The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
and its Importance to Canada

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was one of Canada's significant contributions to the Second World War. It proved to be a pivotal effort that contributed significantly to the Allied victory and laid the foundation for the modern Royal Canadian Air Force.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said the BCATP was "Canada's greatest contribution to the Allied victory in the Second World War." In a letter, United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt described Canada's role as the trainer as being the 'aerodrome of democracy.' 

The Canadian BCATP graduates became the foundation of the Royal Canadian Air Force and they made significant contributions to the Air Campaigns. Trained aircrew arrived during a crucial period for the Allied Air Forces. The new aircrews played a pivotal role in supporting the Allied air offensive over the Atlantic, North Africa, and Europe, which ultimately led to the Allied victory in World War II.

At the onset of hostilities in 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force was a modest force of only 4,000 men. However, by the war's end, it had grown to become 232,632 men and 17,030 women. The number of aircrew training facilities also saw a remarkable expansion, from a mere 2 in 1939 to 231 across Canada. By 1945, Canada had the fourth-largest Air Force among the Allied Forces, a testament to the BCATP's significant impact.

Instructors trained recruits from across the Commonwealth at 231 sites operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Plan created infrastructure and facilities, including 100 airfields, 107 schools and 184 ancillary units and operated in communities across the country. At its peak, the organization was staffed by 104,113 men and women, both military and civilian, and involved 10,906 training aircraft. 
Under the BCATP, an impressive 3,000 trainees graduated each month. These graduates, including pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, wireless operators, air gunners, and flight engineers, went on to serve in the RCAF and other Allied Air Forces.

• 72,835 graduates joined the Royal Canadian Air Force  (RCAF)
• 42,110 graduates joined the Royal Air Force (RAF)
• 9,606 joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
• 7,002 joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)

The endeavour also trained 2,000 French, 900 Czechoslovakian, 680 Norwegians, 450 Poles, and approximately the same number of Belgians and Dutch. Many Americans also graduated from the program. 

The 72,835 Canadian graduates would go on to provide pilots and crews for the 45 RCAF Squadrons sent overseas, as well as the 40 Squadrons based in Canada for home and coastal defence.
Canadians flew a variety of aircraft, including bombers, fighters, anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as transport aircraft, in operational missions and other support roles worldwide. Their service was crucial in maintaining air superiority and supporting ground operations. 

The Sacrifice
Eight hundred fifty-six (856) trainees and instructors died during BCATP's five years of operation. The deaths were part of the inherent risks of flight training during the war, even as the BCATP maintained a relatively high safety record with one fatal accident for every 22,388 hours of flying time by 1944. During the war, the RCAF would lose an additional 17,101 of their members on missions and during operational training. 

Lasting Legacy
In addition to its contribution to the foundation of the modern RCAF, the BCATP had a profound and positive impact on the development of Canada's commercial aviation industry. The extensive training facilities and the large number of trained personnel provided a solid foundation for the post-war expansion of Canada's aviation sector, leading to the growth of its airports and airlines. 

After the war, the pilots of Canadian Allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continued to train at several modernized BCATP base locations. They flew practice missions across the Canadian countryside. The 25-year legacy of the NATO Flying Training in Canada Program, which was a key part of NATO's efforts to standardize and improve the training of its aircrews, came to an end in 2024. However, the RCAF and Canadian Industry are developing a new Future Fighter Lead-in Training (FFLIT) program and the new broader Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program to continue this tradition of excellence in military training. 

With the introduction of the new Joint Strike Fighter and multinational industrial cooperation, Canada is likely to continue offering military training to Allied military pilots and aircrew in the near future.