Cascade Aerospace conducted the first test flight of a foreign military aircraft from its base in Abbotsford on March 18.
The massive and modernized C-130K Hercules aircraft took to the skies in a seamless flight.
This begins the completion phase of the Mexican Air Force C-130K maintenance and modernization program which began in 2014 and marks a significant milestone for the B.C. Aerospace Industry.
Over the past year, engineering teams at Cascade Aerospace have designed and installed a complete upgrade to the cockpit avionic system including the integration of the advanced digital Rockwell Collins Flight 2 avionics suite to meet 21st century navigation and communication requirements, as well as digital fuel quantity indication and engine instrument display systems.
This aircraft, one of two currently in Cascade’s hangar, has also had a new Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) installed and a wing availability and sustainment program conducted on it.
Operational and technical training for Mexican Air Force personnel was conducted at the company’s facility in Abbotsford using the onsite Rockwell Collins Flight2 procedural training simulator.
“I am extremely proud of the hard working engineers and mechanics here at Cascade Aerospace,” said Ben Boehm, Cascade’s vice president and COO.
“This test flight represents the culmination of a year of detailed design effort followed by countless hours of skilled craftsmanship to present the Mexican Air Force pilots with an airworthy plane.
“This test flight will lead to the delivery of a modernized and updated aircraft to the Mexican government at a fraction of the cost of a new aircraft.”
Cascade Aerospace employs 600 people. Roughly 15 to 20 per cent of those employees are Langley residents.
Cascade Aerospace is headquartered in a 230,000 square foot facility with airside access at the Abbotsford International Airport.
The facility was built in 2000 and is designed and equipped to accommodate eight narrow-body aircraft.
Cascade Aerospace Inc. began as a vision to build a world-class airplane repair station.
In 2005, the company won its first contract with Canada’s Department of National Defence for the total fleet management of Canada’s fleet of C-130 Hercules tactical airlift aircraft.
Cascade Aerospace is an operating unit of IMP aerospace and defence, is a leading Canadian specialty aerospace contractor that provides long-term integrated aircraft fleet support and program management, aircraft maintenance, modification, engineering and integrated logistics support to domestic and international military, government, and commercial customers.
