Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre breaks ground on new Aviation SIM Centre and Innovation Hub

Waterloo Region – The Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) is excited to announce that today they broke ground on a 3,300 square-foot expansion project that will transform their existing Advanced Training Centre into a cutting-edge Flight SIM Centre and Innovation Hub.

Based at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) is one of the largest and most experienced professional flight training schools in Canada. WWFC offers accredited aviation programs with Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo. In partnership with the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) and the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF), WWFC is part of a living laboratory that enables researchers to test green technologies and implement new training methods.

“Waterloo Region is home to a thriving aviation ecosystem, with postsecondary institutions, local and global companies, and multiple levels of government committed to innovation, sustainability, and the future of aviation,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. “Congratulations to the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre on today’s important milestone.”

The Aviation SIM Centre and Innovation Hub embodies WWFC’s commitment to building a sustainable future. This expansion of Hangar 7 is the first step in a long-range plan to create a new campus just north of WWFC’s existing facilities.  WWFC is investing over $1.5 million in this facility that will house three state-of-the-art flight simulators dedicated to training the next generation of pilots on Boeing 737, De Havilland Q-400, and Airbus 320 aircraft types.

The simulators and green technology, including upgraded HVAC systems and solar panels, are from funding received by WISA as part of an overall Government of Canada investment of nearly $9.2 million, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).  Through this new facility and equipment, students will have access to the latest technology to propel their training to new heights and produce a future crew of Flight Deck Ready pilots.

“This new facility and the equipment that will be within will help drive our aerospace sector into a greener future for Canadians. Our government is investing in the organizations, businesses, and people who are driving innovation and helping workers develop the skills needed to continue to grow a strong, sustainable economy that works for everyone,” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

“Congratulations to the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre and WISA on the ground breaking of the new Innovation Hub at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. This is an important step for the Waterloo Region as we continue to invest in our aerospace businesses and the organizations that support them with the tools to integrate technologies, green their operations and upskill their workforce so that they contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future,” says Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga.

“The groundbreaking of the new Innovation Hub marks an important milestone in our research initiatives,” says Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Founding Director of WISA. “Together with the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre and the Region of Waterloo International Airport, we’re making an impact on all three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic. The Innovation Hub will reduce the airport’s carbon footprint and make pilot training more accessible through the Sim Centre. The new equipment will also enable researchers at WISA to accelerate findings that can support long and prosperous careers in the aviation sector.”

In addition, WISA researchers are evaluating the world’s first type-certified electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, with the end goal of certifying it for use in Canada. Together, WISA and WWFC are demonstrating that the Velis Electro can pass each stage of its flight program under demanding Canadian conditions.

“This expansion is a pivotal moment for our organization. This new facility represents the next evolution of flight training,” said Bob Connors, General Manager of the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre. “Today signifies the beginning of an expansion that will strengthen our partnership with the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) and allow us to provide world-class training in an environmentally sustainable way. It demonstrates our dedication to enriching the experiences of our pilot graduates and elevating the services we provide to our Canadian airline partners and the broader community. Thank you all, for your continued support and partnership.”

In 2022, over 100 Flight Deck Ready pilots graduated from the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre at YKF, including graduates from the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, and WWFC’s Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence Program and modular programs. This represents over 20% of the domestic graduates in Canada.

Construction of the new facility is expected to take five months, with a planned opening taking place in March 2024.  As a not-for-profit corporation, WWFC employs over 100 professionals and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Their mission is to provide the aviation community with unparalleled opportunities to achieve their goals. WWFC does this by offering access to the highest quality resources within the safest environment, ensuring that everyone’s journey in aviation is met with the utmost support.

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