Montreal-based aerospace company eager to support new 15 Wing program

Stakeholders, including contractors, tradespeople, aerospace officials, and others, now have a clearer picture of the multi-billion-dollar Future Aircrew Training Program (FAcT) set to launch in Moose Jaw, and how they might participate and benefit from it.

Over 120 attendees gathered at the Events Centre on December 11 to learn more about the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) $11.2 billion, 25-year FAcT program, which will operate out of 15 Wing Air Base in Moose Jaw and two additional locations in Manitoba.

Representatives from SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership—a collaboration of aviation companies CAE and KF Aerospace responsible for managing the program—and construction company EllisDon shared insights into their roles in this long-term initiative.

Scott Greenough, CAE's director of the NATO Flight Training in Canada (NFTC) program at 15 Wing, emphasized the significance of this transition for the air force. A former RCAF member with 25 years of service, Greenough joined CAE a decade ago and has been deeply involved in the Moose Jaw project.

"This is an incredibly exciting time for the air force," Greenough said. "As an aviator, it’s not often you get to fly a plane that smells like a new car, so [pilot trainees] will have that opportunity." He added that the new PC-21 and Grob trainers replacing decades-old aircraft will provide a fresh and safer training experience.

The transition to FAcT will require meticulous planning to ensure safety and compliance, Greenough noted. Alongside new aircraft, SkyAlyne will develop updated infrastructure at 15 Wing, including buildings, hangars, and runways, to support the program—a significant shift from CAE’s use of existing facilities for the NFTC initiative.

CAE, which has supported the Canadian Armed Forces since 1947, is a global leader in high-tech training solutions. With operations in over 40 countries, CAE earned $4.3 billion in revenue in 2024, 43% of which came from the defense sector. The company has extensive experience in military training, with more than 2,500 pilots having graduated from the NFTC program since 2000.

The new FAcT program will build on this expertise. Under FAcT, trainees will begin their basic flight training in Moose Jaw on the Grob G 120TP turboprop before progressing to advanced training on the PC-21 trainer, depending on their designation as fighter, multi-engine, or helicopter pilots. The PC-21, a state-of-the-art aircraft with triple the horsepower of the CT-156 Beechcraft T-6A trainers, will allow for advanced maneuver training.

SkyAlyne has carefully planned the transition from NFTC to FAcT, overlapping phases to ensure minimal disruptions. "Officials at 15 Wing will be working diligently over the next few years to build new facilities and implement the program," Greenough said, highlighting the effort required for a seamless transition.

The Future Aircrew Training Program represents a significant milestone for the RCAF and a promising opportunity for Moose Jaw, solidifying its role in shaping the next generation of aviators.