Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Production test flights of Airbus H135 helicopters for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program have taken place, a key step on the path to training Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots. The RCAF designation for the H135 is CT-153-Juno, and this aircraft was chosen by training contractor SkyAlyne as the helicopter training platform for the RCAF.
The next step is completion of the helicopters, which includes paint and supplemental type certification modifications to be done at the Airbus Helicopters facility in Fort Erie, Ontario.
“By operating twin engines from the outset of training, future RCAF pilots will be immersed in a real-world environment that matches the current operational fleet, ensuring a seamless transition to their first operational units,” said SkyAlyne head of training David Farman. “With Airbus’ Helionix avionics system, which is standard on twin-engine platforms, trainees will gain experience with advanced digital cockpits, a step forward from the analog systems in the current training fleet.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Future Aircrew Training H135/CT-153 Helicopters Prep for RCAF Service

Twin-engine configuration and Helionix avionics will prepare pilots for advanced operations

Production test flights of Airbus H135 helicopters for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program were conducted, a key step for training RCAF pilots. 

Future Aircrew H135/CT-153 Helos Prep for RCAF Service

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In this article

EC135/H135

Airbus Helicopters

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Sergei Sikorsky Flies West at Age 100

He was an eyewitness to the birth and development of the helicopter

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test

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