SASKATOON, SK, Oct. 6, 2026 /CNW/ — Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) is receiving aviation training equipment from Airbus Helicopters in Canada for its Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre in Saskatoon. The contribution will give students access to training tools connected to the Airbus H135 helicopter and its Helionix avionics suite.
The equipment includes H135 flight control, fuel system, main gearbox and tail unit training equipment, as well as the Helionix Advanced Tool Simulator (HATS). The HATS trainer, first of it’s kind in Canada, includes a troubleshooting simulator and an interactive procedure trainer, helping learners move from classroom concepts to practical work. Together, the equipment will expand hands-on learning opportunities for students preparing for careers in aircraft maintenance and aviation.
“Access to this equipment means our students can build their skills with technology connected to the aircraft they may encounter in the industry,” said Riel Bellegarde, President and CEO of SIIT. “We are grateful to Airbus for investing in Indigenous learners with this state-of-the-art technology and helping SIIT create more pathways into aviation careers.”
The contribution is driven by the Government of Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits(ITB) program, associated with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. Airbus is supplying H135 helicopters to the FAcT program as part of a full renewal of the RCAF pilot training ecosystem. Designated the CT-153 Juno, the aircraft are equipped with Helionix avionics. This connection brings SIIT’s aviation training closer to the technology used in a major Canadian training program.
“This partnership is about creating lasting capability and opening more pathways into Canada’s aerospace industry,” said Dwayne Charette, President, Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “SIIT is doing important work to equip Indigenous learners with the skills and opportunities they need to build successful careers in aerospace, and we are proud to support that work. By bringing H135 training capability to SIIT, we are investing not only in students today, but in the strength and growth of Canada’s aerospace workforce for years to come.”
SIIT’s Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre opened its expanded facilities in September 2026. The centre provides a dedicated setting for aviation training and industry engagement in Saskatoon.
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies was established in 1976 by Saskatchewan First Nations Chiefs representing all Treaty areas. Today, SIIT remains a First Nations-governed educational institution – and one of only four credit-granting post-secondary institutions in the province. SIIT provides adult learners with academic, vocational, and technical training, as well as services and supports for employment and career growth. Indigenous learners are at the core of SIIT, representing over 90 percent of the student body.
SOURCE Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
