"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:vnsPe.281727$_o.88276@attbi_s71...
http://makeashorterlink.com/?D5D326EAB

Maybe after this incident the Canadians will stop making their
world-renowned aerobatic team fly around in antique aircraft?

Would that it be this easy.

The inside word has it that the team is lucky to be in existence even with
the Tutors. The money just isn't there for the much needed transition into
the Hawks. In the old days, Col O.B. Philp, the "father" of the team, even
after leaving MooseJaw, was a constant supporter, putting in the good word
where it would do the most good to keep the funding open for the team. But
now he's gone, and many in the Canadian Forces want the team's budget spent
in other areas. It's been a tough road for the Snows, and they've done a
terrific job of keeping it together and running with what they have to work
with.
As you know, I've had the pleasure of flying one of the Tutors as a guest
pilot with the team (a long time ago :-) and I have firm feelings for their
mission.
Personally, I think the Snows are an invaluable asset to Canada, and I'd
hate to see the team disbanded for lack of funds. The powers that be might
do it but for the huge public outcry both in Canada and in the United
States. The team is extremely popular in both countries with good reason.
Their message of good will would be sorely missed by Canada.
Who knows what will happen? Every time there's an accident, the cry goes up
to finally disband the team. Then the people raise hell and the team is
spared another day.
My guess is that the Snows will reach the same plateau reached by the
Thunderbirds right after the Indian Springs Line Abreast Loop crash that
took Norm Lowry's team. After the dust settled in, it was either trash the
mission or upgrade it. The Thunderbirds dropped the T38's and got the Vipers
thanks to a lot of people working hard to see that happen......my self
included.
I hope the Snows reach that decision point and the Canadians finally decide
to upgrade them to the Hawks.
Dudley