Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com APRIL/MAY 2020 23 Sponsored Content the direct experience managing the cur- rent contracted programs for the RCAF. By combining two industry-leaders with a full set of capabilities, SkyAlyne is ready to apply advanced expertise to all areas of the FAcT program. It is a unique opportunity and advan- tage that the world's largest aviation training company happens to call Canada home and has done so since its founding in 1947. CAE is a worldwide leader in pi- lot training and annually trains more than 220,000 civilian and military pilots and aircrew across the globe. To succeed in a competitive landscape, CAE has remained innovative, leading the development of cutting-edge advancements in simulation- based training and in-service support. For proof, look no further than the re- cently launched CAE TRAX Academy. The CAE TRAX Academy is an integrated training program that utilizes advanced virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) and combines it with big data analytics and artificial intelligence. VR/AR training is already being trialled by the US Air Force. The technology is also likely to be looked at by Canada and other air forces as a cost- effective and accessible way to enhance self-paced training and streamline the overall pilot training timeline, thereby re- ducing the factors that lead to pilot short- ages. Having these capabilities available in-house will be another important benefit SkyAlyne brings to its FAcT offering. SkyAlyne's solution to FAcT is also backed by KF Aerospace. Known in the aviation world for its strong technical ex- pertise and efficient business practices, KF Aerospace has grown to become Canada's largest commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company. Producing more than 1,000,0000 main- tenance hours annually, KF has a reputa- tion for solving complex issues for some of Canada's largest commercial airlines. KF Aerospace also has a long history of supporting and working with Canada's military. The Department of National De- fence granted the company full recognition as a Design Approval Organization (DAO) in 2013. In addition to the 40-training air- craft KF Aerospace maintains and manages at CFTS Southport, KF also holds a Fixed- Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) main- tenance contract with the RCAF. Keeping military training a Key industrial Capability for Canada SkyAlyne is the only truly Canadian solu- tion for the FAcT program – made of Ca- nadian founded and rooted companies and utilizing 100% Canadian content in its sup- ply chain and partnerships. Recent events serve as a stark reminder that some capabilities should not be out- sourced. A uniquely Canadian training so- lution will ensure that external events or governments cannot disrupt the prepara- tion of Canada's military pilots and aircrew. When Canadians need well-trained RCAF pilots to deter military threats, con- duct lifesaving search & rescue operations and transport critical supplies and equip- ment, SkyAlyne can and will prepare our men and women in uniform using a home- grown solution that also benefits Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses, com- munities and workers. SkyAlyne also carries the potential of bringing our uniquely Canadian expertise to military partners around the world, re- turning the export benefits to Canada and enhancing our global reputation. "A lot of people are saying, 'We need to build more domestic industry capabilities in Canada', especially right now," says Fe- dak. "With SkyAlyne we have the chance to do just that while maintaining stability for Canadian workers and securing an im- portant military capability for a generation. In today's uncertain world, SkyAlyne just makes sense for Canada." PersPeCtiVe Minimizing the transition risk The experience factor SkyAlyne brings is not just essential to the long-term effec- tiveness of the FAcT program, but also offers the best solution to mitigating any short-term risks. FAcT will combine three separate air- crew training programs. As the NFTC and CFTS programs phase out and FAcT phas- es in, more than training throughput will need to be synchronized. Program staff, resources, and hundreds of contracts must be transferred – without incurring cost overruns or disrupting the training flow. At a time when the military is already fac- ing pilot shortages due to demand for this critical skill, handing over the contracted training program to a completely new supplier could lead to costly and lengthy service interruptions. This scenario would compound the pilot shortage problem and cause added duress on the RCAF. This is an unnecessary risk when a Canadian solu- tion already exists and the team behind it has proven effective at managing the cur- rent contracted training programs. Furthermore, SkyAlyne is the only qualified supplier for FAcT able to seek improvements in advance of implemen- tation (while still managing the current contracts). With experienced personnel and longstanding working relationships already in place, SkyAlyne can focus on the immediate enhancements needed to meet and exceed the requirements of FAcT. Scott Greenough is a former RCAF fighter pilot and the previous Comman- dant of 2 Canadian Forces Flying Train- ing School at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. Gree- nough has been the director of the NFTC program since 2015 when CAE assumed ownership of the contract. "Transition periods are inherently risky," says Greenough. "It takes consid- erable time and effort to staff up, to get new equipment in place, facilities in or- der and get everyone on board with the new policies and procedures. There is a learning curve and during that time, ser- vice levels can drop for extended periods. SkyAlyne not only minimizes that risk, but we can focus on immediate enhancements to meet and exceed the requirements of FAcT. This will provide stability for the government, military, and local communi- ties that depend on these contracted pro- grams for quality jobs and local support." A full range of capabilities SkyAlyne's advantage extends further than

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