This article is sponsored content prepared and distributed by KF Aerospace.

Canada is entering a new era of military aircrew training, with SkyAlyne selected by the Government of Canada as the contractor for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program. KF Aerospace, a proudly Canadian company and founding partner in SkyAlyne, plays a critical role in ensuring the airworthiness of five new fleets of training aircraft for the 25+ year program.

We are seeking experienced aerospace engineers today, particularly those transitioning from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), to join us in this pivotal role as Aircraft Fleet Engineers for FAcT.

This is more than just an engineering job—it’s an opportunity to shape the future of Canada’s Air Force.

Start from the Ground Up

Imagine being at the forefront of a groundbreaking new program that is set to redefine aircrew training for Canada’s Air Force. Your expertise will help drive the development and execution of a training program that will prepare the next generation of RCAF pilots, Air Combat Systems Operators, and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators. This is a unique opportunity to have a lasting impact on military aviation in Canada and globally.

Your Work is Instrumental

The success of the FAcT Program relies heavily on the skills and dedication of its aerospace engineers. Your work will be crucial in managing airworthiness clearances and addressing fleet technical issues, directly influencing the operational readiness of one of the RCAF’s most vital programs. This role demands both technical proficiency and a strong commitment to excellence.

Work on State-of-the-Art Aircraft

One of the most exciting aspects of the FAcT Program is the chance to work on the RCAF’s new fleet of training aircraft. The Grob 120TP, Pilatus PC-21, Beechcraft/Textron King Air 260, DeHavilland Dash-8-400, and Airbus H-135 Helicopter will form the backbone of FAcT, stationed at training bases in Moose Jaw, Southport, and Winnipeg. You’ll be based in SkyAlyne’s Ottawa Joint Management Office, collaborating with the Department of National Defence and RCAF personnel to ensure program success. Whether handling risk management, configuration management, or technical problem resolution, you’ll apply your skills to some of the most advanced training aircraft in the world.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

At KF Aerospace, we recognize the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. That’s why we offer competitive compensation and benefits to ease this transition. As part of the FAcT Program, you’ll enjoy a rewarding career with flexibility and a supportive team. Based in Ottawa, this role provides the perfect balance of professional challenge and personal well-being, with comprehensive benefits including health and dental coverage, pension matching, and relocation assistance for you and your family if you’re moving to Ottawa.

Be a Part of History

Canada’s military aircrew training has a storied history of excellence, and the FAcT Program is set to continue this legacy, especially as the Royal Canadian Air Force celebrates its 100th anniversary. By joining KF Aerospace and the SkyAlyne team, you’ll play a vital role in writing the next chapter of this proud history.

If you’re a retiring CAF aerospace engineer looking for your next challenge, the FAcT Program with KF Aerospace and SkyAlyne offers a unique opportunity to continue serving your country in a meaningful and impactful way.

Join us in shaping the future of Canada’s Air Force—apply today and be part of something truly extraordinary.

For more information, visit Future Aircrew Training Careers.

The post Shape the Future of Canada’s Air Force as an Aircraft Fleet Engineer with KF Aerospace appeared first on Skies Mag.

This sponsored article was created by Insight magazine, the sponsored content division of MHM Publishing, on behalf of Arcfield Canada Corp.

Arcfield Canada Corp., headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has been a trusted partner to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for more than three decades. 

The company’s impressive pedigree in providing fighter support includes more than 35 years of delivering critical services, such as full fleet supply chain and logistics management, comprehensive avionics maintenance repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U), and innovative engineering solutions.

These core capabilities, coupled with Arcfield’s four technical airworthiness accreditations, ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certifications, and compliance to Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) standards, ensure Canada receives the most reliable outcomes.

Over the years, Arcfield has been a trusted partner and supplier of choice to all Boeing F/A-18 users, and counts among its valued customers the armed forces of Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. Arcfield is already fully integrated in the CAF system supporting the vital missions of the RCAF.

^{Strategic partnership}

As a critical link in the sustainment of fighter operations, Arcfield is proud to enter an exclusive partnership with OneLogistics, a valued European partner in supporting Canada’s incoming Lockheed Martin F-35 fleet.

