Quantcast

Royal Canadian Air Force set to receive 19 new Pilatus trainers

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Royal Canadian Air Force set to receive 19 new Pilatus trainers
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Pilatus has confirmed a contract to supply 19 PC-21 next-generation trainers to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under the "Future Aircrew Training" (FAcT) program. The PC-21 is a turboprop-powered advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit, and Pilatus has been producing single-engine turboprop aircraft for over eight decades.

The aircraft will be stationed at the Canadian Air Force base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, starting in 2026. These trainers are intended to enhance training capabilities for aspiring military pilots as part of the FAcT program, which aims to modernize RCAF's training framework over 25 years. "The nineteen PC-21s will be stationed at the air force base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, from 2026. They will primarily be used to provide advanced training for aspiring military pilots," Pilatus stated.

According to Pilatus, these trainers offer Canada an advanced yet cost-effective and environmentally friendly platform for military pilot training. It remains unclear whether Pilatus considered other platforms like Boeing and Saab's T-7 Red Hawk when claiming that the PC-21 is "the most technically advanced training system."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The PC-21 is also used by various countries including Australia, France, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the UAE. Additionally, QinetiQ operates it for the UK Empire Test Pilots' School.

SkyAlyne senior executive Kevin Lemke emphasized that the PC-21 provides "numerous benefits over conventional training aircraft" with its "cutting-edge" avionics. SkyAlyne is tasked with providing training services to the Canadian Air Force under this program and has also partnered with Grob Aircraft SE to acquire 23 Grob G 120TP aircraft for FAcT.

Lemke highlighted that "the PC-21’s innovative design significantly reduces operating costs and greater efficiency in training operations." He added that these attributes make it an ideal choice for Canada's needs.

The comprehensive FAcT program includes aircraft provision along with simulators, civilian instructors, classroom systems as well as maintenance services among others. The contract's value stands at CAD $11.2 billion or USD $8 billion.

Currently equipped with aging North American T-6A Texan trainers numbering 22 units according to FlightGlobal reports; this new acquisition marks a significant upgrade in RCAF’s pilot training capabilities.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine, part of the P&W GTF series used on the A320neo, has been updated to the GTF Advantage (GTF-A).

Jun 25, 2025

Air France is set to halt its winter Airbus A350 flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Denver International Airport.

Jun 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines, a major global airline, operates nearly 1,000 aircraft from nine hub airports across the United States.

Jun 25, 2025

Record-breaking heat waves across the Southwestern United States last summer posed an unusual safety challenge for Southwest Airlines.

Jun 25, 2025

On June 13, a traveler returning from a business trip on New Zealand's East Coast experienced a delay on their journey home.

Jun 25, 2025

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has been a significant hub in the United States for decades.

Jun 25, 2025