• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Snowbird Future

  • Thread starter Thread starter ags281
  • Start date Start date
One thought I had as well, in theory we could expand the team if the RCAF wanted to some years in order to hit more air shows. With a much larger talent pool, and a aircraft thats cheaper to maintain, and would have less down time then the Tutor, its possible if we wanted to, say have two flights operating in the squadrons at multiple air shows.
 
MilEME09 said:
One thought I had as well, in theory we could expand the team if the RCAF wanted to some years in order to hit more air shows. With a much larger talent pool, and a aircraft thats cheaper to maintain, and would have less down time then the Tutor, its possible if we wanted to, say have two flights operating in the squadrons at multiple air shows.
Click to expand...
Or, hear me out, the RCAF focuses it efforts on Combat Readiness and Combat Capability, instead.

I know, I know…a bit radical. But, it just might catch on…
 
The Bread Guy said:
Cynical you be for one so young …
Click to expand...
Yoda speak you do well

yoda GIF
 
armrdsoul77 said:
A pilot's take: Why the Snowbirds' new turboprop is the right choice - Skies Mag
Click to expand...
I question their sincerity. If the Snowbirds are such an advantage for public relations, why take 5 years to find a new airframe? The government spends more than this on crappy commercials. Is our pilot shortage so bad that we need everyone we can keep? 19 a/c is not a huge order, is Pilatus so backlogged that they can't fill it any sooner? Have we actually put an order in or are we talking about it? Every action that the feds take seems like too little, too late.
 
YZT580 said:
I question their sincerity. If the Snowbirds are such an advantage for public relations, why take 5 years to find a new airframe? The government spends more than this on crappy commercials. Is our pilot shortage so bad that we need everyone we can keep? 19 a/c is not a huge order, is Pilatus so backlogged that they can't fill it any sooner? Have we actually put an order in or are we talking about it? Every action that the feds take seems like too little, too late.
Click to expand...
They are already operating with a limited number of experienced pilots and ground crew and are now transitioning to a new platform. During this period, they must maintain both fleets until the transition is complete and new personnel are fully trained. At the same time, the CAF is managing multiple platform changes, placing additional strain on an already stretched procurement system. Introducing another purchase simply to boost recruiting would add further pressure without addressing the core capacity challenges. One of the challenges with the Snowbirds is that their pilots are jet-qualified only.
 
Grunt_031 said:
They are already operating with a limited number of experienced pilots and ground crew and are now transitioning to a new platform. During this period, they must maintain both fleets until the transition is complete and new personnel are fully trained.
Click to expand...
Since the Snowbirds are being stood down, there is zero requirement to maintain the C-114 Tudor fleet as the fleet being divested.

Grunt_031 said:
At the same time, the CAF is managing multiple platform changes, placing additional strain on an already stretched procurement system.
Click to expand...
Uhm what is new in the RCAF currently?
P-8A is not online yet, so just the A330 MRTT, and going from one Airbus too another should not be a massive issue for the system.
Grunt_031 said:
Introducing another purchase simply to boost recruiting would add further pressure without addressing the core capacity challenges.
Click to expand...
Totally agree, one would think that fast tracking the jet trainer with a dual role system that could also do ground attack would actually expand the core, and allow the Snowbirds to be used to help develop the Combat side of the RCAF.

Grunt_031 said:
One of the challenges with the Snowbirds is that their pilots are jet-qualified only.
Click to expand...
And?
SeaKingTacco said:
Or, hear me out, the RCAF focuses it efforts on Combat Readiness and Combat Capability, instead.

I know, I know…a bit radical. But, it just might catch on…
Click to expand...
This 110%
 
CAF is beginning the F35 and P8 transition, posting crew to allies to get them experienced.

The old A310s are not comparable to A330s; last I looked the largest users of A310s are in Iran, hardly a hotbed of aviation modernity.

RPAS is also driving demand, nTACS will be transitioning from Griffon, modernized CH149 will be coming on line...

Lots going on in the RCAF.
 
YZT580 said:
I question their sincerity. If the Snowbirds are such an advantage for public relations, why take 5 years to find a new airframe? The government spends more than this on crappy commercials. Is our pilot shortage so bad that we need everyone we can keep? 19 a/c is not a huge order, is Pilatus so backlogged that they can't fill it any sooner? Have we actually put an order in or are we talking about it? Every action that the feds take seems like too little, too late.
Click to expand...
Because the priority is operational crew training not having people ready for airshows so you wont start doing stuff like this until the fleet is at FoC
 
Maxman1 said:
For the same reason as the Snowbirds, rapidly increasing maintenance costs and dwindling parts. When we have enough F-35s, the team will be stood up again.
Click to expand...
The 'demo team' was one aircraft with an annual fancy paint job. My experience as an observer only was that airframe was 'down for maintenance' a lot and a number of scheduled appearances were supplanted by a regular grey crew brought in at the last minute.

I suspect that, with the CF-35's fancy coating, a dedicated aircraft with a bespoke paint job will either be impossible or prohibitively expensive
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

daftandbarmy
    • Like
Snowbird pilot OK after crash landing
2
Replies
22
Views
19K
Quirky
Quirky
daftandbarmy
    • Like
The Management Myth
Replies
11
Views
27K
Brad Sallows
Brad Sallows
observor 69
    • Like
Western pilot flies MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jet
Replies
3
Views
18K
brihard
B
Retired AF Guy
    • Like
Origin of Covid — Following the Clues
Replies
15
Views
53K
medicineman
medicineman
Eye In The Sky
ISR article *Short Term Solutions*
Replies
12
Views
21K
Oldgateboatdriver
Oldgateboatdriver
Back
Top