Kip Powick Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 1 hour ago, boestar said: Perhaps this is more to your liking. a little pricier. Pure Gold Coin – 100ᵗʰ Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force | The Royal Canadian Mint Absolutely...but being one of the elders of the RCAF, I would have preferred Per Ardua Ad Astra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Kip Powick said: Absolutely...but being one of the elders of the RCAF, I would have preferred Per Ardua Ad Astra Seems that you are maybe living in the past or was this the moto when you left? er ardua ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "through adversity to the stars"[1] or "through struggle to the stars"[2] that is the official motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force, as well as the Royal Indian Air Force until 1947. The Royal Canadian Air Force used it until 1968, when it adopted the motto sic itur ad astra, a similar phrase meaning "such is the pathway to the stars". It dates from 1912, when it was adopted by the newly formed Royal Flying Corps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 I am well aware of how the new motto came out. It happened because when the Forces intergrated in Feb '68 and the Royal Canadian Air Force lost it's identity. I was on the SIT course, (School of Instructional Technique ), at that time and the three branches of the Forces had a multi branch cocktail party in the Warrant Officer Mess. It was the welcoming party into the "new" Canadian Forces Two members of the "former" military branches were selected to carry the emblem of their previous branch, carved out of wood, and throw it in the burning fire place in the Warrant Officers Mess in Clinton Ontario. The Army did it first with their crossed swords emblem and everyone toasted the procedure by sipping on champange, The RCN was next with their anchor emblem followed by more sipping and then myself and my RCAF buddy were last. We carried the Gold Eagle emblem and threw it in the fireplace and then while others sipped their champagne, we gulped the remaining champagne and then fired the empty glasses into the fireplace. The Chief Warrant Officer, not being happy with our actions escorted the two of us out of the Warrant Officers Mess Gen Carr formed Air Command in '75 and the new motto was incorporated into the new RCAF badges......however prior to the forming of Air Command "many " of us continued to wear the RCAF Officers cap badge that still had the old logo on it, infact I had it on my cap until I hung up my "spurs". As well, many of us wore our RCAF pilot wings sewn under our tunic lapel because the new intergrated force made us wear whet we called the CF "Cracker Jack " pilot wing above the breast pocket. One senior officer formed the RCAF club and for a few dollars we all got a tie tack of the RCAF piiot wings, I was number 105, which was engraved on the back of the tie tack. All of us hated the green uniform and on one flight, while in the terminal in Shannon Ireland, (refueling stop), I had a little old lady come up to me and ask how much she could declare on her Customs form when she flew back to Shannon from Paris..... It was hard to even think of not being a member of the RCAF at that time, but like everything else, you get used to change and make the best of it... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFG Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 13 hours ago, Kip Powick said: .... IMO... Just the RCAF roundel in centre with, perhaps, " Royal Canadian Air Force - Centennial 1924-2024" scribed around the outside circumference would have been nice. Eye of the beholder, of course, but I think the overall design is fine. My $0.02 quibble would be that they might have used Canadian airplanes, or at least Canadian built. Perhaps swap out the CF-18 for the 'Clunk' (too bad the Arrow never made the RCAF inventory), Herc for the North Star (a Canadian derivative), Chinook for the Sea King (most built in Canada)? IAC, they're a nice commemoration (& the selections can certainly be justified by their long service histories). Cheers, IFG - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st27 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 Maybe I missed something previously but this caught my eye…..not an indication of a strong Air Force: Quote Canada will now be sending up to seven Canadian students each year to ENJJPT, when the NATO Flying Training in Canada will come to an end. CT-155 Hawk aircraft training at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Sask. ceased already in Summer 2023 and will now end entirely on 8 March 2024 when 419 squadron will stand down. https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/swansong-for-canadian-hawks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 RADIO LIVE Calgary’s Arcfield Canada awarded $211 million for upkeep on CF-18 fighter jets By Jennifer Ivanov Global News Posted March 7, 2024 5:12 pm Calgary based Arcfield Canada has been awarded a $211 million contract to continue maintenance Canada's aging CF-18 fleet. Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press Calgary’s Arcfield Canada has been awarded a federal contract worth $211 million to help maintain and “sustain” Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 fighters. The planes are expected to be phased out of service by 2032. George Chahal, MP for Calgary Skyview, made the announcement Thursday at Arcfield’s Calgary office, saying the investment will help “ensure the fleet is operationally ready and able to deliver for Canada.” Chahal made the announcement on behalf of Minister of National Defence Bill Blair and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos. “Today’s announcement is excellent news for the Royal Canadian Air Force and for our world-class defence industry here in Alberta,” Chahal said. “By investing in a trusted Calgary company, our government is supporting good, skilled jobs for Albertans, and ensuring that the women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force will have the tools that they need to do their jobs.” In a new release, the Department of National