I was going to use 24 High as a headline, but I was afraid nobody would understand what it means and I worried that might be because it doesn't mean much
Loved this counterpoint to the coverage of the Snowbirds decision. What a poor job the federal government's communications people did in explaining this, especially why the feds decided to use turboprops instead of jets! The Swiss planes flown by the Australian Roulettes are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines.
These Pilatus PC-21 have performance that's comparable to the Tutors. They're training aircraft for fighter pilots. For example, the Tutors could theoretically fly at 400 knots, while the PC-21 can hit 370 knots. Not exactly a fixed gear Cessna.
The PC-21 is also used by the Swiss AF aerobatic displays. The Brazilians use the similar Embraer Super Tucano. The Israelis use the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.
The people whining clearly don't know much about aviation.
It's fitting that the name of this game coincides with retirees and a wistful Anne Murray song.
Somewhere in my basement I have hardcopies of those first Snowbird shots I took on a second hand Cannon on July 1 in Ottawa maybe forty something years ago. It was a glorious day, with blue skies and the show was flawless.
Of course, as the years go by the novelty wears off, and then the show becomes a footnote to something else. And then, we become cynical and crusty, and forget the fun, and it all seems so unnecessary.
In a country like ours however, we really need these national symbols, to help prevent the fragmentation that forces beyond our control seem always to be promoting.
Circuses have their place. It's a point in time when, in this unfriendly world, we can come together as strangers with possibly opposing opinions on larger issues and celebrate what we do share - the blessing of our nationality - through this contrivance.
The Australian's have shown us the way. Tremendous returns from a relatively modest political and economic effort. Let's go all-in with the Snowbirds forever!
As is so, so, so common in your (political) writing you quite politely and ever so cleverly (oh, did I mention somewhat sarcastically?) skewer the government for their myriad of faults. Those faults typically involve hubris, appealing to emotion rather than logic and, well, descend markedly from there.
The Venn diagram of people who think we shouldn't waste our money on the Snowbirds at all when we have boomers and cronies to look after, and the people who think that, if we do, we might as well fly prop planes, overlaps strongly.
I think that this, possibly temporary decision to: 1) pause the areobatics team program, 2) replace it with a more budget, pilot and spectator friendly option, and 3) focus on operational capabilities MAY be a sign that some gonadial fortitude is growing in the federal government and the DND.
I too have been thrilled by Snowbirds, Hawks, Thunderbirds and Blue Angels along with many other aerial events at Airshows, and loved to watch them all BUT to keep these Tutors in the air for show, while starving the front lines of spare parts, is a prime indication of the lack of understanding and maturity we saw out of the Trudeau government from 2015 to 2025.
I am certain that there are many more superficial displays in governance from the previous government that could be dumped in short order with no loss in effectiveness.
I have no strong feelings one way or the other regarding ensuring the continued existence of the Snowbirds. I would still point out that for a significant number of Canadians, the Snowbirds might be the primary part of the CAF with which they ever interact at all. I would tend to argue that it's good to have what amounts to a PR arm of the Air Force travelling around the country and demonstrating institutional competence to taxpayers, but that's just me.
In terms of the larger themes of the piece, it seems that difficult problems never get solved in Canada because they are difficult to solve. But easy problems also never get solved because there are so many solutions that nobody can ever agree on one.
As I read your piece, I kept thinking that this smells a lot like 24 Sussex and then, bingo there it is at the end. I almost kept up with you. Great piece Paul. Canada in a nutshell. We love cans, boats and long straight roads
Canada should find ways to improve our logistics, like buying a lot of those C5 Galaxy cargo planes.
And then use THOSE for acrobatic flying. No, not as fast, and not as acrobatic, but a C5 is impressive just flying by on the level. I'd settle for a few barrel rolls. Likely they are a lively craft when empty.
And that, kids, was the day that Paul Wells told the government to "grow a pair".
Such a classic Canadian story. Ignore the problem until the last possible instant and hope no one notices. A flying version of 24 Sussex Drive.
