PAL Aerospace has reached an agreement with SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, to provide aircraft modification, training, and sustainment services under the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.
Valued at 750 million Canadian dollars ($534 million), the agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
Under the deal, PAL Aerospace will modify the RCAF’s CT-142Q Citadel aircraft, provide in-service support for the fleet, and deliver Wings Standard training for Air Combat Systems Officers and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators throughout the program.
CT-142Q Citadel
The CT-142Q Citadel is a military training variant of the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 twin-engine turboprop.
The aircraft combines live flight with an onboard mission simulation system that allows crews to practice radar, sensor, navigation, communications, and tactical mission management in synthetic operational environments while airborne.
It is intended to replace the older CT-142 Dash 8-100 training aircraft, which has been in service for more than three decades.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of 360 knots (667 kilometers/414 miles per hour) and a range of approximately 1,100 nautical miles (2,037 kilometers/1,266 miles).
Future Aircrew Training Program
The agreement expands SkyAlyne’s industrial team as the company prepares to deliver the FAcT program.
Earlier this year, SkyAlyne selected IFS to provide a digital aviation maintenance and asset management platform supporting fleet maintenance, airworthiness management, and aircraft availability.
Canada awarded the 25-year FAcT program to SkyAlyne in 2024.
The program includes the acquisition of 71 training aircraft across five fleets, together with ground-based simulators, instructor services, maintenance, and supporting infrastructure to replace the military’s existing training system.
