Re: ~Airshow~

by **Stargunner** Tue 08 Dec 2020, 3:23 pm

Canadian Forces
Snowbirds release 2021
show schedule

Posted on December 8, 2020; RCAF Press Release

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this schedule is subject to change.

https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/canadian-forces-snowbirds-release-2021-show-schedule/

by **Accer** Mon 29 Mar 2021, 1:18 pm

Military releases report into crash of Snowbirds aircraft that killed Capt. Jenn Casey

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Mar 29, 2021

An investigation into the crash of a Snowbirds aircraft last year that killed one person has concluded the plane lost power after a small bird was sucked into the engine.

The incident on May 17, 2020 in Kamloops, BC claimed the life of Capt. Jenn Casey and injured Capt. Richard MacDougall. “The investigation found that ingestion of a single, small bird into the engine of the aircraft following take-off resulted in a compressor stall and a loss of thrust,” the Canadian Forces noted. “Upon loss of power, the pilot initiated a climb straight ahead and then a turn back towards the airport. During this manoeuver, the aircraft, a CT-114, entered into an aerodynamic stall and the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft.”

The investigation found that Casey and MacDougall ejected from the aircraft at low altitude and in conditions that were outside “safe ejection seat operation parameters.” Because of that the parachutes did not have the required time to function as designed.

Recommendations in the report identified the need to conduct additional training for CT-114 aircrew to better prepare them for an engine failure after take-off in a low-level environment, clarify the command to ‘eject’, publish a directive to clarify how aircrew should prioritize an ejection-scenario near or over a populated area, and research potential options to stabilize the ejection seat from any tendency to pitch, roll, or yaw.
“Snowbird 11’s power loss could not have come at a worse time – low altitude, low airspeed, proximity to another aircraft, and in the vicinity of a built-up area,” Col. John Alexander, Director of Flight Safety for the Royal Canadian Air Force noted in a statement.

A project to modernize the Tutor aircraft was recently approved and will allow the aircraft to be used by the RCAF until 2030. The project will upgrade the aircraft with new avionics and instrumentation, to include a glass cockpit, to ensure compliancy with Federal and Canadian Air Regulations. In parallel, a separate project is underway to improve the aircraft escape system through upgrades to the current parachute and harness design.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/military-releases-report-into-crash-of-snowbirds-aircraft-that-killed-one

by RevForce Wed 31 Mar 2021, 9:05 am

Government spending $30 million to
keep Snowbirds aircraft flying until 2030

The government has opted to modernize the aircraft, which have been in the Canadian Forces inventory since 1963.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Mar 30, 2021

The federal government has launched a $30-million initiative to keep the Canadian military’s Snowbirds aircraft flying for another nine years, avoiding for now a decision about whether to replace the planes.

A replacement for the Snowbirds could cost up to $1.5 billion, an expense the Liberal government would have difficulty justifying at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is damaging the economy and fuelling record levels of spending, military officers privately acknowledge.

Instead, the government has opted to modernize the aircraft, which have been in the Canadian Forces inventory since 1963.

Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a $26-million contract to L3 Harris on March 11 for the upgrade that will see the development of a new avionics suite for the aerobatic planes. The deal is a sole-source contract.

Another contract will be put in place to install the avionics equipment, bringing the total project cost to $30 million.

The modernization will include a variety of new equipment, including electronic flight display systems, and navigation and communications gear.

“The initial operating capability of four modified aircraft is scheduled for October 2022 with modifications to all remaining aircraft by end-2024,” said Department of National Defence spokesperson Jessica Lamirande.

The avionics upgrade is required if the planes are to continue flying in North American airspace.

The CT-114 Tutor aircraft have been used by the Snowbirds since 1971. The Tutors were supposed to have been retired in 2010, but that date was then extended to 2020. The latest extension allows the aircraft to fly until at least 2030.

The Royal Canadian Air Force, however, is facing a potential dilemma with replacing the aircraft. The federal government has indicated it wants the aerobatic team to continue operating and the Snowbirds are seen as a key public relations tool for the military.

But some in the Canadian Forces have privately questioned spending money on the Snowbirds because they do not directly contribute combat capabilities to the air force.

Lamirande said the Canadian Forces is also working on improving the aircraft’s escape system. Those upgrades include improvements to the parachute system and harness, with initial tests conducted in 2016.

“Based on those results, it was determined that the most effective way to improve the system would be through a parachute upgrade program, which will identify and assess candidate canopy designs, perform testing for airworthiness clearance, and eventually implement an upgrade to the current parachute system in the CT-114,” Lamirande said.

She noted that the life-extension program for the planes recognizes that the CT-114 Tutor aircraft “has proven to be a very resilient platform to maintain and upgrade, with continued functionality well into the future.”

The contract to modernize the aircraft came shortly before the release of a flight safety report into the crash last year of a Snowbirds aircraft in British Columbia.

The incident on May 17, 2020 in Kamloops, B.C., claimed the life of Capt. Jenn Casey and injured Capt. Richard MacDougall.

“The investigation found that ingestion of a single, small bird into the engine of the aircraft following take-off resulted in a compressor stall and a loss of thrust,” the Canadian Forces noted in a news release Monday. “Upon loss of power, the pilot initiated a climb straight ahead and then a turn back towards the airport. During this manoeuver, the aircraft, a CT-114, entered into an aerodynamic stall and the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft.”

