Tour with Winnipeg Chapter, DeMolay of the Allied Wings Facility, Southport, MB - August 3, 2011

On August 3, I joined some Members and Advisors of Winnipeg Chapter, Order of DeMolay on a tour of the Allied Wings Facility in Southport, MB. Allied Wings was organized specifically to operate the Canada Wings Aviation Training Centre for the next 20 years. Canada Wings services the Canadian Forces primary flight training program.

Canada Wings has a dedicated state–of–the–art, 80,000 sq. ft. training facility known as the Hilly Brown Building. The new Multiplex is named after Wing Commander Hilly Brown who was born in Portage la Prairie and was Canada´s first ace in the Second World War. It will ensure that Canada continues to produce Air Force pilots that are among the best in the world.

Right inside the Hilly Brown Building and hanging from the ceiling is a yellow helicopter from the Canadian Air Force.







This is one of six (6) classrooms used by around 200 students as they go through their training, which takes from 8 to 12 months.

Dad Brian Langtry and the DeMolays are viewing the GROB G120A Cockpit Procedures Training.

This is the Jet Ranger Bell 206B Cockpit Procedures Trainer.

This is the King Air C-90A Hawker Beechcraft Simulator, one of three (3) flight simulators in the facility. Some of the DeMolays and Advisors were allowed to try this and one other simulator. I think almost everyone crashed during their simulated flights. That is why the simulators and not the actual aircraft are used for the initial training of new pilots.

Here is the Bell 412 Helicopter Simulator which we were also able to try. Flying a helicopter looks easy when you see them, whether live, on TV or in the movies. However, it definitely is not easy. You have to use both hands and both feet to control the helicopter. One of the most challenging situations is hovering. I am glad to say that I did not crash the helicopter during my simulation flight. But it seemed so real - the view, the motion, etc. What an experience it was for all of us.

Each simulator accommodates four (4) people. One (1) instructor runs the controls to come up with various situations which the student has to deal with. For example, it can be a clear day or there can be hail or snow. Or there can be engine trouble or other scenarios.

Here are some of the Advisors with Mr Paul Reidle, who was our tour guide and who has more than 1,000 flying hours himself.

In addition to flight training, this facility also provides aircraft maintenance, on–site housing and meals, classroom space, air traffic control, navigation services and runway maintenance. Here, one of the DeMolays tried the oxygen tank and mask used by the Fire Prevention and Control.

The facility had a total of 21 helicopters. One interesting fact about the helicopters is that these have wire-cutters on top and under the front, in case the pilot has to deal with overhead cables or wires.

We also visited Hangar 2, which had the maintenance shop for both the fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.

The last area visited was the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower. From here, two (2) ATC's monitored and guided aircraft flying through or near the facility. Those ATC's had to climb stairs to the equivalent of about five (5) storeys.

It was a very educational three-hour tour, which everyone enjoyed.If you want information about the facility, visit their website at http://www.alliedwings.ca/facilities.asp