The first two Pilatus PC-21 trainers for Canada have left the company’s Stans facility in Switzerland and are en route to the Royal Canadian Air Force under the Future Aircrew Training programme. Designated CT-157 Siskin II for Canadian service, the aircraft are due to appear publicly at Aero Gatineau-Ottawa later this month.
The twin-engine trainers are part of a 19-aircraft fleet procured by SkyAlyne with KF Aerospace for Canada’s 25-year, C$11.2 billion pilot-training contract. The first aircraft completed its maiden flight in February, and the programme is moving from factory testing into delivery and acceptance.
The aircraft are expected to be shown in Gatineau, Quebec, before continuing through the Canadian delivery process. Their arrival adds the PC-21 to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s next-generation training pipeline as the service prepares for the transition to new advanced trainer operations at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.