Half a dozen Italian-made jet training aircraft coming to North Bay
A new chapter is being written in North Bay’s history of training military pilots.
The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) has signed a contract with Leonardo Aeronautics for six M-346 T Block 20 aircraft, with options for an additional six units.
They’re expected to enter service starting in 2029 in North Bay, with officials saying they will support the expansion of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot training locally.
“The M346 continues Italy’s illustrious track record of producing world leading jet trainer aircraft,” says Giorgio Clementi, ITPS Executive Chairman. “The new trainers are expected to enter service at the company’s International Tactical Training Centre base in North Bay starting in 2029, providing a major contribution to the first capability enhancement project of the ITTC fleet, currently active in providing training to several international customers and to meet advanced tactical training service demand from in excess of ten different air forces globally.”
Stefano Bortoli, Leonardo Aeronautics Division’s Managing Director, says the M-346 has made remarkable progress in recent years becoming the backbone of one-of-a-kind integrated training capabilities hosting a rapidly growing number of Air Forces on a global scale.
“The decision of ITPS to select and procure the M-346 to deliver world class lead-in fighter training for the next generation of pilots and allow them to face rapidly changing and increasingly challenging operational scenarios, provides further evidence of the undisputable high performance of the system,” says Bortoli. “We’re committed to working with ITPS to make sure they can maximize the benefits of this latest technology and capability in order to maintain and even expand the quality level of the service their customers deserve.”
ITPS Canada employs over 200 staff at facilities in London, Ontario and North Bay. Flight training has been ongoing in the city for the past year, with North Bay no stranger to training military pilots.
The North Bay Museum says during World War II, the Royal Air Force Ferry Command established a special flying school at the airport, training airmen from 23 countries.
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After the war, the Air Force left and donated buildings and assets to the airport.
The military would return in 1951 and establish RCAF Station North Bay, later Canadian Forces Base, and now 22 Wing North Bay.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
