- Reaction score
- 35
- Points
- 560
Kirkhill, the question really isn't what I want to fly (First class in a 767 with champagne and caviar), but if I want to fly at all.
Although Canada is a wealthy nation, the voters have constantly expressed a wish to spend that wealth on healthcare, and are willing to overlook the constant parade of scandals and misspending to get it. We in the CF are in the situation of a family on a tight budget: although the 2005 Freestar with GPS and DVD is just what we need; the green 95 Caravan in the back of the lot is what our budget can afford.
As for the issue of civvie contractors flying into a conflict zone, there are some work around solutions. The first is to fly to an airhead at the edge of the conflict zone. The CF still has a fleet of C-130 tactical transports, so the zoomies can "bulk break" the cargo and do the last leg in and out of theater. Another work around would be to demand a big bonus payment for crossing into the danger zone. A third way would be to write the "first use" contract in such a way that the contingency payments cover the cost of insurance coverage.
Private airlift would also have a certain amount of flexibility for the government. In the Tsunami disaster scenario, if the CF declines the first use option, then the service can be offered to other government agencies, then to the Red Cross or other humanitarian agencies. The IL 76 can also be used as a water bomber, unlikely as it sounds, so the service can be offered to the Provinces if things get out of hand during fire season.
Like all business plan proposals, this has to be affordable (start up), have low enough costs that they can be covered by ongoing revenues, and be flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. As good as the C-17 is, or the A-400 sounds, the start up cost is so huge only governments (which do not have the profit motive) can afford to buy and operate fleets of these aircraft. Other aircraft in service are either very old, not yet in production, or unsuitable for one reason or another. For all its real and preceived faults, the IL 76 Candid IS available and IS affordable. Given the limited set of options, what other solutions are there?
Although Canada is a wealthy nation, the voters have constantly expressed a wish to spend that wealth on healthcare, and are willing to overlook the constant parade of scandals and misspending to get it. We in the CF are in the situation of a family on a tight budget: although the 2005 Freestar with GPS and DVD is just what we need; the green 95 Caravan in the back of the lot is what our budget can afford.
As for the issue of civvie contractors flying into a conflict zone, there are some work around solutions. The first is to fly to an airhead at the edge of the conflict zone. The CF still has a fleet of C-130 tactical transports, so the zoomies can "bulk break" the cargo and do the last leg in and out of theater. Another work around would be to demand a big bonus payment for crossing into the danger zone. A third way would be to write the "first use" contract in such a way that the contingency payments cover the cost of insurance coverage.
Private airlift would also have a certain amount of flexibility for the government. In the Tsunami disaster scenario, if the CF declines the first use option, then the service can be offered to other government agencies, then to the Red Cross or other humanitarian agencies. The IL 76 can also be used as a water bomber, unlikely as it sounds, so the service can be offered to the Provinces if things get out of hand during fire season.
Like all business plan proposals, this has to be affordable (start up), have low enough costs that they can be covered by ongoing revenues, and be flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. As good as the C-17 is, or the A-400 sounds, the start up cost is so huge only governments (which do not have the profit motive) can afford to buy and operate fleets of these aircraft. Other aircraft in service are either very old, not yet in production, or unsuitable for one reason or another. For all its real and preceived faults, the IL 76 Candid IS available and IS affordable. Given the limited set of options, what other solutions are there?