Canada has taken delivery of its first Airbus H135 helicopter, which will support its Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program for Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots.
It is part of a 19-unit order of H135 choppers under a November 2024 contract signed between Airbus and SkyAlyne, the prime contractor for the FAcT program.
Designated the CT-153 Juno within RCAF service, the twin-engine helicopter featuring Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite will be used for basic ab-initio training, advanced Instrument Flight Rules, and tactical training.
The Juno fleet will be stationed at the 15 Wing Southport with the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, a primary aviation training facility for the RCAF.
Deliveries for the remaining helicopters will continue through 2028.
“I extend a personal thank you to the teams across the FAcT Enterprise for their work together to bring the first CT-153 (H135) to the RCAF in just 18 months,” said Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne General Manager.
Modernizing Pilot Training
Canada selected SkyAlyne — a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace — to manage the FAcT program in July 2023, and awarded the company an $11.2-billion, 25-year contract in May 2024.
FAcT is replacing training services being provided to the RCAF by CAE Military Aviation Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and by Allied Wings in Southport, Manitoba, both of which are set to end their contracts by 2027.
It will also replace the RCAF’s in-house aircrew training for air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators.
To carry out its objectives, the program is acquiring over 70 training aircraft split into five fleets: Airbus CT-153 Juno helicopters, Grob G 120TP systems, Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, Textron Beechcraft King Air 260 utility aircraft, and De Havilland Dash 8-400 airliners.
