When the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) looks to the future, training is at the very core of its readiness. The ambitious Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program is not just about aircraft, simulators, and classrooms—it’s about creating a comprehensive system that can sustain Canada’s air power for decades. And at the centre of that vision is infrastructure.
This month, SkyAlyne—a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace—signed a pivotal agreement with EllisDon Corporation, one of Canada’s largest and most respected construction and engineering firms. Under the contract, EllisDon will design the infrastructure required to support the FAcT program, laying the foundation for a new era in Canadian aircrew training.
“SkyAlyne, as the prime contractor on the FAcT program, is bringing together a strong pan-Canadian team to ensure the FAcT program fulfils its potential to be a world-leading aircrew training system,” commented SkyAlyne General Manager Kevin Lemke. “EllisDon brings an immense amount of expertise and experience that will be invaluable in ensuring FAcT infrastructure is designed to meet the current and future needs of the RCAF.”
A 25-Year Commitment to Training Excellence
FAcT is designed as an all-encompassing, 25-year solution that will prepare the next generations of RCAF Pilots, Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSOs), and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES Ops). More than just a training program, FAcT integrates every element necessary for success: live-flying, simulator-based training, advanced classrooms, new aircraft acquisition, ground-based training systems, and the ongoing in-service support needed to keep operations running smoothly.
With EllisDon now providing design services, the program is taking a critical step toward realizing the physical spaces that will enable this vision.
“EllisDon is proud to bring decades of infrastructure excellence to the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. This initiative is a cornerstone of Canada’s defence modernization, and our team is honored to help shape the next generation of RCAF training environments,” stated EllisDon’s Senior Vice President, Chris Lane. “With our deep experience in delivering complex, mission-critical projects, we’re committed to designing facilities that meet the evolving needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force—ensuring our women and men in uniform have the best possible support for years to come.”
Key Sites Across the Prairies
The agreement focuses on infrastructure projects at three major RCAF hubs:
- 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Southport, Manitoba
- 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba
These facilities will be the backbone of FAcT, housing the technology, personnel, and training systems that will define Canada’s future aircrew pipeline.
Transitioning to a Unified Program
Today, the RCAF operates three separate ab-initio training programs. Over the next few years, those will transition into a single, unified system under FAcT. Oversight comes from a Joint Management Office at SkyAlyne’s Ottawa headquarters, ensuring consistency and coordination across the program’s operational bases in Moose Jaw, Southport, and Winnipeg.
For now, EllisDon is tasked with designing the infrastructure. Construction contracts will follow once designs are finalized and accepted, signaling the next chapter in this generational project.
Laying the Groundwork for the Future
For the RCAF, FAcT is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about ensuring that Canada has the pilots, officers, and operators it needs to meet the challenges of the future—whether in the skies over North America or in support of global operations. For SkyAlyne and EllisDon, it’s an opportunity to deliver on a uniquely Canadian project that combines world-class expertise with national pride.
With infrastructure as its foundation, FAcT is set to redefine how Canada trains its aircrews for decades to come.
“As a proudly and genuinely Canadian organization, SkyAlyne is eager to see the continued economic growth in Canada as a result of these investments. We thank EllisDon for their ongoing support of this important work,” concluded Lemke.