“This has already taught me about the different opportunities in the Canadian UAS market. It informs me how to work with these companies and it betters my education." - Ayden Rooks.

Aerospace students now have the opportunity to work at the Foremost Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Range.

Through the Rural Aerospace Development (RAD) Project, Community Futures Entre-Corp has launched the Rural Aerospace Intern Program in partnership with the Village of Foremost.

Ayden Rooks is studying for his Bachelor of Science Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and was hired by the Foremost UAS Test Range as the inaugural intern in 2024.

Rooks is from the Bow Island area. The student lives in Florida during his semesters and has returned home for the summer. He began his 16-week work-term in Foremost on May 6, 2024.

“This has already taught me about the different opportunities in the Canadian UAS market. It informs me how to work with these companies and it betters my education,” says Rooks, who is attending one of the top aerospace programs in the world and studying rocket propulsion.

Community Futures Entre-Corp was a lead partner in APEX Alberta’s two-year project, Alberta RPAS. When completed, Entre-Corp received funds through the Community Futures Prairies Rural Opportunities Fund (ROF) to support aerospace and RPAS businesses operating in rural Alberta.

“The Community Futures Rural Aerospace Development Project was based on a desire to make sure rural aerospace companies receive a comparable level of support as major urban centres,” says Roger Haessel, Rural Aerospace Development Manager, Community Futures Entre-Corp. 

There is a significant amount of aerospace development taking place in rural Alberta, yet most of the support resources are in the major urban centres. 

Due to Southeast Alberta’s proximity to key infrastructure assets such as the Foremost UAS Test Range and CFB-Suffield, Southeast Alberta is home to a significant cluster of aerospace companies. 

“We see the RAD aerospace intern component as an important step in attracting top talent and growing the aerospace industry in the region,” says Haessel.

Both the Foremost UAS Test Range and Community Futures Entre-Corp are thrilled that the RAD project was able to attract such a talented individual back to work in the region.

The Foremost UAS Test Range is one of two test ranges in Canada. Steve Donovan, Operations Manager, says this program benefits and brings value for the organization and the students. The test range is very grateful to receive funding for the internship program.

“Students get a firsthand view for themselves of what's available in the drone industry in Alberta. Ayden has talked to engineers to see how designs are conceptually put together, and then go through testing,” says Donovan.

Donovan says he hopes this program attracts workforce for the range and the region. Students with this type of background in the future may be interested in working here again.

“I’ve talked to companies in Canada that I had no idea existed, and I’ve already had interesting experiences being in this program,” says Rooks.

For more information about the Community Futures RAD Project, visit https://entre-corp.albertacf.com/rad.