Aviation evolution: canadore builds on its aviation legacy with expansion plans, partnerships.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: NORTH BAY

George Burton glances around the 17,000 square feet of hangar at Canadore College's Aviation Campus, stuffed with helicopters and turboprop aircraft, and predicts big things are coming over the horizon in the next five years.

Since arriving back at his alma mater to take the job as president of the North Bay college in 2010, Burton has been keen to drive business to the campus at Jack Garland Airport.

Having a world-class 87,000-square-foot training facility at his disposal to showcase to industry is a big plus.

"Simple philosophy: healthy community, healthy college. You can't have a healthy community without economic development," said Burton. "We're not unique in that respect. Every college plays a role in economic development, we just happen to be a little more active than others."

Canadore has a rich 41-year legacy as a world leader in an aircraft maintenance and avionics structure with 3,100 highly sought-after graduates produced in that span.

The college has an ambitious two-phase, 8,000-square-foot expansion plan, as part of its Aviation Evolution, that's set to get underway to create an advanced composite and metals area - including a non-destructive testing centre - and an upcoming hangar expansion to accommodate jet aircraft arriving shortly.

"Like the industry, we're changing rapidly," said Burton.

A new slate of programming will be introduced in aviation management and advanced composites in 2015, including a hybrid program allowing students to combine two or more disciplines, such as avionics with aircraft maintenance, or avionics and structures.

Beyond the physical expansion and programs, there's an evolution toward introducing more technology to the classroom, labs, and hangar in the next few years, said Burton.

"Smart fuselages" will be talking to students through mobile devices, classrooms will feature fully-simulated engine trainers, and the majority of the repair troubleshooting will be done in the lab.

There will be a significant changeover in the hangar fleet with more mid-sized aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) the size of a thumb.

UAVs, or drones, have created a popular buzz for their use in everything from military applications, to the oil and gas fields, forestry, mining, even real estate and wedding photography.

Canadore intended to launch a UAV technicians program last year, but it's been postponed until next year.

"The delay for us has been the UAV discipline has been developing so quickly" said...