Re: WestJet News and Discussion - 2023

WestJet continues a policy of running the APU on the 787 fleet when the planes are on the ground in Calgary, no matter what, including all RON aircraft regardless of outside air temp. I conservatively estimate this burn to be a million litres for 2023, though it's far more likely to be between 1.5 ...

Re: Justin Trudeau's aircraft breakdown after G20 summit, India

The rudder replacement in the past was super easy. When the A310s were reconfigured and repainted from Canadian Airlines in YYC, the vertical stab was removed outdoors because the aircraft could not fit into the hanger. Air Transat Flight 961 lost part of its rudder and the unit was replaced in the ...

Re: Military Plane in the Water After Runway Overrun

According to the above article, the Navy hopes to get it flying again. My money is on a full repair and back into the air. There have been aircraft in worse shape. I am thinking about JAL 002 which landed two and a half miles short of the runway. They hauled it out and returned it to service in no t...

Re: Boeing P-8 Poseidon News, Production and Delivery Thread

The P-8 deal makes good sense as is a good deal for us taxpayers, and interoperable from a NORAD and NATO operations perspective. It seems the DND gets equipment delivered on time and on budget only when sole-sourced. While I dream of an A-220 MPA Argus 2, any indigenously built aircraft has been pr...

Re: Replacement Aircraft for Military Aerobatic Teams

It's likely that whatever replaces the Tutors in Snowbirds service will be whatever the outcome from the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program; it was announced this summer that SkyAlyne Partnership was the preferred bidder in the contract: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news...

Re: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Production And Delivery Thread

Twin engine airliners for example require a higher thrust to weight ratio than a four engine airliner as it needs enough thrust to take off with one engine out. When I four engine aircraft loses one engine it still has 75% thrust. When a twin engine aircraft loses one engine it only has 50% thrust ...

Re: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Production And Delivery Thread

That thing is just sick looking. Not a pointy surface to be seen. Still no pics of the butt end

Re: WestJet News and Discussion - 2023

Everyone knew during the design phase that this particular configuration was a a bad idea. But big egos lead to practicality getting tossed out the door. That being said, the non-preferential gating model now used (Covid was the excuse) has improved the situation immensely. The solution was to respe...

Re: WestJet News and Discussion - 2023

I was part of the design team in the early 2000s who reviewed the functional design of the IFP. Sterile transit was never contemplated in the final interation. The failure of design had more to do with the implementation of common use protocols, call to gate and preferential gate use and lack of con...

Re: WestJet News and Discussion - 2023

Oops. https://www.cheknews.ca/westjet-plane-hits-military-aircraft-in-comox-airport-crash-1163753/ Looks like the contract ground crew weren't paying attention on pushback. It's hard to see how this would occur whilst the aircraft was under its own power. Lol people always blame the contracted grou...

Re: WestJet News and Discussion - 2023

Oops. https://www.cheknews.ca/westjet-plane-hits-military-aircraft-in-comox-airport-crash-1163753/ Looks like the contract ground crew weren't paying attention on pushback. It's hard to see how this would occur whilst the aircraft was under its own power. Lol people always blame the contracted grou...

Re: US shoots down another object over Alaska

Trust me, I'm very familiar with gas airships, having flown them in the past. Even something that's roughly 20x20x20 (ft) is only going to be able to lift a total of 550 lbs, including the vehicle, assuming its 100% full of helium. As it climbs, it's either got to vent that helium out, or start out...

Re: Jul 14th: Canada is getting two A330-200 for VIP/refueling.

The RCAF also operates four KC-130H Hercules aircraft under the Canadian designation CC-130H(T) out of 17 Wing at CFB Winnipeg, MB. Since there seems to be no further C-130J/KC-130J acquisition on the horizon, I'd wager that these A330 MRTTs are going to be replacing that tanker capacity as well. F...

Re: Jul 14th: Canada is getting two A330-200 for VIP/refueling.

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/10/canada-unveils-planned-deadline-to-buy-four-airbus-tanker-aircraft/

Looks like the remaining four airframes will be new builds.

Re: Another RCAF Snowbird Incident

A few colleagues are ex snowbird team members, the consensus among them is that best replacement aircraft is an upgraded Tutor (new engine, avionics and ejection systems). The airframe is solid, and has lots of time left. Snowbirds don’t need fast loud jets. Their mount is perfectly fine for the typ...

Re: Will airlines require COVID vaccine for employees?

I started this pandemic employed as a data analyst with a major airline up in Canada. Was in aviation for 30 years and did everything in between from dumping the lavs to flying. Over a year later from my last airline shift, I find myself working as a clinical data analyst who has spent the last four...

