Ashtonbee takes delivery of Dash 8 aircraft

Thanks to Aircraft Maintenance graduate Harold Debonte, Centennial's Aerospace department has secured the donation of a popular and well-used aircraft upon which students can practice their skills.

On March 27, the department took delivery of a Bombardier Dash 8 100-series fuselage along with several other components from 3 Points Aviation of Mississauga. The airplane is an example of the large commuter-type aircraft commonly used around the world.

The donation is estimated to be valued at $275,000 for the aviation company, which recycles old and retired aircraft and components. The donation is the first of many from the company, which has entered into a partnership with the School of Transportation to supply the department with aircraft components and technology as needed.

While the wings may be missing, Aerospace students will be able to conduct inspections, repairs and installations of various components in the fuselage in order to familiarize themselves with maintenance tasks common to an airline operation, says faculty member Jamie Milks. Students will have the benefit of repairing components in place in a large, contemporary aircraft.

The Dash 8 was built in the late 1980s by Bombardier Aerospace at its Downsview facility and has enjoyed numerous lives. In the past it was used by Air Ontario, Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz. From there it was sold to Delta Airlines and then Freedom Airlines, whose colors it still wears today. Jamie says he'd like to see the tail section painted with the Centennial College logo in the not-too-distant future.

The aircraft returned home to Toronto on a flatbed truck from Bangor, Maine through Quebec, complete with a police escort (the entire load checked in at a little more than 100 feet or 30 meters in length). 3 Points Aviation Program paid for the transportation of the fuselage. The plane will remain parked outside of the hangar in the paddock area due to its considerable size. Eventually it will be mounted on a wheeled cradle so that it can be moved easily around the paddock as required.