This is why a military helicopter was circling around Ottawa Saturday

A Canadian CH-146 Griffon helicopter is shown in this Nov. 22, 2016, image.

You might have seen a military helicopter flying overhead in Ottawa Saturday morning.

The Department of National Defence (DND) says this was part of an annual family day event for the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE). Family members of AETE employees were offered flights on a CH-146 Griffon Helicopter Saturday morning and afternoon.

“This annual morale event is one of the ways the Department of National Defence recognizes the support provided by family members to Canadian Armed Forces members and civilian employees who enable the critical work of AETE,” DND says. “These flights also provide an opportunity for RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) pilots to maintain their flight proficiency and required flight hours for their licenses.”

The flights were scheduled to take place between 9:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

“Members of the public may notice brief periods of increased noise during takeoff, landing, and for the duration of the flights,” says DND.

The Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment conducts a variety of flight tests and evaluation on military aircraft and is comprised of both military and civilian personnel.

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