The investigation found that Casey and MacDougall ejected from the aircraft at low altitude and in conditions that were outside “safe ejection seat operation parameters.” Because of that, the parachutes did not have the required time to function as designed, the safety report noted.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/government-spending-30-million-to-keep-snowbirds-aircraft-flying-until-2030

by **Forcell** Sat 24 Apr 2021, 1:31 pm

Snowbirds returning to Vancouver Island for training in May

Published Friday, April 23, 2021

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/snowbirds-returning-to-vancouver-island-for-training-in-may-1.5400301

Canadian Forces cancels 2021 Saskatchewan Airshow in Moose Jaw

Apr 23. 2021

https://www.moosejawtoday.com/local-news/canadian-forces-cancels-2021-saskatchewan-airshow-in-moose-jaw-3660675

by **OutlawSoldier** Thu 06 May 2021, 8:52 am

These Snowbirds are turning 50. But don't ask them about their age.

By Nick Taylor-Vaisey
May 5, 2021

https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/these-snowbirds-are-turning-50-but-dont-ask-them-about-their-age/

by **OutlawSoldier** Mon 10 May 2021, 9:33 pm

Canadian Forces Snowbirds plane lands safely after bird strike

Monday, May. 10th, 2021

A Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot used emergency protocols to land their plane after it struck a bird during training today.

It happened this morning shortly after takeoff from 19 Wing Comox.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Gabriel Ferris, says that declaring an emergency was a routine procedure.

“It doesn’t mean that the aircraft is on fire and that it is going to crash,” he said. “It’s just a normal procedure. The pilot was able to fly the aircraft without a problem. To declare an emergency basically just gives them priority to land at the airport..”

Ferris added that strikes are not that rare in the aviation world, either civilian or military.

He added that once cleared by the maintenance team, the plane will return to normal operations.

The training session continued since they have two spare aircraft on the ground.

Last year, a bird strike took the life of the team’s public affairs officer, Capt. Jennifer Casey.

https://www.mypowellrivernow.com/34637/canadian-forces-snowbirds-plane-lands-safely-after-bird-strike/

by **Spider** Mon 17 May 2021, 9:10 pm

Canadian Forces Snowbirds reminding valley residents to enjoy at a distance

Monday, May. 17th, 2021

https://www.mycomoxvalleynow.com/78149/canadian-forces-snowbirds-reminding-valley-residents-to-enjoy-at-a-distance/

by **Riverway** Tue 18 May 2021, 12:51 pm

CANADIAN FORCES SNOWBIRDS SET TO FLY AGAIN NEXT MONTH

By Dan Blakeley Published: May 18th, 2021

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are ready to take flight again.

The Snowbirds were grounded a year ago after Captain Jenn Casey died after ejecting from the jet she was in. The pilot, Capt. Richard MacDougall, was seriously injured. A bird strike had caused its engine to fail shortly after take-off from Kamloops, British Columbia.

Snowbirds team member killed in plane crash identified as Capt. Jenn Casey

“We are delighted to continue pursuing Jenn’s vision of inspiration and connection,” Lt.−Col. Denis Bandet said in a news release Monday.

“We know it would put a smile on her face to see how many of you she touched and to see the outpouring of love coming from Canadians all over the country and around the world.”

The first shows are planned for June in Michigan and Quebec.

https://barrie360.com/canadian-forces-snowbirds-set-to-fly-again-next-month/

by Stanleyz Sat 29 May 2021, 9:40 pm

Air Show Atlantic cancels this year's event, blames uncertainty around COVID-19

Published Saturday, May 29, 2021

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/air-show-atlantic-cancels-this-year-s-event-blames-uncertainty-around-covid-19-1.5448161

by **Accer** Fri 18 Jun 2021, 12:53 pm

Military Family Magazine

https://www.cmfmag.ca/snowbirds-and-cf-18-demonstration-team-launch-2021-season/

by **Edgefore** Tue 06 Jul 2021, 2:09 pm

Gander Postpones Performance by Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Jul 6, 2021

https://vocm.com/2021/07/06/gander-postpones-performance-by-canadian-forces-snowbirds/

The town of Gander has postponed a scheduled performance by Canada’s Snowbirds set for August 21.

The decision was made due to COVID restrictions in place.

Mayor Percey Farwell says that even with COVID restrictions gradually lifting, it doesn’t look like they will be able to offer the type of experience they’d like.

He says they would usually have various associated events on the ground, but those aspects would have to be cancelled.

The cost of running the show is about $25,000, and he says it’s difficult to generate those kinds of funds without other events.

Farwell understands people will be disappointed but the town is working with the Snowbirds around potential 2022 dates.

by Stanleyz Wed 14 Jul 2021, 4:19 pm

Canadian Forces Snowbirds take flight over Calgary July 14. 2021

https://globalnews.ca/video/8027704/canadian-forces-snowbirds-take-flight-over-calgary

by Exodus Mon 19 Jul 2021, 3:43 pm

Snowbirds to fly over Vancouver Island. Here's where to see them

Published Monday, July 19, 2021

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/snowbirds-to-fly-over-vancouver-island-here-s-where-to-see-them-1.5514697

by Reece Wed 21 Jul 2021, 9:02 am

Canadian Forces Snowbirds Will Be in Alberta for Two Air Shows

Published by To Do Canada On July 20, 2021

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

by Reece Thu 22 Jul 2021, 9:13 am

22.07.2021

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