London, Ontario-based International Test Pilot School (ITPS) has just been awarded a contract that will have it training RCAF test pilots and flight engineers. The announcement came at the end of an international competition for the contract. RCAF personnel will come from the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) based at 4 Wing Cold Lake.

One of AETE’s primary functions is to test new systems destined to be installed in all Canadian military aircraft.

“We are delighted that the RCAF joins the growing number of NATO and industry customers that choose ITPS as a training provider for their flight test crews,” said ITPS president Giorgio Clementi. “Test pilots and flight test engineers will receive world-class training from our expert instructors. Our diverse fleet of training aircraft, including 11 jet trainers, two transonic fighter trainers, a heavy seaplane and a variety of helicopters will provide the breadth of experience essential for future flight testers.”

Among the fixed-wing aircraft models in the ITPS fleet are the Hawker Hunter T75, Aero Vodochody L-39C and L-29 ‘Delfin’, Beechcraft B60 Duke, Cirrus SR22, Diamond DA42-L360 and DA20 C-1 Eclipse, Grumman HU-16 Albatross, IAR 823 Brasov, Bombardier Challenger 601 3A-ER and the Embraer Phenom 300 and 500.

Rotary aircraft in ITPS’s fleet are the MBB BO-105M, Sikorski S-76, Agusta Westland AW119Ke, Bell 206 and the Squirrel AS350.

The contract, in the form of a Standing Offer, will last for three years with an option for two additional one-year extensions.

ITPS counts expert pilots and instructors from around the world on its staff, and equally draws students from beyond Canada’s shores. It is also a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Approved Training Organization.

Photo credit: ITPS