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Category: Sault Ste Marie YAM

  • College aviation program appears ready for rebound

    From SooToday – link to source story

    New aircraft, airport developments a big help; college taking first year students for 2021-22 academic year2 days ago 

    By: Darren Taylor | 31 May 2021

    20210309-plane-DT-01A new Piper Seminole twin-engined aircraft purchased for the Sault College aviation program, March 9, 2021. Darren Taylor/SooToday

    Having faced challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing Sault College to suspend first year admissions to its aviation program in the 2020-21 academic year, the school’s administrators now say the program appears ready to soar once again.

    “The aviation program at Sault College continues to be one of our most popular and important programs. For this fall we have over 400 applications for 95 spots in the program,” said Colin Kirkwood, Sault College vice president academic and research, addressing the college’s board of governors at its most recent virtually-held meeting.

    The board recently approved purchase of a new four seat Piper Seminole twin-engined aircraft to be used in training the college’s aviation program students. 

    The Seminole, a $1.25 million aircraft, was purchased brand new from a U.S. factory and delivered to the college’s aviation site at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport in March.

    It joins two other Zlin single-engined planes which were purchased and delivered to the program in the fall of 2020.

    The addition of the Seminole plane to the Sault College aviation fleet, in particular, is of huge benefit in regard to multi-engined training, making aviation program students more marketable when they graduate.

    There are now 15 aircraft (12 single engine and three twin-engined planes) in the aviation program fleet.

    Sault College has experienced difficulties in getting its aviation students through the graduation door in recent times.

    Apart from the suspension of first year admissions to its aviation program in the 2020-21 academic year due to COVID restrictions, the province-wide community college faculty strike of 2017 and the departure of at least one flight instructor for employment elsewhere in the once-booming aviation industry led to many students not being able to acquire enough flight hours necessary to complete the three-year Sault College aviation program, those students having to return for an unanticipated ‘fourth year.’ 

    “We’ve made changes, improving the schedule to increase the consistency of flight training and we’re bringing in some new faculty recently with airline experience, trying to align with what we see as the objectives of the Ministry,” said Greg Farish, Aviation Technology – Flight program chair, speaking to the board.

    “The shut down last year due to the pandemic had a very significant impact and we are very disappointed that we had to defer the 2020 student enrolment. It was however done in the best interest of the current students, the future of the program and the success of future students. For the Fall of 2021 we are returning to normal levels of student admission. We have first ensured that all the deferred students were able to retain their spot in the program,” said Farish in a subsequent email to SooToday.

    “We have created some powerful tools that allow us to better forecast the student flight training demand and the number of instructor staff that will be required. No forecast is perfect but we have greatly improved our ability to provide the flight training hours to meet our targets for student progress toward graduation. With the metrics we are tracking we can measure progress against the plan and adjust to proactively navigate to our targets. Since we started recalling students for flight training in August 2020 we have been tracking well to our student completion goals,” Farish said.

    The addition of the new Piper Seminole twin-engined aircraft is a key component of the college’s plan to meet its goal to achieve completion targets for students as they reach their multi-engine and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) training phases in the future, Farish added.

    Despite the devastating harm the pandemic has caused the aviation industry, Farish said the industry, including major players such as Boeing “sees over the next 20 years a demand for over 700,000 new pilots. They see, and we do as well, this will be a temporary situation and the demand is going to be coming back very robustly.”

    Farish said NAV Canada’s decision, announced April 15, to maintain air traffic control service at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport and the federal government’s May 13 announcement of over $9 million in funding from Transport Canada’s Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) for infrastructure improvements at the airport will be of great benefit to the college’s flight training capacity. 

  • Ministry of Natural Resources Water Bomber Crash at Sault Ste Marie International Airport

    From Sault Online – link to source story

    By Dan Gray – May 2, 2021

    Plane crashed on Runway 12, Sault Ste. Marie Airport, May 2, 2021 (Dan Gray/SaultOnline.com)

    At approximately 12:30 p.m. May 2, 2021 emergency services attended a reported plane crash at Sault Airport.

    Upon arrival a Ministry of Natural Resources water bomber number 274 could be seen sitting on the runway 12 at Sault Airport.

    A security guard at the airport refused to give any details past they were in the process of cleaning it up.

    After reviewing audio on LiveATC.net someone on board of the water bomber stated “There was a failure on the landing gear, we are going to need assistance to move the aircraft off the runway.”

    The aircraft could be seen with landing gear up, and resting on its right wing.

    A statement from the MNRF Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Isabelle Chenard says they are investigating.

    “This afternoon, one of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s CL415 waterbombing aircraft made a hard landing at the Sault Ste Marie International Airport. The aircraft had been performing a routine test flight. There were no injuries to flight crew onboard, which included a pilot and co-pilot,” said Chenard.

