A $3.2 billion grant to support a program for remote piloting will now go to the Canadian Remote Pilots Association, which is the federal body that represents remote pilots.
The federal government will award the money as part of the government’s RCA remote pilot program, which aims to provide training to qualified pilots who want to fly commercial aircraft.
It’s part of a wider push by the government to diversify Canada’s aerospace industry and boost the sector.
“It’s a good start,” said Mark Wilson, executive director of the RCA.
“We have a large aviation industry and we want to be a hub for it.
It was a big start to get the federal government to give us this kind of funding.”
The RCA currently has roughly 1,000 pilots flying commercial aircraft, which includes both military and civilian aircraft.
The RTA has been a major supporter of the remote pilot pilot program for years.
The association has raised more than $1.4 billion to support pilot training, training programs and other projects.
The program has a pilot training centre in Ottawa, and Wilson said the new funding will help it expand the range of pilot training options available.
The government is also looking to expand the number of pilots in Canada who can earn an Associate of Flight licence.
Currently, only people who have completed two years of flight training are eligible for that licence.
The pilot training program, Wilson said, will provide a better opportunity for qualified pilots to earn their licence.
“Our pilots are looking for opportunities to work in aviation, and this is going to give them that,” he said.
“If they don’t have a pilot’s licence, it’s going to be difficult for them to earn an associate’s licence.”
