Pilot program at Portage

I have learned that the Air Force is experimenting with a new approach to pilot training to supplement what is done at Moose Jaw. Primary training remains at Portage la Prairie using the Grob 120A (there's a new training factility at Portage with extensive private sector involvement, as at the NATO Flying Training Centre at Moose Jaw).

In the past all who passed primary training then went on to Moose Jaw to train on Harvards IIs; after that a selection was made between those who would go back to Portage (multi-engine, helicopters) and those who would go to fighters--further Harvard and Hawk training at Moose Jaw and then to Cold Lake for yet more Hawk and then Hornet training.

Now some pilots will not go on to Moose Jaw after primary training but will do further Grob training and then move directly on to multis or helos (when courses are available) at Portage. In other words, those who do not move to Moose Jaw have been eliminated as possible fighter pilots after primary training, with a further selection made amongst the rest at Moose Jaw.

I presume eliminating the Harvard phase for some pilots will speed up their training appreciably. And it would seem that the advanced new facilities at Portage will make it easier for those who do not go to Moose Jaw nonetheless to develop their flying skills:

...
With six classrooms, 42 briefing rooms, two boardrooms, a theatre, flight planning centre, fitness centere, reference library, ceremonies hall, several flight simulators positioned throughout, and top-notch flight training, the facility is already earning international respect. The complex is also wired for interactive training and distance learning...

The facility will offer 36 different courses, including primary flying training, multi-engine training, helicopter training, and refresher courses. Under its contract, Allied Wings, which includes a consortium of Canadian companies, will provide 22 years of flight training and the aircraft required for the training-including nine Grob G120A aircraft for primary flying training and seven Raytheon King Air C-90Bs for multi-engine flying training. It will also convert seven Bell 206 Jet Rangers and de-militarize nine Bell 412 Griffon helicopters from the CF for helicopter training.

"The type of training will involve a lot more advanced training than we've been able to do in the past, especially working with larger, more complex aircraft," said LCol Palmer. "Developing new courseware for the new technologies has been our biggest challenge but other than that it's been a smooth ride."..

And it's worth noting that some pilots, after serving on multis, helos or fighters, are later able to switch communities.

More here:

Air Force pilot problems

Update: Thanks to the "Comments" I should clarify that some students simply choose themselves to continue on at Portage directly to multis or helos. Did not intend to give the impression that fighters were more important or that any majority of students were aiming for them.