    “A team from Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services is currently on scene to remove the aircraft from the runway. Our Aviation Services Section will be working with the Transportation Safety Board on this investigation.”

  • Air traffic control services to continue for Canadian communities

    OTTAWA,ON, April 15, 2021 /CNW/ – NAV CANADA confirmed today that it will maintain air traffic control service to Canadian communities, including Fort McMurray AB, Prince George BC, Regina SK, Saint-Jean QC, Sault Ste. Marie ON, Whitehorse YT and Windsor ON.

    Last fall, NAV CANADA launched 29 aeronautical studies in an effort to safely streamline its operations, ensuring that air navigation services align with market demand. After considerable consultation with airlines, airports, industry associations, local officials and internal stakeholders, NAV CANADA has elected to limit changes to services across the country. 

    NAV CANADA is committing that there will be no site closures at air traffic control towers or flight service stations across the country. In addition, the Company will suspend aeronautical studies currently underway related to remote or northern locations until further notice.

    “Stakeholder engagement is at the heart of NAV CANADA’s aeronautical study process. The valuable input we have received indicates that a balanced approach is warranted as the industry navigates the ongoing pandemic. We are proactively taking these steps to maintain a consistent level of service as the aviation industry and our many partners shift their focus to recovery,” said Ray Bohn, President and CEO.

    The aeronautical studies, which are still in progress, will consider other alternatives to safely streamline operations, including changes to hours of operation. Aeronautical studies that were related to hours of operation from the outset or that are related to Remote Aerodrome Advisory Services will also continue, except for those pertaining to remote or northern locations.

    To enhance stakeholder awareness and input, NAV CANADA will be undertaking a Notice of Proposal process that will afford stakeholders an additional opportunity to provide feedback on NAV CANADA’s specific recommendations.  

    NAV CANADA remains unwavering in its commitment to safety, and any changes to the delivery of our services will be first and foremost evaluated in this context. The Company will continue to provide the air navigation services required to support industry today and throughout recovery.

    Quick Facts

    • A private, non-profit corporation, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometers of Canadian domestic and oceanic airspace.
    • Under the Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act, NAV CANADA recovers its operating expense through service charges from its customers on a breakeven basis. Its customers include airlines, air cargo operators, air charter operators, air taxis, helicopter operators, and business and general aviation.
    • Aeronautical Studies consider all relevant factors, including traffic volume, mix and distribution throughout the day; weather; airport and airspace configuration; surface activity; and the efficiency requirements of operators using the service. Formal consultation with stakeholders is central to all Aeronautical Studies.
    • NAV CANADA’s safety record is irrefutably one of the best in the world amongst air navigation service providers. We have achieved this record based on a regulated decision-making approach with safety at the very core of all that we do.

    About NAV CANADA

    NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace.

    The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation. Air traffic management systems developed by NAV CANADA are used by air navigation service providers in countries worldwide.

  • Sault airport grounds planned multi-million-dollar expansion

    $5.3-million project stalled for at least three more years

    By: David Helwig | 29 March 2021

    20200530-SSM Airport summer stock-DT-02Darren Taylor/SooToday

    One of the brightest stars in Sault Ste. Marie’s pandemic-plagued economic firmament has dropped from the sky.

    City councillors will be told Monday that Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp. has decided to defer its planned $5.3-million expansion for at least three years.

    “The aviation industry has been heavily impacted by COVID-19,” says Tom Vair, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer for community development and enterprise services.

    “The $5.3-million expansion project included enhancements to existing infrastructure, further expansion of current tenants, as well as attraction of new tenants (accommodation/housing development),” Vair says in a report to Mayor Provenzano and city council.

    Including a hotel in front of the terminal, the project was expected to create 100 full-time jobs over the short- to medium term.

    In October 2019, councillors agreed to give the airport $200,000 over two years to help get the construction project off the ground.

    But COVID-19 swooped in last year and wreaked havoc on the air transportation sector.

    Last November, city council agreed to defer the project, with its cash to be delivered instead in $100,000 instalments in 2022 and 2023.

    “Due to the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19, the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp. (SSMADC) has made the decision to defer the project for at least three years,” Vair says in his latest update.

    The airport is now asking to withdraw its request for city economic development cash.

    “The SSMADC is aware that a new application for any future project will be required,” Vair says.

    Councillors will be asked Monday to release the airport’s $200,000, returning it to the community development fund for other purposes.

    Monday’s city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.

