Airbus Helicopters in Canada is donating aviation training equipment to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) for its Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre in Saskatoon, as part of a partnership supporting aerospace training opportunities for Indigenous communities. The contribution will give SIIT instructors and students training tools connected to the Airbus H135 helicopter and its Helionix avionics suite, while supporting the continued development of the institute’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) programme.

The equipment includes H135 flight control, fuel system, main gearbox and tail unit training equipment, as well as the Helionix Advanced Tool Simulator (HATS). HATS is a portable, simulator-based system designed for realistic avionics and cockpit training. The trainer, the first of its kind in Canada, includes a troubleshooting simulator and an interactive procedure trainer, helping learners move from classroom concepts to practical work.

Riel Bellegarde, president and CEO of SIIT, says: “Access to this equipment means our students can build their skills with technology connected to the aircraft they may encounter in the industry.”

The contribution is driven by the Government of Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) programme, associated with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme. The donated equipment was initially used to support technician training associated with FAcT. Airbus is supplying 19 H135 helicopters to the programme as part of a full renewal of the RCAF pilot training ecosystem. Designated the CT-153 Juno, the aircraft are equipped with Helionix avionics.

Dwayne Charette, president, Airbus Helicopters Canada, adds: “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 is Canada’s largest credit-granting Indigenous post-secondary institution and Saskatchewan’s exclusive provider of AME training. Its Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre opened its expanded facilities in September 2026, providing a dedicated setting for aviation training and industry engagement in Saskatoon.