Iqaluit boosted by airline test procedures
WebPosted Feb 12 2003 10:11 AM MST
IQALUIT, Nunavut - Another foreign aircraft company
now conducting cold weather testing from the Iqaluit
airport is bringing good business to the community.
This week, the very first of a new model Airbus, the
A-340, arrived to be checked out for performance in
cold weather. The testing is mandatory before new
aircraft can be certified safe for commercial flights.
Recently a Eurocopter NH-90 arrived, and is still
going through its paces with a crew of about 25
technicians.
* FROM JAN. 17, 2003 : Antonov's landing causes
stir at airport
John Graham, the city's airport manager, says
Iqaluit's northern location and 3,000-metre runway
make it ideal for such tests.
Graham says Iqaluit actively promotes itself for cold
weather testing because of the economic benefits it
brings to the city.
"So all these people are staying at hotels here in
Iqaluit and they're out buying souvenirs and stuff
like that, so yeah, there's a spin off for the
community," he says. "Over the years we've sent out
brochures basically to all the major aircraft
manufacturers. We keep in touch with who's building
what and when they're starting their test programs and
stuff like that. So they know us pretty well."
Graham says typically two major airlines conduct cold
weather tests each year in Iqaluit. He says this is
the best time of year.
The Airbus is expected to leave Nunavut Thursday,
while the helicopter will be here for the rest of the
month.