    – SooToday

  • Passenger Levels Continue To Concern Airport Development Corporation

    From Sault Online – link to source story

    By Content Team -March 8, 2021

    Passenger traffic in February was down 93.0% with the fiscal year to date (April to February) drop coming in at 90.1%.  The past ten months of traffic levels are as follows:

    MonthPassengersChange from Previous Year
    April – June572-98.89%
    July – September8,080-85.70%
    October – December7,675-85.52%
    January1,619-89.34%
    February1,100-93.00%

    The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation is unique in the country being one of only two regional airports with no municipal or regional government affiliation; it is a private not for profit corporation that owns and operates the Sault Ste. Marie Airport.  As such the SSMADC must self-fund all operational and capital costs with user fees, leases, and customer pay items such as car park and AIF (Airport Improvement Fee).

    Aircraft traffic movements were also greatly reduced during the pandemic. The latest available data covers April 2020 through to December 2020 with the month of December setting a record for aircraft movements for that month in the past 20 years. The table below outlines levels for the past nine months:

    MonthAircraft MovementsChange from Previous Year
    April575-91.0%
    May875-89.6%
    June954-87.7%
    July1,245-81.0%
    August2,703-57.1%
    September4,922-12.3%
    October4,819-23.2%
    November3,684-18.7%
    December3,09349.8%

    Bearskin Airlines is operating up to 2 flights Sunday and up to 4 daily flights Monday to Friday.  Air Canada Express is offering up to one daily flight.  This continues to be a major decrease in flight options compared to March of 2020 when Air Canada was flying 4 daily flights, Porter had up to 2 daily flights, Bearskin was flying up to 7 daily flights, and Sunwing was providing once weekly service.

    Terry Bos President and CEO of the SSMADC stated “As can be seen by the strong December aircraft movements, there is clear evidence that an Air Traffic Control Tower is needed in Sault Ste. Marie to support the major growth upcoming in the Sault College Flight Training Program.  Unfortunately, for a regional sized airport it is passenger traffic that pays the bills, and those numbers are regressing, amplifying the continued need for government support not only financially but to provide a safe return to passenger traffic in the country.”

  • Sault College aviation program expands fleet with an advanced new aircraft

    From CTV News – link to source story

    Mike McDonald. CTV News Northern Ontario Videojournalist | Published Tuesday, March 9, 2021

    https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5340634.1615336295!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_1020/image.jpg
    One of the new aircraft being added to Sault College’s aviation program is a new, twin-engine Piper Seminole, which college officials say is a state-of-the-art machine. (Mike McDonald/CTV News)

    SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault College Aviation program is expanding its fleet of aircraft. And, after not taking any new students last fall, the program is gearing up for a full intake this year.

    However, the fate of the Sault Airport’s air traffic control tower remains uncertain.

    One of the new aircraft being added to the college’s fleet is a new, twin-engine Piper Seminole, which college officials say is a state-of-the-art machine.

    “It’s our most advanced aircraft with highly sophisticated avionics, (to) expose our students to state-of-the art avionics,” said Ron Common, president of Sault College.

    The college’s aviation program is set to welcome 95 new students this coming fall, and this comes as the Sault Airport’s control tower finds itself in the middle of a service review by NAV Canada.

    Flight instruction

    College officials said flight instruction makes up the majority of aircraft movement at the airport.

    “The college alone has about 45,000 movements in terms of our aircraft,” said David Orazietti, dean of aviation at Sault College. “And we’re north of 60,000 as a tower, once the commercial traffic starts again.”

    Orazietti said student pilots need the guidance of a fully staffed air traffic control tower. Terry Bos, CEO of the Sault Ste Marie Airport, agrees.

    “We’re going to need a tower in order to be able to have them all flying at once,” said Bos. “And I’m sure the college wants to fly as much as we want to see them fly, and the more traffic there is here, the better it is.”

    Bos said the expansion of Sault College’s Aviation Program strengthens the case for keeping the Sault’s air traffic control tower staffed.

    Meantime, NAV Canada’s service review of the tower could be completed next month. 

  • Sault Airport’s control tower needed as college rebuilds aviation program

    From SooToday – link to source story

    ‘That tower needs to stay right where it is,’ Sault College president says in face of possible closure

    By: Darren Taylor | 25 February 2021

    20200301-Sault Ste. Marie Airport, winter, stock-DT-01Darren Taylor/SooToday

    In spite of past and current challenges, Sault College’s aviation program is expanding and preparing for better days beginning in the 2021-22 academic year.

    A new concern for the college is the possible closure of seven airport control towers across Canada – including the control tower at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport – by Ottawa-based Nav Canada (which owns and operates Canada’s civil air navigation system) as the company cuts jobs in the country’s COVID-ravaged aviation industry.

    “We’ve presented twice to Nav Canada why this is not a good idea, given Sault College’s flight program, and we sent some more information to them today, so we’re trying to make a strong argument that that tower needs to stay right where it is,” said Ron Common, Sault College president, speaking to SooToday in a telephone interview after the college’s monthly board of governors meeting Thursday.

    If the control tower at the Sault Airport is shut down, pilots would receive air traffic information from other sources but would still be mainly on their own during takeoff or landing.

