Joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace to offer an innovative, made-in-Canada solution for RCAF pilot and aircrew training
March 1, 2022—Ottawa, ON— The Government of Canada has officially released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program – a next-generation training and in-service support program for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). SkyAlyne – a partnership between Canadian aviation and defence companies CAE and KF Aerospace – is invited to submit a proposal.
FAcT will combine all RCAF pilot, Air Combat Systems Officer (ACSO) and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AES Op) training in Canada under one umbrella. The contract will be at least 20-years and valued in the billions, making it one of the most significant service contracts ever awarded by the Department of National Defence.
KF Aerospace and CAE currently provide the RCAF with pilot training and support via two separate contracted programs located in Southport, MB, and Moose Jaw, SK/Cold Lake, AB, respectively. The RCAF exclusively trains ACSO and AES Op personnel at 17 Wing Winnipeg, however that training will also integrate into the future contracted program.
“SkyAlyne is ready to leverage the world-leading capabilities from two Canadian-founded companies in CAE and KF Aerospace,” said France Hébert, President of SkyAlyne. “With our full team of strategic partners and our experience in successfully delivering both current RCAF programs— as well as similar programs around the world— SkyAlyne will offer the RCAF an innovative, world-class training solution.”
Bidders for the FAcT contract will be evaluated based on their technical capabilities and ability to deliver maximum value to Canada while enhancing Canadian supply chains, Key Industrial Capabilities, and Indigenous participation.
“Canada will benefit from a truly Canadian solution,” said Tracy Medve, Board Chair of SkyAlyne. “Our Canadian footprint is unmatched, as is our motivation to collaborate with Canada to build a better future in our own backyard.”
SkyAlyne General Manager JD Richard says SkyAlyne will collaborate with its partners on a program that will build on a proud legacy of training military aircrew in Canada and reinvent the future of aircrew training. “Our mission is to innovate together and to deliver excellence for our service members. By continuing to work alongside our partners in the Canadian government and military, we will ensure Canadian expertise in future aircrew training continues to lead the world for future generations.”
FAcT bidders will now have approximately ten months to complete and submit their proposals. Contract award is expected sometime in 2023.
About SkyAlyne
Truly Canadian Training | SkyAlyne brings together two Canadian companies with unmatched experience and capabilities in delivering innovative pilot and aircrew training in Canada. Currently, CAE and KF Aerospace deliver all phases of pilot training to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) through the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program managed by CAE, and the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program managed by KF Aerospace.
About Future Aircrew Training (FAcT)
The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program is the Government of Canada’s next-generation military pilot and aircrew training program, combing all Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot training with aircrew support training. SkyAlyne is a bidder for the FAcT program. Currently, the contract award date is expected in 2023. Website
