Top Aces was started by three former CF-18 pilots in 2000. Originally, the company's focus was on providing aviation consulting services to the Department of National Defence (DND) and mainstream original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

Given their extensive backgrounds in tactical fighter aviation, the three founding partners bid on, and subsequently won, the Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) contract to deliver fast air support to DND in 2005. Within a record 6 months of winning the CATS contract, Top Aces was flying their first missions in the Alpha Jet in support of the Canadian military. This early success was followed closely by the winning of a second contract in 2006 to provide Special Mission support with the Westwind aircraft.

Since winning the portfolio of CATS contracts, Top Aces has rapidly built an outstanding team of pilots, maintainers and support personnel that are focused on meeting the needs of the men and women of the Canadian Forces. Today, Top Aces is an exciting place to work that is fast growing and an industry leader in providing aviation solutions to the Government of Canada.

Milestones

Dec 2000 - Top Aces begins as a consulting firm, the founders use their technical and management skills to provide consulting services to large aerospace organizations such as Northrop Grumman, CAE and the Defence Research and Development Canada.

Mar 2002 - The Department of National Defence closes its Combat Support fleets. This consisted of the retirement of 28 CT-133 Silver Stars from operational service and the reassigning of 2 CC-144 Electronic Warfare Challenger aircraft to the VIP Transport role.

Jun 2003 - Top Aces partners with AfterBurner USA for a 3 year term for the Canadian license for a corporate management training program that uses fighter pilot training and mission planning techniques to teach companies how to achieve their goals through flawless execution. Clients include insurance companies, restaurant chains and major corporations in Canada.

Feb 2005 - On February 23rd, 2005, the Government of Canada awarded three national standing offers to Top Aces to provide airborne training services for the Canadian Forces. What use to be conducted by the CT-133 Silver Star and the CC-144 Electronic Warfare Challenger fleets, is now being serviced via contract to a civilian company at a fraction of the cost to DND. The standing offers are valued at up to $93.9 million for a period of three years, with two one-year options to renew.

Aug 2005 - Top Aces flies its first mission in support of the DND. Forward Air Controllers are trained for their future role in Afghanistan.

Feb 2006 - Top Aces wins 2 additional standing offers, for the delivery of Special Mission Support (Type 2) airborne services to DND.

Aug 2007 - Top Aces is acquired by Discovery Air. Discovery Air’s strategy of creating an alliance of profitable aviation businesses that can realize synergies, economies of scale and deliver safe, professional air services to clients in selected niche markets is an excellent fit for Top Aces.

Sept 2007 - Top Aces Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Air acquired 8 new Alpha Jets, this strategic expansion results in an increase in capacity that will facilitate Top Aces growth objectives within the company’s markets as well as third party military training markets outside Canada.