A new partnership between London, Ont. based Fanshawe College and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has just earned its wings. “And the noise behind me is absolutely amazing. It’s great to be at an airport,” exclaimed Fanshawe President Peter Devlin, as he addressed students, military personnel and civilians at Fanshawe’s Norton Wolf School of Aviation and Aerospace Technology Friday. “I’m proud to announce that Fanshawe has been awarded a contract to deliver air maintenance engineer training to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and specifically the Royal Canadian Air Force at Canadian Forces Base Borden,” he said. The four-year contract is worth $34.4 million. Fanshawe will train RCAF personnel as aviation, avionics and aircraft structures technicians at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology at CFB Borden. “It’s critical to have air maintenance skills to be able to keep our military aircraft airworthy, combat capable,” said Devlin. “The RCAF stands ready to support the government’s approach on what needs to be addressed internationally, and the air force can’t function without a solid technical base,” said Col. Wes Cunningham, Commander 16 Wing, Borden. The partnership comes at a time of heightened attention to Canadian sovereignty. Something not lost on those taking part in the event. “The military. Of course, we include the RCAF as part of that by definition, is tied fundamentally to Canadian sovereignty. And Canadian sovereignty has come, quite rightly, into very sharp focus,” said Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal MP for London Centre. “Canada is investing in new aircraft, new systems, new air space capabilities,” said London West MP, Arielle Kayabaga. Fanshawe will continue to offer the same Transport Canada approved academic curriculum to both civilian and military connected students at its Norton Wolf School of Aviation at London International Airport. Fanshawe says the diploma programs will be delivered on an accelerated timeline, allowing students to complete four semesters in 16 month period, with fall and winter intake. It’s expected that up to 300 RCAF students will be enrolled each year, with the first classes getting off the ground in January 2027.
