, and report the associated GPS positions, over the air (OTA), where the water volume is picked up by the aerial platform, and where it is dropped to support firefighting operations. By overlaying onto geographical maps operators and government agencies can effectively manage firefighting operations in a historical or live view.

What makes Guardian Mobility different from the competition?

Guardian Mobility has 20 years of experience focusing to enable organizations of all size for mission critical end-to-end solutions. By providing cost-efficient customized solutions, one-box options, and best in class support services, Guardian Mobility makes it affordable and simple for operators to integrate their products. Guardian Mobility has focused on this market bringing technology to assist operators do their tasks better and without the burden.

Why is aerial firefighting a priority for Guardian Mobility?

In recent years, wildfires have been on the rise and so are the operational requirements and costs to manage these fires. Guardian Mobility have significantly invested in the technology and understands the need to help government and organizations fight these fires by providing fit for purpose tools that they can use for planning and accountability. Digitalization will be critical to how we fight fires in the future so Guardian Mobility will continue to be an innovator in the aerial firefighting space to best help our customers overcome their challenging task orders.

mal scanning for fire suppression, as well as environmental and biometric analysis, powerline and pipeline integrity, infrastructure management and maintenance. This includes detection and mapping of hot spots, hotlines, and risk areas to effectively deploy resources.

TRANSWEST HELICOPTERS

Oliver, BC, transwesthelicopters.com

> Transwest re-entered operations last summer with a Bell412EP based at Oliver Municipal Airport. The operation worked on the Penticton fire in August 2020 and is fully equipped to work across Canada for the 2021 season. In addition to specializing in utility missions, Transwest provides MRO, part sales and support, with an emphasis on Bell medium and legacy helicopters.

VALHALLA HELICOPTERS

Kelowna, BC, valhallahelicopters.com

> Valhalla has more than 20 years of experience supporting ground forces in fire suppression. The company leverages SEI water buckets that are Aqualaunch/Powerfill foam equipped. Valhalla explains its retardant delivery system can be used for a variety of fire applications.

VALLEY B AVIATION

Manning, AB, valleybaviation.com

> Valley B Aviation provides a range of services for the forestry sector, including thermal spotting, hot spot detection, wildfire suppression, aerial photography, forest management, wildlife survey and pipeline patrol.

VALLEY HELICOPTERS

Hope, BC, valleyhelicopters.ca

> Founded in 1985 and leveraging a Bell fleet, Valley Helicopters has provided firefighting services for more than 30 years. Its pilots are trained in fire suppression with water bucketing, aerial ignition and crew transport.

VIH HELICOPTERS

North Saanich, BC, vih.com

> Founded in 195l, VIH provides a range of services for the forestry sector, including fire suppression and heavy lift for pipeline and logging based on a diverse fleet of Sikorsky, Kamov, Eurocopter and Bell helicopters.

WEST COAST HELICOPTERS

Port McNeill, BC, westcoasthelicopters.com

> West Coast is a light and intermediate service provider with bases in Nanaimo, Campbell River, Port McNeill and Bella Coola, as well as a fleet of around 18 helicopters. It provides forestry services like fire suppression, tree planting and faller support.

WHITE SADDLE AIR

Bluff Lake, BC, whitesaddleair.com

> White Saddle, established more than 48 years ago, provides helicopter air charters in

the Coast Mountain Range and Cariboo

Chilcotin Plateau. It provides support for mining, forestry, firefighting, SAR and medevac. In 2019, White Saddle added a new Bell 407GXi outfitted for fire suppression.

WILDCAT HELICOPTERS

Kelowna, BC, wildcathelicopters.com

> Wildcat holds a fleet of Bell 412 and 212 mission-modified aircraft for a range of emergency services like fire suppression, including a Bell 412EP configured for extended search, rescue, and medical missions.

WILDERNESS HELICOPTERS

Wawa, ON, wildernesshelicopters.com

> Wilderness Helicopters is a full-service operator with more than 25 years of experience flying in Northern Ontario, which includes fire suppression, wildlife and values survey, longline slinging and powerline work.

