Textron Aviation secures sale of advanced military training aircraft to SkyAlyne, KF Aerospace

Textron Aviation announced the first international sale of seven of its Beechcraft King Air 260 military multi-engine training aircraft. SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace selected the King Air 260 in support of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program to train pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The FAcT program was awarded to SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace. King Air 260 deliveries for the FAcT program are expected to begin in the first half of 2028.

The Beechcraft King Air 260 is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company.

The versatile and reliable Beechcraft King Air 260 will replace the fleet of Beechcraft King Air C-90B aircraft that has proudly served the RCAF for decades. The King Air 260 training aircraft will be delivered in a fully compliant, FAcT mission-ready configuration from Textron Aviation’s King Air production line in Wichita, Kansas.

“We're honored the King Air 260 has been selected, this time to fulfill the RCAF’s multi-engine training needs,” says Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation. “The King Air 260 will modernize multi-engine aircraft training by providing an intermediate and advanced training platform for RCAF pilots destined for operational squadrons in the heavy transport, maritime patrol or search and rescue roles. Following the U.S. Navy order, this consolidates the King Air 260 as the military multi-engine trainer for many generations of aspiring pilots.”

FAcT specific capabilities include factory options for a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible cockpit, TACAN (Air-to-Air), Angle of Attack (AOA), V/UHF radio, digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, condition-based maintenance plus, observer/jump seat, passenger mission seats and full-face oxygen masks.

“SkyAlyne is excited to be incorporating the Beechcraft King Air 260 into the FAcT program. It is a next-generation aircraft built on a platform with a proven track record of reliability and performance,” says Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s senior executive. “At SkyAlyne we are committed to delivering a world-leading training program to the RCAF and I thank the teams at Textron Aviation and KF Aerospace for their support.”

FAcT is a 25-year contract between the Government of Canada and SkyAlyne comprising a comprehensive Pilot and Aircrew training program that provides aircraft, simulators, civilian instructors, and classroom training systems, as well as other essential services.