| Top Aces’ Training Contract with Canadian Forces Extended |
Feb. 15, 2010 |
The Government of Canada has extended the Interim Contracted Airborne Training Services (ICATS) with Discovery Air Inc. for a one-year period.
Top Aces, a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Air, is the prime supplier of Airborne Training services to the Canadian Army, Navy and Air Force. On February 23rd, 2005, the Government of Canada awarded three national standing offers to Top Aces to provide "fast jet" (known as Type 1) airborne training services to the Canadian Forces.
The standing offers were for a period of five years, and this extension will extend that service until 2011. Top Aces is the only compliant bidder in any area of ICATS Type 1 services. |
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| Col. Dave Cochrane - New Commander of 8 Wing Trenton |
Feb. 12, 2010 |
The Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Andre Deschamps, announced that Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Cochrane has been selected to take command of 8 Wing Trenton effective on 19 February 2010, upon his promotion to the rank of Colonel.
"I believe Colonel Cochrane has the exceptional leadership qualities necessary to lead 8 Wing Trenton at this challenging and critical time, as the Canadian Forces are experiencing an unprecedented operational tempo," said Lt.-Gen Deschamps. "He is a highly experienced, trustworthy and capable commander who is well known in the local community, as are his wife and children. He is a respected member of the air mobility community and has my utmost confidence."
Colonel Cochrane takes over from Lieutenant-Colonel David Murphy, who was designated acting Wing Commander on 8 February 2010 following the arrest of Colonel Russell Williams, accused of several serious crimes committed in the local area." |
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| Northstar Wins Add-On to L-3 MAPPS Contract |
Feb. 12, 2010 |
Northstar Network Ltd. (Northstar) has been awarded another add-on to the multi million contract awarded by L-3 MAPPS Inc. in March 2009 to build consoles for land-based trainers for the Halifax Class of ships.
The original contract to manufacture 66 Standard Marine Consoles and 60 Local Operating Panels as part of the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) was broadened in August 2009 to include the design and manufacture of the land-based training simulators for the East Coast Navies. Now the contract is once again being expanded to add the Canadian Navy’s west coast training simulators, engineering support for the program and additional components for both domestic and foreign naval upgrade programs.
“These additional opportunities reflect the strong relationship being built between Northstar and L-3 MAPPS, and confirms Northstar’s commitment to delivering the best possible support to its customers. Our dedicated engineering and project management teams provide word class support to L-3, ensuring that the delivered products meet or exceed the customer’s requirements. With these additions, Northstar has become the largest domestic supplier to L-3 MAPPS on its marine console program” said Howard Nash, President of Northstar. |
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| CMC's Cockpit 4000 selected for Moroccain Air Force T-6C |
Feb. 10, 2010 |
Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) has received initial orders from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) to supply its Cockpit 4000 Integrated Avionics Suite for 24 T-6C trainer aircraft for the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
Morocco is the first customer to purchase HBC’s newly introduced T-6C trainer, which is an improved version of the T-6A Texan II. The avionics suite to be supplied by Esterline CMC Electronics will include an Integrated Avionics Computer (IAC), a Head-Up Display (HUD), Up Front Control Panel (UFCP), six Multifunction Displays (MFDs), Inertial Reference Unit (IRU), Digital Video Recorder/Data Transfer System (DVR/DTS) and Radar Altimeter (RADALT). |
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| CFB Trenton Commander Accused of First-Degree Murder |
Feb. 08, 2010 |
 Ontario police charged the senior officer at CFB Trenton, a career officer with 23 years in the military, with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two eastern Ontario women.
Wing commander Col. Russell Williams, 46, was arrested Sunday and charged in the death of 27-year-old Jessica Lloyd, whose body was found Monday off Cary Road in the Municipality of Tweed. Lloyd had been missing since Jan. 28 from her home outside Tweed.
Williams has also been charged in the death of 38-year-old Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, of Brighton, Ont., who was slain in her home on Nov. 25, 2009. She was a corporal in the Armed Forces and a flight attendant based at Trenton.
Col. Williams appeared in a Belleville, Ont., courtroom Monday and was formally charged with the murders of the two women and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault, related to two separate home invasions and sexual assaults in the Tweed area in September of 2009. He was remanded in custody and will appear by video on Feb. 18.
Police linked the two crimes to a single suspect due to similarities in the cases.
OPP reported Col. Williams first came to their attention in a "road side canvass" on Highway 37 on Feb. 4.
