Latest news with #JackieBook
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Gold standard for aviation training': Western University partners with MFC
One of Canada's leading flight training organizations is coming to Ontario for the first time this fall. One of Canada's leading flight training organizations is coming to Ontario for the first time this fall, with the partnership of Western University and New Brunswick-based MFC. The training will occur at London International Airport as part of Western's commercial aviation program, running out of the Executive Aviation Hangar. According to Western officials, MFC is investing about $50 million, including the purchase of planes from Diamond Aircraft in London. Jackie Book, the commercial aviation management program director at Western University, said the university will be able to offer the Integrated Airline Transport Pilot license for the first time. 'We're really excited to partner with MFC Flight Training, which we view as the gold standard for aviation training and especially pilot training in Canada,' said Book. With labour shortages in all areas of aviation, the program addresses a local need. Scott McFadzean, London International Airport president, said this will help London's aviation sector. 'You have the education and the graduates, you know, coming out of London, then you're more apt to get business and industry here that want to hire those graduates and continue to grow their aviation businesses right here in London.'
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
‘Inspiring the next generation'; Girls in Aviation Day take dreams to new altitudes
Annual Girls Aviation Day was held at London International Airport today, meant to empower the next generation of women in aviation, aerospace and STEAM. It was a day of hands-on learning for 800 young women, who took over a portion of the tarmac at London International Airport (YXU). The Great Lakes Aviators Canada hosted its second annual Girls in Aviation Day, in hopes of showing young girls that the sky is the limit. 'I think these events are very important, especially for young females. It's such a male dominated industry at the end of the day,' said Kaitlyn Thomas, a first officer pilot, with Air Canada. 060325 - Aviation Women in Aviation hosts second annual Girls in Aviation Day at London International Airport. (Reta Ismail/CTV London) Students got an up-close look at aircraft and explored interactive stations, meeting women from all aspects of aviation. 'I learned a lot about 'roll' and turbulence and how to manage turbulence, just thinking about being in Jello, which I thought was really fun,' said eighth grader Ola Obute, who hopes to become a pilot one day. A former Military Tactical Hercules pilot, Jackie Book, who is now the Director of Commercial Aviation Management, and President of Great Lakes Aviators Canada Chapter hopes today's event gives the young girls an opportunity to learn more about all the different careers in aviation. 'When girls think of aviation, they just think about becoming a pilot. They don't think about air traffic control or maintenance or manufacturing or any of those other than the business of aviation, which is one of my favorite things, so they don't think about all these other aspects that are aerospace,' explained Book. 060325 - Aviation Women in Aviation hosts second annual Girls in Aviation Day at London International Airport. (Reta Ismail/CTV London) The event, which empowered students from five area school boards, was a collaboration between 40 local and industry partners, including Western University, Fanshawe College and YXU. 'We have a big vision in aerospace and aviation education, and we want to become an aerospace hub for aviation,' said London International Airport CEO Scott McFadzean. 'Inspiring the next generation, specifically females who are underrepresented and in the aviation sector is near and dear to our hearts here at YXU.'
