Discovery Air Defence Services signs Agreement with APS for Jet Upset Training

TORONTO, May 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Discovery Air Defence Services Inc. (DA Defence), a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc., and Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), an Arizona-based flight training organization, announced today at the Flight Safety Foundation's 60th Annual Business Aviation Safety Summit (BASS) 2015, an agreement for high-performance Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). DA Defence is integrating its A-4 Skyhawks with APS' cutting edge UPRT solutions. The arrangement reaffirms APS as the leading UPRT provider of comprehensive loss of control in flight (LOC-I) training solutions for high-performance civilian jet pilots worldwide.

According to the August 2014 report published by the Commercial Aviation Safety Team, LOC-I is the leading cause of fatalities in business and commercial aviation. APS's Advanced Jet Pilot Integrated Upset Training program comprehensively prepares pilots operating high-performance aircraft with the critical skills to prevent, and recover from, LOC-I conditions. The 4-day training consists of app-based preparatory academics, instructor-led classroom instruction, four UPRT sessions in an aerobatic-certified Extra 300L aircraft, a two-hour session in an advanced multiengine glass cockpit simulator, and a final flight on a DA Defence A-4 Skyhawk. The A-4 flight focuses on high-Mach, high-altitude UPRT to include high-altitude stalls. This advanced course is part of the Leading Edge program, an initiative of Bombardier Business Aircraft's renowned Safety Standdown program.

"DA Defence is the world's leading commercial provider of military jet training services, and is well suited to support APS's leadership in jet upset training with our unique assets," said Paul Bouchard, President of DA Defence. "The use of high-performance all-attitude jet aircraft is unprecedented in upset prevention and recovery training for business and commercial aircraft today. Our A-4 Skyhawks allow pilots to train and safely investigate with confidence a wide variety of stall and upset recovery scenarios to prevent loss of control in-flight."

"DA Defence is a global team of aviation experts focused on the leading advancements in aviation training and solutions," said Paul Ransbury, President of APS. "It is an honour for APS to continue its high-altitude, high-Mach jet UPRT services with A-4 Skyhawks backed by DA Defence's highest technical and airworthiness standards."

ABOUT DISCOVERY AIR AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

Discovery Air provides safe and reliable aviation and logistics services in challenging environments. We operate over 160 aircraft with our 850 team members, delivering airborne training to international militaries; medevac equipped aircraft services; airborne fire services; helicopter operations; fixed-wing air charter services; expediting and logistics support; and a range of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, engineering and certification services.

ABOUT AVIATION PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS

Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), headquartered at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona, trains thousands of professional pilots and instructors in comprehensive upset prevention and recovery training skill development. APS provides integrated LOC-I solutions via industry-leading computer-based, on-aircraft (jet and piston), and full-flight simulator upset prevention & recovery training (UPRT). All training is in full compliance with the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid – Revision 2, FAA Advisory Circular 120-109 on Stall and Stick Pusher Training, ICAO Manual on Aeroplane Upset Prevention and Recovery Training and the FAA Advisory Circular 120-111 on Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. APS is the only Part 141 Flight School certified in the delivery of complete upset prevention & recovery, stall/spin and instrument upset recovery training courses worldwide. With additional training locations in Dallas (Texas, USA), The Netherlands (Europe) and the Middle East (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), APS provides global access to the highest quality upset prevention and recovery training available. www.apstraining.com.

Bombardier Business Aircraft is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

SOURCE Discovery Air Inc.

Aviation Performance Solutions, Faye Hamilton, APS Marketing & Public Relations Manager, 480-279-1881, [email protected]; Discovery Air Defence Services Inc., Sheila Venman, Vice President, Human Resources and Communications, 613-240-7606, [email protected]