From left to right: Mario Aubé, CTA Director of Operations; Geneviève Déry, General Director of cégep Édouard-Montpetit Foundation and the ÉNA; Pierre Rossignol, President of CMC Electronics; Sylvain Lambert, General Director of cégep Édouard-Montpetit Foundation; and Pascal Désilets, Director of the École nationale d’aérotechnique, in front of the aircraft given by CMC Electronics.
The Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA) and the École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA) of cégep Édouard-Montpetit have established a prolific collaboration with the company CMC Electronics, which has just offered them the extraordinary donation of a Piper Chieftain aircraft equipped with in-flight test equipment.
This is the second device that CMC Electronics has provided to cégep Édouard-Montpetit and the ÉNA, following a SR22 Cirrus in 2014. Specializing in the design and manufacture of state-of-the-art solutions for cockpit, avionics and display systems, the company also gave the ÉNA a significant amount of experimental equipment specifically for aviation last year. In fact, these eight avionics suites integrate different cockpit components, such as flight instruments and on-board computers serving as interfaces for navigation and flight management systems. Interestingly, Cirrus is equipped with such a system that it was used to test.
A partnership that is expected to keep growing
Established in 1903 by none other than Guglielmo Marconi, the father of radio and the telegraph, the Montreal-based company CMC Electronics has built an international reputation for innovation and excellence since its founding.
“Our donations are in fact a first step towards a partnership that we are committed to growing over the years and diversifying,” says Pierre Rossignol, president of CMC Electronics. “By supporting the ÉNA, we’re directly contributing to the formation of a qualified future aerospace workforce, an asset needed to remain at the forefront. And our contribution to the CTA also aims to encourage high-level technological innovation in order to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of the entire aerospace industry in Quebec at the international level.”
Accelerating the industry’s technological development
In addition to consolidating the long-term partnership between CMC Electronics, the CTA and the ÉNA, the donation of this aircraft promotes the research and development of cockpits and flight test programs. Its scope is all the more significant since the CTA, helping to accelerate the technological development of Quebec companies, is at the heart of a network of partners that includes industrialists, educators and researchers.
“This important contribution from CMC reinforces its commitment to innovation. It will enable the emergence and application of new technologies and new knowledge, through large-scale collaborative projects such as Aircraft of Tomorrow and the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec”, Francis Archambault, Director General of the Centre technologique en aérospatiale, points out.
Cockpit models for student training
The donation of state-of-the-art avionics suites was enthusiastically welcomed by the École nationale d’aérotechnique. “Our teachers have a vision for various educational activities that will enhance the practical training of the students in the Aircraft Technology program,” explains the director of the ÉNA, Pascal Désilets. “Future technicians are expected to first be able to assemble components in order to create eight cockpit models. They can then be used to support practical activities that serve as training before reproducing what has been learned on real aircraft. And given the large number of models, students will be able to work in small teams.”
A valuable partner
The École nationale d’aérotechnique and the Centre technologique en aérospatiale are pleased to be able to count on the support of CMC Electronics. “On the one hand, our collaboration promotes the development of advanced teaching materials to enrich student training, and on the other hand, the emergence of new Quebec technologies,” says the General Director of cégep Édouard-Montpetit, Sylvain Lambert. “Such support contributes to keeping the ÉNA and the CTA at the forefront in this constantly evolving industry. We recognize CMC Electronics’ sustained commitment to training and innovation, and we will continue to develop promising projects for our students together.”
Donations to the cégep, the École nationale d’aérotechnique and the Centre technologique en aérospatiale are facilitated by the cégep Édouard-Montpetit Foundation and the ÉNA. It particularly supports the cégep and the ÉNA in carrying out their mission of development and teaching, supporting students through school and life.
About the École nationale d’aérotechnique
Founded in 1964, the École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA) of cégep Édouard-Montpetit is the largest aerotechnical institute in the world. Its expertise is based on the exceptional know-how of its employees and the close ties that it has with industry. Its specialized college programs in Aerospace Engineering Techniques (including the DEC-BAC in Aerospace Engineering), Aircraft Maintenance Techniques and Aircraft Techniques (including the DEC-BAC in Avionics) are offered at its $110 million facility, which includes 6 hangars housing 38 aircrafts located on the tarmac of the airport in the Saint-Hubert district.
To learn more about cégep Édouard-Montpetit and the École nationale d’aérotechnique as well as their experts and activities, visit cegepmontpetit.ca/salle-de-presse and cegepmontpetit.ca/table-honneur to discover the awards and distinctions received by their college community.
About the Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA)
The CTA is a technology transfer college centre affiliated with cégep Édouard-Montpetit and located on the campus of the École nationale d’aérotechnique. Specializing in aerospace technology applications, the CTA supports the efforts of companies in the sector to increase their knowledge, productivity and competitiveness as well as the quality of their products and services. With more than seventy experts in composites and advanced materials, non-destructive control, development and aeronautical system integration, metal manufacturing and metrology, and robotics and automation, the Centre is seen as a complement to the various players in research and technology transfer in the aeronautics sector. It adheres to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
To learn more about the Centre technologique en aérospatiale, its industry branches, facilities and experienced specialists, visit www.aerospatiale.org.
For information, contact:
Marie-Hélène Emond
Manager, Public Relations
CMC Electronics
marie-helene.emond@cmcelectronics.ca
T +1 514-748-3113