WISK-AIR HELICOPTERS

Thunder Bay, ON, wiskair.com

> Wisk-Air provides a range of services from firefighting and powerline support to mining and medivac. Its helicopters can be equipped with Bambi Buckets, longlines, cargo baskets, sling gear, and specialized equipment.

YELLOWHEAD HELICOPTERS

Prince George, BC, yhl.ca

> Operating out of more than 10 locations in BC and Alberta, Yellowhead provides a range of forestry services like fire suppression, cone harvesting, aerial seeding and fertilizing, tree planting, drip torching, infrared scanning, GPS mapping, telemetry, crew and camp moves, and heli-logging supply.

ZIMMER AIR SERVICES

Blenheim, ON, zimmerair.com

> Founded in 1975, Zimmer Air has focused on the forestry sector since its inception providing a number of services to the sector in Ontario and out of the province. The company provides drip torch and slash pile burning.

AGENCIES & ASSOCIATIONS

ALBERTA

Edmonton, AB, awcc@gov.ab.ca

> Agriculture and Forestry Wildfire Management Branch. 780-415-6460.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Kamloops, BC, prov.fire@gov.bc.ca

> Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre, BC Wildfire Service. 250.376-6777.

CANADIAN INTERAGENCY

FOREST FIRE CENTRE

Ottawa, ON, ciffc.ca

> CIFFC is operated by federal, provincial and territorial wildland fire management agencies.

HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

Nepean, ON, h-a-c.ca

> HAC is the sector’s primary voice for operators and suppliers. 613-231-1110

MANITOBA WILDFIRE SERVICE

Winnipeg, MB, hqfire@gov.mb.ca

> Department of Conservation and Climate. 204-945-5252

NEW BRUNSWICK

Fredericton, NB, provincial.firecentre@gnb.ca

> Forest Fire Management Branch. 506-453-3335

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Corner Brook, NL, forestfire@gov.nl.ca

> Fire Management and Coordination, Forestry Services Branch. 709-637-2328.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Fort Smith, NT, duty_officer@gov.nt.ca

> Forest Management Division, Environment and Natural Resources. 867-872-7710.

NOVA SCOTIA

Shubenacadie, NB,

> Fleet and Forest Protection Department of Lands and Forestry. 902-758-7230.

RCMP AIR SERVICES BRANCH

Ottawa, ON, rcmp-grc.gc.ca

> 613-993-7267

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOREST SERVICE

Washington, DC, fs.usda.gov

> 800-832-1355

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Charlottetown, PE

> Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change Forests. 902-218-9076.

ONTARIO

Sault Ste. Marie, ON, > Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services. 705-945-5751

QUEBEC, SOPFEU

Quebec City, QC, .cpl@sopfeu.qc.ca

> Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU). 418-871-3341.

SASKATCHEWAN

Prince Albert, SK, FFMBDispatch@gov.sk.ca

> Saskatchewan Wildfire, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. 306-953-3430

YUKON TERRITORY

Whitehorse, YT, YDO@gov.yk.ca

> Wildland Fire Management Branch. 867-667-3128 | W

By Joyeeta Ray |

Trailblazing flight from YYZ

Haiti-born pilot discusses Air Canada’s historic all-Black flight

It all started with a call in November from Air Canada asking if First Officer Steven Proulx would be interested in being part of an all-Black flight that would include a filming crew to document the journey.

Proulx agreed without realizing just how big of a deal it would turn out to be.

“When I came down the bridge to board the aircraft, I realized that I wasn’t the only [Black person]. The whole flight crew were Black people,” explains the distinguished Air Canada pilot. “They were on the bridge taking pictures. It was really special.”

On Feb. 11, Air Canada celebrated Black History Month with a historic return-flight initiating from Toronto, Ontario, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with an all-Black crew of two pilots, eight flight attendants, and Black officers managing ground operations.

