Airbus delivers first H135 for Canadian military pilot training fleet

Airbus has delivered the first H135 helicopter for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, marking a milestone in the modernization of pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Designated the CT-153 Juno in RCAF service, the twin-engine helicopter will provide training for the next generation of rotary-wing pilots. Equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite, the aircraft will support basic, advanced instrument flight rules (IFR) and tactical training, while easing progression to larger and more complex aircraft.

The H135 was selected by SkyAlyne, the prime contractor for the FAcT program. Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne, said: “It is our collective mission to make sure the RCAF has an unfair advantage in the skies. By working together collaboratively, we – industry, military, and government – can deliver better work, faster, to make sure the RCAF has the best trained aircrew in the world, and our selection of the CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) is a core component of that effort.”

Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, added: “This first delivery is an important step forward for the Future Aircrew Training program and the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, and it highlights the depth of capability being delivered here in Canada.”

The aircraft are completed at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario, with deliveries continuing through 2028.

Entrol recently completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) on a new H135 flight simulator for the Aerotech Group, marking a significant boost to the Australian operator’s pilot training capability.