In early January, KF Aerospace, through its subsidiary KF Aerospace Defence Programs,
received a contract award from Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) to provide a
new Bell 206 Level 7 Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Contracted Flying Training and
Support (CFTS) Program located in Southport, Manitoba. This new capability, representing a
capital investment of over CAD $6.5 million, is part of a larger scope of work by KF Aerospace
Defence Programs to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with Primary, Basic,
Rotary-Wing, and Multi-engine pilot training at CFTS until 2027.
Built by Frasca International Inc., the new Level 7 FTD will provide helicopter pilot trainees and
instructors with the most up-to-date flight training simulator available. The Frasca FTD system
is the first configuration of its kind in Canada, and is equipped with a 220-degree field of view
visual system, and six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) cueing and vibration systems. The device
also incorporates Frasca’s proprietary SimAssist™ software which provides varying levels of
automatic instructor assistance during the earliest phases of helicopter flight training.
The simulator will be installed at the CFTS Training Centre as part of the flight training program
led by KF Aerospace Defence Programs and supported by a pan-Canadian team consisting of
Bluedrop Training & Simulation, Canadian Helicopters (HNZ) Ltd., and Canadian Base
Operators.
“We are very pleased to provide cutting edge training systems for the CFTS Program.
Introducing devices like the new Bell 206 FTD is one example of how we’re continually honing
our training system to provide exceptional service, efficiency, and throughput for our Canadian
Armed Forces customer,” said Peter Fedak, Site Manager for the CFTS program. “This new
capability will continue the CFTS program’s status as a leader in supporting the RCAF
simulation strategy. The FTD will provide the RCAF with the ability to decide what flight
training regimes are best suited for simulation and which operations require an actual aircraft.
This will ensure that RCAF aircrew receive the right training, to the right people, and at the right
time.”
Tracy Medve, President of KF Aerospace added, “In addition to enhancing our ability to train
emergency and other procedures, the new simulator will yield cost benefits as it will eliminate
the need to increase our flying fleet by four aircraft. The new FTD may also be adaptable to the
future rotary wing training requirements of DND’s FAcT program.”
The CFTS Program trains 100% of the pilot candidates seeking to become Royal Canadian Air
Force pilots, and has a majority role in training 80% of new pilots inducted into the RCAF every
year. KF Aerospace also provides the Lead-in Air Navigator Training Course (LANTC) to all
potential Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSO’s) for the RCAF.
The Bell 206 FTD will begin service with the CFTS program in April of 2018.
