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BC – The hulking frame of an RJ85 “heavy” air-tanker in mid-production, and another parked on the tarmac provided the backdrop to a series of significant announcements in B.C.’s aerospace industry today, reflecting a sector that continues to grow and establish itself in markets around the world.
Finance Minister Michael de Jong, Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, were joined by representatives of Abbotsford-based Conair Group Inc. and the larger aerospace industry at the Abbotsford Airport to celebrate new announcements that demonstrate the strength of B.C.’s aerospace industry.
“Companies like Conair continue to establish themselves as leaders in the fire suppression industry, all while helping B.C.’s thriving aerospace industry expand and reach new markets,” says de Jong. “The RJ85 is already in the field in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, and we look forward to supplementing our current air-tankers with an aircraft largely designed and engineered right here in our own backyard.
“This pilot program, along with millions of dollars we’re investing in natural disaster prevention through Budget 2016, will help protect our most vulnerable communities from the unpredictability of Mother Nature.”
Conair Group Inc. is currently producing its fifth and sixth next-generation RJ85 air-tanker, supplementing the five it currently has in operation in the U.S. and Australia. The RJ85 is a four-engine jet aircraft converted in Conair Group Inc.’s Abbotsford facility to a high-speed air-tanker that includes a B.C.-developed retardant delivery system – considered to be one of the most advanced systems in the world.
“Conair is extremely pleased by the government’s decision to retain a next generation RJ85 air-tanker for the 2016 fire season,” says Barry Marsden, chairman and CEO, Conair Group Inc. “Conair has a long history of developing new tools to assist fire fighters in British Columbia and around the world in their aerial assault on wildfires.
“We are really looking forward to working with the BC Wildfire Service on the RJ85 pilot program this fire season. We are also grateful for this opportunity to put our state-of-the-art, made in British Columbia technology to work fighting forest fires and protecting British Columbians.”
The next-generation RJ85 will supplement B.C.’s current fleet of air-tankers on a pilot basis this summer. The addition of the aircraft ahead of the 2016 wildfire season will allow the BC Wildfire Service to evaluate its cost and effectiveness and help inform future procurement decisions.
Conair Group Inc. has also signed a memorandum of understanding with CAE to build a Level D simulator training program for RJ85 pilots in B.C. Companies like Conair Group Inc. currently have to send pilots to Zurich, Switzerland to receive similar training, and this facility will reduce costs and increase access to more world-class, mission-based rehearsal scenarios.
In addition to the various initiatives with the RJ85, Conair Group Inc. has started to make enhancements to the Bombardier Q400 cargo combination aircraft. Two Q400s have been built for the Government of France and the planned conversions will increase the aircraft’s versatility for the global market.
Budget 2016 provides another $1 million to support B.C.’s vibrant aerospace industry, the third instalment of a five-year, $5-million commitment. The funding looks to help expand the industry by introducing new markets and attracting more international investment to the province.