Defence said Arcfield will continue to support the CF-18 fleet’s avionics weapons systems, supply parts as needed and provide end-to-end supply chain services. The government said the contract will ensure that avionics spare parts will be made available to CF-18 technicians along with the planning, purchasing, warehouse management and repair of spare parts. “The CF-18, as we all know, is dating back to 1982, so the technology is fairly old,” said Jacques Comtois, director of operations with Arcfield. “Canada, over the years, has continued to maintain, upgrade them and the latest upgrade will make sure they are operational, but also mission capable in this new environment we have today for the next 10 years.” “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase that Calgary is a strong inland port and we are also doing some great work on national defence,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. The Defence department predicted the contract would create or sustain as many as 370 high skilled jobs in Calgary and input $41 million annually into Canada’s gross domestic product over a ten-year period. “This investment will help to ensure that Canada’s fighter fleet remains interoperable with that of our allies, meets civil/military aviation regulations, and effectively meets operational commitments primarily with North American Air Defence Command and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization until the permanent replacement fighter fleet of F-35 jets is expected to be fully operational in 2032,” the government said. The contract is for an initial five-year period. The investment comes the same week the federal government pledged $45.3 million for energy retrofits at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. The Defence department said that the project is to upgrade 124 buildings at the base and reduce its energy costs by 21 per cent, saving an estimated $2 million annually. Upgrades include LED lighting, modernized heating and cooling equipment, replacing fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives, and more. It also said greenhouse gas emissions would be lowered by almost 5,200 tonnes each year. The department says the upgrades won’t affect military operations and are expected to be complete in 2026. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 2 hours ago, Malcolm said: RADIO LIVE Calgary’s Arcfield Canada awarded $211 million for upkeep on CF-18 fighter jets By Jennifer Ivanov Global News Posted March 7, 2024 5:12 pm Calgary based Arcfield Canada has been awarded a $211 million contract to continue maintenance Canada's aging CF-18 fleet. Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press Calgary’s Arcfield Canada has been awarded a federal contract worth $211 million to help maintain and “sustain” Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 fighters. The planes are expected to be phased out of service by 2032. George Chahal, MP for Calgary Skyview, made the announcement Thursday at Arcfield’s Calgary office, saying the investment will help “ensure the fleet is operationally ready and able to deliver for Canada.” Chahal made the announcement on behalf of Minister of National Defence Bill Blair and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos. “Today’s announcement is excellent news for the Royal Canadian Air Force and for our world-class defence industry here in Alberta,” Chahal said. “By investing in a trusted Calgary company, our government is supporting good, skilled jobs for Albertans, and ensuring that the women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force will have the tools that they need to do their jobs.” In a new release, the Department of National Defence said Arcfield will continue to support the CF-18 fleet’s avionics weapons systems, supply parts as needed and provide end-to-end supply chain services. The government said the contract will ensure that avionics spare parts will be made available to CF-18 technicians along with the planning, purchasing, warehouse management and repair of spare parts. “The CF-18, as we all know, is dating back to 1982, so the technology is fairly old,” said Jacques Comtois, director of operations with Arcfield. “Canada, over the years, has continued to maintain, upgrade them and the latest upgrade will make sure they are operational, but also mission capable in this new environment we have today for the next 10 years.” “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase that Calgary is a strong inland port and we are also doing some great work on national defence,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. The Defence department predicted the contract would create or sustain as many as 370 high skilled jobs in Calgary and input $41 million annually into Canada’s gross domestic product over a ten-year period. “This investment will help to ensure that Canada’s fighter fleet remains interoperable with that of our allies, meets civil/military aviation regulations, and effectively meets operational commitments primarily with North American Air Defence Command and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization until the permanent replacement fighter fleet of F-35 jets is expected to be fully operational in 2032,” the government said. The contract is for an initial five-year period. The investment comes the same week the federal government pledged $45.3 million for energy retrofits at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. The Defence department said that the project is to upgrade 124 buildings at the base and reduce its energy costs by 21 per cent, saving an estimated $2 million annually. Upgrades include LED lighting, modernized heating and cooling equipment, replacing fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives, and more. It also said greenhouse gas emissions would be lowered by almost 5,200 tonnes each year. The department says the upgrades won’t affect military operations and are expected to be complete in 2026. Is this work currently being done by L3 in Montreal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 12 hours ago, conehead said: Is this work currently being done by