FRANCE AWARDS CASCADE AEROSPACE CONTRACT FOR NEW MULTI-ROLE AIRCRAFT

Cascade Aerospace Inc. has been awarded a contract by the Government of France to supply two Bombardier Q400 aircraft, to be modified and certified by Cascade as multi-role airtankers, which will be used for passenger, cargo and aerial fire control purposes.

“The French government’s awarding this important contract to us is testimony to the trust and goodwill developed during the past 22 years of us providing specialty aircraft to them,” says Cascade President David Schellenberg.

Cascade predecessor organization and now affiliate company, Conair, first sold aerial fire control to the government of France in 1982. Since then, the Canadian company has sold 30 aircraft conversions and 22 helicopter-borne systems for aerial fire control purposes to France. When the aircraft modification and maintenance division was separated from Conair and re-named Cascade Aerospace in 2001, Cascade retained airworthiness and product support responsibilities for the Conair-built fire control aircraft operating in France.

In this Q400 modification program, Cascade will oversee the conversion of the aircraft including the installation of an externally-mounted 10,000 litre (2,640 U.S. gallon) retardant tank and delivery system. Cascade will also oversee Transport Canada certification of the new Q400 airtanker – the first FAA/JAA-certified aircraft in the world to be certified to carry passengers, cargo, and fire retardant.

“This is the newest and most modern aircraft type ever to be converted for aerial fire fighting”, says Schellenberg. “With it’s state-of-the-art technology and many safety features, the Q400 is a very good choice for conversion to the fire control role.”

The first of two Bombardier Q400 aircraft is expected to arrive at Cascade’s Abbotsford facility in early-June to begin the modification process and undergo maintenance. The aircraft are to be delivered to the operator, Direction de la Defense et de la Securité Civiles (DDSC), in Marignane, France in the early Summer and Fall of 2005 respectively.

A privately-owned company, Cascade’s family of about 500 people specialize in the modification, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of commercial transport aircraft. Cascade operates from a three-year old, eight narrow body bay facility located at the Abbotsford International Airport, also home to sister-company Conair, Canada's longest serving and most experienced provider of aerial fire control services.

For additional information contact:
Lorna Thomassen
Marketing Manager
604.557.2564
lthomassen@cascadeaerospace.com