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Snowbird Future

  • Thread starter Thread starter ags281
  • Start date Start date
Moving to a LIFT fleet would kinda break the universality of qualification that the Tutor had. Would restrict Snowbirds just to Fast Jet community.
And?

Despite appearances, the RCAF does not exist for the sole purpose of ensuring the continued operations of 431 Sqn.
 
Quick question without wanting to start a whole new thread... (not really Snowbird related, sorry)

The RCAF has CFB Moose Jaw that it uses for training. It also has Portage La Prairie, and CFB Winnipeg with the Dash-8 airframes & sensor operator training.


My question is - why have Moose Jaw AND Portage AND Winnipeg??

Does Portage offer training opportunities that simply aren't possible in Moose Jaw??
 
Whatever the MND announces on 19 May, I hope that it is not just a “buy 12 random aircraft so we can have display team”, but actually a larger strategy.
When was the last time DND/CAF thought about a "larger strategy" when purchasing big ticket items?
 
Moving to a LIFT fleet would kinda break the universality of qualification that the Tutor had. Would restrict Snowbirds just to Fast Jet community.
I am cool with that. More helo pilots for the flight ops Sqn flight line…
 
Quick question without wanting to start a whole new thread... (not really Snowbird related, sorry)

The RCAF has CFB Moose Jaw that it uses for training. It also has Portage La Prairie, and CFB Winnipeg with the Dash-8 airframes & sensor operator training.


My question is - why have Moose Jaw AND Portage AND Winnipeg??

Does Portage offer training opportunities that simply aren't possible in Moose Jaw??
For starters, we (DND) doesn’t own Portage La Prairie- Southport Development Corporation does.

Moose Jaw is not a “full” base. Lots of the functions are contracted.
 
Quick question without wanting to start a whole new thread... (not really Snowbird related, sorry)

The RCAF has CFB Moose Jaw that it uses for training. It also has Portage La Prairie, and CFB Winnipeg with the Dash-8 airframes & sensor operator training.


My question is - why have Moose Jaw AND Portage AND Winnipeg??

Does Portage offer training opportunities that simply aren't possible in Moose Jaw??
Yes it does. It doesn't have jets so a controller can run a normal circuit with compatible aircraft and not have to be concerned with speed differential. A circuit of 5 aircraft will generate close to 50 runway movements per hour. Inserting even a single tudor speed aircraft into the mix increases the risk factor significantly. Can he slow down enough, will the prop get airborne before the jet is over the threshold, the jet is training as well, how much skill does he have, can I rely upon him to overshoot if we have to etc., etc. These are all questions that make a tower controller's life more complex than it need be.
An airport such as WG does not have the time availability for local traffic. Perhaps if he could send his jet trainers off to Gimli or MacDonald (a name for you old timers) or the like but commercial traffic doesn't really like burning fuel whilst waiting for a training a/c to complete his approach and overshoot. As well, housing in places like Moose Jaw or Portage is far easier to come by than in Winnipeg and the crime rate is probably lower.
 
For starters, we (DND) doesn’t own Portage La Prairie- Southport Development Corporation does.

Moose Jaw is not a “full” base. Lots of the functions are contracted.
But I suspect it wouldn't take a lot to re-activate functions if the money were there.
 
When was the last time DND/CAF thought about a "larger strategy" when purchasing big ticket items?
River Class Destroyer program. Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. I can only speak for the RCN on this as I was adjacent to some of those discussions. Very much a larger strategy in discussion there.
 
Quick question without wanting to start a whole new thread... (not really Snowbird related, sorry)

The RCAF has CFB Moose Jaw that it uses for training. It also has Portage La Prairie, and CFB Winnipeg with the Dash-8 airframes & sensor operator training.


My question is - why have Moose Jaw AND Portage AND Winnipeg??

Does Portage offer training opportunities that simply aren't possible in Moose Jaw??
Well I was watching a Dash-8 do low passes over town today...along with a Lockheed L-188 (Navy version is a P-3) and a gaggle of AT-802U. No complaints when the air tankers are coming into to town...especially if they're reloading and going away from town for a fire.
 
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