• ValueSubtracted@startrek.websiteOP
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    22 hours ago

    I did a bit of a double-take here:

    The Swiss-made, turbo-prop CT-157 Siskin II has been chosen to replace the Snowbird squadron. The planes are already on order and are being delivered for use as the air force’s initial pilot training aircraft.

    Sure enough, these are not jet aircraft.

  • Canaconda@lemmy.ca
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    21 hours ago

    From the article:

    “Some of the airframe, engine and escape system program feasibility studies [that] were done … [revealed] some engineering challenges because of the age of the aircraft that have changed that situation, and this is why it will be retiring in 2027 instead of 2030.”

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Kamloops_Snowbirds_crash

    On May 17, 2020, a Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds plane crashed in Kamloops, British Columbia. One person, Captain Jennifer Casey, was killed, and the pilot was seriously injured after ejecting.[1]

    After a nearly year-long investigation, it was concluded that an engine stall, caused by a bird strike was responsible for the crash.[5] Both of the occupants attempted to eject, but the report showed that Capt. Casey’s ejection seat did not function properly.[6] Since the crash happened shortly after takeoff, the plane was still at a low altitude and the pilot did not have time to regain control.

    Sounds like the planes are simply no longer safe to fly.

  • AmazingSUPERG@thelemmy.club
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    17 hours ago

    While the aircraft are a classic shape it would nice to have new airplanes that are not deathtraps. Maybe newer airplanes with the same livery.