Calgary, Alberta – SAIT Polytechnic announced today that it has received a corporate jet valued at $8 million from Imperial Oil. The Bombardier Challenger 601-3A was presented to SAIT for use in its School of Transportation’s aircraft maintenance, avionics and structures programs.

“This donation will serve to benefit both students and industry,” said Irene Lewis, SAIT’s President and CEO. “With thanks to Imperial Oil, the Bombardier Challenger will enable our students to train on an aircraft with modern avionics and be even better prepared when entering the workforce.”

The jet, which is no longer required to meet Imperial’s corporate travel needs, has been de-registered and is now ineligible to fly in Canada. It will provide on the ground training for more than 250 students annually in SAIT’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology, Avionics Technology and Aircraft Structures Technician programs. In addition to the aircraft, Imperial also donated associated ground support equipment and spare parts inventory.

“We are pleased to provide SAIT students with tools to enhance their learning experience about aviation mechanics, maintenance and instrumentation,” said Bruce March, Imperial’s Chairman, President and CEO. “This contribution reflects our commitment to support education in technology, including supporting reliable air service to northern communities across Canada.”

SAIT Polytechnic has maintained close association with business and industry to ensure graduate success since 1916. SAIT offers 67 certificate, diploma, and applied degree programs as well as 30 apprenticeship programs, 300 distance education courses and 1,800 continuing education and customized corporate training courses. SAIT offers training in 15 countries around the world and last year had 79,000 course and program registrations. SAIT is a proud member of Polytechnics Canada.

Imperial Oil is one of Canada’s largest corporations and a leading member of the country’s petroleum industry. The company is a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, and one of the largest petroleum refiners and marketers with a coast-to-coast supply network that includes about 1,900 retail service stations.