OneLogistics was established in the Netherlands in 2009 with a single vision: To create a company that is able to deliver optimization solutions by integrating warehousing, transport, customs, and compliance management into a control tower solution, adding the best value to the F-35 program readiness, affordability, scalability, and agility.

For five years now, OneLogistics has been providing sustainment supply chain management services for all the F-35s, both based and deployed in the European region. During that period, OneLogistics has gained in-depth knowledge of the F-35 Global Support Solution (GSS). This allowed it to develop best-in-class sustainment supply chain solutions and become one of the most effective product support providers (PSP) of the F-35 program.

 ^{A proven model for F-35 sustainment}

The partnership between Arcfield and OneLogistics will deliver a proven sustainment solution for the Canadian F-35s, based on the successful model that’s been in operation in Europe since 2019.

When the first F-35 aircraft enters service in Canada, adherence to the F-35 GSS will require Canada to adopt significant changes in its in-service support philosophy and construct compared to what exists today for the Boeing CF-18. That’s why Arcfield has partnered with OneLogistics, the operator of the F-35 European Regional Warehouse and the largest supply chain manager for the F-35 outside the U.S.

Arcfield will implement a tailored version of the successful OneLogistics model to deliver an immediate, reliable, and low-risk logistics readiness solution for the RCAF.

^{Operational and economic benefits to Canada}

Arcfield’s vision aims to address the Government of Canada’s economic goals and the RCAF operational outcomes for the sustainment and logistics of the Canadian F-35 program. Arcfield can provide Canada with a turnkey solution to meet its supply chain management and logistics objectives, and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the GSS for the F-35 in Canada.

Supply chain management and logistics is a core competency of Arcfield. The company can provide state-of-the-art warehousing facilities and fully integrated logistics solutions tailored to the unique requirements of Canadian F-35 operations. 

With the use of the successful OneLogistics model and leveraging Arcfield’s core capability, Arcfield can provide an all-encompassing Canadian supply chain management and logistics solution. Arcfield can collaborate with the RCAF to identify strategic logistic support locations for a Canadian regional warehouse and the pre-positioned deployment support packages designed to optimize mission support across Canada’s vast geography.

Arcfield will deliver a beneficial value proposition that will employ Canadians across several regions, specifically in the Prairies and Quebec.

^{The Arcfield advantage}

Arcfield currently provides comprehensive nose to tail supply chain management and logistics support for Canada’s fleet of CF-18 fighter aircraft. The company has supported Canada’s fighter fleet throughout four life extensions, demonstrating its ability to align with the changing concept of operations (CONOPS) of the fleet. 

Arcfield’s role and scope of work has expanded under Canada’s Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) concept to be a full in-service support performance-based contract. These roles include program management, engineering support, maintenance support, and materiel support. 

^{Collaboration strength} 

Arcfield is confident that in utilizing the proven OneLogistics model already in service throughout the European region, it can provide Canada with a sovereign regional warehouse solution to ensure reliable operational availability of Canadian F-35 equipment and materiel. An Arcfield and OneLogistics solution will assure Canada’s successful transition from the CF-18 to the F-35 fleet and deliver mission-ready assets every time they are needed. 

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In 2023, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will accept bids from selected firms for the Future Aircrew Training program, or FAcT.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the RCAF to receive a comprehensive and fully-integrated training solution from BLCAT [Babcock Leonardo Canadian Aircrew Training], built on next-generation technology and international experience to ensure the needs of students and instructors are put first — and delivered by world-class companies like L3Harris,” said Jana Lee Murray, program director of BLCAT.

BLCAT is a well-established joint venture of Babcock and Leonardo, both world leaders in military aircrew training that each have a long history of supporting air forces around the world. BLCAT has strong Canadian roots, with a team that has more than 50 years’ experience delivering solutions to complex problems for the Government of Canada.

“Our parent companies have decades of experience in global aircrew training, including working with NATO allies,” Murray said. “By joining forces to create BLCAT, Babcock Canada and Leonardo Canada have created a trusted multinational team that is uniquely positioned to deliver world-class military pilot and aircrew training specifically tailored to meet every requirement of the FAcT program. Joining forces equips us to manage program transition risks, support students and instructors, and enhance quality at every touch point.” 