L3 in Montreal? their contract was only awarded in 2022 for 4 years, so I guess not. Press Release L3Harris Awarded a $482 Million USD Royal Canadian Air Force Contract Extension to Deliver Continued CF-18 Support L3HARRIS AWARDED A $482 MILLION USD ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE CONTRACT EXTENSION TO DELIVER CONTINUED CF-18 SUPPORT | L3HARRIS® FAST. FORWARD. L3HARRIS AWARDED A $482 MILLION USD ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE CONTRACT EXTENSION TO DELIVER CONTINUED CF-18 SUPPORT Toggle credit L3Harris awarded 4-year, $482 million USD performance based contract extension to continue support of the Royal Canadian Air Force's CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft fleet. Expand Image PRESS RELEASE L3HARRIS AWARDED A $482 MILLION USD ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE CONTRACT EXTENSION TO DELIVER CONTINUED CF-18 SUPPORT Highlights: • Recognizes L3Harris’ premier in-service support capabilities and expertise • Maintains L3Harris’ position as Canada’s only fighter aircraft center of excellence • Marks 35 years of successful Canadian partnership on the CF-18 fleet IM Integrated Mission Systems APR 21, 2022 | 3 MINUTE READ MIRABEL, Quebec — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has been awarded a 4-year, $482 million USD performance based contract extension (PBC), with option years, to continue in-service support of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft fleet until its retirement that is currently estimated to occur in 2032. Under a Sustainment Business Case Analysis process, the four Sustainment Initiative principles of Performance, Value for Money, Flexibility, and Economic Benefits were the drivers in the development of the optimized and tailored solution. With this contract extension, L3Harris will continue to provide fleet and program management, maintenance, engineering, material management, electronic publications, integrated logistic support, data management and operational software support. Work will be conducted at L3Harris’ Mirabel facility, as well as at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake and CFB Bagotville. “This contract recognizes L3Harris as Canada’s only fighter center of excellence, and is a testament to our ongoing performance and commitment to customer focus, flawless execution and long-term partnership with the RCAF,” said Ugo Paniconi, General Manager, MAS, L3Harris. L3Harris recently marked 35 years supporting the CF-18 aircraft fleet, including significant structural life-extension and systems modernization work that has ensured the CF-18 remains operationally relevant, and extending the value of Canada’s investment in the platform. This latest performance-based contract will provide flexibility, economic benefits and value as part of Canada’s Sustainment Initiative. L3Harris has created hundreds of high-technology jobs in Quebec with F/A-18 support contracts for Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Finland, Spain and the United States. The L3Harris Mirabel division employs more than 1,150 people across Canada and is a leading in-service support integrator for the Department of National Defence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falken Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 According to my calculations, which have been wrong in the past, 45.3million dollar retrofits at Edmonton base will take 22.65 years to recoup using a savings of 2 million dollars a year! It probably won't even exist by that time or will need to be replaced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 2 hours ago, Falken said: According to my calculations, which have been wrong in the past, 45.3million dollar retrofits at Edmonton base will take 22.65 years to recoup using a savings of 2 million dollars a year! It probably won't even exist by that time or will need to be replaced! You are of course assuming that those in charge are concerned with payback 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Join the Royal Canadian Air Force and win a free trip to Italy. Or Finland. Or Texas. link to a current article re the RCAF Canadian Government turning military into a farce (msn.com) (edited to remove political reference) to stay away from politics.... but The following article is from Why Pilot Training Production for the RCAF is Failing and Why are Pilot Losses Mounting - RUSI(NS) (rusi-ns.ca) Why Pilot Training Production for the RCAF is Failing and Why are Pilot Losses Mounting March 31, 2021RUSI(NS) Staff Background Prior to the integration of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1966, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) maintained a robust pilot training system run by RCAF Training Command. When the Commands within the air element of the CAF were disbanded, Air Groups were introduced for the Fighter, Maritime, Transport and Air Reserve communities but training became a subset of the newly formed Air Command. In the quest of finding new ways of saving money, Air Command’s plan was to contract out services under the belief that money would go further if dollar amounts were applied to everything – such as the cost of life cycle management, lighting in hangars, the cost of salaries, cleaning services, messing, et al, to name but a few. As a result of this ‘new thinking,’ National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) and Air Command introduced contract pilot training. In this paper, we will not deal with the multitude of changes which took place from 1967 through 1995. However, the bottom line is that Air Command retained the two major air training bases at Portage La Prairie and Moose Jaw, the two locations where primary, basic and advanced flying training take place. Contained in the new plan was the introduction of contract services for all aspects of training operations, maintenance, infrastructure and logistic requirements. With this change came new aircraft, simulators and a new way of training future officers for the RCAF. The only aspect which stayed the same was that the flying instructors were serving CAF members. The Current Situation Today, pilot training