Pilatus delivers first PC-21 for the Royal Canadian Air Force

PILATUS Aircraft Ltd., based in Stans in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden, has delivered the first two two aircraft to Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training Program (FAcT). According to a statement, the aircraft – known locally as the CT-157 Siskin II – were received on 17 September during a ceremony attended by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and project partners SkyAlyne, KF Aerospace, and CAE.

The aircraft had already been manufactured and tested at Pilatus in Switzerland. Upon arrival in Canada, they were showcased at the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa airshow and were seen flying over Ontario and Quebec. In another statement, Pilatus described the appearance as a glimpse of the PC-21’s future role with the Canadian aerobatic team, the Snowbirds.

A total of 19 PC-21s are planned for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The first two aircraft will initially be used to develop and test new training elements, as well as to train flight instructors. The fleet will be stationed at 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan. The two-seat PC-21 is powered by a 1,600 PS Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop engine and can reach speeds of up to 685 kilometers per hour. The aircraft is designed to withstand G-forces ranging from +8G to -4G and is intended for use in advanced flight and jet training.

FAcT is designed to run for 25 years and consolidate the RCAF’s three separate training programs. It encompasses the training of pilots, as well as specialists in mission control and onboard electronic sensor systems. The prime contractor is SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE Inc. and KF Aerospace. ce/as