Pilot trainees stretch wings

September 14, 2007
Winnipeg Sun
Written by: Shannon Vanraes

New centre opens in Southport

Lead flight simulator technician Mike Lefebvre at the controls of a simulator at Southport. (C. PROCAYLO/ SUN MEDIA)

SOUTHPORT -- You pitch and roll, your horizon disappears and the plane starts to plummet -- but there is no need to worry.

The harrowing experience is par for the course at The Canada Wings Aviation Training Centre at Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. just south of Portage la Prairie, where cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art flight simulation allows students to experience all aspects of the cockpit before they ever enter one.

TRAINING

"The students really like it, it's right up their alley," said Lt.-Col. Darryl Shyiak of 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (3CFFTS), which uses the centre.

Canadian Wings Aviation is part of a 22-year, $1.77-billion contract awarded to Allied Wings Flight Training Services to provide flight training and support services for Canada's Department of National Defence. The centre held its grand opening yesterday.

The school has about 70 students, but that number will eventually reach about 300, with training options for civilians as well.

All Canadian Forces pilots begin their training at 3CFFTS -- the only training facility in Canada to offer training with four types of aircraft, including helicopter instruction and multi-engine training.

Military pilots go through three phases of training. The first and third stage take place in Southport, while the second is currently completed in Moose Jaw. The new centre will eventually allow phase two training in Southport as well.

Ken Carr, site manager for Allied Wings, is pleased to see the new centre up and running.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

"The challenges of a more than $2-billion program took a lot of people working really hard," he said.
Carr added the new modern training facilities offer students more space for studying, better teaching environments and a host of other amenities, including on-site health services.

He said students are enjoying using the new technology and having the opportunity to stretch their wings before they actually take flight.

"There are a lot of benefits," said 2nd Lieut. Jason Danyluk, who is in his third phase of training and was using a full flight simulator yesterday.

The white, pod-like simulators use virtual technology to transport pilots to airports around the globe, allowing them to experience all types of weather. Two of the four units are also able to mimic the movements of an aircraft, including a crash.

"It's intense because you have the movement ... it tricks your brain into thinking things are really happening," said Danyluk, explaining it teaches students the right procedures for all events.

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