Ottawa has declared the SkyAlyne consortium, led by Canadian companies KF Aerospace and CAE, as its preferred bidder for the future of flight training for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership is in response to Ottawa’s Future of Aircrew Training (FAcT) procurement program, outlined by Canadian Aviator in our May 27, 2023 newsletter.
“We are honoured to be named by Canada as the preferred bidder for FAcT,” said SkyAlyne president and CAE vice-president France Hébert.
The consortium that was competing with SkyAlyne for preferred bidder status comprised Babcock-Leonardo (based in the United Kingdom and Italy, respectively), FlightSafety International and L3Harris of the U.S., and Canada’s Top Aces.
SkyAlyne’s two major partners, KF Aerospace and CAE, currently supply much of the RCAF’s flight crew training, albeit through separate contracts. Much of the motive to create FAcT was to streamline the contracting and procurement process.
“SkyAlyne’s proposed solution for FAcT was the collective effort from an outstanding team of individuals and companies from across Canada,” according to SkyAlyne’s board chairwoman and KF Aerospace CEO Tracy Medve.
An interesting requirement included in the bidding process was the need for an Indigenous Participation Plan whereby the winning bidder commits to investing a minimum of five percent of the contract value (excluding aircraft and simulator costs) to engage the First Nations and Métis population of Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the procurement process.
Awarding of the contract is expected in 2024.