The Canadair (Bombadier) CL-415 is by far the world's best waterbomber. It doesn't need to land to refill and adds retardent dependent on the fire type. The EU has several which thay move around where neede but the two countries with the worst brush and forest fires; USA and Australia don't have any. (at least I don't think they have. As sor the US I guess because it is Canadian they won't buy it. The US wants every one in the world to buy their commercial and military aircraft; and everything else as well but seem to be on a perennial "buy America" kick. Free trade folks; if you don't make the best product for the job; buy it from those who do.

(Written on 12/17/2017)(Permalink)

Dave: Do you work for ACA? None of your sites deal with what has happened to this crew. My wife and I taught at #1 fighter wing in Marville France from 65 to 67. We were members of the officer's mess and most of our friends from those years are now retired airline pilots; most with Air Canada. These guys were up front about everything thatb goes on in the industry; no BS. These guys as the editorial says flew out the next day and I guess are still flying. This crew screwed up plain and simple. I hope you are not related to Dale Fisher who flew Bristol Freighters out of our base in those years.

(Written on 08/18/2017)(Permalink)

My wife and I flew on A Qantas Avro from Perth OZ to Darwin with a turnaround in Alice Springs. With the high wing the view was wonderful. The aircrt is quiet anf lifts off with quickly. I once overheard a pilot when he saw one say that it looks like a miniature Starlifter. A nice trip for us.

(Written on 08/18/2017)(Permalink)

I am Canadian and I posted a comment on this 'near miss' and I said that Air Canada would blame everyone but the flight crew for this; ATC lights etc. There has been nothing in any media here about this. These guys as I mentioned should have been fired, or a least demoted and retrained. A friend of mine a now retired ACA 340 captain commented to be following the Air France over shoot at Toronto several years ago was a 'no brainer' pilot error after AF tried to blame ATC for the almost disaster. All airlines seem to choose to deny pilot error to protect themselves from law suits. In the Air France incident they landed on third down the runway took 6 seconds to activate the reversers and then wondered why the run out of runway especially when it was wet.

(Written on 08/18/2017)(Permalink)

I am a Canadian and fly Air Canada fairly often. I hope this crew will not fly when I am aboard on future flights. They probably won't be fired but should at least be demoted and retrained. I have a feeling that ACA will try to blame ATC or the airport lighting or any other excuse but the fact that the crew screwed up. So far I have seen nothing from ACA in our papers or in other news.

(Written on 07/21/2017)(Permalink)

I am not aware of the problems with 767s purchased from Qantas. I have never flown WJ but have flown at least 25 times on 767s, the first in 1996 from YYZ to Hawai. None were delayed nor did any have mechanical problems. WJ obviously didn't do their homework if they bought crappy aircraft.

(Written on 05/05/2017)(Permalink)

Bev and like the 767 because of the 232 seating: no 3rd person to climb over or to climb over you. Our first 787 flight was not dreamy at all; no pitch,narrow seats, defective entertainment, just another cramped ACA flight. I could care less about the 20% improvement in fuel use, the 767 is an older aircraft but it cruises about the same nauts. West Jet id not a low cost airline. Check any web site and for the same flight destination from the same departure site the prices are identical with ACA hardly a low cost airline (Rouge and Jazz included). Our foreign ownwrship regulations prevent competitive domestic competition. Qantas had to drop their fares dramatically when Richard Branson moved in with Virgin.

(Written on 05/05/2017)(Permalink)

You have it right Brian. The federal taxpayers like us have kept this bankrupt company afloat for years to win the liberal vote in Quebec and elswhere. Look what they have done to Toronto with the streetcar order. Bonuses for the execs for what. The stock is in the red and the favoured children have twice the voting votes per share.

(Written on 04/03/2017)(Permalink)

Please US don't send this crap back to us where they would only get a slap on the wrist. Lock them up and throw away the key. Sorry all you drug users and abusers that what they deserve.

(Written on 03/31/2017)(Permalink)

Ian: Check it out. British Airways is a member of the One World Alliance. You must have a computer. It doesn't take long to get your facts right

(Written on 11/27/2016)(Permalink)