3-Aug-2023Source: CAE
SkyAlyne – a partnership between Canadian companies CAE and KF Aerospace – has been identified by the Government of Canada as its preferred bidder to manage the future training program for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The FAcT contract will cover all aspects of the required training and in-service support to train Canadian military pilots, Air... Read more
9-Jun-2023Source: US Air Force
Over 60 service members from approximately ten units across the Air Force Reserve, Minnesota National Guard, Wisconsin National Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force, participated in a joint training exercise aboard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and a C-17 Globemaster III across two states in early May. The multi-stop integrated mission involved evacuating simulated patients... Read more
7-Jun-2023Source: Gastops
Gastops is pleased to announce ChipCHECK’s selection on Bell Textron Canada’s program to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of 85 CH146 Griffon helicopters, a multi-role military variant of the widely adopted Bell-412EP developed for the Canadian Armed forces. Seven ChipCHECK units have been procured to assist in maximizing equipment readiness, improve maintenance... Read more
20-Apr-2023Source: CENTUM
The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has extended its use of CENTUM’s Lifeseeker for Royal Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue operations. The RCAF is now using an increased total of eight units on its fleet of Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Lifeseeker enables SAR operators to locate people quickly and accurately,... Read more
28-Feb-2023Source: US Marine Corps
On Jan. 16, 2023, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River welcomed members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and their four CH-146 Griffons, allowing them to use Marine Corps Installations East (MCIEAST) airspace for three and a half weeks to conduct their flight instructor and flight engineer course for the third time since... Read more
4-Nov-2022Source: Leonardo
In early October, the Cormorant Trophy Award, which celebrates excellence and bravery in missions, ceremony took place during the Opening Ceremony of Defence Security (DEFSEC) Atlantic event in Canada. During the ceremony, which was attended by 350-400 military government and industry personnel, Dominic Howe, Head of Campaigns – America and Canada at Leonardo, delivered a speech outlining the... Read more
10-Oct-2022Source: Ingenio Aerospace
Ingenio Aerospace (Ingenio), developers of innovative aircraft cockpit and cabin solutions, today announced that Bell Textron, a pioneering aerospace manufacturer of military and commercial rotorcraft, has integrated Ingenio’s Cockpit Tablet Electronic Flight Bag (“Heli-Mount EFB”) into the CH-146 Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The GLLE is... Read more
8-Dec-2021Source: CBC
Nearly all of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Maritime fleet of CH-148 Cyclone helicopters are undergoing repairs after cracks were found in the tails of the aircraft. “12 Wing Shearwater, which encompasses the entire fleet, is prioritizing the order of repair to maximize return to serviceability for each aircraft,” according to a Department of National... Read more
7-Dec-2021Source: CTV News
The Canadian military has discovered cracks in the tails of 19 of its 23 Cyclone helicopters. The Royal Canadian Air Force issued an emailed statement Sunday saying cracks had been detected in four helicopters, but that number jumped to 19 later in the day. See Full Story. ... Read more
29-May-2019Source: Bluedrop Training & Simulation
Bluedrop Performance Learning (“Bluedrop”) (TSX-V: BPLI) and its subsidiary Bluedrop Training & Simulation are pleased to announce that it will deliver another Hoist Mission Training System (HMTS) to the Royal Canadian Air Force 19 Wing Comox in addition to a similar CH-148 Cyclone simulator delivered to 12 Wing Shearwater in July 2018. The immersive virtual... Read more
14-Dec-2018Source: Royal Canadian Navy
Heartfelt tributes flowed freely during the official Sea King helicopter retirement parade December 1, 2018, when the military community bade farewell to the longest serving aircraft in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Inside the hangar at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Pat Bay, B.C., more than 500 people gathered to witness the historic send-off.... Read more
25-May-2018Source: Leonardo
Leonardo congratulates the Royal Canadian Air Force crew of search and rescue helicopter “Rescue 901” for winning this year’s Cormorant Trophy for the rescue of five crewmen forced to abandon a fishing vessel 250 km offshore in fierce weather and rough seas. The recipients from 103 Squadron at CFB Gander are: Major Jim Pinhorn,... Read more
10-Apr-2018Source: Calian Group
Calian Group Ltd. (TSX:CGY) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract renewal worth up to $20 million in support of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Airworthiness Program. Calian will provide highly skilled professionals with expertise in 66 different categories of aeronautics to help ensure Canada’s military fleet flies safely and effectively.... Read more
6-Apr-2018Source: Boeing
Boeing (NYSE: BA) and the Canadian government have agreed to an amendment to an existing performance-based logistics (PBL) contract. Under the $313 million fixed-price amendment, Boeing will continue to provide full system logistics, engineering support, supply chain, data analytics and training services to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of 15 CH-147F Chinooks through 2023. Operating... Read more
10-Jan-2018Source: Bluedrop
Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (“Bluedrop”) (TSX-V: BPLI) through its subsidiary Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. has received a $1M contract through the Build in Canada Innovation Program to deliver an innovative new approach to hoist training for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Maritime Helicopter (MH) community. The new CH-148 virtual reality Rescue Hoist Simulator will... Read more
14-Aug-2017Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
Honorary Colonel Colin MacDonald is all too aware of the role of search and rescue services in Atlantic Canada. The chairman of Clearwater Seafoods and co-owner and director of Clearwater Fine Foods was appointed honorary colonel of 14 Wing Greenwood’s 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron on July 12, 2017. “We have a fleet out there,... Read more
8-Aug-2017Source: RCAF
Honorary Colonel Colin MacDonald is all too aware of the role of search and rescue services in Atlantic Canada. The chairman of Clearwater Seafoods and co-owner and director of Clearwater Fine Foods was appointed honorary colonel of 14 Wing Greenwood’s 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron on July 12, 2017. “We have a fleet out there,... Read more
13-Jul-2017Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Royal Canadian Air Force leaders welcomed eleven new Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) into their trade today at 19 Wing Comox. The graduates from the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) are part of the 50th SAR Tech course in the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) history. The... Read more
12-Jun-2017Source: Leonardo
Leonardo Helicopters and IMP Aerospace & Defence (IMP) are pleased to announce that “Team Cormorant” has been re-established to support the modernization of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of EH101/CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue (SAR) helicoptersand expansion of the fleet through the conversion of AW101-519 helicopters. Team Cormorant comprises Leonardo Helicopters, the Original... Read more
30-May-2017Source: IMP GROUP
Leonardo Helicopters and IMP Aerospace & Defence (IMP) are pleased to announce that “Team Cormorant” has been re-established to support the modernization of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of EH101/CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters and the expansion of the fleet through the conversion of AW101-519 helicopters. Team Cormorant comprises Leonardo Helicopters,... Read more
2-May-2017Source: HeliHub.com
The Royal Canadian Air Force has had their CH-148 Cyclone helicopters grounded since 10 March. This was after an incident where one of the helicopters had a “momentary change in the descent rate.” A team from Sikorsky is currently at 12 Wing Shearwater, where the incident occurred, to conduct an investigation into the helicopter in... Read more
12-Apr-2017Source: KF Aerospace
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... Read more
8-Mar-2017Source: StandardAero
The annual Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli-Expo 2017 marks the 50th year that StandardAero has offered Roll-Royce M250 helicopter engine services to the industry. The company was first contracted in 1967, then by Allison Engine Company, to provide engine MRO services for the Canadian Air Force CH-136 Kiowa helicopter fleet. Through collaboration with Rolls-Royce and... Read more
6-Mar-2017Source: Frasca
Frasca International has sold a Level 7 Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Bell CH-139 JetRanger helicopter for use by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) No. 3 Flying Training School (3 FTS). KF Aerospace Defence Programs is the prime contractor for the RCAF’s Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program at the Portage la Prairie... Read more
11-Oct-2016Source: Canadian Armed Forces
A national search and rescue (SAR) exercise conducted in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, from September 18-24 highlighted the importance of conducting real-world SAR missions and training to ensure crews are ready to respond when Canadians are in distress. The value of the exercise was further underlined when exercise participants unexpectedly provided real-time assistance to a canoeist... Read more
15-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced last week that his Government would be launching a spending review across all aspects of the military, making it clear that there was nothing off limits. A 36 page document was issued, inviting feedback on what the military should – or should not – be involved in. One section... Read more
25-Feb-2016Source: RCAF
Bravo Zulu to the first Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircrew to successfully land a CH-148 Cyclone [that’s the local designation of the H92 military variant of the S92] helicopter on a Canadian warship at sea, as well as to the ship’s crew of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Halifax, involved with Cyclone testing and... Read more
17-Feb-2016
Members of 103 Search and Rescue Squadron from 9 Wing Gander, Newfoundland, are returning home after training with the Icelandic Coast Guard and local Search and Rescue teams from February 9-12, 2016. Nine Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) personnel along with a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter took part in multiple exercise scenarios, including training with the... Read more
9-Feb-2016Source: CAE
During a ceremony held today at Garrison Petawawa, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) formally graduated its first class of CH-147F Chinook helicopter aircrews who took part in the new, comprehensive Field Trials Course. Photos of the event will be available for download at www.cae.com/photos. A total of ten RCAF CH-147 Chinook aircrew – six... Read more
