August 10, 2018 | Local, Aerospace
Longview Aviation Capital of Victoria, B.C., in cooperation with Viking Air Limited, has signed a contract with Cascade Aerospace of Abbotsford, B.C., to provide training and resources in support of the Viking CL-415EAF (Enhanced Aerial Firefighter) Conversion Program.
Longview Aviation Capital selected Cascade to provide assistance with the Viking CL-415EAF conversion program in order to leverage Cascade's previous experience converting nine Canadair CL-215 firefighting aircraft to CL-215T turbine configuration for the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The initial Viking CL-415EAF turbine conversion will be conducted at Cascade's facilities at the Abbotsford International Airport, and is scheduled to commence in September 2018.
Cascade will provide training to Longview observers during the initial conversion at their Abbotsford facilities, and will send support staff to provide on-site training at Longview's facilities in Calgary, Alta., for the second and subsequent CL-415EAF conversions.
“Cascade is both well-respected and well-established in the aerial firefighting community. We're confident their proven track record as a 214/415 Centre of Excellence converting Canadair CL-215 aircraft to turbine configuration will contribute to the on-time delivery of the initial CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter,” said David Curtis, chairman of Longview Aviation Capital.
“This is a complex modification, and their expertise will lend itself to the development of the broader conversion program as a whole.”
Kevin Lemke, executive vice-president and COO of Cascade Aerospace, voiced his support for this program
“I'm enthusiastic that Cascade can offer Longview and Viking, two Western-Canadian companies, the advantages we've developed over hundreds of thousands of hours of experience working on CL-215 aircraft,” he said.
“We've enjoyed many years of successful collaboration with Viking over the years on other programs and look forward to many more on this specialized Canadian platform. I'm confident that Cascade's honed expertise in the conversion process will substantively contribute to the success of the new Viking CL-415EAF program.”
The CL-415EAF turbine conversion program is based on the Canadair CL-215T configuration, and encompasses installation of two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 123AF turboprop engines, integration of a new digital avionics suite, installation of six new aircraft structures including winglets and finlets, upgraded power-assist flight controls, installation of a new power distribution system along with complete rewiring of the aircraft, and incorporation of 75 service bulletins associated with the CL-215T conversion kit.
To initiate the conversion program, Longview is hiring up to 150 technical and support staff members at its Calgary facilities, where 11 specially selected CL-215 aircraft will undergo modification to CL-415EAF configuration utilizing Viking-supplied conversion kits.
The turbine conversion kits will be developed and produced at Viking's facilities at the Victoria International Airport, where Viking has already hired 50 employees in support of the program.
The Viking CL-415EAF Conversion Program forms part of a staged approach to utilize the advancements made with the Longview converted aircraft as the basis for the proposed Viking CL-515 new-production amphibious aerial firefighting aircraft.
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November 16, 2018 | Local, C4ISR, Security
HALIFAX — Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Russia's disruptive behaviour on the world stage is a key concern for Canada. Sajjan made the remark Friday at the opening of the Halifax International Security Forum, a three-day event that has attracted security experts and politicians from around the world. The minister cited Russia's annexation of Crimea and its aggressive posture toward neighbouring Georgia as examples of a worrisome trend. "The disruptive nature that Russia has taken, it goes against the rules-based order that we're used to," he told a news conference at a downtown hotel. He said the recent commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions. "It's even more important now that nations act in a responsible manner; that we do not provoke," he said. "Unfortunately, because of the actions that Russia has taken, we do need to make sure we send a strong message of deterrence, and with NATO we are doing that." Canada has taken a particular interest in confronting Russia's use of so-called hybrid warfare, which blends conventional warfare and cyber-warfare to destabilize democracies, Sajjan said. Peter Van Praagh, president of the Halifax International Security Forum, said Russia's internal struggles have had an impact on the rest of the world. "Russia is a great country historically, but Russia is also a failing country, simultaneously," Van Praagh told reporters. "Russia is struggling with both of those things going on at the same time." On Saturday, a panel of experts will take part in a discussion titled: "Beijing's Cravings, Kremlin's Gremlins: Freedom's Foes." "Russia doesn't have the same advanced tools that Canada and NATO has," Van Praagh said. "Russia is using different tools to exert influence ... We can't allow Russia or any other country to interfere in the operations of domestic democracies." The conference, which has attracted 300 delegates from 70 countries, is being held in conjunction with a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Van Praagh also cited the end of the First World War 100 years ago, saying delegates to the conference will be keeping that key event in mind. "Looking at 1918 through the prism of 100 years is a good reminder of the cost of war," he said. "It is also a reminder of our responsibility to protect our democracy. The work of democracy is never quite complete." It's the fourth time Sajjan has attended the security conference as defence minister. He said other key issues that require delegates' attention include the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, ongoing political changes on the Korean peninsula and Canada's renewed role as an international peacekeeper. "For a decade, (the forum) has been the place to discuss global defence and security issues that define our times," he said. Among those invited to speak at the forum is U.S. Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford is the highest-ranking military officer in the United States and an adviser to President Donald Trump. The delegates to the forum are almost exclusively from democratic regimes. Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/11/16/russian-aggression-and-cyber-warfare-key-issues-for-canada-to-confront-sajjan