Turmoil at Sunwest

[ElDukae]

Seems things are on shaky ground at Sunwest these days. Heard thought the grapevine that they have closed their YEG base and have let go 2 pilots and 1 engineer up there. As I understood it, they are also loosing the 441 they have based there too. Also heard from a friend of mine from YMM that they canned a 1900 driver and a 200 driver. He said they were cutting costs hard and thinks there are more to come.

Any news?

[MUSKEG]

Poor choice of words to open a thread. Turmoil implies conflict, this is reality, driven by the recession.

[roger.roger]

from what I know, they're a good company. I'm sure this was a last resort mesure and hopfully the newly unemployed will find something soon

[fortis risk]

yeah... I don't think the events described actually qualify as "turmoil".

[boeingboy]

Not quite the whole truth.

The Edmonton base was doing very little business for a while now. The 441 does a fair share of flying - but not enough to pay the bills. The Lear was doing about 100hr a year. Not enough to pay for anything.

They did not "lose" the 441 - they gave notice that they would no longer manage it for the owner, as the owner was not interested in moving it to YYC and it was not finacially viable to leave the base open for the 1 plane.

Yes there are hard times but the company is doing very well thanks to it's diversity.

[Beacon]

ElDukea - Don't you think the media does a good enough job of overblowing aviation news? 'Turmoil' is a poor choice of words, especially when pretty much everyone in the aviation community is being affected by the same ecomomic slowdown.

Best of luck for all those at Sunwest affect by layoffs. CMA next door is always looking for 1900 guys and I think are still hiring.

[boeingboy]

FYI - The only layoffs were due to the YEG base closure. 2 Lear drivers and 1 mechanic. They were only laid off as there were no openings available in YYC.

[Rog]

Can one of the Sunwest's please change your name. I was thinking we're talking about the yellowknife one.

[Flybabe]

You were confused between "Sunwest" and "Arctic Sunwest"??

[slowstream]

The Lear was for HOPE & charters, from what I knew no effort was made to develop business in YEG.

Build it and they will come ................ well, no they won't.

Still a good company, and a good group of guys.

Tough times, thats all

[ScudRunner]

. Also heard from a friend of mine from YMM that they canned a 1900 driver and a 200 driver.

Doesn't Sound like Cost Cutting at all

[Bell]

Have a good friend working there. He tells me they are cutting costs hard across the board and wouldn't be surprised to see more layoffs. Good company, no doubt they'll survive just fine.

[boeingboy]

There are no layoffs planned, and the only way they will happen is if they lose any of their business - which hasn't happened yet.

[Bell]

In this economy, one never knows. Sunwest seems like the kind of company that would do everything possible before taking that step. Might be a good option to consider once everything settles down. Boeingboy, you are with Sunwest?

[rampieee]

Not sure about Turmoil at Sunwest but it appears as though they are trying to use CADORS to bash fellow operators.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/Aviation/applicatio ... Position=3

CADORS Number: 2009C0705 Reporting Region: Prairie & Northern

Occurrence Information
Occurrence Type: Incident Occurrence Date: 2009/03/24
Occurrence Time: 1940 Z Day Or Night: day-time
Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0

Canadian Aerodrome ID: CYLL Aerodrome Name: Lloydminster
Occurrence Location: Vicinity Lloydminster (CYLL) Province: Alberta
Country: CANADA World Area: North America

Reported By: NAV CANADA AOR Number: 105332-V1
TSB Class Of Investigation: 5 TSB Occurrence No.: A09W0049
Event Information
Bird strike
Diversion
Windshield/window (aircraft)
Aircraft Information
Flight #: CNK 505
Aircraft Category: Aeroplane Country of Registration: CANADA
Make: CESSNA Model: 560
Year Built: 1997 Amateur Built: No
Engine Make: PRATT & WHITNEY-CAN Engine Model: JT15D-5D
Engine Type: Turbo fan Gear Type: Land
Phase of Flight: Cruise Damage: No Damage
Owner: SUNWEST AVIATION LTD. Operator: SUNWEST AVIATION LTD. (5404)
Operator Type: Commercial

Detail Information
User Name: Ridley, Rod
Date: 2009/03/25
Further Action Required: Yes
O.P.I.: Maintenance & Manufacturing
Narrative: CNK 505, a Sunwest Aviation Cessna Citation, was en route from Edmonton City Centre to Saskatoon and near Lloydminster when the crew reported a cracked cockpit window. They diverted to Calgary for repairs. There was no emergency and the flight landed safely at 2028z. TSB reported that the Sunwest Aviation Inc. Cessna C560, C-FKBC, was on a charter flight from Edmonton, AB (CYXD) to Saskatoon, SK. During level off at FL 370 in the vicinity of Lloydminster, AB, the Captain's side window cracked. The flight crew commenced an emergency descent and diverted into Calgary, AB for an uneventful landing.

User Name: Ridley, Rod
Date: 2009/04/07
Further Action Required: No
O.P.I.: System Safety
Narrative: UPDATE Maintenance and Manufacturing reported that the aircraft experienced a large crack to the pilot’s side window at FL 370 and the crew initiated an emergency descent. Upon investigation and removal of the window, it was noticed that the window had been replaced in June of 2007 during the aircraft’s last Phase V Inspection. The DOM of Sunwest Aviation reported that when the window was removed, they noticed that the window had been replaced without using the bushings, P/N CM3697-1-0.45 as called out in the IPC. It was also noticed that the vents were sealed with PRC, not allowing ventilation between the window panes. A SDR has been submitted.

User Name: Ridley, Rod
Date: 2009/04/24
Further Action Required: No
O.P.I.: System Safety
Narrative: UPDATE Maintenance and Manufacturing reported that it has been determined that any reference to an installation error with the window is only based on hearsay information from the Sunwest DOM. It is now suspected at this time that a previous bird strike to the aircraft could have been a contributing factor to the window failure. In fairness to the AMO that did the work to install the window, if there is any mention of a possible installation error (missing bushings) it should also be stated that this is not supported by any factual evidence. The AMO requested supporting information from Sunwest concerning installation error, however none was provided.

Please note that for the most part, CADORS reports contain preliminary, unconfirmed data which can be subject to change.

[privateer]

So where is the mention of the operator or operators? Looks like the crew did a fine job getting the aircraft on the ground is all that I can see.