Textron Aviation Secures First International Sale of Advanced Military Training Aircraft to SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace

New Beechcraft King Air 260 Aircraft to Modernize Royal Canadian Air Force’s Multi-Engine Training Fleet

Beechcraft King Air 260 in flight

WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 27, 2025) — Textron Aviation today announced the first international sale of seven of its Beechcraft King Air 260 military multi-engine training aircraft. SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace selected the King Air 260 in support of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program to train pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The FAcT program was awarded to SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace. King Air 260 deliveries for the FAcT program are expected to begin in the first half of 2028.

The Beechcraft King Air 260 is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. 

The versatile and reliable Beechcraft King Air 260 will replace the fleet of Beechcraft King Air C-90B aircraft that has proudly served the RCAF for decades. The King Air 260 training aircraft will be delivered in a fully compliant, FAcT mission-ready configuration from Textron Aviation’s King Air production line in Wichita, Kansas.

“We are honored the King Air 260 has been selected, this time to fulfill the RCAF’s multi-engine training needs,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation. “The King Air 260 will modernize multi-engine aircraft training by providing an intermediate and advanced training platform for RCAF pilots destined for operational squadrons in the heavy transport, maritime patrol or search and rescue roles. Following the U.S. Navy order, this consolidates the King Air 260 as the military multi-engine trainer for many generations of aspiring pilots.”

FAcT specific capabilities include factory options for a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible cockpit, TACAN (Air-to-Air), Angle of Attack (AOA), V/UHF radio, digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, condition-based maintenance plus, observer/jump seat, passenger mission seats and full-face oxygen masks.

Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) configured cockpit

“SkyAlyne is excited to be incorporating the Beechcraft King Air 260 into the FAcT program. It is a next-generation aircraft built on a platform with a proven track record of reliability and performance,” commented Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s senior executive. “At SkyAlyne we are committed to delivering a world-leading training program to the RCAF and I thank the teams at Textron Aviation and KF Aerospace for their support.”  

FAcT is a 25-year contract between the Government of Canada and SkyAlyne comprising a comprehensive Pilot and Aircrew training program that provides aircraft, simulators, civilian instructors, and classroom training systems, as well as other essential services.

Endless Special Missions Possibilities

When government, military and commercial customers want airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation. The company’s aviation solutions provide the high-performance and flight characteristics required to address the unique challenges of special missions operations. With unparalleled quality, versatility and low operating costs, Textron Aviation products are ideal for air ambulance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); utility transport, aerial survey, flight inspection; training and many other special operations.

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We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special missions, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight.

For more information, visit www.txtav.com | specialmissions.txtav.com | defense.txtav.com | scorpion.txtav.com.

Textron is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.

For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they