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Canadian North proudly announces that it is establishing a new Pilot Training Centre at Edmonton International Airport (EIA). The new Pilot Training Centre will house a CAE-built Boeing 737 full-flight simulator.
The simulator and facility are planned to be operational and certified by Transport Canada this fall. The centre is located on site at Edmonton International Airport, south of Airport Road. Training of the first pilots will coincide with the completion of facility construction and simulator set-up.
“Canadian North has grown to the size where investing in its own flight simulator just makes sense,” said Steve Hankirk, president of Canadian North. “We are pleased to be working with EIA on this initiative as we know it will have a positive impact on both Canadian North and the economy of the Edmonton region.”
The 737 simulator will bring new cost efficiencies for training pilots at Canadian North. Additionally, pilots will now have the option of coming to Edmonton for simulator training, rather than going to other training centres around North America. The new facility will mean added business for local hotels and restaurants. Canadian North’s new Pilot Training Centre at EIA will also offer 737 training to other airlines interested in using the facility.
“This new centre will draw even more people and more business to our region. It is a perfect example of the aerotropolis concept, where businesses situated at or near EIA work in conjunction with EIA to create a catalyst for growing our community. We are pleased to have an innovative company like Canadian North creating more jobs in our region through new airport development,” says Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Edmonton International Airport.
CAE, a world-leader in commercial aviation simulator technology has signed a maintenance services contract with Canadian North and is providing its training centre with operations expertise.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for this fall, once the new facility is open and operational.
