Utility planes for Air Force at Trenton

Seems a good idea given pressures on Herc fleet (via Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs):

New Multi-Engine Utility Flight at Trenton

The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the contracting of Aero Support Canada Inc. to provide aircraft and maintenance support at 8 Wing, Trenton.

The contract, worth up to $11.5 million over five years, allows the newly-created Multi-Engine Utility Flight (MEUF) to provide cost-effective light transport capabilities and training opportunities to help pilots maintain their flight proficiency.

2006 model Hawker Beechcraft King Air B200. Credit: Pte Allyssa D. Carter.

2006 model Hawker Beechcraft King Air B200. Photo Credit: Pte Allyssa D. Carter.

"Today's announcement demonstrates this government's commitment to providing Canada's Air Force with the equipment and capabilities it needs," said Minister MacKay. "The new Multi-Engine Utility Flight will offer the ability to undertake light transportation duties in a cost-effective manner, while helping our pilots keep their skills sharp [emphasis added, sounds like some Herc pilots may not be getting enough flying time]."

The company, Aero Support Canada Inc. [no website I could find] will service the contract out of its offices in London, Ont., providing and maintaining two 2006 model Hawker Beechcraft King Air B200s, a twin-turboprop aircraft [multi-engine Air Force pilots get their wings on King Airs at Portage, Manitoba, with a private partner]. The aircraft have had the Air Force roundels painted on them, and will receive additional Air Force markers in the near future.

"Services like this provide great support for Canada's Air Force," said Lieutenant-General Angus Watt, Chief of the Air Staff. "The Multi-Engine Utility Flight will enable us to carry out smaller transport missions where use of a larger aircraft is not possible or cost-effective."

The B200s will be flown by CF pilots. Five pilots are already qualified, having received approximately 80 hours of classroom instruction and simulation training from Aero Support Canada Inc. and Flight Safety International Inc., and have completed approximately 20 hours of type-specific flight training.

The MEUF will operate only in North America, taking on duties such as the movement of small groups of people or light equipment to smaller destinations.