All airframes go through stress but a plane that does air shows is going to go through even more stress than an average plane. The repeated stress will eventually lead to metal fatigue. The Snowbirds need new planes!

(Written on 2020/05/23)(Permalink)

They shouldn't disband the Snowbirds but they definatly need newer aircraft. Some of those Tutors are getting close to 60 years old.

(Written on 2020/05/22)(Permalink)

Nice to see others who live in a world of gravel and even grass strips.

(Written on 2019/10/12)(Permalink)

Thanks for that post. It makes a lot of the ATR problems more understandable. Including why they were purchased for the north by several carriers, worked well for many years but are starting to have failures with their self de-icing.

(Written on 2019/10/12)(Permalink)

Westwind, a Northern Saskatchewan Airline uses ATRs to a lot of airfields without de-icing equipment but after a serious accident a couple of years back they have set up de-icing equipment in many f those communities and has used differant planes in others. The Beach 19 is great for places with fewer passengers.unfortunatly Westwind invested heavily in the ATRs and cannot afford to just switch their fleet over.

(Written on 2019/10/12)(Permalink)

ATR announces it’s new plane can take off and land in a 800 meter runway. The Otter laughs and says we fly in a world we’re 800 meter runways don’t exist.

(Written on 2019/10/12)(Permalink)

I have flown the ATR many times to and from unimproved runways. The ATR has many faults that you can criticize it for but let’s stick to facts. My biggest concern is de-icing which the manufacturers of the ATR still have not adtessed. Many norther airports lack de-icing equipment and unlike the Beaver, the Otter and even the old but reliable Dash 8 the ATR cannot be flown safely in conditions that can lead to icing.

(Written on 2019/10/12)(Permalink)

Especially arias were SAMs are being thrown around. A SAM differentiate between a combat aircraft and a civilian aircraft.

(Written on 2019/06/21)(Permalink)

Yeah I don’t know how pilots can decipher some of those. https://medium.com/@markzee/mh17-a-darker-truth-21dc21879fa7

(Written on 2019/06/21)(Permalink)

The big question no one asks is why were they flying passenger jets over a war zone.

(Written on 2019/06/21)(Permalink)