Wainwright hosts ATV training course
March 19, 2021 - 2Lt Len Kemei, Logistics Support Company, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Tech Services, Wainwright
From March 1 to 5, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Tech Service’s Logistics Support Company ran an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) course in the Wainwright training area.
Fifteen candidates began the course learning theory and the characteristics of both the ATV and utility terrain vehicle (UTV). Once that was completed, they headed off to the trails to complete the practical portion of the course.
The first practical exercise began with learning how to navigate hills. This included inclines, declines and how to shift one’s body weight when dealing with both the ATV and the UTV. The next lesson was self-recovery using the winch system when driving alone or with a group. Other subjects touched on were when to use all-wheel-drive as opposed to two-wheel on the ATV, and low vs high gear on the UTV. This was put into practice both on the hills and when traversing through the mud and snow.
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Participants in the ATV/UTV course pose for a group photo.
Photo by MCpl Simon Bourassa
Throughout the course, students manoeuvred their ATVs and UTVs through the different types of terrain – varying from sand, pavement, gravel roads, snow and mud, as well as in wooded areas. This was conducted during both day and night driving sessions. The trails took students throughout the Wainwright training area. En route they saw various prominent sites – such as the Commander’s Cabin, sits atop a hill, as well as Fort Reece deep within the training area, and lastly, among other sites, Airfield 21, which was closer to the training area entrance.
Throughout the four days of practical development, students were rotated between both ATVs and UTVs so all of the candidates were qualified on both types of off-road vehicles. In the end, all of the student operators gained the knowledge and confidence to safely and efficiently operate the ATVs and UTVs both domestically and abroad.
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All set to go for a night ride.
Photo by 2Lt Len Kemei
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Students fueling up prior to the day’s drive.
Photo by 2Lt Len Kemei