By Skies Magazine | August 9, 2013 Estimated reading time 1 minute, 41 seconds.
As the 2013 Abbotsford International Airshow gets underway in Abbotsford, B.C., a group of Canadian aviation and aerospace stakeholders gathered beforehand to celebrate the industry’s local successes. Hosted by Cascade Aerospace, the rampside gathering included a number of federal, provincial, and regional government representatives, as well as executives from the area’s most prominent aviation and aerospace companies. RCAF commander LGen Yvan Blondin was also in attendance.
Cascade president Dwayne Lucas moderated remarks from the VIP guest panel. Among the highlights of the presentation were several company updates.
Conair’s David Schellenberg said his company is almost ready to test and certify its BAe Avro RJ85 airtanker, which features an external belly tank capable of holding 11,700 litres of retardant.
David Curtis of Viking Aircraft announced the sale of the 90th new Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft. To date, he said, Viking has booked a half billion dollars in sales.
Avcorp Industries also announced it has been contracted by Boeing to produce tunnel cover assemblies for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. President Mark van Rooij was on hand to provide a company update.
Among the various politicians in attendance there was universal agreement about the importance of Canada’s aerospace industry, which is the fifth largest in the world and contributes $27 billion annually to the country’s economy.