is contracted out under a program known as NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC). Training for all pilots is conducted in three phases: Phase I is ab initio training conducted at Portage La Prairie on the Grub G 120A piston aircraft; the phase is basically a selection process. All successful students then move onto Phases II and III. Phases II, III and IV are carried out at 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS), 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and at 4 Wing, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. The program is delivered as a cooperative operation between the current civilian contractor, CAE Inc. (CAE Training Centres), and the RCAF. This contract is due to expire in 2024. The two types of aircraft flown are the CT-156 Harvard II and the CT-155 Hawk. NFTC training consists of Phases II, III, and IV. Phase II is subdivided into IIA and IIB. All pilots in the NFTC program undertake Basic Flying Training, known as Phase IIA, which consists of 95 flying hours on the CT-156 Harvard II, a Pilatus tandem two seater turbo-prop aircraft. After this phase, students are split into three streams: fast-jet (future instructors and/or fighter pilots), multi-engine and helicopter trainees. Those destined to become helicopter and multi-engine pilots move on to Phase III training at 3 CFFTS in Portage. Those selected to become fighter pilots complete Phase IIB consisting of another 45 flying hours on the Harvard II. These candidates then move on to Phase III, also in Moose Jaw, which consists of an further 70 hours on the Hawk. On completion of Phase III, pilots are awarded their Pilot’s Wings (both at Moose Jaw and those at Portage). Future fighter pilots move on to Phase IV, still on the Hawk, conducted by 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron in Cold Lake. This phase consists of 49 flying training hours. Successful graduates of Phase IV are then posted to the CF-188, commonly known as the CF-18 Hornet, at 410 Tactical Fighter Operational Training Squadron, also located at Cold Lake. The division of responsibilities between the Department of National Defence (DND, the RCAF, and CAE are as follows: RCAF: All in-aircraft flying instruction is given by RCAF pilots. DND oversees training standards, provides military trainees (both RCAF and NATO), provides the airspace and dictates the syllabus. As an aside, any future planned flying training syllabus should also be examined. For example, what is the emphasis placed on formation? CAE: The NFTC aircraft are owned by the Government of Canada, then leased to and maintained and serviced by CAE. Academic and simulator instruction is given by CAE employees, who must have had previous military flying instruction experience. CAE also operates infrastructure (buildings) and provides food services. Other Air Forces participate in our pilot training program, hence the NATO title. International program management, foreign military flight instructors, foreign military students, and quality control are also part of the current plan. The current system is intended to provide between 110 and 115 pilots per year. It is not known by this author if there is a surge capacity built into the program, but there certainly should be one in case of mobilization or crisis. The bottom line is that the current program production is inadequate as the RCAF is facing a shortage of some 150 pilots and looking for furloughed airline pilots to replenish the ranks is not a viable solution. Recruitment It is no secret that the staffs at Air Command HQ and NDHQ are attempting to find remedies to solve the pilot shortage. However, they may have to swallow a bitter pill to find the solutions which have heretofore been rejected. Here are some of the factors which could be addressed: Why could the RCAF not re-introduce a short service commission (SSC)? Pilots who do not want a lifelong career in the Air Force might find this attractive. Another alternative which could also as be attractive as a five year SSC could be a 20-year flying career with guaranteed flying only, no desk jobs or career advancement. University degrees. Not every pilot needs to have a pathway to becoming a General, some may just want to fly (what a quaint idea!). Does every pilot have to have an undergraduate university degree? A review of minimum educational requirements should be undertaken. Minimum criteria could be set as university entrance education for those who only wish to undertake a flying career and not aspire to be a career officer as suggested in subpara a above. Officers streamed through the military colleges or direct entry university graduates who wish to pursue a full career would continue as is the current situation which provides career development courses, ground jobs and high profile command positions. Make full use of Reserve officers. There is a strong talent pool out there that we tend to ignore. Airline or other current pilots who are enrolled in the Air Reserve should be allowed to fly operational aircraft on a rotational basis. Bias against them should be eliminated and allow full integration into front line squadrons. Scheduling would have to be carefully maintained. This is discussed below. Upon release from the RCAF, pilots should be automatically enrolled in the Air Reserve. Details concerning this avenue should be addressed. The Retention Problem Why are so many motivated, experienced pilots leaving the RCAF? There are many factors involved here but there are certainly some gaping examples of where nothing has been done to address the issue. Based on conversations with many pilots who have left the service, pay and pay raises are not the issue. What is? Their lifestyle. As mentioned above, one of the criteria for pilot training is having an undergraduate degree. These candidates are more mature than the person who only has a secondary education but is also older. This is a big factor as many new pilots have married other university graduates and herein lies a major problem: postings to semi-isolated locations. There are some major observations from serving pilots at these isolated bases, i.e., Cold Lake and