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Snowbird Future

  • Thread starter Thread starter ags281
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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??
 
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.
 
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.
those are comparable a/c for a controller and a circuit operation. Take those same a/c and throw in two C150s on solo circuits including one on first solo and it gets complicated real quick. I had the joy of telling Transport 101 with Pierre on board to execute a missed approach because the L329 was getting too close to a student on his very first trip around the circuit. Imagine the same scenario with students in both the jets and the props. Safety first.
 
And?

Despite appearances, the RCAF does not exist for the sole purpose of ensuring the continued operations of 431 Sqn.

I'm not opposed to it. Just pointing out this is a change in strategy. Not sure if/how it impacts morale to make 431 more exclusive.
 
show up at HM for a couple of circuits and I know of at least one (no not me) local resident who will be on the phone to both TC and the majors office before the gear is in the wells after the first pass. You don't often hear from those of us who like aircraft but the other group never shuts up
The complaints both before and after the annual Toronto International Airshow are about as regular and predictable as the airshow itself.
 
With any luck we can break pilot into at least two different occs - rotary and fixed - and streamline training as well to increase throughput.
Ideally three, potentially 4.
Rotary Aviation (Hook, Griffon, Cormorant, Cyclone MH-60 ;) )
Fixed Wing Fast Jet (F-35, F-18)
Fixed Wing Turbo Prop (Herc, Kingfisher - anything else? )
Fixed Wing Jet (C-17, MRTT, P-8 and AEWCC)
 
Ideally three, potentially 4.
Rotary Aviation (Hook, Griffon, Cormorant, Cyclone MH-60 ;) )
Fixed Wing Fast Jet (F-35, F-18)
Fixed Wing Turbo Prop (Herc, Kingfisher - anything else? )
Fixed Wing Jet (C-17, MRTT, P-8 and AEWCC)
how could you forget the DHC6?
 
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