Future Aircrew Training Program (FAcT)

After 17 years as a pilot in the RCAF, I transitioned to my career at CAE 6 months ago. In my role as the Training Development Lead for FAcT’s Basic Flight Training, I have the opportunity to transform the future of pilot training for the Canadian Armed Forces. FAcT will bring about a revolution in pilot training and I am excited to be a part of the team working to build a world leading military pilot training program. It is truly a once in a lifetime chance to contribute to the dawn of a new era for Royal Canadian Air Force pilot training. A highlight of my career at CAE so far has been to join the first Canadian pilots to train on the H3 Grob 120TP aircraft at the company’s factory in Germany, in preparation for the introduction of this new capability.

I am proud to join the team at CAE who recognize the incredible opportunity and responsibility to support our Canadian Armed Forces members. It makes me proud to stand beside these members while we work collaboratively to transform the RCAF’s aircrew training program.

For all of those experienced Qualified Flying Instructors out there, come join our team and be a part of this unique journey!

Working at CAE for the past 22 years has been an incredible journey filled with growth, learning, and countless memorable moments. From the very first day, I felt welcomed into a community of passionate and talented individuals who share a common goal of pushing the boundaries of innovation in aviation and simulation.

I began my career at CAE in September 2002 as a Harvard Servicing Technician, becoming an apprentice Hawk Aviation Technician in 2010, a journeyperson aircraft maintenance technician in 2014, a trainer and then Team lead in 2020, In 2023 I did some continuous improvement projects and was a backup Flight Safety technical investigator, and just this summer became the Senior Maintenance Manager for NFTC. Over the years, I've taken on various roles and responsibilities, including conducting maintenance on CT-155 aircraft, maintaining aircraft records, and providing on-the-job training and supervision to technicians and learners. My role has allowed me to gain a broad range of experience, including electrical, navigational, and flight controls, and to develop a proven technical aptitude.

The support and camaraderie among my colleagues have been a constant source of motivation and inspiration. We've celebrated successes together and navigated challenges with resilience and teamwork. CAE's commitment to excellence and continuous improvement has provided me with numerous opportunities for personal and professional development. Whether it's through training programs, collaborative projects, or simply the day-to-day interactions, I've grown immensely in my role.

Reflecting on my time here, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and the people who have made this journey so fulfilling. I am proud to be part of a company that values innovation, integrity, and the well-being of its employees. Here's to many more years of success and innovation at CAE!

I am delighted to share a bit of my journey with you. I am the Principal Chief of Engineering on the FAcT program at CAE, where I have been working for 28 years. What I love most about my role is being able to touch on all aspects of engineering.

One of the most exciting aspects is realizing that my work will be used by the RCAF for the next 25 years. Additionally, working on the FAcT program is particularly rewarding because it allows me to collaborate with various disciplines, such as training program development and data analytic systems.

I am proud to be part of CAE, a company that helps make the world of aviation and defense safer, especially when it matters most.

If you are passionate about engineering and love the world of aviation, join CAE for an extraordinary experience.

I have worked at CAE for over two decades, starting in engineering and progressively taking on broader roles in product development, business capture, strategy and program management. CAE has been an amazing company to work at with a great culture made possible by awesome employees. I have encountered my fair share of challenges and always had a colleague or leader to lean on to get through it.

The Future Aircrew Training program brings together many of the areas CAE has invested in and grown as we developed our training systems integration expertise. The scale of this program and importance to our customer is unmatched around the world. SkyAlyne, and CAE, is being entrusted to train all future aircrew in the RCAF before they enter their operational units.

I feel privileged to be leading this program and the incredible team that will deliver this generational program to the RCAF.

My current position is as a Civilian Qualified Flight Instructor (CQFI) teaching Phase 2 & 3 student pilots at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. I concluded a 27-year career with the RCAF back in March of 2024. My background included time on the CF-18 Hornet, the CT-155 Hawk and most recently on the CT-114 as part of the CAF Snowbirds. Nearing the end of my career, I was seeking an opportunity to continue to serve Canada. Through friends and colleagues, I was shown the opportunity that CAE provided to Veterans in the exact capacity I had spent my career building on.

Working with aspiring pilots, who are pursuing their RCAF Wings, is equally challenging and rewarding. I was given the opportunity to fly with some extremely talented/experienced Instructors when I went through the program many years ago. They provided me with the tools that helped me reach my goals. Now I find myself in that same position being to influence the next generation of aircrew by helping them reaching their goals. This is important to me.

For anyone who is looking to continue their career in the cockpit, while continuing to serve a higher purpose, you will find being a CQFI with CAE extremely rewarding.