Provincial Aerospace Brings Surveillance Training to Happy Valley-Goose Bay 

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Provincial Aerospace Limited (PAL) today announced a major aerospace training initiative for Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Provincial Government will contribute $250,000 toward a training demonstration project to be carried out by PAL at Goose Bay Airport.  The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, together with the Honourable John Hickey, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and MHA for Lake Melville, and Brian Chafe, Chief Operating Officer of Provincial Aerospace Ltd., made the announcement in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today.  

In 2006, PAL was awarded a 10-year contract by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to provide air reconnaissance services in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.  The contract requires PAL provide training for mission commanders, tactical coordinators, airborne electronic sensor operators (AESOPs), and mission observers for air reconnaissance surveillance.  Initially the training was scheduled to be conducted in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.  Through an initiative of PAL, Goose Bay Airport Corporation, and a commitment from the Provincial Government, the training will be carried out in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.  

�This project embodies the type of long-term thinking we need in order to sustain our rural economies,� said Minister Taylor.  �Aerospace and defence is a strategic economic sector for Labrador and our long-term goal is to establish Happy Valley-Goose Bay as a centre of excellence for civilian and military flight training.  PAL�s expertise in delivering this program will help promote Goose Bay internationally as a viable site for such training.  And while this training could have been carried out elsewhere in the world at a lower cost to PAL, with the assistance our government is providing, PAL will bring it to Labrador to the benefit of industry in Goose Bay.� 

The pilot project will run during August and September 2007.  Approximately 20 operators and pilots will be trained for operation of PAL�s special missions deHavilland DHC-8-106 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).  The two MPA Dash-8s are currently being designed and fabricated by PAL in the province.  Carrying out the training in Goose Bay will significantly improve the quality of the training due to the easy access to reserved training air space and the availability of practice drop ranges for air exercises.  The pilot program will not only provide an enhanced training program but will also showcase the attributes of Goose Bay�s facilities and aviation environment and PAL�s ability to provide training in a military environment.   

Minister Hickey said this activity complements the efforts of Goose Bay to diversify its range of aerospace and defence capabilities. �There are many reasons why Goose Bay is an attractive site for this training project,� said Minister Hickey.  �We have excellent facilities at Goose Bay Airport, an experienced work force, and a strong training environment and military atmosphere. This training will play a big role in building Goose Bay�s aerospace and defence activity.  I anticipate this is the first of many announcements to come regarding this facility.� 

Brian Chafe of Provincial Aerospace emphasized the potential benefits that the program will provide for both PAL and Goose Bay and also recognized the high level of regional support and cooperation received for this training proposal.  �The development of a centre for international air crew training adds another dimension to our aerospace and defence capabilities.  This will not only foster growth of our existing business but will show the capabilities that Goose Bay can provide as a site for alternative service delivery.� 

This demonstration project will draw international attention to the facilities at Goose Bay and to the suitability of the region as a base for this type of activity.  It is expected that the pilot program will be the first step toward the creation of a training centre at 5 Wing Goose Bay which will provide military and civilian organizations with surveillance training programs that can be tailored to their requirements. 

Today's announcement is the latest in a series of unprecedented investments in Labrador by the Williams Government.  In April, as part of Budget 2007, the Provincial Government unveiled the Northern Strategic Plan (NSP) for Labrador.  Under the NSP, more than $250 million, including existing and new initiatives, will be invested in the region over the next five years.  Approximately $55 million will be spent for new initiatives over the next five years to implement the plan.

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