Recent orders for Beech 260s and Dash 8-400s will support Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT). SkyAlyne and its major subcontractors KF Aerospace and CAE announced the latest of a series of deals related to the Canada’s Department of National Defence FAcT programme on January 27 2025. Textron Aviation will supply seven Beech King Air 260s that will be used to provide multi-engine aircraft training for Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircrews as part of the contractorised military training project currently being implemented

Textron will also deliver components for a full flight simulator and flight training devices that will be manufactured by CAE, part of the ground-based training systems for the multi-engined training syllabus. The King Air 260s will be delivered from the first half of 2028 to replace Beech C90Bs that have been used to train RCAF multi-engine students since 2005. According to Bob Gibbs, the vice president of Special Missions Sales at Textron Aviation, “The King Air 260 will modernise multi-engine aircraft training by providing an intermediate and advanced training platform for RCAF pilots destined for operational squadrons in the heavy transport, maritime patrol or search and rescue roles.” The King Airs will be based at Southport (Portage la Prairie), Manitoba. General manager of SkyAlyne, Kevin Lemke stated: “These twin-engine turboprop aircraft deliver versatility, high performance, efficiency, and advanced avionics – all essential ingredients for effective pilot and aircrew training. Likewise, advanced simulation equipment creates new possibilities for improved pilot and aircrew training efficiency and effectiveness.”  

New Dash 8-400s

On January 21 SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace also announced a purchase contract for three De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s. After delivery the cabins of each aircraft will be configured for the training of Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES Op) and Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSO). The new Dash-8s will be used to replace the CT-142s – nicknamed ‘Gonzo’ for their distinctive blue nose housing its radar – based on the earlier series 100. The CT-142s are operated by 402 Squadron based at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Once operational the new aircraft will be operated in partnership with the RCAF. Commenting on the order, Kevin Lemke said: “SkyAlyne is excited to be able to combine a proven aircraft platform in the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400, with our advanced airborne simulation solution for the Future Aircrew Training programme.” He added: “The addition of the Dash 8-400 levels up our training capabilities for AES Op and ACSO Aircrew who will get their Wings in the FAcT programme in the years ahead. Selecting a made-in-Canada aircraft is a meaningful contribution to the Canadian economy and a strong signal of our belief in Canadian aerospace excellence.” No timeline for delivery of the Dash 8s was included in the announcements of the deal, although De Havilland Canada mentions “delivery of three Dash 8-400 aircraft to SkyAlyne over the coming years.”

Training consolidation

FAcT was awarded to SkyAlyne in the spring of 2024 and is due to run for 25 years. It is currently in a five-year transition period, as three separate previous RCAF training programmes are concluded. It is due to become the sole pilot and aircrew training programme within the RCAF. FAcT is overseen from a Joint Management Office at SkyAlyne’s headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, and is to be delivered at three operational bases: 15 Wing at Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, plus 17 Wing at Winnipeg and Southport (Portage la Prairie) which are both in Manitoba. SkyAlyne was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, with the aim of providing a solution to the FAcT requirement. Both partners were the previous incumbents of the legacy RCAF pilot training programmes in Canada. The partnership was named the preferred bidder for FAcT on July 24, 2023, after facing competition from a rival proposal from Babcock Leonardo Canada Aircrew Training, and was awarded the contract for the project on May 28, 2024. SkyAlyne will design, develop, and deliver a comprehensive training and support system, including live flying, simulation, ground school training, and a suite of in-service support functions, in collaboration with the RCAF. FAcT is expected to be worth CAD11.2bn over the 25 years it is planned to run. Tracy Medve, SkyAlyne board chair, and president and CEO, KF Aerospace commented: “After years of managing separate RCAF pilot training contracts, the SkyAlyne team is proud to expand our role to include ACSO and AES Op training under the FAcT programme. The Canadian-built De Havilland Dash 8-400, with its proven performance, advanced capabilities, and enhanced safety features, is the ideal platform for this next chapter…”  

New trainer aircraft

Since being selected for FAcT, SkyAlyne has announced several partnerships and placed orders for training aircraft before the recent orders for King Air 260s and Dash 8-400s. Bluedrop Training & Simulation and the IT and business consulting services firm CGI signed 25-year deals as part of the FAcT team in December 2024. On October 1 last year CAE received a CAD1.7bn deal to deliver comprehensive aircrew training, including live flying, simulation, and ground school training, over the course of the contracted term. This will extend CAE’s long-standing presence at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw, where it operates the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) programme, the contract for which is due to expire in 2027. An order for 19 H135s was placed with Airbus Helicopters of Canada on November 4, 2024, with deliveries due to start in 2026. The H135s will be operated jointly with the RCAF and based at 15 Wing’s 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, located at the Southport Aerospace Centre. Fifteen days later a contract for 23 Grob G120TPs was signed, with the aircraft due to be employed in the basic flying training syllabus of FAcT. Factory acceptance of the Grobs is expected to start in August 2025. SkyAlyne will manage and maintain the fleet as well as providing instructors to serve alongside RCAF instructional personnel. The fleet will be based at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw. The latest order, prior to the agreement for the King Airs and Dash 8-400s, covered the purchase of 19 Pilatus PC-21s, which was announced on November 28. The turboprops will also be operated within 15 Wing.