Bagotville. There is much concern that morale at these bases amongst the pilots is low, and many of them have sent resumes into the airlines (this may have changed with the advent of the economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 ). They feel they are stuck in the wilderness for most of their careers (Europe is no longer an option). Others expressed concerns which are family related. Since many pilots have married spouses with their own careers, these spouses wish to work and continue with these professions, and this option is not normally available (unless you’re in a medical or teaching field). Is there a solution to this major problem? Sure there is, there always is if there is a will to fix it. Try this on for size. Interested readers may recall that back in the early eighties there was talk of making Namao (Edmonton) a fully operational base, and still fly missions to the current training areas, whilst families all lived in Edmonton. The mayor of Edmonton squashed that idea and reminded DND that Namao would be closed as an airbase by 1990 – and that came to pass. Most airlines allow crews to live anywhere on their route structure, and they commute to work when scheduled. Perhaps a similar system would work to mitigate the issue of living ‘in the boondocks.’ The RCAF just needs to re-introduce scheduled flights (SKED FLTS) using a number of transport type aircraft tasked for the role, for example, using the CC-295 Kingfisher or CC-130 Hercules. In finding a solution to the problem, the SKED FLTS could be planned to operate out of Edmonton (for the Cold Lake personnel) and Montreal or Quebec City (for Bagotville personnel). Comox does not appear to present the same situation for families, neither do Trenton or Greenwood. Other Observations Training pilots is only one part of the puzzle. Retention is the more significant issue. It costs a few million dollars to train a pilot to operational status. If those pilots cannot be retained, fully manning the squadrons cannot be maintained. In days of yore, the numbers game anticipated both the ‘failure rate’ during training and the loss rate after a Short Service Commission. I recall during my time in the RCAF/CAF, pilot intakes had about 50 people or so and there were 16 intakes every year. There is no way that these numbers will ever return, but the concept of increased applicant flow needs to be addressed if DND wants to solve the manning problem. As mentioned above, just what is the maximum output capacity of a future aircrew training program? As an interesting aside, Apple, Google, IBM, and Microsoft can no longer afford three-four year computer science degree people who finish the academic program with obsolete training. The curricula in most universities is about two years out of date with current technological advances; so those high tech employers have started their own ‘university’ program which takes bright high school kids who are tech-savvy, and then are trained by the company to be productive in about six months. I refer you to a YouTube article called “College is a waste of time” by Bet-David. The pilot recruits might fit into the same type category. One crusty retired air force pilot told me this: “I remember back in the late ’50’s when I struggled with algebra – I put in 30 years as an aircrew officer, acquired two degrees, and I haven’t used algebra once!!” What Does The Future Have In Store, Post NFTC? The federal government’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program, which is currently awaiting the release of its draft Request for Proposal (RFP), is an ambitious solution to Canada’s military aviation needs. The Public Services and Procurement Canada FAcT website describes its goal succinctly: “The program will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose and combat capable air force. The program will include delivery of pilot training, as well as aircrew training for air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators.” To make this happen, whoever wins the multi-billion dollar FAcT contract (a firm number has yet to be released) will have to merge Canada’s two existing military aviation training programs into one. The first is the NATO Flying Training in Canada program, already discussed, under private contract until 2023 with a possible one-year extension option. The second is the Contracted Flying Training and Support program whose private contract runs until 2027. As well, the FAcT winner will have to offer the full range of training requirements at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, and Southport (formerly known as Canadian Forces Base Portage la Prairie), and at 17 Wing Winnipeg, where Air Combat Systems and Sensor Operator Training is currently conducted exclusively by the RCAF (2 Air Division) but is intended to blend into FAcT. On 10 December 2018, the federal government announced a select group of qualified suppliers to bid on the FAcT program that has since dropped to four. They are: Babcock Canada, Leonardo Canada, Lockheed Martin Canada and the SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership (SkyAlyne Canada/SkyAlyne). Of these four, SkyAlyne Canada would seem to have an inside edge. The reason: SkyAlyne is a 50/50 partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, both of whom have experience in training Canada’s military pilots and aircrews. This is because CAE is currently managing the NFTC program, whilst KF Aerospace is managing the CFTS program. We now await the government/DND decision to see which program will be introduced post NFTC. Conclusions It goes without saying that the RCAF pilot crisis requires a need for total examination of recruitment, training, motivational factors and retention. In this paper, we have made some suggestions which should be taken seriously if the RCAF is to maintain the required strength in the number of pilots required to maintain operational readiness for all pilot communities: Fighter, Transport, Maritime and Rotary Wing. To review, here are some of the most glaring shortfalls to be examined: The current through-put and surge capacity to produce trained pilots; Motivational