MRO: Maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft is the primary activity in the BC aerospace industry. Any aircraft in commercial service requires scheduled maintenance and the older they get, the more frequent maintenance becomes. This shields BC companies from the vagaries of the marketplace, making it a good place to invest. It also gives companies a strong competitive advantage, allowing them to develop specialties that bring business their way. A low Canadian dollar keeps costs competitive, and a geographic advantage on the edge of North America, perched on the Pacific Rim attracts customers from around the world.
Design: A small but growing sector of the industry, BC's favourable climate and the ease of computer-based communication has attracted world-class aircraft design professionals to the West Coast of Canada. Capable of designing almost any aircraft component, conducting stress-test analysis, or a host of other advanced design functions, BC's aerospace industry is a hotbed of design activity.
Training: A broad range of schools in BC offer the highest quality aerospace training in a variety of trades ranging from Aircraft Maintenance Engineers to structures, avioincs and interiors specialties. BC companies also train pilots on a wide range of aircraft using the most advanced training and simulation techniques.
Space, communications and software: British Columbia has become a center of excellence in the area of remote-sensing satellites, satellite communications ground stations, data interpretation, flight management systems and air traffic control systems. BC companies also write sophisticated software for a host of aerospace-related functions.
Production: BC companies produce a vast array of aerospace components from entire horizontal and vertical stabilizers for Bombardier's regional jets to components machined to the highest tolerances. Aircraft assembly jigs for Boeing, high-speed machining, heat treating, and custom aerospace plastics are all specialties of BC companies.