I was going to use 24 High as a headline, but I was afraid nobody would understand what it means and I worried that might be because it doesn't mean much
Loved this counterpoint to the coverage of the Snowbirds decision. What a poor job the federal government's communications people did in explaining this, especially why the feds decided to use turboprops instead of jets! The Swiss planes flown by the Australian Roulettes are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines.
Bemused that the last shows will apparently be in . . . California. They could just fly them directly to that Arizona scrapyard.
https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/services/showcasing/snowbirds/schedule.html
These Pilatus PC-21 have performance that's comparable to the Tutors. They're training aircraft for fighter pilots. For example, the Tutors could theoretically fly at 400 knots, while the PC-21 can hit 370 knots. Not exactly a fixed gear Cessna.
The PC-21 is also used by the Swiss AF aerobatic displays. The Brazilians use the similar Embraer Super Tucano. The Israelis use the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.
The people whining clearly don't know much about aviation.
If the Snowbirds didn’t exist, I find it hard to believe anyone would suggest we create them. Let them pass into history.
It's fitting that the name of this game coincides with retirees and a wistful Anne Murray song.
Somewhere in my basement I have hardcopies of those first Snowbird shots I took on a second hand Cannon on July 1 in Ottawa maybe forty something years ago. It was a glorious day, with blue skies and the show was flawless.
Of course, as the years go by the novelty wears off, and then the show becomes a footnote to something else. And then, we become cynical and crusty, and forget the fun, and it all seems so unnecessary.
In a country like ours however, we really need these national symbols, to help prevent the fragmentation that forces beyond our control seem always to be promoting.
Circuses have their place. It's a point in time when, in this unfriendly world, we can come together as strangers with possibly opposing opinions on larger issues and celebrate what we do share - the blessing of our nationality - through this contrivance.
The Australian's have shown us the way. Tremendous returns from a relatively modest political and economic effort. Let's go all-in with the Snowbirds forever!
I agree the symbols are important, but the process has to be strategic, meanigful and recognize the other priorities.
I like the idea of the Parliamentary Governance Officer.
I love the encouragement to Find Some Stones. Thanks for this.
Well done, Sir!
As is so, so, so common in your (political) writing you quite politely and ever so cleverly (oh, did I mention somewhat sarcastically?) skewer the government for their myriad of faults. Those faults typically involve hubris, appealing to emotion rather than logic and, well, descend markedly from there.
Again, well done.
The Venn diagram of people who think we shouldn't waste our money on the Snowbirds at all when we have boomers and cronies to look after, and the people who think that, if we do, we might as well fly prop planes, overlaps strongly.
I think that this, possibly temporary decision to: 1) pause the areobatics team program, 2) replace it with a more budget, pilot and spectator friendly option, and 3) focus on operational capabilities MAY be a sign that some gonadial fortitude is growing in the federal government and the DND.
I too have been thrilled by Snowbirds, Hawks, Thunderbirds and Blue Angels along with many other aerial events at Airshows, and loved to watch them all BUT to keep these Tutors in the air for show, while starving the front lines of spare parts, is a prime indication of the lack of understanding and maturity we saw out of the Trudeau government from 2015 to 2025.
I am certain that there are many more superficial displays in governance from the previous government that could be dumped in short order with no loss in effectiveness.
LOL
I have no strong feelings one way or the other regarding ensuring the continued existence of the Snowbirds. I would still point out that for a significant number of Canadians, the Snowbirds might be the primary part of the CAF with which they ever interact at all. I would tend to argue that it's good to have what amounts to a PR arm of the Air Force travelling around the country and demonstrating institutional competence to taxpayers, but that's just me.
In terms of the larger themes of the piece, it seems that difficult problems never get solved in Canada because they are difficult to solve. But easy problems also never get solved because there are so many solutions that nobody can ever agree on one.
As I read your piece, I kept thinking that this smells a lot like 24 Sussex and then, bingo there it is at the end. I almost kept up with you. Great piece Paul. Canada in a nutshell. We love cans, boats and long straight roads
Canada should find ways to improve our logistics, like buying a lot of those C5 Galaxy cargo planes.
And then use THOSE for acrobatic flying. No, not as fast, and not as acrobatic, but a C5 is impressive just flying by on the level. I'd settle for a few barrel rolls. Likely they are a lively craft when empty.