FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2025 // OTTAWA and EDMONTON, CANADA — Today SkyAlyne and EllisDon Corporation are pleased to jointly announce the signing of a contract that will see EllisDon provide infrastructure design services to SkyAlyne in support of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. SkyAlyne is a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, two well-established, proudly Canadian leaders in defence and aviation.
“SkyAlyne, as the prime contractor on the FAcT program, is bringing together a strong pan-Canadian team to ensure the FAcT program fulfils its potential to be a world-leading aircrew training system,” commented SkyAlyne General Manager Kevin Lemke. “EllisDon brings an immense amount of expertise and experience that will be invaluable in ensuring FAcT infrastructure is designed to meet the current and future needs of the RCAF.”
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). As part of the FAcT program, SkyAlyne will provide all elements needed to support this training, including live-flying, simulator and classroom-based training, infrastructure design and construction management, information management and information technology, aircraft acquisition, Ground-Based Training Systems (GBTS) design and manufacturing, and in service support and maintenance for all elements of the program.
Designing new infrastructure at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK, Southport, MB, and 17 Wing Winnipeg, MB, is a foundational element of the FAcT program’s success.
“EllisDon is proud to bring decades of infrastructure excellence to the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. This initiative is a cornerstone of Canada’s defense modernization, and our team is honored to help shape the next generation of RCAF training environments,” stated EllisDon’s Senior Vice President, Chris Lane. “With our deep experience in delivering complex, mission-critical projects, we’re committed to designing facilities that meet the evolving needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force—ensuring our women and men in uniform have the best possible support for years to come.”
The FAcT 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. The FAcT program is overseen from a Joint Management Office at SkyAlyne’s Ottawa headquarters, with three operational bases: Moose Jaw, SK, Southport, MB, and Winnipeg, MB.
“As a proudly and genuinely Canadian organization, SkyAlyne is eager to see the continued economic growth in Canada as a result of these investments. We thank EllisDon for their ongoing support of this important work,” concluded Lemke.
Infrastructure construction contracting will be completed at a future date, pending completion and acceptance of designs.
ABOUT
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
EllisDon Corporation
EllisDon is an employee-owned global construction services and technology company with a purpose to redefine the construction industry. EllisDon is focused on innovation and sustainability while delivering the future of construction by empowering people to push beyond traditional construction boundaries. With thousands of salaried and hourly employees across fifteen national and international offices, EllisDon has become a leader in every sector and nearly every facet of the construction industry. For more information, please visit www.ellisdon.com.
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CONTACT
SkyAlyne
Harrison Ruess
Head of Communications, Collaboration, and Stakeholder Relations
H.Ruess@SkyAlyne.ca
EllisDon Corporation
Dustin Luchka
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
dluchka@ellisdon.com