Murray noted that at this point in history, Canada’s air force must undergo a major transformation to maintain itself as a multipurpose, combat-ready entity capable of protecting Canada’s borders and those of its allies.

“The delivery of a new end-to-end military training infrastructure is required, and this is a complex undertaking with significant transition risks,” Murray said. “This is a critical time in the evolution of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and no organization but BLCAT has the international experience, proven track record and expertise required to successfully implement the new training system.”

In addition to experience and technological leadership, BLCAT is working with strategic companies to deliver its customized training solution in Canada, by Canadians. L3Harris is one of the industry-leading companies supporting BLCAT’s solution with its own recognized innovation and expertise.

Rich Foster, corporate vice president of L3Harris Technologies Canada, added that sustaining the complex training solutions required by FAcT also requires local presence.

“L3Harris has over 3,000 Canadian employees from coast to coast to coast and has been innovating solutions to support the RCAF for over 35 years,” he said. “Our solutions not only achieve efficiency but also ensure safe and effective operations.”

L3Harris is providing in-service support and aviation engineering services for RCAF mission-critical fleets, such as the CF-18, CC-150, CH-148, CT-114, CH-147 and CP-140.

If BLCAT is awarded the FAcT contract, L3Harris’ key role will be to ensure that the correctly-configured aircraft are available at the right time to support BLCAT’s training program.

“This will be made possible by deploying L3Harris’ proven sustainment solution and services,” Foster said. “Exact electronic record-keeping of each aircraft configuration and usage will be achieved through L3Harris’ customized and proven IT system. We will ensure that no training flights are delayed and each aircraft will remain airworthy to support RCAF trainees.”

Together, BLCAT and L3Harris will also incorporate the latest next-generation technology solutions.

“The evolution of aircrew training technologies is fast-paced, and BLCAT and L3Harris will keep pace with the latest developments and introduce them to FAcT on an ongoing basis to ensure that learning remains effective,” Murray said. “BLCAT’s training capabilities are underpinned by a network of fixed- and rotary-wing training centres, driven by our partnering company’s leading technologies on real and simulated assets — and by the quality and commitment of elite instructors.”

Understanding needs

BLCAT understands what Canada is asking through FAcT and has the proven experience with air forces around the world to deliver what is needed — an end-to-end cutting-edge training solution tailored to the RCAF and delivered through experienced local Canadian companies and industry leading organizations.

“FAcT is not an extension of a program — it is an entirely new program,” Murray explained. “This presents BLCAT with an opportunity to design and implement a fully-integrated aircrew training solution that meets the RCAF’s every need and provides lasting economic benefits and opportunities for Canadian businesses and Indigenous communities.”

Murray added that as a 25-year program, FAcT is a truly generational initiative. BLCAT is ready to develop the program at the grassroots level from the very beginning, to ensure required skills development and training goes smoothly, an inclusive workforce strategy is included, and diverse business partners are sought from coast to coast.

“We believe that with BLCAT’s proven track record of building complex aircrew training systems around the world, BLCAT is the right choice to enable the development of a modern, scalable Canadian military aircrew training infrastructure, centred on supporting students and instructors, designed to enhance quality at every touch point, and delivered by exceptional Canadian firms like L3Harris,” she said. “Collaborating with L3Harris — a proven expert in its field — supports BLCAT’s low-risk and success-focused approach.”

BLCAT and L3Harris are looking forward to having the opportunity to transform RCAF training in the decades to come.

“The next generation of pilots and aviators deserve the world’s best aircrew training,” Murray said. “And that’s what we will deliver.”

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Since 1984, Airbus Helicopters has been a proud member of Canada’s aerospace industry, and is the leading provider of helicopters in the North American market.

In fact, the aerospace giant is a global reference in the military market — and the proof is in the numbers. More than 100 armed forces around the world place their trust in Airbus Helicopters to provide them with reliable solutions to complete their missions.

With deep experience building aircraft for the defence sector, Airbus Helicopters is committed to serving the wide array of military operational needs. Its aircraft are specially adapted to outperform on all types of military missions.

The dual engine platforms that are among its product offerings provide increased safety levels in the most challenging environments and advanced avionics for ease in pilot workload.

For instance, first class militaries turn to the H145 platform for its versatility — the German special forces operate the H145M, while the U.S. Army operates an H145 variant under the UH-72 Lakota designation.