Re: Air Canada News And Discussion Thread

I believe that the current CAF (Canadian Air Force) A-310's were purchased from Canadian airlines (originally from Wardair) as part of their unsuccessful attempt to stay afloat back in the nineties I believe it was. They certainly weren't new and certainly less than ideal. What other country uses A...

Re: Canadian Prime Ministers VIP Airplane Damaged

The proposed arrangement is very similar to how the RCAF acquired the CC-150 in the first place. Canadian Airlines got into a heap of financial trouble in 1991 and part of the bailout package was the sale of the five airframes to the RCAF. When the RCAF acquired them, they were all relatively low ti...

Re: Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds Cross Canada tour (Operation Inspiration)

I wonder if one outcome of this is that the Snowbirds finally get a support aircraft to transport the tech's & equipment instead of carrying them in the Tutor's? Knowing what knee jerkers the politicians are I say the more likely scenario is they try & shut the team down. During the air sho...

Re: Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds Cross Canada tour (Operation Inspiration)

I heard a rumour they had hangars with hundreds of Tutor jets to use but maybe someone with more knowledge can answer more specifically. I know I'm replying late on this point given how things have quickly and tragically shifted, but nonetheless, that's neither efficient nor even possible given how...

Re: Airlines unpaid leaves and layoffs thread

https://youtu.be/LUZtW1XXV2s Video Link to the announcement WestJet today announced that 6,900 WestJetters will be leaving the organization, with 90 per cent of those leaving voluntarily. The airline had approximately 14,000 employees before this announcement. “Today, 6,900 WestJetters are receivin...

Re: The WestJet Thread

https://youtu.be/LUZtW1XXV2s Video Link to the announcement WestJet today announced that 6,900 WestJetters will be leaving the organization, with 90 per cent of those leaving voluntarily. The airline had approximately 14,000 employees before this announcement. “Today, 6,900 WestJetters are receivin...

Re: Tecam P2012 vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Skycatcher vs Twin Otter

Twin Otter is still for sale for one reason only - STOL performance that is crazy. ...plus its gravel, ice and off-airstrip capabilities, plus tundra tires, plus floats, plus.... Canadian made aircraft are tough! Second that! It happens to be the only aircraft capable of flying to the South Pole an...

Re: RCAF Snowbird Ejection in Atlanta, GA

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3lNEu9h5fs/?igshid=ma3krm9vq8k0

Link to The Snowbirds Instagram page updating the status of the pilot. Good to see The #5 Jet Captain Domon-Grenier back in circulation and in good spirits. Not sure how I would feel after being blasted out of a Tutor.

Re: Sunwing to Sell Seats on Swoop Sun Routes

Very similar to Transat buying seats on WS before the days of WestJet Vacations.

Re: The WestJet Thread

I am thinking the 763 fleet departure will happen in the fall 2020 time period. WS will fly them hard over the summer months when they need the capacity overseas, and take them out of the network, after the season. They will only have six wide bodies in service next summer if they dump the 763s in M...

Re: MD90 vs B737 Max

Love the MD-90 and the rest of the DC-9 family. Built like tanks, flew solid, and in terms of longevity nothing beats the airframe. I have no doubt that we would have a modern version with a new wing if the program would have not been swallowed by Boeing and MD put a little more thought in updating ...

Re: Coffee Spill Forced A330 Diversion

As usual because it’s Airliners.net, everyone is overthinking this problem. There already exists an elegant low cost engineered solution that has been through comprehensive testing. Although it’s pilots so they might struggle with this. I have attached the link. https://images.app.goo.gl/w3RHb9MKuPB...

Re: The WestJet Thread

Today at 15:06Z, WestJet’s first 737 NG, A/C 001 C-FIWS, touched down in Goodyear Arizona. This will be the last flight for this aircraft, as it is scheduled to be parted out. The first flight was from YYC to YEG on May 26th, 2001. Since that first flight, the aircraft has had: • 28,852 flights • 6...

Re: The WestJet Thread

Today at 15:06Z, WestJet’s first 737 NG, A/C 001 C-FIWS, touched down in Goodyear Arizona. This will be the last flight for this aircraft, as it is scheduled to be parted out. The first flight was from YYC to YEG on May 26th, 2001. Since that first flight, the aircraft has had: • 28,852 flights • 6...

Re: The WestJet Thread

In other news, 737-700 C-FIWS after 18 years of service finds itself sitting in GYR most likely to be parted out after 62 775 hours and 28852 flights. She’s lived a good life, happy retirement! She is not being parted out but going to United Airlines! Thought you knew. Did not know that. Up until a...

Re: The WestJet Thread

In other news, 737-700 C-FIWS after 18 years of service finds itself sitting in GYR most likely to be parted out after 62 775 hours and 28852 flights. She’s lived a good life, happy retirement!

