EDMONTON - Productivity Alberta recently announced the launch of a new pilot program designed to help small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Alberta currently engaged in, or desiring access to opportunities in the global aerospace and defence supply chain.

LONGUEUIL, Que. (CP) - The newly-appointed head of a sweeping review of federal aerospace and space policies says he has no interest in producing a report that will just end up in a filing cabinet.

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - Airbus took in a record number of orders for new commercial aircraft last year as strong demand for its revamped single-aisle plane helped it best fierce U.S. rival Boeing Co. in the race for orders for the fourth year running.

Surrey, BC —  Metal Action Machining Ltd. (the CNC Division of Analytic Systems) announced late last week that they have been certified to the International Standards Organization (Certificate number AS-1197), Aerospace AS9100 Quality Management System.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced December 13th that it will invest more than $1 billion in research and development over the next five years to develop the next generation of high-performance aircraft engines. The investment includes a $300 million repayable contribution from the Government of Canada under the Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative (SADI) program.

Héroux-Devtek Inc., a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace and industrial products, announced on November 26th that the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has awarded its Landing Gear product line operations a contract to provide the landing gear for a new business jet program.

On November 25th, Export Development Canada (EDC) opened a permanent Western European representation in Dusseldorf, Germany, its first in a developed market.

A comprehensive report released October 26th by Deloitte and Touche shows that the Canadian aerospace industry is well-positioned to double the number of high-paying and high-quality jobs in Canada over the next ten years. The report was commissioned by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and released at the Association's Annual General Meeting in Ottawa.

Héroux-Devtek Inc., a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace and industrial products, announced late last week that its Landing Gear product line operations have been awarded additional orders for the manufacturing of landing gear components. These orders, essentially from the U.S. Air Force, are mainly for the B-1B, C-130, C-5 and F-15 aircraft.

Presidents of leading aerospace companies affirmed their strong support for the purchase of F-35 fighter jets for Canada's military on Tuesday, September 28th. The CEOs represent key aerospace companies across the country, namely Avcorp Industries (Vancouver), Magellan Aerospace Corporation (Winnipeg/Toronto), Pratt & Whitney Canada, Héroux-Devtek, CAE and Esterline CMC Electronics (Montreal) and Composites Atlantic (Lunenburg).