Discovery Air Technical Services Announces Contract with Canadian North for Dash-8 Maintenance, Modification and Engineering Services

QUEBEC CITY, March 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Discovery Air Technical Services (DATS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc., is pleased to announce it has signed a twofold contract with Canadian North for heavy maintenance and for an aircraft upgrade program for four Dash 8 aircrafts.

The upgrade program will include the engineering, certification and installation of key avionics systems including a new dual Flight Management System (FMS), as well as structural upgrade of the cabin floor.

Dave Williamson, Dash 8 Fleet Manager with Canadian North said: "Discovery Air Technical Services expertise on the Dash 8 made our decision simpler.  The combination of heavy maintenance with engineering capabilities provided us with the most convenient and competitive proposal for our Dash-8 aircraft.

"Not only are we able to provide Canadian North with our Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services, as well as our aircraft modification and upgrade services, but we are able to do so in a way that keeps downtime and ferry cost to a minimum." commented Jean Genest, DATS President.  "This commitment from Canadian North reflects DATS distinctive ability to offer complimentary services like maintenance and engineering in one offering."

ABOUT DISCOVERY AIR TECHNICAL SERVICES

Discovery Air Technical Services (DATS) is a Transport Canada (TC) Approved Maintenance Organization with approvals on all US. registered aircraft as listed in the US/Canada bilateral agreement (Ref. CFR 43.17) and under EASA 145 (European Aviation Safety Agency). This expertise extends to the DASH-8, Boeing 737, CRJ 100/200, SAAB 340, Challenger 600 series, Learjet series and the ERJ 135/145 aircraft. DATS' maintenance and engineering facilities provide in depth experience and a wide range of capabilities for both civil and military applications.

ABOUT DISCOVERY AIR AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

Discovery Air Inc. is a Canadian specialty aviation company, operating over 150 aircraft with our 850 team members. We deliver airborne training to the Canadian military; airborne fire services; VFR helicopter operations; fixed-wing air charter services; expediting and logistics support; and a range of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, engineering and certification services.

Discovery Air's shares and debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Symbols DA.A and DA.DB.A, respectively).

Discovery Air Technical Services
JC Tewfik
Director Sales
[email protected]
514 694-5565 ext: 333
514-862-2998

Investor Relations
Sheila Venman
Investor Relations
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