factors, aircrew/family locations and quality of life; Continuation training, recalls and alerts and deployment factors. This needs to be clearly spelled out with respect to any domicile or home basing system and the introduction of programmed scheduled flights; Re-introduction of a dual-stream career plan, Short Service Commission and career officer; The Short Service Commission option for those who only want to fly. A program option whereby after the fourth year of service, those who wish to pursue a career (permanent commission) could be offered university training at RCAF expense. Of necessity, fixed extension terms would be available for selected pilots based on the requirements at the time; After completion of the Short Service Commission, automatic transfer to an active ready Reserve status available in times of crisis; Education. As currently exists, only university graduates (civilian university and military college) can apply for pilot training. Should this change, consider the need to re-introduce direct entry short service term enrolments with certain qualifying requirements – formal schooling (what level?), some community college, et al. What about candidates who currently possess a commercial pilots licence?; and Finally, a look at syllabus training, advanced training skill requirements. When do you stream (rotary, transport, fighter) and when would the students be selected? Would they have a choice on enrolment? Motivational – I would like to be a XXX pilot. Selection criteria will be most important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 The Short Service Commission option for those who only want to fly. I chuckled when I read that. When I graduated, (High School graduate), as a pilot, we all got a "short service commission" and within, I think 5 years,we had to study and pass many exams to get a "permanent comission" A permanent commission would have you released at a certain age, depending on the rank you acquired over the years. I got all the books and hauled them home and a couple of days later my boss called me in and said that the "exams" had been scrapped and if you wanted a permanent commission, "sign here, now". Back in those days you flew for 3 or 4 years and then flew the BOD8D (Big OakDesk 8 Drawers) for 3 or 4 years and then would probably go back on another aircraft type and the cycle would repeat. I escaped that trend and only had one Ground Tour...running Halifax RCC. Later after 28 years, I decided to write all my ATR exams and take the flight test in a C130,( courtesy DND) How I was hired and the time frame to go from Mil to Civ flying was about 48 hours and that is another story... Because I had so much "accumulated leave" over the many years of service, DND had me on full salary for 14 months while I was flying with WD,(on probation for the first year), then full salary. While I was flying for WD and still on Mil "leave" I received a phone call from DND asking if I wanted to sign on for IPS (Indefinite Period of Service) which would have meant about another 10-15 years as a pilot in the Air Force...I declined. While I was instructing in the C-130 ground school I gave the welcoming address and asked if there were any questions.....One young fellow who had just graduated as a pilot said, "Yes, how many hours do we need before we qualify for an ATR ?" I had the greatest of adventures in the Military/RCAF and in my opinion why so many experienced pilots were leaving was the money. We often met fellow pilots that opted out and were flying for charter airlines and laughed at us as we, in DND, were making 1/2 of what they were making and probably working twice as hard, based on pre and post flight work.. To each his own...In the RCAF, my family moved 8 times but my kids said they loved the moves....and I loved my roles. As an aside, I drove through "Dotville" in 1965 to start the DC3 course and said to myself....."why would anyone live in this one horse town? " I came back in 1982 for the C130 course.....been here ever since...love "Dotville". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Anyone who flew or serviced the Voodoo? McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo Click on one of the thumbnails below to access the 9 photos of this aircraft. Voodoo #101045 at CFB Uplands (Ottawa, Ontario) while it was a gate guardian at the base. Voodoo #101045 at CFB Uplands (Ottawa, Ontario) while it was a gate guardian at the base. Voodoo #101045. Voodoo #101045 with the Snowbirds flying overhead. Voodoo #101045. Voodoo #101045 while in service with the CAF while at Trenton. Note the red bar on the top of the wing indicating it was flying with the Bobcats demonstration team. Voodoo #101045 while at the Survival 1982 Exercise in Chatham, New Brunswick. Voodoo #101045 received a camouflage paint scheme for Maple Flag War Games at Cold Lake, Alberta in 1982. A remarkable image of a 416 Squadron Voodoo on an afterburner take off. Status: On display Airworthiness: Static display Type: Fighter Built: 1958 Serial Number: USAF 57-0382 Construction Number: 560 Current Markings: CAF 101045 Length: 67 ft 5 in Wingspan: 39 ft 8 in Power: 16,900 lbs thrust each with afterburner Engine: 2x Pratt & Whitney J-57-P-55 Turbojet Maximum Speed: 1,134 mph Service Ceiling: 54,800 ft Range: 1,930 miles Previous Aircraft Next Aircraft Aircraft Description The F-101 Voodoo was originally developed for the USAF, as a single seat interceptor. Modifying the aircraft to a two seat configuration involved extending the fuselage forward to house a new weapons system and a second crewman to operate it. The bigger F-101B Voodoo was also fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, with their characteristic large afterburners. It entered service with the USAF in January 1959. After the cancellation of the Avro Arrow in February 1959, Canada urgently needed a fast interceptor to meet the continued threat from Soviet manned bombers. By late 1959, the RCAF selected the Voodoo as the aircraft that best met the nation’s requirements. In June 1961, sixty six nearly new CF-101B Voodoos were purchased from existing USAF stocks. The deal transferred the aircraft to five front