Renfrew County to Host Royal Canadian Air Force Basic Tactical Aviation Course

From October 13 to November 10, 2026, the Basic Tactical Aviation Course (BTAC) 2602 will be conducted from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario. Training activities will occur throughout Renfrew County, Ontario, and the Pontiac region of Quebec. During this period, residents may observe Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters operating at low altitudes within authorized training areas.

Several landowners across the region have voluntarily granted access to their properties to support this training. Their cooperation enables more realistic operational environments for course candidates. Low-level flying operations are planned in the following areas: Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards; Madawaska Valley; Laurentian Hills; Pembroke; and Whitewater Region in Ontario; and Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Sheenboro, Lac-Nilgaut and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes in Quebec.

The course will employ armed infantry forces and simulated enemy forces to conduct realistic aviation-borne operations. Residents may notice the use of blank ammunition and pyrotechnics, including flares and smoke. These effects are part of a controlled simulation designed to replicate battlefield conditions and enhance realism for participating personnel.Simulated enemy forces will be identifiable by orange hunting caps and orange or yellow reflective armbands worn on the left arm. All weapons used during training will be clearly identified, and those firing blank ammunition will be equipped with blank firing adapters. Blank ammunition will only be used within designated training areas and authorized Land User Agreement locations. Local authorities will be advised of all simulation activities. Residents may also observe military vehicles operating throughout the region. There is no cause for concern.

BTAC develops the leadership, decision-making, and tactical expertise required to plan and execute complex helicopter operations. Through rigorous training in realistic operational environments, the course prepares Tactical Aviation Flight Leads to effectively support domestic and expeditionary 
missions.

Helicopter operations may generate unfamiliar noise and attract public attention. Training activities will be conducted only during daylight hours, which will reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities. All flying operations conducted by the RCAF are carefully planned and closely supervised to ensure public safety. These operations are subject to weather and flying conditions.