Cool your jets - Snowbirds retiring jet planes for propeller plane made in Switzerland
- Inclu.ca
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
The Snowbirds will be going from jet powered CT-114 Tutor to a propeller powered Siskin in a recent announcement - Is that a good idea?
The CT14 Tutors were long overdue for replacement - As an enthousiast growing up, I couldn't help but compare it to the Blue Angels, which use F18's, and think we were coming up short.
Now nearing 50 years in service, these planes do need to be replaced, but as with the procurement debate with the F35's rages on, one has to wonder which planes would be most appropriate for the job.
But the recent decision to opt for a propeller plane, the CT157 Siskin, seems to go even further against the grain. In the age of stealth fighters, and fifth or sixth generation evolutions such as the chinese Su57, I have to confess - going to a propeller plane feels like a full-on stop sign, seeing as the Snowbirds are supposed to be an inspiration for youth who may want to earn their wings.
Now, nobody doubts the plane's capacity, or the fact that it's a smarter choice economically - propeller planes are way less maintenance heavy, let alone the guzzling factor, than any jet aircraft, any day of the week - but my Canadian pride has to say that this makes the change feel like this decision was an afterthought way more than an afterburner decision, propelling the Snowbirds, an acclaimed and recognized team in the wrong direction, maybe?
Could we have elected, say, a trio of Gripen's to the job? How about our CF18's, maybe retiring them into an airshow outfit might have some kind of a snowball's chance? Would Bombardier have the teeth to come up with something completely new?
This announcement is recent, and we are talking about a turnaround of over 5 years, so there's still room for change, or evolution on this question.
So long as we don't wind up in one of these, I guess..?
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