Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Commander Lieutenant General Eric Kenny unveiled the RCAF liveries and designations at CANSEC 2025 on May 28.  

The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program was announced last September. The RCAF announced the FAcT program will feature striking aircraft liveries and thematic fleet designations—paying tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 101-year legacy while setting the stage for the future of military aviation. 

This fresh identity reflects more than just aesthetics—it symbolizes a century of flight operations and training excellence. The newly designed livery incorporates bright yellow, a nod to the historic Commonwealth Air Training Plan aircraft (1940–1945), alongside deep blue, mirroring modern RCAF trainers. A striking white-and-red stripe, inspired by Canada’s flag and the iconic 1948 RCAF “Lightning Bolt,” seamlessly ties the colors together. 

Beyond heritage, this design is practical: the contrasting yellow-blue scheme enhances visibility across diverse terrains, whether summer prairies or snowy landscapes. Every time RCAF student aircrew step aboard, they are reminded of the institution’s proud past and promising future. 

Meet the FAcT Fleet 

Honouring historical aircraft while embracing cutting-edge capability, the fleet includes: 

• CT-102B Astra II | Grob G 120TP This aircraft continues the legacy of the CT-102A Astra and Grob G 120TP predecessors. The name “Astra” originates from Latin for “Star,” reflecting the RCAF motto: Through Adversity to the Stars 

• CT-157 Siskin II | Pilatus PC-21 Inspired by the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin, Canada’s first true fighter (1926–1929). It was renowned for its exceptional aerobatic capabilities 

• CT-153 Juno | Airbus H135 Named after Juno Beach, a vital battleground in Canada’s historic D-Day landing on June 6, 1944. It also symbolizes Canda’s continue partnership with its allies as H135 helicopters already serve in the RCAF and Australian forces under the name Juno 

• CT-145E Expeditor II | Beechcraft King Air 260 A tribute to the versatile WWII-era C-45/CT-128 Expeditor, previously used during the Second World War to train navigators and bombardiers, while also useful for other roles including photo surveying, light cargo transport and passenger operations 

• CT-142Q Citadel | De Havilland Dash 8-400 Paying homage to La Citadelle de Québec and the Halifax Citadel that played key roles in Canadian defence history. This aircraft was designed to train Air Combat Systems Officers and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators and support the protection of Canadian sovereignty by operating systems for long-range patrol aircraft.