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The first Airbus C295, purchased for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s search and rescue fleet, has completed its maiden flight.

Delivery of the aircraft is expected by the end of 2019.

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The aircraft took off from Seville, Spain, on July 4 and landed after a flight of one hour and 27 minutes, according to its manufacturer Airbus.

The contract, awarded in December 2016, includes 16 C295 aircraft, in-service support elements including, training and engineering services, the construction of a new training centre in Comox, British Columbia, and maintenance and support services, the firm noted.

The aircraft will be based where search and rescue squadrons are currently located: Comox, British Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Trenton, Ontario; and Greenwood, Nova Scotia.

(Photo above sows the first C295 for the RCAF on its maiden flight. Photo courtesy of Airbus)