In Canada, flight training appears to generally cover four phases, of these, phases II through IV are part of the NFTC program. Initial pilot instruction looks to be undertaken by Bombardier (Phase I) under contract with Canada. Participating countries are responsible for the equivalent to Phase I training prior to entry to NFTC.
Phase IIA Basic Flying Training is conducted on one of the 24 Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II turboprop trainer, aka T-6 Texan II. The course runs for 6.5-8months depending on time of year and flight conditions and includes 94 flying hours and 36 simulator hours, as well as over 220 hours of debriefings. After the completion of Phas IIA, student pilots who pass will progress to one of three areas, these are Phase IIB Jet, Phase III Multi-engine, or Phase III Rotary wing. The later two, Multi-engine and Rotary wing are both not part of the NFTC program.
Phase IIB Jet is a prep course for pilots who will operate fighter aircraft. It is also conducted on the Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II turboprop trainer, and the course covers 46 flying hours and 4 simulator hours, as well as ~67 hours of debriefing. Successful completion of Phase IIB allows the graduate to progress to Phase III.
Phase III Advanced Flying Training uses the BAE Systems Hawk 115 (CT-155 Hawk), with either 12 or 22 inventory (have conflicting numbers on this). The course runs 5-6 months depending on the time of year, covering 71 flying hours, 31 simulator hours and 200 hours of debriefing. Successful graduation allows progression to Phase IV.
Phase IV Flight Lead-In Training uses the BAE Systems Hawk 115 to provide basic knowledge needed to progress through any OCU and minimize the time needed to become a combat-ready pilot. It runs for 4 months, covering 49 flying hours, 18 simulator hours and 183 hours of debriefing. After completion of this phase, the pilots would move to their respective nations' OCU training for the different fighter aircraft.
Current participants are:
- The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) which sends 6 pilots through Phase II each year. Five of which will progress to Phases IIB, III, and IV. If the 6th student passes they are entered into Phase III for either Multi-engine or Rotary wing.
- The Royal Air Force (RAF) sends 20 pilots through Hawk 115 conversion training each year, followed by Phase IV training.
- The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) sends 6 pilots through Phases III and IV each year, with Phase IV being extended.
- The Italian Air Force (IAF) sends 3 student pilots through Phase II, and depending on success rate, onto Phases IIB, III and IV.
- The Hungarian Air Force (HuAF) send 7 pilots to Phase II training each year, with 5 then going onto Phases IIB, III and IV. The remaining 2 are sent to Phase III Rotary wing training.
Having gone through that, it appears that the NFTC program provides 140 hours flight time in a turboprop, and 120 hours in a fast jet/lead-in fighter. There is also 40 and 49 hours of sim time respectively. Also, from the program description
http://www.nftc.net/nftc/en/flash/nftc.jsp
the intent is to provide student pilots with flight experience and prepare potential fighter pilots for operations where situational awareness, etc is key. It doesn't seem to provide actual air combat training, or act as an OCU.
