The Canadian designation system is based on a simplified version of the
American system.  A designation consists of the letter "C" (for Canadian),
a letter to indicate the aircraft's role, a dash, and a number, sometimes
followed by a letter to indicate a modification; usually "A" for a modified
version, or "D" for a dual-control trainer.  Sometimes the aircraft's
original designation in its country of origin is used, with some
modification; for example, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, in Canadian
service, is known as the CC-130, versions being CC-130E (C-130E) and
CC-130H (C-130H) transports and CC-130HT (KC-130H) tankers.

The numbers are assigned in a single sequence for all types in Canadian
service, and are always over 100.  This has led to a few aircraft having a
real designation that differs from the one they're commonly known by; for
example, the F-5 and F/A-18 in Canadian service are usually referred to as
the CF-5 and CF-18, but the correct designations are CF-116 and CF-188,
respectively.

Role letters:

    C = Cargo transport
    E = Electronics
    F = Fighter
    H = Helicopter
    P = Maritime patrol
    T = Trainer

Types in current Canadian service:

    CH-113 Labrador          = Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight
    CT-114 Tutor             = Canadair CL-41 Tutor
    CC-115 Buffalo           = De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
    CF-116 ("CF-5")          = Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter
    CH-118 Iroquois          = Bell UH-1 Iroquois
    CH-124 Sea King          = Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King
    CC-130 Hercules          = Lockheed C-130 Hercules
    CT-133 Silver Star       = Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
    CT-134 Musketeer         = Beech Musketeer
    CH-135                   = Bell 212
    CH-136 Kiowa             = Bell OH-58 Kiowa
    CC-137                   = Boeing 707
    CC-138 Twin Otter        = De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
    CH-139 Jetranger         = Bell 206 Jetranger
    CP-140 Aurora/Arcturus   = Lockheed P-3 Orion derivatives
    CC-142/CT-142            = De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8
    CC-144/CE-144 Challenger = Canadair CL-601 Challenger
    CC-145 King Air          = Beech King Air 200
    CH-146 Griffon           = Bell 412 (about to enter service)
    CC-150 Polaris           = Airbus A310
    CF-188 ("CF-18") Hornet  = McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet