Vanguard Magazine

24 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 www.vanguardcanada.com Different Phases, Different Pilots Students go through different phases of training before qualifying as pilots for the RCAF. These phases are tailored to pro- duce pilots to fly on different platforms, namely helicopters, multi-engine and fighters. A combination of training at both schools provides the foundation for stu- dents in their careers as future pilots for the RCAF (see Figure 1). Phase I of training begins at 3CFFTS in Portage La Prairie where all students go through the Primary Flying Training, with the exception of those with a Commercial Pilot's License and over 100 hours flying time, who go on directly to Phase IIA. Phase I includes three weeks of ground school, 14 flying missions totaling 14.7 air hours, and six hours on Flight Training Devices (FTDs). During Phase I, students fly their first training missions on the Grob G120A, a twin-seat, piston engine aircraft. It is at this level that basic pilot skills are assessed, which helps to refine the selection process for who moves on to Phases II and III. LCol Marc-Antoine Fecteau, Comman- dant of 3CFFTS, explained that the decision of filtering out those candidates who are not likely to achieve the required pilot training standard within the allotted training time is made during this first stage. It is a decision, though, that is not made lightly. The Com- mandant and his team work to ensure that all areas are covered for that student. "A review is conducted at different levels to ensure that we didn't make a mistake," said LCol Fecteau. "We want to ensure that there was nothing on the outside that could change the student's performance, like, for example, a medical emergency of a close family member." After considering all the factors, the final decision is made by the Commandant. Figure 1 The different phases of the RCAF's pilot training trAininG The early detection of someone unlikely to succeed in the pilot training program is critical because of the substantial invest- ment. The cost to train a pilot years ago was around $1.5 million, but today, that cost is nearly doubled at $3 million ac- cording to LCol Fecteau. The initial stage has a capacity to accom- modate up to 155 students. Phase II is di- vided into two groups, with capacity for up to 128 at the Basic Flying Training IIA at 2CFFTS in Moose Jaw on the CT-156 Harvard II turboprop, and an option for 10 to remain at 3CFFTS for Basic Flying Training on the Grob. The training on the Grob during this phase equips students on advanced clearhood, instrument flying, formation, navigation and night flying. The syllabus covers 66 air hours and 28 hours on FTDs. For Phase III, approximately 90 from the Basic Flying Training IIA at 2CFFTS in Moose Jaw will go back to 3CFFTS in Portage La Prairie to train on the Ad- vanced Flying Multi-Engine with the C90B King Air and the Advanced Flying Training Rotary Wing on the B206 Jet Ranger and B412CF Outlaw helicopters. Students for Multi-Engine will complete 39.5 air hours and 55 FTD hours. Those in the helicopter stream will spend 53 air hours in the B206 and 40 air hours and 54 FTD on the B412. About 30 of the students from Phase II will remain in Moose Jaw and continue Image: KF Aerospace Image: KF Aerospace FLYING TRAINING PHASES y r a m i r P I Flying Training n o m m o C A I I Basic l a n o i t i d d A B I I Jet Basic d e c n a v d A I I I Jet, M/E or R/W l a c i t c a T V I Fighter Lead-in TRAINING UNITS 3 CFFTS, Southport, Manitoba 2 CFFTS, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan or 3 CFFTS, Southport 2 CFFTS 2 CFFTS or 3 CFFTS 419 Squadron, Cold Lake, Alberta

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