For Immediate Release May 5, 2004

Peace Air and CFTC Forming A Training Alliance

Peace Air and Calgary Flight Training Centre have announced the formation of a training alliance. The purpose of the alliance will be to provide training material and facilities for Peace Air pilots and advanced training for Calgary Flight students enrolled in the Professional Pilot Program.

Ground school training, both for new hire pilots and for existing line pilots is mandated by Transport Canada as part of Peace Air’s Operating Certificates. The mandated training includes such elements as aircraft systems, CFIT, Crew Resource Management, Ground and Airborne Icing, High Altitude Operations and Company Indoctrination, including Standard Operating Procedures.

As part of the Professional Pilot Diploma Program offered by Calgary Flight Training, students receive air carrier business and operations training. The air carrier operations component essentially follows ground school content provided by commercial operators to new hire pilots. The alliance will enable Calgary Flight to utilize teaching materials and instructors used by Peace Air for student training. Calgary Flight students will also be welcome to sit in on Peace Air training ground schools providing further opportunities to learn and to network with active line pilots.

The integrated approach will provide synergies for Peace Air and Calgary Flight Training in the form of resource sharing, economies of scale, broadened course offerings, expanded instructor expertise, use of facilities and, perhaps, on-the-job training options for students. The alliance arrangement is consistent with recommendations made in the 2001 Study of Commercial Pilots in Canada completed by the Airline Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) with the help of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and follow-up study completed in late 2003.

“The alliance approach makes it easy for us to run ground school sessions,” says Greg Paul, Chief Pilot for Peace Air, Commuter Operations, and an original proponent of the concept. “We just arrive and Calgary Flight provides the facilities and training manual copies and we are good to go. As well we get a chance to have a look at the Calgary Flight professional trainees as prospective pilot hires for the future. Graduating with the necessary skills and attitude can carry a lot of weight in the professional environment. At Peace Air we pride ourselves on the attitude and skill of all the employees, we can teach you to fly one of our aircraft but you must start with the right attitude.”

“Integration of our airline training approach with Peace Air is a terrific opportunity for us,” says Jim Tufford, Director of the Professional Pilot Program at Calgary Flight Training Centre. “Integration is expected to reduce costs, provide training schedule flexibilities, upgrade course content and also provide networking opportunities for our Professional Pilot Program students.”

Peace Air serves 12 cities on a charter and schedule basis and is one of the largest charter/commuter airline operators in Alberta. For more information on Peace Air, please visit Peace Air website by clicking the logo below.

The Professional Pilot Program offered by Calgary Flight Training features advanced airline business and operations courses, conventional flight and ground school training to Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence standards, and essential workplace skill training for pilots through Bow Valley College, primarily delivered via the internet. More information will be found at this link.