First Flight of Airbus CT-153 Juno Canadian Trainer

SkyAlyne, September 18, 2025 - The first production test flights of the Airbus H135 helicopters that will serve in Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program have successfully taken place. The flights, which typically lasted approximately one hour, included comprehensive mechanical and avionics testing to ensure a smooth flight and optimal system performance.

Chosen by SkyAlyne as the rotary-wing training platform for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), these twin-engine H135s will prepare the next generation of RCAF pilots for the missions of tomorrow. Within the RCAF, H135s are known as the CT-153 Juno.

Canada’s CT-153 Junos will undergo final completion – including paint and installation of a number of Canadian developed supplemental type certificates (STCs) – in Canada at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario.

David Farman, SkyAlyne’s Head of Training , said “By operating twin-engines from the outset of training, future RCAF pilots will be immersed in a real-world environment that matches the current operational fleet, ensuring a seamless transition to their first operational unit. With Airbus’ Helionix avionics system, which is standard on twin-engine platforms, trainees will gain experience with advanced digital cockpits, a step forward from the analog systems in the current training fleet.”

A milestone in the progression of the program, these first flights mark another step closer to delivering a modern, comprehensive training capability; ensuring that the pilots who protect Canada’s skies, safeguard communities, and serve on missions at home and abroad are trained with the very best technology for generations to come.

The CT-153 Juno trainer fleet will be based at Southport, MB by an alliance between KF Aerospace and CAE

Team SkyAlyne

SkyAlyne is a joint venture between two prominent Canadian aerospace and defense leaders, CAE and KF Aerospace, established in 2018 to pursue the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. The company was officially awarded the 25-year, C$11.2 billion FAcT contract by the Government of Canada in 2024 to become the sole provider for training the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots, Air Combat Systems Officers, and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators. This "truly Canadian solution" consolidates all RCAF aircrew training, which was previously managed under three separate programs by the parent companies, and is being delivered through a network of operational bases in Moose Jaw, SK, Southport, MB, and Winnipeg, MB.

- CAE : 4,500+ Canadian Employees, Global leader in simulation, training, in-service support and innovative technology.

Founded in Montreal in 1947 by former RCAF officer Mr. Ken Patrick, CAE is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. CAE has the broadest global presence in the industry, with approximately 10,000 employees and 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries.

CAE’s Defence & Security business unit focuses on helping prepare their customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness. CAE Defence & Security is a world-class training and mission systems integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of training and operational support solutions across the air, land, sea and public safety market segments. CAE serves its global defence and security customers through regional operations in Canada; the United States/Latin America; Europe/Middle East; and Asia-Pacific, all of which leverage the full breadth of CAE’s capabilities, technologies and solutions.

CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, CAE continues to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare. CAE is the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. Today, over 60 percent of CAE’s revenue is from recurring business – a testament to CAE’s customers’ ongoing needs for their solutions.

Since 2015, CAE has led contracted training and support for the RCAF through NATO Contracted Flying and Training (NFTC) program at Moose Jaw, SK and Cold Lake, AB.

- KF Aerospace : 1100+ Canadian Employees, Canada’s largest commercial Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Design Approval Organization (DND, Transport Canada).

Founded by Barry Lapointe in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia in 1970, KF Aerospace is Canada’s largest commercial aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification (MRO) provider. With a workforce of over 1000 highly skilled employees, KF’s multi-faceted business operations include first-class engineering and design services, commercial aircraft leasing and decades of experience as a commercial cargo carrier.

KF Aerospace also has a long history of supporting and working with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). KF was awarded the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) Program contract in 2005, leading a group of subcontractors collectively called Allied Wings and establishing a turn-key operation with new facilities, courseware and aircraft.

Today, all ab-initio (beginner) pilot training for the RCAF is conducted at Southport, along with rotary (helicopter) and multi-engine fixed-wing flying training, with KF/Allied Wings providing pilot training and in-service support services such as airfield maintenance, facilities operations and aircraft repair and maintenance. The KF and Allied Wings staff consistently draw high praise from their customer (DND/RCAF) and regularly achieve excellent performance scores. Several key Allied Wings partners will join KF in SkyAlyne’s bid for Future Aircrew Training (FAcT).

KF was granted full recognition as a Design Approval Organization (DAO) by the Department of National Defence in 2013 and also holds a Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) maintenance contract with the RCAF. KF Aerospace has four operational locations in Canada. KF’s main office and primary operational facility is located at the Kelowna International Airport in Kelowna, British Columbia. Two additional maintenance and repair services facilities are located in Vancouver, BC, and Hamilton, ON, with the latter currently undergoing a major facility expansion.

- Bluedrop : 180+ Canadian Employees, In-service support for simulators and courseware.

- Canadian Base Operators : 270+ Canadian Employees, Customized airfield services and facilities management.

- Canadian Helicopters : 450+ Canadian Employees, In-service support, maintenance & pilot training.

- CGI : 9000+ Canadian Employees, End-to-end services including systems integration and IT managed services.

- PAL Aerospace : 1400+ Canadian Employees, Intelligence, surveillance support and reconnaissance, in-service support, expertise in ACSO/AESOP component of FAcT.

- Serco : 1,200+ Canadian Employees, Professional and managed services, airfield support.

- Strategic Relationships Solutions : 17+ Canadian Employees, Strategic Relationships and Collaboration Management

- Red Space : 280+ Canadian Employees, Flexible, user-centric software solutions.