Vanguard Magazine

18 APRIL/MAY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com interView tively work toward the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP); the first major mile- stone leading to the fielding of the new Aircrew Training Capability for the RCAF. Throughout this engagement period, sev- eral things have become clear: Industry requires more detailed infor- mation in order to correctly prepare their bids. As you might imagine, the prepara- tion of a bid for a program as complex as FAcT is not a trivial undertaking and re- quires incredible investment by industry in terms of personnel, time and money. To ensure that all qualified suppliers have a clear understanding of the FAcT require- ments, it has been necessary to take the additional time to respond to queries as well as to meet in the form of workshops. Additionally, FAcT is taking a collaborative RFP development approach with industry that, though requiring additional time up front, will reduce challenges in terms of bid preparation and bid evaluation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we have full confidence in our aircraft and the asso- ciated mitigating measures to ensure con- tinuity of pilot training throughout. Q As training evolves with the ad- vancement of technology. Are there plans in place to allow for new technology to be incorporated into the FAcT program over its contract period? Is the contractor responsible to keep abreast and add new training technologies into the program or will that be treated separately? Indeed, fundamental to FAcT is the ability to inject technological advances where and as they make sense. We know that over the coming 25 years the pace of technologi- cal acceleration will continue unabated. The last thing we would seek to do is to lock ourselves into a system based on the best of what can be offered today without the ability to improve, augment and/or amend as time goes on. Q One of the objectives of FAcT is to stream pilots between rotary and fixed- wing earlier in the process, rather than waiting until the end of Phase II. How do you plan on doing this? FAcT focuses on the end state in terms of production; that is to say, winged pi- lots who are prepared to continue train- ing at the Operational Training Units whether Rotary Wing, Multi Engine or Jet. Along the training continuum from day one until graduation there is training that is common to all streams and train- ing that is unique to the various streams. The FAcT goal is, indeed, to stream the Rotary Wing students from fixed at the earliest opportunity. Under the current construct, this occurs at the end of Phase II training in Moose Jaw. Under FAcT, this streaming will occur at or near the completion of Basic Flight Training. This said, my team is anxious to see what tools the winning bidder brings to the table to aid us in ensuring we have correctly selected the folks for the Rotary Wing Stream. If this can be done earlier than the completion of Basic Flight Training, I am open to the concept. Q Simulation focused training is becoming more of a norm these days. What percentage of the training will include simulation-based training as compared to live training? To provide a strict percentage at this junc- ture would be contrary to the spirit of FAcT wherein we seek to advise industry of our requirements in terms of training output and look to them to provide solu- tions. We fully anticipate that every train- ing solution proposed will involve a mix of simulation and live flight and we are cog- nizant of the benchmarked flight hours to generate a winged Pilot, ACSOP or AES Op from both our existing training sys- tems and those of our allies. Photos: DND

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