28-May-2015Source: CAE
Today at CANSEC, Canada’s premiere defence trade show, CAE announced that a comprehensive suite of CH-147F Chinook simulators and training devices have completed on-site acceptance testing at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa and are now ready-for-use by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The RCAF has begun interim pilot training using the CH-147F weapon systems... Read more
23-Mar-2015Source: RCAF
Mass casualties litter the rigid terrain in a remote location on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Two hikers lie injured in a mountainous region inaccessible by road. And a small multi-engine aircraft is still missing along the coast of mainland British Columbia, the next of kin anxious for positive news of its location. These are... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: RCAF
Corporal Reid Bellamy achieved a significant milestone for his squadron – 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron – late last month. On February 24, 2015, the squadron’s commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Chris McKenna, presented CH-147F Chinook helicopter flight engineer (FE) wings to Corporal Bellamy. To earn his wings, Corporal Bellamy successfully completed operational cadre training for the new... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: RCAF
Colonel Patrick MacNamara, commanding officer of 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, invested the squadron’s new honorary colonel in a December 8, 2014, ceremony in Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Honorary Colonel Michael Sudul stepped into the position vacated by outgoing Honorary Colonel Jeffrey Morris, who served since 2009. Colonel Lise Bourgon, 12 Wing’s commander, presided over the... Read more
16-Dec-2014Source: Bluedrop
Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc., a subsidiary of Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (“Bluedrop”) (TSX-V: BPL), was recently awarded two new contracts by Allied Wings, operators of the Contracted Flight Training and Support (CFTS) program, to develop Phase III Multi-Engine & Helicopter courseware. These projects are part of a larger scope of work that sees Allied... Read more
2-Jul-2014Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Canadian Air Force today celebrated the delivery of the 15th CH-147F Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter, ensuring advanced operational capability for the Canadian Chinook fleet. “The Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter project is making an exemplary contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy,” said Col. Andrew Fleming, program manager for the Medium Heavy Lift Helicopter... Read more
24-Mar-2014Source: AgustaWestland
Royal Canadian Air Force Rescue Crew 912 continues to receive accolades for a daring rescue with an AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” helicopter. The latest awards are from the international aviation community for Captain Jonathon Groten, Captain Aaron Noble, Sergeant Bradley Hiscock, Master Warrant Officer Jeffrey Warden, and Master Corporal Mark Vokey. On February 25, 2014, the crew... Read more
10-Oct-2013Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has delivered the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fifth CH-147F Chinook helicopter one month ahead of schedule and only three months after the arrival of the first in June, expanding Canada’s military cargo capability while continuing the Chinook program’s history of excellence. “The Canadian Chinook is one of the most advanced military... Read more
20-Aug-2013Source: Terma
Terma North America Inc., a subsidiary of Terma A/S, Denmark is providing the Royal Canadian Air Force with first-of-its-kind capability on new Boeing [NYSE: BA] CH-47F Chinook helicopters. Terma supplies the Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) integrator for the recently delivered Canadian Chinook helicopter. The integrator – the Electronic Warfare Management System (EWMS) – features dual cockpit displays and integrates... Read more
26-Jun-2013Source: Canadian National Defence
Media have been invited to join the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., Associate Minister of National Defence responsible for military procurement and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, at a ceremony to mark the delivery of Canada’s first new CH-147F Chinook helicopter on Thursday, June 27 at 09:30 a.m.... Read more
29-May-2013Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector) will be exhibiting at Canada’s Defence & Security Showcase (CANSEC), taking place at the Ernst & Young Centre in Ottawa, Ontario from May 29th – 30th, 2013 (Booth #809). Vector Aerospace continues to be active in providing helicopter operators with robust, cost effective cockpit upgrade solutions. Their latest concept,... Read more
28-May-2013Source: Canadian Defence
Today, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Delta – Richmond East announced the awarding of a significant subcontract that will create jobs in British Columbia and play an important role in supporting Canada’s Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopter Project. Weatherhaven, of Burnaby, British Columbia, has been awarded... Read more
16-May-2013Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
Search and Rescue technicians, aircrew, maintainers, and other support personnel from 8 Wing Trenton today began an annual search and rescue exercise in Churchill, Manitoba, which will run from May 13-17. “Our Government is seized with improving our search and rescue system,”said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “Search and Rescue technicians harness... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: Canadian military
