BY JOETEY ATTARIWALA

A Sovereign Training Capability

If you’ve visited Southwest Ontario recently and heard some unusual sounds coming from the sky, look up. Sky watchers will be treated to the sights and sounds of flight test and tactical training student pilots receiving training by some of the world’s best. ITPS Canada, headquartered in London, Ontario is comprised of the International Test Pilots School (ITPS) and the International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC). These units employ a highly experienced cadre of staff, most of whom are veterans of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Allied air arms.

As an EASA Approved Training Organisation, ITPS Canada offers Government-to-Government training agreements through the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). Clients include the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Belgian Air Component, Australian Defence Force and major aircraft manufacturers including Airbus, Leonardo, Korea Aerospace Industries and Turkish Aerospace Industries, with an ability to expand to other allied forces.

The company is a trusted partner of the RCAF, offering a sovereign capability for training their next generation of test pilots and flight test engineers. ITPS graduates are armed with the knowledge and skills to successfully plan, conduct and report on critical defence capital acquisition programs across fixed and rotary wing aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems. They are actively involved in flight test programs that contribute directly to the capability of Canada and allies, enhancing operational effectiveness of existing platforms, and maximizing the capability of future aircraft acquisitions.

ITPS is an Ontario Ministry of Education Designated Learning Institution, offering Master of Science Degrees in Flight Testing and Flight Test Engineering to suitably qualified graduates. It is one of only 8 internationally recognized test pilot schools in the world, and the only one located in Canada, providing a Canadian training solution and allowing taxpayers’ money to stay in Canada.

“We’ve been training the next generation of flight test professionals for the Royal Canadian Air Force for the past three years,” said Dave Lohse, VP Flight Test at ITPS Canada. “Our graduates are working on leading-edge programs that directly support Canadian sovereignty, and we are committing to continued collaboration to expand our support to the RCAF in the years to come. We want the RCAF to see us not just as a potential training provider but as an already established and trusted training provider and a strategic national asset. We’re executing today, and we remain willing and able to increase our training support as and when required.”

FIGHTER LEAD-IN TRAINING

With the closure of NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC), ITPS Canada is now the only Canadian-based training solution able to provide NATO Phase III-IV Fighter Lead-in Training (FLIT) through ITTC, a service they have been providing to Allied air arms since 2001.

To fulfill its remit, ITTC collaborates with industry partners to develop, test and implement cutting-edge and cost-effective aviation training and simulation technologies, advancing defence capabilities and fostering growth in the aerospace industry. The division provides ab-initio and advanced fighter-jet tactical training, such as Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT, NATO Phase II-IV) and Fighter Weapons Instructor Courses (FWIC) to Allied air arms around the world.

ITTC currently operates the L-39 jet trainer and is in active negotiations for the acquisition of a next generation supersonic advanced jet trainer to future-proof their training capability and provide a world-class 5th Generation training pipeline to the RCAF, NATO and Allied air arms around the world.

“The government, as well as other participants from major air forces, recognize that ITPS Canada, through ITTC, can provide a customized training solution that meets their training needs for NATO air forces’ current 4th and 5th Gen fighter pilots,” said Brendan ‘Darcee’ Pierce, VP Tactical at ITTC. “Based on our resources, Sim Centre, aircraft, and training capabilities, we can provide an immediate solution for militaries in need of fighter pilot training — that includes the ability to train RCAF pilots and those of our allies so they are the best prepared that they can be.”

ITTC is implementing new capabilities as it incorporates in-house developed avionics upgrades for their L-39 jet trainers. The Avionics Upgrade Program II (AUP II) will combine a modern, touch-sensitive large area avionics display with a heads-up-display and embedded training system. ITTC is also developing its own L-39 advanced flight simulation products to supplement the training that pilots do in the aircraft, and has a roadmap to implement live, virtual, constructive training into their syllabus.

“Exposing students to an advanced human-machine interface and simulated battle space reflective of modern fighter aircraft allows for significant download and offload training, maximizing training effectiveness, efficiency and cost savings,” said Lohse.

“Canada no longer needs to outsource tactical training,” added Lohse. “Canada has a sovereign training capability available to allow control over the standard, the syllabus, the instructors and the aircraft we offer to our RCAF pilots. ITPS prides itself in offering tailored solutions to our students to ensure they receive training based on the unique needs of their air force. This is why ITPS is world renowned for producing pilots that will meet their needs today and into the future.”

LOOKING AHEAD

ITTC is actively planning to expand its training footprint to other facilities and locations within Canada to ensure access to airfields and airspace suitable for conducting advanced tactical training activities in support of current and future training needs of Canada and Allies. The company continues to scale its in-house R&D capability to meet the ever-growing need for suitable and affordable fast jet training platforms incorporating modern avionics and networked embedded training systems.

“We are working hard to educate and inform people about what we do,” said Lohse. “You’ve got the International Test Pilots School, training test pilots and flight test engineers from Canada, Allied air arms and industry around the world. Then you’ve got ITTC, the International Tactical Training Center, providing Fighter Lead-In Training and advanced tactical training to Allied air arms around the world. We are much more than a test pilot school — we are a dynamic, strategic aerospace partner for a more secure and resilient Canada.”

Joetey Attariwala is CDR’s Aviation Editor