line squadrons and an OTU, replacing obsolete CF-100s. At the beginning of the 1970s, the aging CAF Voodoo fleet was exchanged for sixty six lower timed USAF Voodoos. These replacement aircraft were equipped with a superior missile control system. Even with the Voodoo fleet restored to its original size, servicability began to be a problem. In 1977, the CAF launched a program to find a new fighter to replace the Voodoo and by April 1980, the search had narrowed down to the CF-18 Hornet. Most of the fleet was phased out by the end of 1984 and the last Voodoo flight anywhere was made in April 1987. McDonnell Aircraft manufactured 479 F-101B Voodoos, between 1957 and 1961 and they served with both the United States and Canadian Armed Forces. The Museum's McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo was built originally for the USAF in 1958 and served with the 49th and 60th Fighter Interceptor Squadrons before going into storage in 1968. It was taken on strength by the Canadian Armed Forces in June 1970. The aircraft served with No. 416 "Lynx" Squadron, Chatham, NB and with No. 409 "Nighthawk" Squadron, Comox, BC. It was retired from No. 409 Squadron in September 1984. The Museum retrieved the Voodoo from a pylon at Uplands Airport, Ottawa and restored it as an exhibit in 2004. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 July 12, 1967...Voodoo 442...First time supersonic.. Popped up to FL540 speed 1120MPH (Mach 1.8) It was a bit disappointing as nothing really happens that one can see, just a "burp" and then through Mach 1.0 CF 104.....Mach 0.9 .....on the deck, over the trees, is much more.... Yahoooooooo (about 600 kts) There is an artist, (painter), in Colorado Springs who painted numerous USAF aircraft as well as as Air Force One for each President. He lived beside me while I was in COS and said he had never done a Canadian aircraft and asked if he could paint the CV580 I was flying, (Smoky02). I got him approval to go on the airfield and he shot 3 rolls of 35mm film of the aircraft, painted the aircraft on final at Peterson Field. Had the unveiling at our house and then he did a Harvard with me, solo, doing a clover leaf aerobatic while going through training become an RCAF pilot. As far as I know he also did a painting for the EA to DCINC NORAD, LCOL Al Sunvall who had been on a Voodoo Squadron and the model he used was the last photo of the Voodoo (as seen above) with full afterburners.....I don't know if the LCol was the piloting the bird. The unique thing about the Colorado Springs artist is that he is also the master at "Starlite" painting. He has developed a technique that uses UV and fluorescent paints to change his paintings under different light frequencies. His paintings go from a Day scene to a Night scene under Blacklight. My CV580 goes from a day light scene to nite scene when shown under a "black-light" and I think the Voodoo he did has the same features. My two paintings are going to be donated to the RCAF museum here in Dotville 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Buggie Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1003.0 CF 101 hours and never disappointed,........................ well maybe disappointed once, a winter scramble, night, north of civilization passing FL430 pointed upwards.......... low oil pressure warning on one engine........... seconds later, a fire warning light on the other engine............darn it, climb discontinued and the U2 or SR 71 (prime suspect) returning home got another free pass over Canada. A bit disappointed about that. As to the warnings.............a calm discussion ensued in which various technical points were politely raised, including the ludicrous suggestions in the checklist, and an agreement was reached that we adjourn to a bar to continue the technical discussion in further dept. An engine was shut down, the USAF properly cursed, and we went to the bar. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 That moment when someone says "Your Zipper is low" On this day March 28 1961 – The Royal Canadian Air Force took a delivery of its very first CF-104 Starfighter. Capable of flying at over 1,400 miles per hour; commonly called the "missile with a man in it". American pilots called her the "Zipper" or "Zip-104" because of its prodigious speed. The CF-104 fulfilled Canada’s NATO commitment in Europe as a nuclear strike aircraft. · #RCAF100 - March 28, 1961 - The first Canadair built CF-104 Starfighters are delivered to the #RCAF. RCAF Centennial / Le centenaire de l'ARC Royal Canadian Air Force Edited with more appropriate image. Share 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Buggie Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 Only about 40 hrs on the 104 and an absolute menace when given opportunities to embarrass myself. A memory: One fine NATO day as GIB scanning for a F-4 that had been bothering us at a higher altitude I noticed a couple of things that made me feel a tad uncomfortable so I glanced in and saw 500 +/- on one clock, low #s +/- on another and decided it was time to make myself small, when suddenly a rather high pitched teutonic voice on guard queried.......... "104 over #-*- -^!- say your callsign"...............that prompted me to politely ask the chauffeur if he knew where we were? He quickly answered, "I do now". Sometimes radio silence is golden and slinking home is a real thing. RIP Larry. For those with time on their hands that may be interested in the early days when the Big Bang was more than a theory. https://www.427squadron.com/history/stories/coldwarrior-1.