The Flight Safety Investigative Report and Epilogue of the fatal air accident involving the Griffon helicopter CH146434 that occurred on July 6, 2009, near Kandahar Air Field, is now available on the Air Force Directorate of Flight Safety website. The Flight Safety Investigative Report describes factual data and includes a comprehensive analysis of all factors... Read more
10-Oct-2012Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its fleet of AW101 (formerly EH101) “Cormorant” search and rescue helicopters has achieved dual milestones of 10 years active service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and 50,000 operating hours. “Canada’s Cormorants are the benchmark for AW101s around the world,” said Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland’s Head of... Read more
5-Sep-2012Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
Defence Minister Peter McKay has announced the senior appointments for the Royal Canadian Air Force, including the selection of Major-General (soon to be promoted to lieutenant-general) Yvan Blondin as the new commander of the RCAF. He will assume command of the RCAF, succeeding LGen André Deschamps who will retire, at a change of command ceremony... Read more
31-Aug-2012Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
Flanked by yellow and red search and rescue (SAR) aircraft and before the formed ranks of blue-uniformed members of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Lieutenant-Colonel Todd Sharp took command from LCol Jonathan Bouchard in a ceremony held today at 19 Wing, Comox. “Operations are not always easy on our families and I truly appreciated the... Read more
4-Jun-2012Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
Members of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based in Edmonton, Alta., but under the command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ont., are helping a group of young Air Cadets from Edmonton prepare for a prestigious youth aerospace competition in England in July. Sergeant Mike Scott and Corporal Moe Woodworth are applying the expertise they gained in Afghanistan... Read more
4-Jun-2012Source: Royal Canadian Air Force
408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton but under the command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ont., took part in Exercise Maple Strike at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright from April 15 to 27. Ex Maple Strike allowed 408 Tac Hel Sqn to participate as an asset for joint tactical air controller (JTAC) training.... Read more
3-Oct-2011Source: Canadian National Defence
Thirteen members from CFB Edmonton-based 408 Tactical Helicopter (TH) Squadron flew to Nanton, Alta, home of the Bomber Command Museum and the Lancaster FM159, to celebrate the Squadron’s 70th anniversary, the museum’s 25th anniversary and the unveiling of newly acquired Halifax Bomber parts. It was a weekend filled with immense passion, amazing stories and the... Read more
12-Aug-2011Source: Canadian DND
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that in response to a request from the Government of Jamaica, Canada is deploying three CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopters and 65 Canadian Forces personnel to support the Jamaica Defence Force during the 2011 hurricane season. “Our government is committed to ensuring that our Canadian Forces are... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
One of the pledges made by Barack Obama prior to being elected President was to was to cancel the presidential VH-71 Kestrel helicopter program – which had been awarded by his predessor George Bush after British prime minister Tony Blair had cosied up to him on behalf of AgustaWestland. However, Bush’s administration then changed the... Read more
19-May-2011Source: Canadian Dept National Defence
Shearwater, N.S. – The first interim maritime helicopter, the CH-148 Cyclone, arrived at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, last week to support training of Canadian Forces (CF) aircrew and technicians for the Maritime Helicopter Project. “The arrival of this helicopter in Shearwater demonstrates progress with this project and brings us one step closer towards the... Read more
18-May-2011Source: US Marine Corps
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan –Canadian and U.S. forces safely recovered a downed Canadian Forces CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, May 17. Utilizing a trio CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, with assistance from 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s helicopter support team, the... Read more
17-Nov-2010Source: Honeywell
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that Boeing has selected the 36-150 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for CH-147 helicopters that will be delivered to Canada. “Honeywell engines and auxiliary power units are powering helicopters around the world, but the Canadian Forces program marks the first selection of Honeywell’s APU for a Chinook helicopter,†said Vicki Panhuise,... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Latitude Technologies
Victoria, British Columbia, October 25, 2010 — Latitude Technologies Corp. of Victoria, BC, has been awarded the contract to supply up to 95 of its SkyNode® S200 satellite communication systems for the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) CH-146 Griffon helicopter fleet. The contract is the result of Latitude’s diligent work over the years to... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: The Telegram
It took two hours for a pair of military search and rescue (SAR) helicopters to arrive at the crash site – more than one hour after Cougar Helicopters’ SAR chopper arrived at the scene... Read more
