SkyAlyne and Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. announce site services contract to support RCAF Future Aircrew Training program
Press Release
April 16, 2026 // Ottawa, ON and Southport, MB — SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, and the Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. (Southport) are excited to jointly announce that Southport has been awarded a site services contract by SkyAlyne in support of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program at the Southport site in Manitoba.
The FAcT program, an all-encompassing 25-year solution that will deliver ab-initio training to RCAF Pilots, Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSOs), and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES Ops), will bring multiple legacy programs into a single, integrated system. The Southport site is currently the operational location for the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program, operated by KF Aerospace. KF Aerospace will continue site management activities of the Southport training location as part of the new FAcT program.
“Southport has a proud history of supporting the RCAF, and we are honoured to continue that legacy through this new agreement with SkyAlyne,” says Nathan Peto, CEO of Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. “As the FAcT program transitions into a new era of integrated training, our team remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and industry leading airfield services.”
Under this contract, Southport will provide airfield operational services in support of FAcT operations. These services will help ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations as SkyAlyne advances the program through its transition period and towards full operational capability. Southport brings decades of experience supporting aviation and defence operations.
“At SkyAlyne, we are proud to be building a world-class team, and this contract with Southport will be an integral part of the success of the FAcT program,” says Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s General Manager. “We are excited that Southport will continue to be a key subcontractor in the world-class team that will help deliver the FAcT program.”
The FAcT program is currently in a multi-year transition period that will see the three separate RCAF training programs conclude and combine their responsibilities into FAcT. The FAcT program is overseen from a Joint Management Office at SkyAlyne’s Ottawa headquarters, with three operational bases: Moose Jaw, SK, Southport, MB, and Winnipeg, MB.
The Southport, Manitoba location will host two of the FAcT program’s training streams: Advanced Flying Training Rotary Wing, and Advanced Flying Training Multi-Engine. These streams will operate using 19 CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) helicopters, and 7 CT-145E Expeditor II (Beechcraft King Air 260) aircraft, respectively. The first aircraft, a CT-153 Juno, is expected to arrive at Southport in mid-2026. Upon their arrival, and for the upcoming years, the aircraft will support ongoing development of new lesson plans and courseware, instructor training, and operational testing as the FAcT program renews the entire RCAF ab initio training ecosystem.
ABOUT
SkyAlyne: The Future of Aircrew Training
SkyAlyne is a team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation industry experts assembled from across Canada, working to prepare the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Pilots and Aircrew as the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program provider. SkyAlyne was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, two Canadian aviation, training, and defence leaders. The partnership was built to jointly answer the call for the Government of Canada’s FAcT program. In spring 2024, SkyAlyne was officially contracted to partner with the RCAF and deliver the FAcT program.
Learn more: SkyAlyne.ca
Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.
Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. was created in 1992 as a not-for-profit to manage the former assets of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Portage la Prairie. It has since been home to Military Flight Training (MFT) first under Bombardier and, since 2005, under Allied Wings (now KF Aerospace), while broadening its economic impact and corporate stewardship.
Today, Southport is a Transport Canada–certified airport and aerospace campus that serves as an aviation, training, and commercial hub. Its mission is to support military flight training, expand economic contributions, and uphold strong corporate stewardship.
Southport’s airport features four asphalt runways, full navigation aids, an air traffic control tower, and modern hangars, including a 13,600-square-foot public hangar for general-aviation and multi-engine aircraft. Operating 24/7, it offers fueling, winter storage, towing, office, and lounge amenities. Additionally, the campus provides residential housing, recreational and accommodation facilities to support active living and community engagement, all while complementing its primary role in advanced military pilot training
Learn more: southport.ca