Royal Canadian Air Force, May 22, 2015 - 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, located at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario, marked a major milestone last month with the opening of its Fleet Technical Training Flight (FTTF) and the flight’s technical training facility.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) took delivery of 15 Boeing-built CH-147F Chinook helicopters, which are among the most capable and advanced variants of the Chinook family, in 2013 and 2014. On April 10, 2015, the RCAF and Boeing unveiled the equally advanced training facility for the technicians who keep the helicopters running.
“The purpose of the FTTF is to train technicians to maintain the CH-147F,” explained Captain Kendra Bencun, the officer commanding the FTTF. “Once fully operational, the FTTF will deliver 12 courses that span from on-aircraft courses (maintenance carried out onboard the aircraft) to more complex back shop courses (that is, maintaining items normally taken off the aircraft to be repaired).
“Of these courses, the largest and most important to the fleet are the on-aircraft courses for both aviation (AVN) and avionics (AVS) technicians, which last for 67 and 40 training days respectively.”
The formal opening came shortly after the initial classes of 15 technicians graduated from the FTTF’s first RCAF-led training courses.
“The opening of the FTTF signified the completion of the first AVN and AVS courses entirely taught by RCAF technicians who are FTTF instructors,” she continued. “It’s a major milestone for the squadron and fleet's ability to internally force generate [that is, to train and produce] technicians, which is required to meet the squadron’s operational goals and requirements.”
Boeing delivered the fifteenth CH-147F Chinook to the RCAF on June 30, 2014. The company’s training and support have been essential elements of the helicopter project since its beginnings.
“Boeing’s training suite equips the RCAF with an essential aircraft maintenance platform to prepare their technicians for a wide range of operational missions,” noted Tony Barnett, Boeing project manager for Canadian medium- to heavy-lift helicopter training systems.
“The FTTF instructors and standards staff put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to improve the courseware and supporting materials, and provide a robust assessment program for the courses,” explained Captain Bencun. “The result is squadron technicians who are more capable and knowledgeable.
“Because this was the first course for both occupations, there are changes that will inevitably be made to improve the courses. But with the first course complete, the FTTF staff gained confidence and are motivated to continue improving the training.”
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) took delivery of 15 Boeing-built CH-147F Chinook helicopters, which are among the most capable and advanced variants of the Chinook family, in 2013 and 2014. On April 10, 2015, the RCAF and Boeing unveiled the equally advanced training facility for the technicians who keep the helicopters running.
“The purpose of the FTTF is to train technicians to maintain the CH-147F,” explained Captain Kendra Bencun, the officer commanding the FTTF. “Once fully operational, the FTTF will deliver 12 courses that span from on-aircraft courses (maintenance carried out onboard the aircraft) to more complex back shop courses (that is, maintaining items normally taken off the aircraft to be repaired).
“Of these courses, the largest and most important to the fleet are the on-aircraft courses for both aviation (AVN) and avionics (AVS) technicians, which last for 67 and 40 training days respectively.”
The formal opening came shortly after the initial classes of 15 technicians graduated from the FTTF’s first RCAF-led training courses.
“The opening of the FTTF signified the completion of the first AVN and AVS courses entirely taught by RCAF technicians who are FTTF instructors,” she continued. “It’s a major milestone for the squadron and fleet's ability to internally force generate [that is, to train and produce] technicians, which is required to meet the squadron’s operational goals and requirements.”
Boeing delivered the fifteenth CH-147F Chinook to the RCAF on June 30, 2014. The company’s training and support have been essential elements of the helicopter project since its beginnings.
“Boeing’s training suite equips the RCAF with an essential aircraft maintenance platform to prepare their technicians for a wide range of operational missions,” noted Tony Barnett, Boeing project manager for Canadian medium- to heavy-lift helicopter training systems.
“The FTTF instructors and standards staff put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to improve the courseware and supporting materials, and provide a robust assessment program for the courses,” explained Captain Bencun. “The result is squadron technicians who are more capable and knowledgeable.
“Because this was the first course for both occupations, there are changes that will inevitably be made to improve the courses. But with the first course complete, the FTTF staff gained confidence and are motivated to continue improving the training.”
CFB Petawawa See also |
CH-147F Chinook in
Canadian Armed Forces 450 THS
450 Squadron Canadian Armed Forces CH-147F Maintenance Training Center Opens in Canada
