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McAir Aviation Expands Pilot Training Capacity with New Watkins, Colorado Location – Deploying Another 10 Aircraft

Colorado, USA – McAir Aviation has officially opened its second flight training location at Colorado Air and Space Port, expanding its pilot-training capacity as the United States prepares for a prolonged period of pilot retirements and sustained airline fleet growth. The new facility enhances McAir’s operational footprint beyond its long-established Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport base in Superior, where the school has been training pilots since 1994.

  • The FAA approved McAir Aviation to operate the new campus, which opens with six Cessna 172S aircraft—three equipped with G1000 avionics and three with NAV II—as well as a dedicated hangar, maintenance shop, classrooms and a flight simulator.

  • The school plans to add ten additional aircraft by the end of next year and expand to 100–150 students in training.

  • The Colorado Air and Space Port location provides less congested airspace compared to Centennial and Rocky Mountain Metro, supporting more efficient training operations.

  • The facility supports the Altitude Pilot Pathway, McAir’s partnership with Allegiant Air and Metropolitan State University of Denver, offering students a structured route through their certificates and ratings with a direct pathway toward airline employment.

  • McAir reports strong early interest in the new campus, with 25 students already enrolled, some transferring from the Superior location and others newly joining the programme.

Statements

  • “We are very excited to have McAir Aviation… with increasing demand for pilots, the forecasts currently predict a grey tsunami of older pilots retiring over the next five or ten years.” – Jeff Kloska, Director, Colorado Air and Space Port

  • “There definitely is a pilot shortage. We’re excited to help address the issue.” – Thomas Rogers, Chief Flight Instructor, McAir Aviation “Expanding to Colorado Air and Space Port… allows McAir to make flight training more accessible to students across the Denver metro area and beyond.”

Source: McAir Aviation, Colorado Air and Space Port and local media

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New Basic Training Aircraft Delivered in 2025 for Canadian Military Pilot Program

Canada – SkyAlyne, a Canadian joint venture formed by CAE and KF Aerospace, has achieved a major milestone with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) formally accepting the first four CT-102B Astra II (Grob G 120TP) aircraft at 15 Wing Moose Jaw as part of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

  • The CT-102B aircraft, which will serve as the Basic Flying Training platform under FAcT, will be used for instructor development, evaluation, and training support for both military and civilian trainers.

  • The aircraft are powered by a Rolls-Royce M250-B17F engine, feature a glass cockpit, and are fully aerobatic — optimised for foundational pilot training.

  • Acceptance activities, including test flights and inspections, were conducted on-site at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

  • A total of 23 CT-102Bs are planned as part of the 71-aircraft FAcT fleet; the fifth aircraft arrived on November 17, with additional deliveries scheduled for 2026.

  • CAE serves as the lead operator and maintenance provider at Moose Jaw, while KF Aerospace leads FAcT operations at Southport, Manitoba.

  • Earlier milestones in the programme included a “Welcome to Canada” ceremony during AeroGatineau Ottawa and factory acceptance tests at Grob Aircraft in Germany.

Source: SkyAlyne
Photo Credit: SkyAlyne

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