MOOSE JAW — The company that plans to train Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots at 15 Wing Air Base under a futuristic new program has just purchased aircraft to support the initiative.
SkyAlyne, which is comprised of aviation companies CAE Inc. and KF Aerospace, recently signed a major contract with Airbus Helicopters — formerly Eurocopter — to purchase 19 H135 helicopters for the 25-year, $11.2-billion Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.
This marks the first time that Airbus helicopters will operate in the Canadian Armed Forces.
The FAcT Program will, over the next five years, unify the RCAF’s three current pilot training programs that are nearing their contractual end date. Ottawa will oversee the program, which will operate from bases in Moose Jaw, Southport, Man., and Winnipeg.
Once operational, the Canadian fleet of H135s will be based at the 3rd Flight Training School at the Southport Aerospace Centre.
Airbus Helicopters plans to assemble the twin-engine aircraft at its industrial plant in Fort Erie, Ont., and then deliver them to the southern Manitoba air base. The company will retrofit the helicopters with domestically developed supplemental-type certificates, which include avionics, communication systems upgrades and cockpit customization.
The H135 variant has a maximum takeoff weight of 3,000 kilograms and can carry six passengers in addition to two pilots. Its engines have a power of roughly 492 kilowatts each, with a digital engine control system and a maximum cruise speed of 254 kilometres per hour.
Also, its fuel tank allows for covering 632 kilometres or staying airborne for three hours and 36 minutes.
Airbus plans to start making deliveries in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, Canada will become the 12th country to use the training variant of the H135 helicopters.
“SkyAlyne is excited at the successful conclusion of negotiations between our partners at KF Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters in Canada and we extend our congratulations to everyone involved,” said Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s senior executive.
“Securing the Airbus H135 fleet for the RCAF is an important milestone for SkyAlyne and the FAcT Program, as it solidifies a core element of the program schedule,” he continued.
“The selection of the state-of-the-art H135 from Airbus Helicopters contributes meaningfully to the Canadian economy and SkyAlyne is proud to be building a world-leading pilot and aircrew training program for the RCAF while supporting Canadian jobs.”
Dwayne Charette, president of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, said entering into a partnership with SkyAlyne and the Department of National Defence is a historic moment for the company. He also thanked the RCAF for putting its trust in Airbus and its H135.
“This contract marks Airbus Helicopters’ successful entry into the Canadian military market. As we celebrate 40 years of serving Canadian customers locally, we are honoured to contribute to the safety of Canadians for many years to come,” he added.
Tracy Medve, CEO of KF Aerospace, said the company recognized the importance that choosing the right aircraft would have in ensuring the long-term success of the FAcT program.
“With the Airbus H135, we’re confident in a choice that meets both the RCAF’s stringent training requirements for rotary-wing pilot training and our commitment to operational excellence,” Medve continued.
Partnering with Airbus Helicopters allows KF Aerospace to not only deliver a modern training solution but also to bolster the Canadian industry with local manufacturing and assembly, the CEO added.
The agreement between SkyAlyne and Airbus also includes a support and services package, development of a ground-training solution and advanced engineering support for in-service certification.
