Financial Assistance From The Federal And Territorial Governments Help Advance Northern Aviation

A new flight training simulator, the first of its kind in Canada's North, has been installed at the Alkan Air Flight Academy in Whitehorse, Yukon. With support from the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon, the simulator was purchased by Yukon College as part of the Aviation Management Diploma Program.

The funding was announced today by Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor and the Honourable Ranj Pillai, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economic Development.

Access to this innovative training device will help establish Whitehorse as a unique flight school destination in the North. This simulator will support skills development of current and prospective pilots and provide valuable training services to the aviation industry both in Yukon and beyond.

"Through this partnership with Alkan Air, the new, innovative flight simulator will enhance the one-of-a-kind, northern wilderness, flying education offered right here in Yukon. I am happy to see the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon, Yukon College and our local aviation industry working together to provide such valuable skills development and training services in the North," said Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon.

"The simulator is a key component to flight instruction in any flight school environment," said Wendy Tayler, President, Alkan Air. "This simulator will enhance the educational component for all the flight school students."

"This new simulator is an investment in the future graduates of the Aviation Management diploma program. It is an invaluable training tool that enables students to safely explore a range of challenging flight circumstances helping them become the calm, resourceful pilots the North, and Canada, need," said Dr. Karen Barnes, President and Vice-Chancellor, Yukon College.

In partnership with Alkan Air, Yukon College offers the Aviation Management Development Program, which allows students to complete flight training at Alkan Air while taking business courses at Yukon College. In addition to CanNor's investment of $100,000, the Government of Yukon also contributed $100,000 towards the flight training simulator purchase and installation. Alkan Air contributed a further $46,463.

CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) economic development program aims to strengthen key economic sectors in Canada's territories. SINED supports projects that increase northern economic growth and diversification, support innovation and capacity development, and create jobs for Northerners.

(Source: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency [CanNor]. Image from Alkan Air YouTube video)

FMI: www.cannor.gc.ca