André Deschamps, chief of air staff for the Canadian Forces, issued a statement Monday that "although one is considered innocent until proven guilty, in light of the seriousness of the charges, and in consideration of the high level of responsibilities" attached to Williams's position, an interim wing commander for 8 Wing Trenton will be appointed to replace him. |
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| Unmanned Vehicle carries Olympic Torch |
Feb. 06, 2010 |
 During the recent Olympic torch relay in Medicine Hat Alberta an unmanned vehicle, Multi Agent Tactical Sentry (MATS), carried the Olympic torch. It was a first in the world, as an unmanned vehicle has never carried the Olympic torch before. The event was successful thanks to the support of the city, Meggitt Training Systems Canada and DRDC Suffield. |
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| Field Aviation Signs Contract with Avitrade Belgium |
Feb. 02, 2010 |
Canada’s Field Aviation Company Inc. has been selected to produce and install custom designed aircraft interiors for two new Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft under a contract with Avitrade Belgium, on behalf of its ultimate customer. The VIP interior modifications will be the first of their kind installed on Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.
Field’s extensive experience in VIP interior modifications will allow them to individually tailor each aircraft to the specific needs of Avitrade Belgium.
Albert Bloem, CEO of Avitrade Belgium, said, “By choosing Field to complete the interior of these aircraft we know we have made the right decision. In the past, they have continuously displayed the expertise, knowledge and dedication that have made them world leaders in interior completions. I am looking forward to completing this new project with them.” |
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| Field Aviation Launches New Corporate Identity |
Feb. 02, 2010 |
 Canada’s Field Aviation Company Inc. has re-aligned its business direction to place a stronger operational focus on modification and conversions of aircraft for special mission roles, and VIP and corporate shuttle interior completions for regional aircraft.
To reflect its new direction, the company is launching a new corporate identity that will drive its new branding strategy. In recognition of the company’s international reach and influence, the company officially launched new branding and redesigned website at the Singapore Airshow, February 2-7, 2010.
Field Aviation vice-president of marketing, Chris Cooper-Slipper said, “The emphasis on our new business focus is in response to strong customer demand within these two key areas of our operations. The expansion of our VIP interior completions and special mission modifications programs is an exciting step into the future for our business as we enter this new decade.” |
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| CMC wins contract with Patria / Finnish Air Force |
Feb. 02, 2010 |
 Esterline CMC Electronics has been selected by Patria, Finland to perform a glass cockpit upgrade of the fleet of BAE Systems Hawk Mk66 advanced jet trainers for the Finnish Air Force, which purchased the 18 ex-Swiss Air Force aircraft in 2007 to add to its fleet of Hawk Mk51s.
CMC was previously selected by Patria to supply its integrated glass Cockpit 4000™ for the avionics upgrade of Hawk Mk51 trainers for the Finnish Air Force in January 2007. The final deliveries have recently been made for this program. On completion of this new contract, the Finnish Air Force will have a fleet of 26 upgraded Hawks, consisting of 18 Mk66 and 8 Mk51 advanced trainers.
The Hawk provides basic and advanced training at Kauhava Air Base for pilots destined for the F-18C and F-18D equipped front-line squadrons. The contract covers the adaptation of CMC’s’ Cockpit 4000 integrated avionics suite for the Hawk M66 trainer aircraft. The upgrade aims to further increase the quality of flight training by improving the Hawk jet trainers’ training efficiency and extending the training that is currently carried out on Hawks. The BAE Systems Hawk Mk51 first entered service with the Finnish Air Force in 1980.
Jean-Michel Comtois, vice-president, marketing and sales, Esterline CMC Electronics, stated: “CMC’s integrated glass Cockpit 4000 avionics suite is designed specifically to lower training costs while offering superior training capabilities and, if required, to provide an operational weapons delivery role. By using CMC’s advanced cockpit avionics, fast jet pilot training, from basic to advanced level can be performed using a single platform, resulting in a significant savings.”
Jukka Holkeri, executive vice-president, Patria, added: "This modernization significantly improves the usage of the Finnish Air Force (FINAF) Mk.66 fleet in today’s demanding military pilot training. It also strengthens Patria’s capabilities to support FINAF as a strategic partner in the area of OFP (Operational Flight Program) software development. The Hawk Mk.66 fleet modernization further improves Patria's and FINAF's joint efforts to offer training services for foreign customers at Kauhava airbase in Finland. Patria, together with Esterline CMC Electronics, look forward to providing this competitive upgrade solution to other Hawk Mk.50/60 series users". |
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| CMC Supplies HUD and FMS for Pilatus PC-21 Fleet |
Feb. 02, 2010 |
 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Has awarded Esterline CMC Electronics a contract to supply its head-up display (HUD) subsystem and latest generation flight management system (FMS) for the fleet of 25 PC-21 turboprop training aircraft selected by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence.
The HUD subsystem includes CMC’s SparrowHawk HUD integrated with a HUD symbol generator and a video display unit. The SparrowHawk is a compact, 25º total field of view HUD that can display both raster video and stroke symbology. The HUD symbol generator features the latest compact PCI/PMC architecture and a powerful PC processor. The software also provides simulated weapons modes, allowing an early introduction to mission execution and tactics.
CMC's CMA-9000 FMS was chosen by Pilatus as a standard fit for the PC-21 in 2004. CMC’s HUD subsystem has been standard fit for the Pilatus PC-21 and PC-9 M and optional fit for the PC-9 and PC-7 MkII.
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