Transport Canada jets - uses?

[conundrum]

I know Nav Canada has some jets that they use for nav-aid testing, but what does Transport Canada use their Citations and King Airs for?

[nortont]

Hunting its prey!

[iflyforpie]

Staying proficient in back-course approaches...

[conundrum]

Or proficiency in general:
http://news.globaltv.com/Passengers+dan ... story.html

[CL-Skadoo!]

In a few short years, they will be paperweights. The wings will be cut.

[conundrum]

I believe the word I'm looking for is... Anyway...

[A Regulator]

Well that depends on the regions but some of us try to use them to do our jobs such as Inspections some use it to maintain some sort of currency, although that is getting very difficult and yes some need the practice in doing a BC. The use of the aircraft sure cut down on the travel time to some destinations and of course no screening at the airports.

[mr.jinks]

Used to be used a lot to ferry Adrianne Clarkson around on personal time.

[A Regulator]

Well it also was used to fly the diplomatic bag down to Washington as it was too expensive to use the Challenger jets. They also used them (C550) to fly VIPs and the PM around as well. (couldn't get the Challenger into the short strips)

[petpad]

Used to be used a lot to ferry Adrianne Clarkson around on personal time.

wrong department.... Clarkson was flying with Col Russ Williams!

[Prairie Chicken]

As A Regulator already pointed out, the fleet are primarily used by inspectors to maintain their own currency & as transport to their own clients. They also are available to other government departments as transportation, but this isn't well known to other departments so often we only hear about them being used by polititians when the larger jets aren't appropriate.

In the past TCCA have also argued that having inspectors operating in the air navigation system permits them to monitor the health of the system (or some such gobbledeegook!). With their recent move to sell off some of the fleet (see earlier thread about TC selling a/c), this belief may have changed.

[Conquest Driver]

and of course no screening at the airports.

I find it interesting that Transport Canada mandates screening, then lists avoidance of that screening as a benefit of TC aircraft operation.

I wonder how long the "random pat down searches" would last if the people who planned or authorized them were required to undergo them??

[A Regulator]

Well Conquest Driver if that is what you got from that comment (screening) so be it, everyone who has an aircraft and uses it avoids screening. I hope Canada does not go as far as the USA and try and put in place screening at all FBOs etc for the larger jet fleets but I can tell you that 9 -11 sure woke certain folks up in Ottawa as they thought everyone was screened and operated from "airports" like in terminals and not at their own facilities. If I remember it blew their minds that they did not.