(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

flying high

Local aviation businesses benefit from provincial grant

May 8, 2024 | 1:51 PM

Several local aviation businesses are benefitting from the province’s $13 million investment into the aviation and aerospace industry.

The funding, through the Aviation Skills Grant program, was intended to strengthen the aviation workforce.

“The Aviation Skills Grant underscores our government’s commitment to helping the aviation industry take off,” says Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.

“This program is fueling highly skilled workers in the aviation sector and is helping to reduce labour shortages, increasing our province’s economic competitiveness and facilitating the growth and development of Alberta’s aviation and aerospace industry.”

In the latest, and second, intake, three Red Deer-based companies have received funding:

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Heli Source Ltd.

Heli Source Ltd. is based out of Red Deer and provides extensive services, including conducting surveillance and monitoring operations, facilitating sampling and drilling, as well as providing support for fire suppression. They will receive up to $300,000 to train 40 employees in specialized rotary aircraft courses including mountain flying, external loading training and Airbus 350 pilot / instructor.

Integrated Sensing & Surveillance Inc.

Integrated Sensing & Surveillance Inc. is a Red Deer-based company that offers sensing and surveillance services including visual inspection, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and heat detection. They will receive up to $44,623 to train 28 employees in mountain flying, aircraft-specific simulator training, accident investigation and safety management.

Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd.

Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd. is a flight training provider based out of Red Deer. They offer training for private or commercial pilots licenses. They will receive up to $285,652 to conduct training for 25 employees in multi-engine instrument, dispatch, mountain check, tailwheel, aircraft conversion and flight instructors.

In the first intake:

Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd.

Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd. is a flight training provider offering training for private or commercial pilots licences, based out of Red Deer. They will receive up to $11,100 to conduct aircraft type training for one existing employee for an unfilled flight instructor position.

An estimated 2,000+ trainees will benefit from up to $30,000 in funding.

According to the province, the program focuses on improving access to training programs for pilots, including Class 4 instructors, multi-engine operation and wing conversion training, as well as nighttime or mountain flight training for both airplanes and helicopters. Training in quality assurance, aircraft maintenance engineering and manufacturing have also emerged as new areas of focus.

A full list of recipients is at alberta.ca.

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READ MORE

• Mayors of Red Deer & Red Deer County to showcase region’s potential in Chicago
• Province says sky’s the limit for Alberta’s aviation workforce
• New aviation career pathway elevates opportunities for students
• Final phase of Red Deer Regional Airport expansion begins: extending Airport Drive
• Alberta’s regional airports get $1.13 million investment
• Red Deer & Red Deer County mayors headed to France to showcase economic opportunities

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