The Government of Canada donates surplus Coast Guard helicopter to Nova Scotia Community College in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – The Government of Canada is supporting Canadian aircraft maintenance training by donating surplus Coast Guard assets to institutions across Canada. These donations will support the development of well-trained, skilled personnel to serve the aerospace industry of the future. 

On behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour, announced today that the Nova Scotia Community College received a Coast Guard Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO 105 helicopter on April 16, 2018.

Ten Coast Guard BO105 helicopters were in service in the Canadian Coast Guard for more than 30 years. The helicopter fleet plays an essential part in supporting programs such as icebreaking, marine communication, aids to navigation, environmental response, waterway protection, conservation and protection, science and support to other government departments as required.  

The first BO 105 helicopter was purchased by Coast Guard in April 1985, and the last unit was purchased in April of 1988.

NSCC Aviation Institute Aircraft Maintenance Engineering students; Paul Little, principal of Ivany Campus and Aviation Institute; Cathy MacLean, Vice President of Campuses and Communities at NSCC; MP Darren Fisher and Abid Ahmad, Academic Chair for related programs celebrate the donation of a surplus Coast Guard Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm B0105 helicopter to Nova Scotia Community College.

Quotes

“I am proud that these Coast Guard helicopters will help develop students across the country allowing them to have practical and a hand-on experience. These assets have a lot of history and are part of the Coast Guard’s heritage. I am glad that they will benefit the generations to come in building high-level aircraft maintenance expertise.” 

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard 

“Students from the Nova Scotia Community College will benefit from the Government of Canada’s donation. There is nothing like being able to provide students with the opportunity to grow and develop their skills by learning on real Coast Guard assets.” 

Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament, Dartmouth – Cole Harbour

“This donation will be part of Make Way – The Campaign for NSCC, a $25-million fundraising initiative aimed at opening doors to education. The goal is simple: to remove barriers and enhance learning for those on their NSCC journey, through direct student financial aid, innovative programming, instructional equipment and Centres of Expertise.”

The Nova Scotia Community College