AirbusHelicopters and Canadian company SkyAlyne have signed a major contract for the acquisition of 19 H135 helicopters, which will be used to provide training for future Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) helicopter pilots. This contract is part of Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program and marks the first time Airbus helicopters will operate within the Canadian Armed Forces.
As for SkyAlyne, this company was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, two Canadian leaders in aviation, training and defense. The partnership was created to jointly bid on the Government of Canada’s FAcT program. In 2023, SkyAlyne was named preferred bidder and, in 2024, was officially contracted to execute the FAcT program.
The 25-year FAcT program, awarded to SkyAlyne in 2024, will unify over five years the RCAF’s three current pilot training programs, which are nearing their contractual end date. Overseen from Ottawa, it will operate at bases in Moose Jaw, Southport and Winnipeg. Once operational, the Canadian fleet of H135s, in partnership with the RCAF, will be based at the 3rd Flight Training School in Southport, MB.
The twin-engine H135 helicopters will be assembled and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ industrial plant in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. They will be retrofitted with a series of domestically developed Supplemental Type Certificates, which include avionics and communications system upgrades, as well as specific cockpit customizations. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026.
“SkyAlyne is excited at the successful conclusion of negotiations between our partners at KF Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters in Canada, and we extend our gratitude to everyone involved. Securing the Airbus H135 fleet for the RCAF is an important milestone for SkyAlyne and the FAcT Program as it solidifies a core element of the program schedule,” commented Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s senior executive. “The selection of the state-of-the-art H135 from Airbus Helicopters contributes meaningfully to the Canadian economy and SkyAlyne is proud to be building a world-leading Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF while supporting Canadian jobs.”
Paint scheme that will have SkyAlyne’s Airbus H135s operating for the RCAF. Image: SkyAlyne.
“Entering into this partnership with SkyAlyne and the Department of National Defence is a historic moment for Airbus Helicopters in Canada. We thank the Royal Canadian Air Force for placing their trust in Airbus and the H135, joining 12 other militaries around the world that employ the twin-engine H135 to train future aviators,” said Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “This contract marks Airbus Helicopters’ successful entry into the Canadian military market. As we celebrate 40 years of serving Canadian customers locally, we are honoured to contribute to the safety of Canadians for many years to come.”
In addition to the acquisition of the H135 aircraft, Airbus’ agreement with SkyAlyne includes a support and services package, support for the development of a Ground Training Solution and advanced engineering support for in-service certification.
With more than 400,000 flight hours in a dedicated military training role, the H135 is used for basic ab-initio, advanced IFR and tactical training, with operators including several of Canada’s closest military allies, such as Australia and the United Kingdom.