    Common said “our students, in order to get control zone experience, would have to fly over to other cities that have control zones, and that’s not optimal that they would do that.”

    “In the last two years we’ve made massive investments to expand our aviation program, (including) hangar renovation, renovating classrooms, simulator labs, we’ve added four simulators, we’ve added two aircraft last year alone and now the board approved the purchase of a new aircraft, the Seneca. These things cost a million dollars. It’s going to arrive in the spring,” Common said.

    “So, we’ve made major investments, and we’ve added staff, and we intend to increase our flying hours annually, all creating a stronger argument why the control tower needs to stay where it is,” Common said.

    Nav Canada, Common said, has received the college’s concerns and that the post-secondary institution has made its case for the Sault Airport’s control tower clear.

    Expansion and improvements to the college’s aviation program come after complaints from aviation students (and their parents) of having their education delayed due to the 2017 faculty strike, at least one flight instructor leaving the program for a job elsewhere in the then-booming aviation industry, and then, COVID-19 restrictions on flight.

    Due to COVID flight restrictions, Sault College suspended enrolment of first year aviation students for the 2020-21 school year, but senior students in the program were able to take to the skies over the Sault.

    “We didn’t do an intake for an entire year in order to focus on the students that we have in the program, and so as part of the expansion we’re certainly going to be taking (first year) students in this September,” Common said.

    “We’ll try to harmonize this with the aviation industry (one of the hardest hit in the world due to COVID travel restrictions). Aviation was the hottest industry we had. Our graduates were being snapped up, people were desperate for commercial pilots and then COVID hit.”

    “Aviation’s going to recover. I think our students will be well placed when it does,” Common said, looking forward to a post-COVID world.

    “The Nav Canada manager of the review of CYAM (Sault airport) is a former flight instructor, commercial pilot and worked in aviation operations management. The manager and staff have demonstrated a keen and honest interest in Sault College’s flight training operation,” wrote Rick Webb, Sault College spokesperson in an email.

    The college’s Flight Training Unit (FTU) has been expanding its daily operating hours, Webb stated.

    “During the Fall of 2020 FTU movements were up 25 per cent versus 2019. Once we emerge from the pandemic and safety protocols are reduced, the FTU will see further increases in aircraft movements.”

    The aviation program’s very existence and its plans for the future make a control tower at the Sault Airport a necessity, the college says.

    Sault College states it will contribute approximately 70,000 movements at the Sault Airport in 2021, increasing throughout the year to 90,000 movements by 2022.

    “The typical threshold requiring a tower at an airport is 60,000 movements but complexity of the airspace also has an impact on the Level of Use (LOS) decision (from Nav Canada),” Webb wrote.

    “The proximity of the U.S. airspace and Lake Superior with the mix of commercial traffic, military aircraft, MNR, the growth of local maintenance facilities and Medevac with the FTU makes the task of managing our airspace too challenging to be left without the service of a tower and a Positive Control Zone.”

  • NAV CANADA looks to streamline operations

    OTTAWA, Nov. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NAV CANADA continues to take steps to safely streamline its operations to help preserve the sustainability of the country’s air navigation system. The Company is moving forward with additional adjustments to its services and will be launching level of service reviews for six air traffic control towers. This includes completing a rigorous, safety-focused review of air traffic to determine whether airport advisory services should be offered in lieu of air traffic control.

    NAV CANADA must continue to fulfill its commitment to efficiently run Canada’s air navigation system, ensuring that the services supplied align with market demands. The following sites were identified for review as a result of long-term air traffic levels, including prior to the pandemic:

    • Fort McMurray Tower, AB
    • Prince George Tower, BC  
    • Regina Tower, SK   
    • Sault Ste. Marie Tower, ON  
    • Whitehorse Tower, YT  
    • Windsor Tower, ON

    Aeronautical studies apply a safety-focused and Transport Canada regulated process, which NAV CANADA has followed in support of its globally recognized safety record for more than 20 years. This rigorous, systematic approach provides for full consultation with all affected stakeholders, with the key factor being safety.

    Quick Facts

    • A private, non-profit corporation, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometers of Canadian domestic and oceanic airspace.
    • Under the Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act, NAV CANADA recovers its operating expense through service charges from its customers on a breakeven basis.
    • NAV CANADA’s provides services to airlines, air cargo operators, air charter operators, air taxis, helicopter operators, and business and general aviation.
    • Aeronautical studies consider all relevant factors, including traffic volume, mix and distribution throughout the day; weather; airport and airspace configuration; surface activity; and the efficiency requirements of operators using the service. Formal consultation with stakeholders is central to all aeronautical studies.
    • NAV CANADA’s safety record is irrefutably one of the best in the world amongst air navigation service providers. We have achieved this record based on a regulated decision-making approach with safety at the very core of all that we do.