RICHMOND, BC, Sept. 29 /CNW/ - A WestJet airline co-founder will be
touching down at B.C. Institute of Technology's aerospace campus on Wednesday
to donate a fully operational Boeing 737-200 aircraft (737-200) to the
polytechnic institution.
The donation launches WestJet as a partner in training with BCIT
Aerospace. Tim Morgan, WestJet's Senior Vice-President, Operations and Co-
Chief Operating Officer, will sign over the aircraft to BCIT President Tony
Knowles at an event set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The donation is the first of its kind to an aviation school in Canada.
Minister of State-Intergovernmental Relations, Richmond Centre MLA Greg
Halsey-Brandt will be attending the event.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1

Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Location: BCIT Aerospace Campus hangar, Vancouver International Airport
South, Unit 200-5301 Airport Rd., South Richmond

In June of this year, Premier Gordon Campbell announced a comprehensive
provincial aerospace strategy at BCIT's aerospace campus. The WestJet
partnership with BCIT is an example of the strategy unfolding. The aerospace
industry, in this case an Alberta-based leader in Canadian aviation, has
recognized the benefit of working with a leading training partner in B.C.
WestJet employs many BCIT aerospace graduates.
The 737-200 served as a WestJet passenger jet. The aircraft was recently
retired from commercial service. It will enhance all BCIT aerospace programs
to better meet the unique needs of the commercial aviation transport industry.
Aerospace students will benefit directly by working with the technology of an
aircraft type that remains in use throughout the world.


In related news.. Air Canada donated a DC-9 to the Aviation Centre of Excellence at Confederation College in Thunder Bay this week.