Transportation SHSM Students Visit Ottawa International Airport 

Transportation SHSM students from St. Joseph CSS and St. Francis Xavier CHS had an exciting opportunity to explore aviation operations at the Ottawa International Airport. Their visit included a tour of Inland Technologies’ de-icing facilities and Porter Airlines’ new hangar, providing hands-on learning about critical airport processes and careers in the industry.  

At Inland Technologies, while no planes required de-icing that day, students witnessed a live simulation of the de-icing process using specialized machinery. They toured the facility, examining equipment up close and learning about the glycol storage system, truck maintenance and cleaning procedures, and the technology used to coordinate aircraft movements on the de-icing pad. A visit to the operations tower provided insight into the computerized system that ensures efficiency and safety in aircraft de-icing.  

At Porter Airlines’ hangar, students gained a behind-the-scenes look at aircraft maintenance and airline operations. Their hosts explained the roles of different departments, highlighting the teamwork required to keep aircraft in service. A highlight of the visit was touring two airplane models used by Porter and getting an up-close look at the cockpits.  

This experience provided valuable exposure to careers in aircraft maintenance, ground operations, and aviation technology, offering students a deeper understanding of the industry and sparking new interest in aviation-related pathways.