Canada receives first two Pilatus PC-21 trainers for aircrew programme

Canada's first two Pilatus PC-21 basic trainers have arrived and will serve under the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme.

The Swiss-built turboprops flew from Europe and appeared in Gatineau, Quebec, on 17 September. Royal Canadian Air Force commander Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet was among those on hand. Both aircraft are due at the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa Air Show on 19-20 September.

SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, said Pilatus facilities in Switzerland had finished the manufacturing, testing and training work before the aircraft crossed the Atlantic. After the Gatineau events, the pair will fly to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, where the fleet will be based. Final delivery to the RCAF follows their arrival at Moose Jaw, after which work will begin on developing and testing new parts of the FAcT programme.

In Canadian service the single-engined PC-21 will be known as the CT-157 Siskin II. The first two examples carry the registrations 157201 and 157202.

Nineteen PC-21s are being bought through SkyAlyne, which holds a 25-year contract valued at C$11.2 billion ($8 billion) to provide the FAcT capability. The wider training system will also bring in Grob Aircraft G120TPs and Beechcraft King Air 260s, along with De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s and Airbus Helicopters H135s.