“It is a really good initiative. It will show Black people in the younger generation that [joining the aviation industry] is possible,” Proulx believes.

Putting the event together was no easy task. The flight was leaving from Toronto but to find a captain, first officer and crew from the Black community proved more difficult than anticipated.

“We are about 380 to 390 Black people in Air Canada, but we have 30 Black pilots out of which only seven are captains,” says Proulx, who had to be flown in from Montreal. The flight attendants came from Calgary.

But despite the scrambling, Proulx says this has been an unforgettable milestone.

“What got me was the realization that not only was my hard work paying off, but I was also inspiring all those from the younger generation who wished to become a pilot,” Proulx says.

Climbing up the ladder in Canada’s aviation industry has not been without its fair share of challenges for Proulx, now 41, originally from Haiti.

At the age of three-and-a-half, Proulx says he and his brother were adopted by a Canadian family who lived near Jumonville, Quebec. By 21, he left his hometown to work in British Columbia where he learned English and earned his training licence.

From there, he moved to The Northwest Territories where his aviation career began taking off.

But even while his career has “been going higher and further since,” his success has not come without struggle, at times stemming from his ethnicity alone.

From having to be open to a change of schedule, to being relegated to smaller airlines and accepting shifting vacation times “just to be considered for promotions,” he says, “it’s really hard for Black people to climb up the ladder in the aviation industry compared to white people.

“We have to be over-prepared. A small mistake can draw a lot of criticism. We don’t want that. There are fewer chances for Black people to be promoted, so we have to work harder,” he explains.

“I have been working hard in aviation for 19 years, not giving up, just to make sure that I can move forward.”

“Like the Black population in the USA, we have all pretty much come from the Caribbean or Africa,” Proulx says about Black migration to Canada.

Proulx explains that the reason a lot of people from Haiti, the Caribbean and Africa moved to the city of Montreal in the 1970s was because they also spoke French (a result of colonial times), which made it “easier for them to get a job.”

Afro-Caribbeans in general are fluent in either English or French, Canada’s two official languages. But even then, Canadian immigration policy has not historically favoured Black immigration.

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, “From 1946 to 1950, Africans comprised only 0.3 per cent of new immigrants to

Canada.” African immigration to Canada rose considerably in the 1990s after increasing political instability and wars pushed people out of that continent, with the majority settling in Ontario and Quebec. By 2006, about 77,960 French-speaking refugees settled in Quebec, mostly in Montreal.

Despite their language proficiency, however, university education and work experience, Black people generally continue to have a higher unemployment and underemployment rate than other visible minorities. This applies to the English-speaking Black community of Quebec in particular, where French is the dominant language.

In fact, Black people only hold 3.6 per cent of board seats in Toronto, one per cent in Calgary and 0.7 per cent in Vancouver. In Greater Montreal, no Black board members were found in the area’s corporate, voluntary, hospital or education sectors, according to the Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute in a recent study.

Researchers and advocates contend that the systemic racism Blacks face in Canada has been skillfully covered up by history books and popular media even though racial discrimination has been illegal in the country for decades.

In that context, Proulx considers himself among the fortunate few to be able to realize his dreams. “Some lucky people like me get the chance to end up with a nice family. I was able to realize my dreams and I made it,” he says.

Despite the challenges, Proulx believes that “it is a little easier for a Black person to get a high career in Canada” than in the U.S.

“I grew up on a farm, but I had a dream, and I went for it. My parents gave me as good as they could. They are proud that their son was part of Air Canada’s historic initiative,” he says.

Realizing his dreams has also been a matter of pride for his brother who has always stood behind him. “My brother is really proud of me because of where I came from and where I am at today,” Proulx shares.

The next all-Black flight crew is scheduled for next year, but Proulx hopes “it eventually becomes a regular feature.” | W

Joyeeta Ray is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with New Canadian Media.

Air Canada on Feb. 11 celebrated Black History Month with a historic flight from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale with an all-Black crew of two pilots, eight flight attendants, and Black officers managing ground operations.

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