Graham Warwick/ATLANTA
CANADA HAS submitted a "power-by-the-hour" proposal to host advanced flying-training for European NATO nations. The NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) proposal is backed by an industry team, led by Bombardier and including British Aerospace and CAE, which would own and operate the aircraft and simulators used.
The NFTC syllabus is now being finalised with input from prospective NATO customers, after which Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) will draw up a shortlist of suitable turboprop basic trainers from which Bombardier will select a winner, with a requirement for up to 35 aircraft. The BAe Hawk 100 has already been selected for advanced and fighter lead-in training, with a potential requirement for up to 32 aircraft.
A priced proposal based on the costs associated with the selected aircraft types is expected to be submitted to NATO early in 1996, leading to decisions by individual European nations during 1997. Countries signing up for the full 20 years will pay the lowest cost per training hour, says Lt Col Ian Milani, head of the DND's Canadian Aerospace Training Project. Shorter commitments will entail higher hourly prices, he says.
Milani believes that the Canadian bid is complementary to the offer submitted by the US Air Force, to host training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, where the present Euro-NATO Joint Jet Training Programme is located. The syllabus proposed by Canada is slanted more towards tactical training than the programme offered by the USA, he believes. Under the NFTC proposal, NATO training would be conducted at CFB Moose Jaw and CFB Cold Lake.
The US offer requires participating nations to buy the aircraft required for their share of training. The decision date of 1997 is tied to the USAF's wish to order more Joint Primary Aircraft Training System aircraft for the NATO programme early in the production cycle, to secure a lower unit price.
Source: Flight International
