It’s an annual Fall tradition: the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Air Maintenance Branch lands one of its aircraft on the concrete apron in front of the Art Smith Aero Centre. Last year it was an F-18 fighter; this year it was a CH-148 Cyclone, a ship-borne helicopter that provides air support to the Royal Canadian Navy.  

“What drives a lot of people into the aviation sector is a love for airplanes and their equipment, and some of the hardware and equipment that the military uses is extremely specialized, extremely expensive, and not generally available to the public,” says Josh Brewster (Welding Engineering Technology '14, Welder '12), SAIT's Associate Dean of Aviation and Technology. 

“When do you ever get an opportunity to approach an active piece of military equipment and talk to the technicians that repair, alter and maintain it? Almost never, and that's really the unique opportunity this event gives students.”   

students lining up to view CH-14 Cyclone helicopter
Visiting the CH-148 gave students opportunities to talk with RCAF technical personnel while actually seeing some of the real-world equipment they work on.

Brewster says the experience is another practical way for students in SAIT’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology, Avionics Technology, and Aircraft Structures Technician programs — as well as youth from other local schools and classes specially invited by SAIT — to explore different careers open to them. 

“We work closely with private industry partners — from major airlines to smaller shops to private businesses — to show students all those opportunities,” Brewster says. “What is it like to work at WestJet with 15,000 people? What is it like to work at a smaller repair shop with 30 employees, and what would it be like to actually go into the Air Force?  

“Aviation technicians and technical folks are really in demand, and they can choose where they want to go. Giving them all the information needed to make an informed decision on a career where they'll be successful and happy is important for us.” 

Did you know?

Usually stationed at bases in Patricia Bay, B.C. and Shearwater, N.S., the Cyclone can operate around the clock and in most weather conditions. It can be used for surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, tactical transport and other aspects of military missions in Canada and beyond. 
Did you know?

Usually stationed at bases in Patricia Bay, B.C. and Shearwater, N.S., the Cyclone can operate around the clock and in most weather conditions. It can be used for surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, tactical transport and other aspects of military missions in Canada and beyond. 
Full image of a CH-148 Cyclone
The CH-148 is 17.22 m long and 5.44 m high, with a rotor span of 17.48 m, a maximum speed of 287 km/h and a range of 740 km. 
close up of CH-148
close up of CH-148

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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

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