August 20, 2012 – Electrical Business caught up with Murray Ames, Campbell River airport electrician and director/treasurer with CAEA (Canadian Airport Electrical Association), to get the latest on the upcoming Canadian Airports National Electrical Workshop (CANEW) 2012, September 24-28 in St. John’s. And EBMag will be there!

“The St. John’s Airport and their staff have been great to work with, and have been a major sponsor and supporter for this year’s workshop, which will add greatly to the overall experience and success of the event,” says Ames.

Workshop organizers say they have secured a tour of the area around St John’s with a local tour company for Sunday, September 23, for people coming in before the start of the workshop. Tours and events have also been organized for the spousal program from Monday through Thursday.

“Our registrations numbers look very good at this time, with delegate and tradeshow both above-average for this time of the year,” says Ames, adding that additional sponsors—especially from Canadian airports—are always welcome. “All funds come from delegate and tradeshow registration and sponsorship to support the workshop. CAEA tries to keep the delegate costs as low as possible so that even small airports can send their personnel.”

For the first time, CAEA and two of its suppliers will provide two hands-on training courses during the workshop at no additional cost to the delegates who take them. “Participants will receive documentation showing their participation, which will benefit both them and their airports for training and safety,” notes Ames.

The two courses are high-voltage splice kit use and precision approach path indicator (PAPI) system commissioning and maintenance. “These courses cover two very important and unique types of equipment used on airports in Canada that require specific skills,” says Ames, adding that a large number of delegates have already signed up for both, proving their importance.

Some of the presentations lined up so far include:

• CSA Z463, airport maintenance section
• Power quality
• Airfield lighting maintenance
• Photovoltaic systems
• Grounding
• Power conservation
• Airport construction projects

“We are also working on our list of plenary topics that relate to airport electrical, and are discussed among delegates over the course of the workshop. The contacts you will make at CANEW will assist you in whatever airport electrical work you do,” says Ames.

Electrical Business’ editor, Anthony Capkun, will be there covering the workshop, so we hope to see you there, too. For more information, visit CANEW 2012, and support this worthwhile workshop—the only one of its kind in North America.