Field Aviation Awarded Contract by CAE to Upgrade CT-156 Harvard Aircraft

March 30, 2017
The upgrade will consist of the addition of a Traffic Advisory System (TAS) and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder system.

Toronto, Canada, March 30, 2017… Field Aviation was awarded a contract by CAE to upgrade the fleet of twenty-two (22) CT-156 Harvard trainer aircraft, which are used for the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program. The upgrade will consist of the addition of a Traffic Advisory System (TAS) and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder system.
 
The purpose of the TAS is to improve pilot situational awareness of other nearby aircraft by providing traffic detection and alerting appropriate for military flight training operations. A Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) GPS receiver will be installed with the ADS-B transponder system, allowing the aircraft to accurately determine and broadcast their position information to air traffic control (ATC), complying with the upcoming FAA NextGen ADS-B Out regulations. Field Aviation will be integrating this equipment into the CT-156 fleet, including designing the modification, manufacturing the parts, installing the kits and testing the equipment.
 
“We are proud to support the Government of Canada and CAE on this program,” said Rob Baseggio, Field Aviation’s vice president of business development. “This year both CAE and Field Aviation are celebrating 70 years in aviation, and how better to celebrate than by partnering together to demonstrate our collective capabilities, as well as the strength of the aerospace industry in Canada.”
 
This announcement follows news in January of this year that the Government of Canada had extended CAE’s contract for the NFTC program through at least 2023. CAE collaborates with the Royal Canadian Air Force as the prime contractor of the NFTC program, which delivers aircrew training for the Canadian forces and other NATO forces.  
 
 “With Field Aviation’s expertise in avionics upgrades this was an easy choice for us,” said Joe Armstrong, CAE Canada’s vice president and general manager. “This contract further demonstrates our commitment to the NFTC program and forms a part of our overall integration and enhancement plan.”
 
With over 70 years of experience creating unique technical solutions, Field Aviation is recognized as an industry leader in the design, manufacture, installation, flight test, and certification of modifications for commercial and special mission aircraft. Also recognized for its capabilities in avionics and interior upgrades, Field Aviation offers flight deck modernization, customized interior reconfigurations and refurbishments, and cargo conversions. Field Aviation is also a parts manufacturing and sub-assembly center of excellence for aircraft OEMs, and an avionics equipment dealer and authorized service center. With its innovative team of engineers and technicians, Field Aviation consistently demonstrates its expertise and dedication to making ordinary aircraft extraordinary.