Grob G 120TP / RCAF CT-102B Astra II
Information
SkyAlyne to display first two RCAF CT-102B Astra II (Grob G 120TP) at Aero Gatineau Ottawa air show
Grob Aircraft recently completed the aircraft manufacturing at their facility in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany and SkyAlyne subsequently completed factory acceptance activities. The aircraft will now undertake a trans-Atlantic ferry flight from Germany to their eventual home at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
“The stars have aligned such that the two newest aircraft destined for service in the RCAF will be en route to Moose Jaw from Germany, at just the right moment to allow us to invite the public to come see them in-person at Aero Gatineau Ottawa,” explained Harrison Ruess, SkyAlyne’s Head of Communications, Collaboration and Stakeholder Relations. “SkyAlyne is eager to support the RCAF in public engagement opportunities and demonstrate the new capabilities the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program will provide.”
When in service in the RCAF, the CT-102B Astra II will serve as the Basic Flying Training aircraft. This means all RCAF pilot trainees in the FAcT program will begin their flying careers on this platform. The two-seater aircraft is powered by the Rolls-Royce M250-B17F turbine engine, which produces up to 456 shaft horsepower. Paired with a typical operating weight in the range of approximately only 1,500kg, the result is a highly capable and responsive aircraft.
In total, SkyAlyne is acquiring 23 new Grob G 120TP aircraft for the RCAF and the FAcT program, with nine expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. Upon their arrival in Canada, the aircraft will be used to support continued development of the all-new FAcT capabilities, including ongoing development of lesson plans, courseware, instructor training, and other test and evaluation activities. These activities are expected to span the coming two-to-three years.
The FAcT program is currently in a multi-year transition period to become the sole ab initio Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF, as the current three separate RCAF training programs conclude, and their responsibilities are combined 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.
