Mount Royal University celebrates Springbank Aviation Campus with grand opening

Mount Royal University chief flight instructor Ian Wallace at the Springbank Aviation Campus

Mount Royal University celebrated its aviation campus at Springbank Airport Friday.

The campus features a virtual reality simulator, a crosswind simulator, a multi-screen general purpose simulator, a classroom, briefing rooms, aircraft hangars with room for two Cessna 172 and a Piper Seneca, a kitchen, lounge, boardroom, paint room, maintenance room and a fuel tank for gassing up the planes.

Mount Royal is doubling its pilot training intake from 40 to 80 students by 2026, to help address industry need for qualified professionals.

The campus was funded by the province ($7.1 million), Prairies Economic Development Canada ($3 million) and benefactor Ken Lett ($1.5 million), who is being honoured at Friday’s opening ceremony with a plaque.

Lett is being recognized for his lifetime achievements as a distinguished veteran, business leader and leader in aviation philanthropy.

Over the years, Lett has established numerous scholarships and bursaries in addition to contributing to the new aviation campus.

“Sky-high congratulations to Mount Royal University on 55 years of aviation education and the grand opening of their impressive Springbank Aviation Campus,” said Calgary MP Corey Hogan, who is also the parliamentary secretary to the minister of energy and natural resources.

“I’m proud of our new government’s investment to expand MRUs student capacity and our commitment to initiatives that create opportunities for youth in Alberta.”

“The new campus is an investment in the future of Alberta’s aviation industry,” said MRU president and vice-chancellor Tim Rahilly. “It provides our students with a learning environment that matches their ambition and positions Mount Royal to meet the growing demand for skilled pilots across Canada.”

“With more space for aircraft and equipment, the new hangar allows greater access to flying opportunities and helps us progress through training more efficiently,” said MRU aviation student Kacy Cameron. “It also provides a hands-on environment that reflects the professional world we’re preparing to enter.”

Friday’s event starts at 4 p.m. at Springbank Airport.

For more information about the MRU Aviation Campus, go here.