Airbus Helicopters in Canada is supporting aircraft maintenance training at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) by donating H135 training equipment, helping build technical skills for Canada’s aerospace and defence workforce.
The equipment will support SIIT instructors and students in the institute’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) programme, providing practical training resources associated with helicopter systems and avionics. The donation includes H135 flight control, fuel system, main gearbox and tail unit training equipment, alongside the Helionix Advanced Tool Simulator (HATS).
HATS is a portable, simulator-based system designed to provide training in avionics and cockpit operations. The donated equipment was initially used to support technician training associated with Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme.
Access to dedicated system-training equipment allows students to develop familiarity with helicopter components and aircraft systems before working in operational maintenance environments. Training across flight controls, fuel systems, transmissions and avionics is relevant to the technical knowledge required for aircraft inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance.
“Access to this equipment means our students can build their skills with technology connected to the aircraft they may encounter in the industry,” said Riel Bellegarde, President and CEO of SIIT. “We are grateful to Airbus for investing in Indigenous learners with this state-of-the-art technology and helping SIIT create more pathways into aviation careers.”
The partnership also supports the development of SIIT’s AME training capabilities. SIIT is Canada’s largest credit-granting Indigenous post-secondary institution and Saskatchewan’s exclusive provider of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer training.
Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, said, “This partnership is about creating lasting capability and opening more pathways into Canada’s aerospace industry. SIIT is doing important work to equip Indigenous learners with the skills and opportunities they need to build successful careers in aerospace, and we are proud to support that work. By bringing H135 training capability to SIIT, we are investing not only in students today, but in the strength and growth of Canada’s aerospace workforce for years to come.”
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The donation supports the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) programme, which encourages investments that strengthen domestic industrial capabilities, skills and expertise.
The H135 was selected for Canada’s FAcT programme, with 19 aircraft scheduled for delivery to the Royal Canadian Air Force under the designation CT-153 Juno. The programme will train future RCAF aircrew while contributing to the wider development of Canada’s aerospace and defence sector.
By providing H135-specific training equipment to SIIT, Airbus is supporting the development of technical training infrastructure alongside the aircraft programme. The initiative links practical maintenance education with the systems and technologies used in military helicopter training, helping build a pipeline of skills for Canada’s aviation industry.
