June 17, 2026 // Ottawa, ON and Southport, MB — SkyAlyne is proud to join Airbus Helicopters, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and the Government of Canada in celebrating delivery completion for the first CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) helicopter for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. Following an appearance at the CANSEC Defence Tradeshow in Ottawa, aircraft 153201 was ferried to Southport, Manitoba where it underwent the final acceptance by the Government of Canada, and ownership of the aircraft was officially transferred to the RCAF.
The CT-153 Juno fleet will serve as the Advanced Flying Training – Rotary Wing platform within FAcT, supporting development of core pilot competencies including basic rotary-wing instruction, advanced instrument flight rules (IFR) training, and tactical mission preparation.
“This first helicopter delivery marks an important milestone for the Future Aircrew Training program and reflects the strong collaboration between SkyAlyne, Airbus, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and our industry partners,” said Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s General Manager. “The CT-153 Juno will provide future RCAF pilots with a modern, mission-ready training platform designed to support the operational demands of tomorrow’s air force.”
The H135 platform was selected by SkyAlyne for the FAcT program to meet the evolving operational and training requirements of future RCAF rotary-wing aircrew. Equipped with twin engines and the Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite, the aircraft is capable of meeting all aspects of the pilot Qualification Standard, replacing the two separate helicopter fleets used on the current training program. The modern digital cockpit environment will support a seamless transition to the RCAF’s operational fleets. In total, SkyAlyne is acquiring 19 of these aircraft for the RCAF as part of the FAcT program.
“This first delivery is an important step forward for the Future Aircrew Training program and the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, and it highlights the depth of capability being delivered here in Canada,” said Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “It underscores Airbus’ long-term commitment to supporting Canadian defence with trusted, in-country expertise and strengthens the foundation for the missions and partnerships ahead. We are proud to partner with the RCAF and the Government of Canada in delivering the CT-153 Juno and supporting the critical role it will play for years to come.”
Following initial manufacturing in Germany, Canada’s Juno’s are completed and delivered from Airbus Helicopters in Canada facility in Fort Erie, Ontario, where work includes installation of Canadian-developed Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) elements, modifications to avionics and communications systems, and custom cockpit development tailored to RCAF operational requirements, and painting of the RCAF ‘Reflect Forward’ livery.
FAcT is an all-encompassing 25-year solution that will deliver ab-initio training to RCAF Pilots, Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSOs), and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES Ops). SkyAlyne, a joint venture of CAE and KF Aerospace, is the Prime Contractor and industry partner to the RCAF on FAcT. The program is currently in a multi-year transition period to become the sole ab initio Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF, as the current three separate RCAF training programs conclude, and their responsibilities are combined into FAcT.
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SkyAlyne: The Future of Aircrew Training
SkyAlyne is a team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation industry experts assembled from across Canada, working to prepare the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Pilots and Aircrew as the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program provider. SkyAlyne was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, two Canadian aviation, training, and defence leaders. The partnership was built to jointly answer the call for the Government of Canada’s FAcT program. In spring 2024, SkyAlyne was officially contracted to partner with the RCAF and deliver the FAcT program.
Learn more: SkyAlyne.ca
CONTACT
Harrison Ruess
Head of Communications, Collaboration, and Stakeholder Relations
H.Ruess@SkyAlyne.ca
