March 18, 2011
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) will purchase a new airplane simulator for the Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada.
An announcement was made today in Saskatoon by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, to support the Commercial Pilot Program in Saskatchewan and the aerospace industry. The Government of Canada is providing $350,000 to assist >SIAST in purchasing a new King Air Turbo Prop simulator for use in pilot training and certification.
"Our Government's investment in this simulator will help advance commercial pilot training and certification in Saskatchewan,
" said Minister Yelich. "As jobs and growth remain a top priority for our Government, this local training asset ensures Canadian pilots are getting the skills they need to successfully compete in the North American aviation and aerospace industry.
"
The purchase and installation of the King Air Turbo Prop simulator will enable SIAST to offer state-of-the-art training for commercial pilots in western Canada. This training is currently not available in Western Canada or the upper mid-west United States. With local access to a simulator, flying operations in Western Canada will be able to reduce costs associated with employee training and increase their competitiveness. Access to this new simulator will enhance the advanced training already provided at the newly-opened Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre, a facility which provides training to commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.
"SIAST Commercial Pilot students and pilots already working will benefit from the opportunity to train for a range of scenarios and on a simulator that has almost 20 possible configurations – from single engine plane to jet aircraft,
" said Dr. Robert (Bob) G. McCulloch, SIAST President and CEO. "Flight simulators are invaluable in their capacity to replicate real-life situations in a risk free environment.
"
SIAST is Saskatchewan's primary public institution for post-secondary technical education and skills training, recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise and innovation. More than 15,000 students were enrolled in SIAST programs in the most recent academic year; additionally, the organization drew almost 25,000 individual course registrations. Through program and course registrations, SIAST served almost 26,000 distinct students with programs that touch every sector of the economy. SIAST operates campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and provides a number of courses and programs through distance education.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Lloyd Suchet
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 220-6208
E-mail: lloyd.suchet@wd.gc.ca
Patricia Gillies
Executive Director, Public Affairs
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
Telephone: (306) 659-3782
E-mail: patricia.gillies@siast.sk.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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