Prepped for takeoff

By Jordan Nicurity Friday, May 25, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=45533

Minister of International Trade David Emerson‘s visit to Vernon was quicker than a touch and go landing. However, he did have time to listen to a presentation by local company Northern Sky Aircraft. The presentation, which was held behind closed doors, was an opportunity for Northern Sky to test the government‘s reaction to the idea of creating an aircraft manufacturing facility in the Okanagan Valley. “Usually companies in the valley do aircraft repair, but we‘d like to see aircraft production,” said Northern Sky CEO Curtis Latham. The potential benefit of creating an aircraft manufacturing facility is virtually limitless, Latham said. However, he was quick to point out that there is more to creating an airplane and a manufacturing facility than just the physical processes. “We‘re looking to work with Ottawa, the National Research Council, (Okanagan) college and (UBC Okanagan) to create a brain trust. Right now the (aircraft) manufacturing sector is in Quebec and we‘d like to bring some of that out west.” Latham said that Canada is home to some of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the world, citing Pratt & Whitney and Bombardier as examples. The “theatre-range” aircraft, which would be designed from scratch, would make use of new technologies and materials.

The aircraft could be used in a number of applications such as commercial transport, medical evacuation, aerial surveying or as an airliner. Latham estimates that by September, he should have a team assembled to begin planning. However, Latham is keeping quiet about the specific details regarding the plant and the aircraft. “It‘s a competitive industry and we wouldn‘t want our friends to the south to take (the plans),” said Latham. Latham is confident that the venture is something Ottawa would be willing to consider supporting. “Emerson listens and he understands what‘s going on. He was involved with the aerospace sector when he was a Liberal,” Latham said. Emerson said that he was excited about the “focus on a very profitable market niche.” The aircraft manufacturing sector has long been once of Canada‘s most successful exporters. More than 80 per cent of the $22 billion per year that aircraft manufacturing brings to Canada was made by exporting. “If we‘re effective, this could be a global thing,” said Latham.