Re: Flair Air chairman urges Canada to cap airport improvement fees

We shifted from a nationalized system (with high costs) to local control with even higher costs. To deal with rising AIF fees and debt levels, airport authorities are diversifying their revenue away from aviation and moving towards things like manufacturing, logistics entertainment and outlet shoppi...

Re: CANADA JETLINES getting ready to fly

With all due respect, posting a video, announcing who your pretzel provider will be, the list goes on is not clear and tangible evidence of a real airline. Get some airplanes, sell seats and operate some flights. This soap opera has been going on for years. If they approach operations the same way t...

Re: New Air Force One Scheme

Hmm.. reminds me of something.. Wait..

Re: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Returns to the Skies

Curious to see if they consolidate, parts production and manufacturing out of YYC and YYJ. Longview Aviation Capital has invested heavily in production at both these cities. It’s only logical to leverage existing assets related to the CL-215 rebuilds and Twin Otter Series 400 production. Not sure if...

Re: Irish 6/19: Dublin's bubblin' ...

Hey Dublin, YYC here.. Howdy from Western Canada. I think we sent you guys a 787 last Saturday. WS6? Anybody happen to notice it? It being an inaugural and all, I thought you folks out there would be all over it.. But nobody has mentioned it. You guys are more excited by an A321. I know we are all e...

Re: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Returns to the Skies

No APU for example. The APU is an optional extra on the Q400; the basic no-frills version doesn't even have it. The fact that virtually all - if not all - operators chose to have it fitted says that it is not dead weight. The Q400 APU is a maintenance nightmare if it’s operated in winter climates (...

Re: Air Canada in exclusive talks to buy Air Transat

Its a natural fit. Watch Rouge grow now. Rouge was the best thing AC could’ve come up with. They literally killed their competition. Whoever did that at AC deserves a raise. Huh? This response in itself demonstrates why WS is in the position it is in today. They got complacent, and believed they we...

Re: Air Canada buying Air Transat

At 345 seats, it's a 22% capacity increase over the 282 seat Rouge 763. Seems perfect for some high volume destinations like BCN/ATH/VCE but slightly too large for others. That's what I was thinking. There is only 16 of them though so maybe it would be a 332/763 mix for the time being until a bette...

Re: WestJet acquired by Onex in $5-billion deal

It’s simple, WS shares are severely undervalued. WestJet’s growth plans are long term, the market thinks in quarters, short term.. You cannot execute on a long term plan in a short term market. The cost discipline, and plan is sound. Going private means your not at the whim of a market who sneezes a...

Re: Fully Automated Jetbridge

A little bit of history around the OTW Over The Wing bridges. The first "modern" North American Prototype Over The Wing Thing was installed at YYC bridge D40 in 2002 which consisted of a radial drive forward bridge with a cantilevered back end. The bridge had a bad habit of either punching...

Re: WestJet delivery team readies for the 787

Lpbri wrote:

A lot of people for an acceptance team.

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

Link seems like a weird side distraction. I'm legitimately curious why management thought this was an avenue worth pursuing. I'll wait and see on that one - many large airlines are backing away from tiny markets as the energy put into chasing crumbs is more than the benefit. Considering the complet...

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

Nope never has performed heavy maintenance. For C checks or higher it uses third parties like KF Aerospace and Premier Aviation which is ironically out of Trois-Rivières.

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

That’s the trouble with YUL. It’s highly seasonal unless your the dominant carrier. It is a fortress. For the others there is money to be made, just not year round. All of Canada is highly seasonal. Period. Same thing for yields. Canada in general isn't high yielding. The vast majority of foreign c...

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

That’s the trouble with YUL. It’s highly seasonal unless your the dominant carrier. It is a fortress. For the others there is money to be made, just not year round. All of Canada is highly seasonal. Period. Same thing for yields. Canada in general isn't high yielding. The vast majority of foreign c...

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

Obviously a small sample O/D flights but NYC-YUL fares are as ridiculously high in dollars as the delays are in minutes. I have often seen NYC-SIN fares lower/equal to NYC-YUL. The only difference is that from NYC: SIN is 8000+ miles and YUL is 400 miles. I would guess that NYC - YUL is one one of ...

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

The O and D markets in the Montreal region are horrendously low yield except for the lucrative premium traveler. You have big players that can swap out metal in an instant such as in the triangle all the way from a Q400 to a 777. A contraction in those markets makes sense for a smaller carrier. Obv...

Re: 'We've just grown too big, too fast:' - WestJet's CEO

There are many that believe the growth will come from a solid yet expansive domestic network. Truthfully the Canadian market is most likely tapped out except for the low end where Flair, Swoop and a few others exist. With the exit of Greyhound from the Canadian landscape that opens a lot of opportun...