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 6 hours ago, Dave Buggie said: RIP Larry. Larry M ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Buggie Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 50 minutes ago, Kip Powick said: Larry M ??? K. In the Mattel variant of the Century Series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 9 minutes ago, Dave Buggie said: K. In the Mattel variant of the Century Series. Ok.. Thx....I was thinking of L.M. who was killed in a car accident over there. We went through pilot training together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Happy 100th! Calgary to mark RCAF centenary with flyover, flag-raising Calgary Sun 31 Mar 2024 MATT SCACE mscace@postmedia.com X: @mattscace67 PHOTO COURTESY CANADIAN FORCES COMBAT CAMERA, DND RCAF ground crew perform post-flight checks on a CF-18 fighter jet from 4 Wing Cold Lake during a mission in Kuwait in this photo from November 2014. A little under a century ago, Canada's military leadership looked to Calgary for similar reasons that commercial airline executives have selected it as their headquarters: its blue skies. “Alberta's contribution was very significant because of the weather,” says Bob Wade, a former member of Canada's aerobatic team and retired air force pilot who now works at the Air Force Museum of Alberta. The Canadian militia established in the early 1930s the Currie Barracks, still known as such, becoming a facility housing several corps and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Air-force activity in the area peaked during World War II when a triangular air strip was built to train Commonwealth pilots. “Here in Calgary, we get more days of sunshine than in most places, and it was deemed to be the best area in which to do that training,” Wade said. While Calgary's role in Canada's air force has sharply dwindled for various reasons since the 1950s, that history is part and parcel with the RCAF'S early footprint in Canada — one that will be highlighted over the coming months as the air force celebrates its 100th anniversary. Those celebrations will begin Monday at Calgary's Air Force Museum in Currie Barracks — an area familiar to most Calgarians that, despite its unique architecture, makes its history with the RCAF known through historic artifacts planted around the neighbourhood. Starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, the museum will celebrate the opening of the RCAF Centenary exhibition in the Founders' Gallery — an exhibit that will celebrate “human experience in Canadian military aviation over the past century,” which will include interactive elements, and combine personal narrative and material culture, according to the Air Force Museum Society of Alberta. Later on Monday at 1:50 p.m., Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Col. Andrew Abbott will raise the RCAF flag shortly after a flyover by an RCAF Gonzo, a heavily modified De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft based out of Winnipeg that the RCAF uses for training. Dan Rossi, chief training pilot at RCAF who will be flying the plane over Calgary, said Calgarians should look upwards at exactly 2:01 p.m. on Monday. However, due to legal limits on how low he can fly, the plane won't be larger than one's thumb pointed at the sky, he said. “It's not going to be all that exciting,” Rossi said jokingly. Rossi will fly in from Winnipeg on Monday, dropping his altitude to 1,000 feet when he reaches Medicine Hat and will hold that height along Hwy. 3 until he reaches Crowsnest Pass. “I'm just happy to do it ... I serve this country to try and give something back because I'm proud of it,” he said. While Calgary's direct involvement with the military has shrunk since the Second World War, the city has landed several contracts that make it a contributor to Canada's national defence efforts. Most recently, Calgary-based Arcfield Canada Corp. was awarded a $211.6-million contract from Canada's Department of National Defence. The contract will allow the company to continue providing maintenance for Canada's aging CF-18 fighter fleet. Last January the federal government ended a long-standing debate over how to phase out its CF-18S when it announced it's buying 88 Lockheed Martin F35 jets for $19 billion. Canada's CF-18S will be about 50 years old when they're fully phased out in 2032. The new F35s will be based out of Cold Lake, Alta. — one of Canada's largest fighter jet bases. Monday's celebrations won't be the last commemorating the RCAF'S centennial: The museum has five more events planned over the next year, Wade said, including one at Calgary Stampede and the Little Britches Rodeo in High River. The Stampede celebration will include a flyover during the parade while an old decommissioned RCAF plane will be towed through the procession, Wade said. Article Name:Happy 100th! Publication:Calgary Sun Author:MATT SCACE mscace@postmedia.com X: @mattscace67 Start Page:5 End Page:5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 April 1st, 2024 marks 100 years since the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was officially established. Ahead of Monday's celebration, Southport will feature memories from the long relationship shared between the RCAF and Southport! A familiar sight! This T-133 "Silver Star" has been displayed at Island Park in Portage la Prairie since June 9, 1966. Two days later on June 11, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Portage la Prairie presented the jet to the city of Portage la Prairie at a special Air Force Appreciation Day ceremony. On March 9, 1987, the T-33 was removed from its base at Island Park, sent to CFB Portage la Prairie for refurbishment, and returned to its pedestal at the park on June 22, 1987. #Southport #SouthportAerospace #ProudMilitaryHistory #RCAF100 #RCAF100Years #YourAirForce RCAF Centennial / Le centenaire de l'ARC All reactions: 5858 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Pulman Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Got a chuckle out of . That T-33 was originally placed on a post before I was born! I didn't start flying them until nine months after it was refurbished and returned to its pedestal. Good grief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 17 minutes ago, Rich Pulman said: Got a chuckle out of . That T-33 was originally placed on a post before I was born! I didn't start flying them until nine months after it was refurbished and returned to its pedestal. Good grief. Oh, you young'n I graduated out of PG in 1964 and checked "ye olde log book" but never flew that tail number. ...Don't know where, or why, it crashed in 1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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