First Siskin II Trainers Arrive in Canada

SkyAlyne and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), alongside Pilatus, KF Aerospace, and CAE, welcomed the first two CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) aircraft to Canada. The aircraft represent the newest addition to the RCAF fleet and mark a milestone for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

The arrival follows manufacturing, testing, and training activities in Switzerland at Pilatus Aircraft facilities. From Gatineau, the aircraft will continue to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, where the fleet will be based.

SkyAlyne has ordered 19 CT-157 Siskin IIs for the FAcT program. Upon arrival in Moose Jaw, the aircraft will undergo final delivery to the RCAF and begin work on developing and testing new elements of the FAcT program. This includes taking on a 'train the trainer' role as the FAcT team stands up a new ab-initio training ecosystem for the RCAF.

The two-seat CT-157 Siskin II features a 1,600-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine and can reach speeds of up to 685 km/h. The aircraft can sustain g-forces from positive 8G to negative 4G. The avionics include several made-in-Canada components. The aircraft will serve as the trainer for the Advanced Flying Training – Fixed Wing (AFT-FW) and Advanced Flying Training – Jet (AFT-Jet) courses.

FAcT is a 25-year program that will deliver ab-initio training to RCAF Pilots, Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSOs), and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES Ops). SkyAlyne, a joint venture of CAE and KF Aerospace, is the Prime Contractor. The program is in a multi-year transition to become the sole ab initio Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF. It is overseen from SkyAlyne's Ottawa headquarters, with bases in Moose Jaw, Southport and Winnipeg.