The H145M is designed to conduct intelligence, provide transportation, and carry out fire missions successfully — whether it’s during the day or night and in the most adverse weather conditions and obscured visibility.

Other military platforms of interest include the H160M, where France plans to replace five fleets of helicopters in three branches of the French Armed Forces with the H160M Guépard, and the H175M, which is a contender for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement — a U.K. military program to procure a new medium-lift support helicopter to replace existing helicopters operated by the Royal Air Force and British Army.

The H135 has become the aircraft of choice for pilot training programs within many military organizations globally, including the U.K. Military Flying Training System, the Australian Army and Navy, and now the Moroccan Forces Royale Air, which chose this aircraft earlier this year.

A full spectrum trainer, the H135 offers dual engines and facilitates the development of core skills with the onboard avionics — similar to more complex operational helicopters within the military fleet, allowing easy and safe pilot transition.

Although the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) doesn’t yet have an Airbus helicopter fleet in its current inventory, Airbus Helicopters believes its full spectrum of creative and robust solutions puts it in the prime position to meet the demands of the Canadian Armed Forces.

As the top helicopter manufacturer in the world, Airbus Helicopters boasts the largest civil and military range of some 20,000+ helicopters, delivered to 150 countries. There are about 12,000 Airbus helicopters in service today, but the company is not settling for status quo — Airbus Helicopters continues to invest heavily in the future of vertical lift.

As the Government of Canada prepares to release its new national defence policy, it is expected that the policy will enable the RCAF to look beyond existing capabilities and aircraft models, and embrace future next-generation platforms. Airbus Helicopters is closely monitoring the developments of future programs, such as the next Tactical Aviation Capability Set (nTACS) program, which explores the vertical lift capability for the RCAF beyond the life of the current fleet. 

The company believes that with its current military programs and its participation in NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program, Airbus Helicopters will be well positioned to answer the call when the time comes. The aerospace company is eager to participate in industry engagements with the Government of Canada, as well as take part in an open and competitive bid process.

The classic Canadian procurement model requires every project to be staffed independently for approval — a process that can take years or even decades, potentially causing shortfalls with near-term capabilities. Airbus Helicopters believes it can provide the appropriate solutions to support the RCAF and the men and women serving, who must remain agile to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Rotary-wing search and rescue (RWSAR) missions in the Great Lakes region could serve as a suitable case to test alternative solutions. As a company located on the shores of Lake Erie and in the Great Lakes region since 1984, Airbus Helicopters is motivated to bolster RWSAR coverage in the region in order to meet required capabilities.

The Government of Canada and the RCAF should know that there are several Canadian operators that are ready to help with various options, such as service contracts that could be implemented on a much shorter timeline. 

Headquartered in Fort Erie, Ontario, Airbus Helicopters has a team of nearly 250 employees, as well as sales support in Montreal, Que., and a 24/7 customer service network coast-to-coast. Airbus Helicopters currently supports a fleet of more than 760 helicopters flown by 220 operators across the country.

Across its divisions — helicopters, commercial aircraft, and defence and space — Airbus currently employs over 4,000 people in Canada supporting aerospace throughout the country.

Its helicopters division is focused on five primary areas when it comes to its activities in Canada. Those include aircraft sales and deliveries, composite manufacturing, repair and overhaul, supplemental type certificates/options development, and support and services.

Due to its competitiveness, the Fort Erie facility is a centre of excellence for engineering and composite manufacturing, and is the sole source supplier for eight different Airbus helicopter types flying around the world.

The repair and overhaul department provides overhaul services and dynamic component repair to Airbus helicopter operators worldwide for the light single-engine product ranges. Today, more than 50 per cent of the workforce in Fort Erie works on products for export.

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About Insight Magazine

Insight is an elite, tradeshow-only publication that delivers advertising worth reading. Every company has a story tell, from the largest original equipment manufacturer to the smallest supplier. Insight is the best forum in which to tell them. We bring the same high standards to Insight as we bring to our other industry-leading titles, including Vertical and Skies magazines. The result is a collection of exceptional company profiles and jaw-dropping layouts that help you stand out from the crowd. Insight is more than advertising; it’s essential reading for any tradeshow audience.

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