Canadian International Test Pilots School Signs MoU With Korean Aerospace to Promote T-50 Jets

Canada’s International Test Pilots School (ITPS) announced today it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) to promote the FA-50/ T-50 for tactical and adversary training.

The International Tactical Training Center (ITTC) is the only commercial entity providing advanced fighter pilot training including Fighter Weapons Instructor Courses, Advanced Tactics Courses and Mission Commander courses to international customers. ITTC is currently providing Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in London, Ontario. It operates a fleet of Aero Vodochody L-39 featuring upgraded avionics for the FLIT programme.

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“The KAI FA-50 is a great aircraft!” says ITPS President Giorgio Clementi. “The aircraft’s performance, flying qualities and mission capabilities make it the ideal platform for tactical and adversary training missions and a great fit for ITPS to replace our L-39 fleet. A new aircraft supported by the manufacturer and with the associated engineering and logistical support ensures reliable and cost-effective operations into the future. The FA-50 is a winner and we are delighted to be collaborating with KAI!”

KAI has partnered with Lockheed Martin for marketing the T-50 to international customers.

In June, South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reached out to KAI to provide 20 TA-50 combat trainers for 688 billion won ($575 million). The KIA has previously supplied 64 T-50 advanced trainer jets worth $2.4Billion to countries such as Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, Peru, and the Philippines

The T-50 is equipped with General Electric F404-102 turbofan engines, Triple redundant digital fly by wire controls, and AN/APG-67 Radar. In terms of navigational equipment, the T-50 is equipped with a Honeywell H-764G embedded global positioning/inertial navigation system and HG9550 radar altimeter.