SkyAlyne’s experience and capabilities in delivering pilot training are unmatched – in Canada and worldwide.

Across all civilian and military operations worldwide, SkyAlyne’s parent companies combine to train more than 200,000 pilots and aircrew annually.

SkyAlyne’s parent companies currently support all phases of contracted military pilot training in Canada.

KF Aerospace has managed the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program since 2005. CAE has managed the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program since 2015. Together, these programs have successfully trained thousands of pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

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In-flight military training hours in Canada (CFTS + NFTC programs)
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Military pilots trained in Canada since 2005
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Military & civilian aircrew trained in 2019

Military Pilot Training

With both the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) and NATO Flying Training Program (NFTC) programs, we partner with the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to provide the quality in-air training needed to advance military pilot students through all learning phases, from ab initio to receiving their pilot ‘wings’ and advanced flying training.

Overview: Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) Program

In 2005, KF Aerospace was awarded the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) Services contract to support pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

As the prime contractor of a team of top Canadian aerospace companies (collectively called Allied Wings), KF Aerospace established a turnkey operation at the Southport Airport (near Portage la Prairie, MB) with new facilities, training devices and courseware to satisfy the rigorous training requirements of the RCAF.

Operating four fleets of aircraft, KF Aerospace and partners provide ground school and simulator instruction, flight instruction and all of the support services for the program. The program is a fully integrated partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Allied Wings Flight Training Services Group – led by KF Aerospace.

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Years managed by KF Aerospace
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Flying training hours
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Phase I (ab initio) pilots trained
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Phase III Multi-Engine pilots trained
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Phase III Rotary pilots trained

Overview: NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) Program

Since October 2015, CAE has been the prime contractor responsible for the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program located at 15 Wing Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan) and 4 Wing Cold Lake (Alberta).

The NFTC program is owned by the Government of Canada and operated in cooperation with CAE. The program combines basic, advanced, and lead-in fighter training as part of the comprehensive pilot training program.  CAE delivers the aircraft on a day-to-day basis to support live flying training for future military pilots, including next-generation fighter pilots, for the Royal Canadian Air Force and its allies. Both fleets of training aircraft used by the program lead the world in flying hours per airframe.

CAE operates the NFTC base facilities, delivers the ground-school classroom, computer-based and simulator training, and provides support services for the live flying training that comprises this world-class, turnkey training program.

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Years managed by CAE
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Flying training hours
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Phase II Harvard pilots trained
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Phase III Harvard & Hawk pilots trained
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Phase IV Transition pilots trained
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Phase IV Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT) pilots trained

Current RCAF Pilot Training Phases

There are four phases of military pilot training in Canada, split between the two current training programs (CFTS and NFTC). An RCAF pilot candidate must complete all four phases of training to become an active-duty member of Canada’s Air Force.

At Phase III, students will branch out in specializations that include rotary (helicopter) training, multi-engine (large fixed-wing aircraft used for cargo and troop transport; search and rescue) or prepare to train to become fighter pilots. Upon completion of Phase III, students will officially receive their ‘wings’ (see right).

Phase I (ab-initio)

CFTS Program
(KF Aerospace/Allied Wings)

Phase II

NFTC Program
(CAE)

Phase III (Advanced Rotary)

CFTS Program
(KF Aerospace/Allied Wings)

Phase III (Advanced Multi-Engine)

CFTS Program
(KF Aerospace/Allied Wings)

Phase IV
(Transition)

NFTC Program
(CAE)

Phase IV (Fighter Lead-in Training)

NFTC Program
(CAE)

The Future Aircrew Training Program  (FAcT) will combine all phases of pilot training (along with aircrew training currently being done by the military in Winnipeg, MB). SkyAlyne brings together the entire scope of current military pilot training in Canada under one umbrella.

Our Instructors

Highly experienced and highly motivated, our instructors are superbly trained, skilled professionals both in the art of flying, as well as in the art of instruction.

Our Phase I and Phase II instructors are a mix of ex-military and civilian staff, all trained to Transport Canada certification levels. The RCAF is responsible for staffing the Phase III Multi-engine and twin-engine helicopter programs with Qualified Flying Instructors who have all had operational tours prior to successfully completing the Air Force Flying Instructor’s Course.

RCAF Standards personnel perform routine and random checks on KF Aerospace and CAE instructional staff to ensure they fully meet the demanding military standards of flight and instructional proficiency.

Civilian Pilot Training

Each year, CAE trains thousands of civilian pilots and aircrew worldwide.

CAE is the training partner of choice of aviation professionals, airlines, large fleet operators, and aircraft manufacturers the world over. With 50+ training locations across the globe, CAE has the largest civil aviation network in the world.

KF Aerospace has also been contracted by civilian airlines and cargo operations, governments and Transport Canada to provide ground and flight training over the last 35 years.

Spotlight:
The Dothan Training Center

The award-winning CAE Dothan Training Center officially opened in 2017.  Located at the Dothan Regional Airport in Dothan, Alabama, this state-of-the-art, 79,000 square-foot facility is designed to provide comprehensive fixed-wing flight training to the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and other customers.

CAE and its team of industry partners deliver academic (classroom) and simulator training at CAE’s Dothan Training Center, and deliver live flying training at the adjacent Dothan Regional Airport.

CAE’s Dothan Training Center was awarded “Outstanding Training System Integration Project” in 2018 by MS &T Magazine.