SkyAlyne orders H135 for Canadian training contract

For the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, selected bidder SkyAlyne will operate a mix of new fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

Future RCAF aircrew will be trained flying the Grob 120TP, Pilatus PC-21, Textron/Beechcraft King Air 260, Airbus H135, and Dash 8-400. This mix of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft are part of a SkyAlyne’s winning bid to deliver the RCAF’s FAcT programme. A contract for the purchase of 19 Airbus H135 helicopters has been signed by SkyAlyne as a first major step.

The new contract for the RCAF will replace two separately contracted programmes, Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) and NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC). CFTS is delivered by Allied Wings, a consortium led by KF Aerospace, from No.3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS) at Southport Aviation Centre in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. NFTC is supplied by CAE Military Aviation Training from No.2 CFFTS at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Both contracts are set to expire in 2027, which will mean the end of the current types under contract, the Grob 120A and Beechcraft C90B, as well as the RCAF-supplied CH-136 Jet Rangers, CT-142 NavTrainer, CH-146 Griffin, and CT-156 Harvard II used for training.

NFTC’s CT-155 Hawks, which had reached the end of their service life, were retired earlier this year. Furthermore, air combat systems officers (ACSOs) and airborne electronic sensor operators (AES Ops) are currently trained by the Air Force at 402 Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba. SkyAlyne will replace these existing two contracts and training by 402 Squadron in one major contract.

It remains to be seen whether the new contracted aircraft and helicopters by SkyAline will receive military serials or civil registrations. The H135 helicopters will be completed at and delivered through the Airbus facility in Fort Erie, Ontario.

Credit image: Airbus Helicopters