Putting the push on for Viking Air
It looks like the folks from Viking Air are becoming adept at the aerospace game in Canada:
Political pressure, with the letter to the MP's. Public pressure, with the promise of jobs. And an interesting sop to the granddaddy of the Canadian aerospace industry, Bombardier: you stay in the east, and we'll stay in the west. Shrewd moves.
I also get the distinct feeling the PR push is reaching all the way into the blogosphere...read the comments.
Viking Air Ltd. recently sent a letter to all MPs pressing its point as Defence Minister Peter MacKay prepares to tender a $3-billion contract for new search and rescue aircraft - one that industry sources speculate could be the sole-source purchase of the Italian-American C-27J Spartan.
A made-in-Canada solution is the type of stimulus that could be helpful as the Harper government scrambles to craft a multibillion-dollar plan for reviving the economy.
...
Viking Air president David Curtis said he is not looking for a handout. He said he can build a modernized version of the Buffalo for 40 per cent less than the C-27J, produced by Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Italy's Alenia Aeronautica.
Plus, he said, the contract would mean a doubling of his 350-strong work force in Victoria and Calgary - welcome jobs during an economic downturn.
Restarting production of the Buffalo - last produced by de Havilland decades ago - would also provide Viking Air with a made-in-Canada aircraft that it could shop worldwide.
"It's far cheaper to invest in a platform you already know. ... Modernize it and we then get a product we can market globally, just like Alenia is doing," Mr. Curtis said.
...
Mr. Curtis said Ottawa should consider a joint Viking Air-Bombardier Inc. proposal, because while Buffalos are ideal for Western Canada, Bombardier's search and rescue plane, a variant of its Q-Series Dash 8 passenger aircraft, might work better on the East Coast.
Political pressure, with the letter to the MP's. Public pressure, with the promise of jobs. And an interesting sop to the granddaddy of the Canadian aerospace industry, Bombardier: you stay in the east, and we'll stay in the west. Shrewd moves.
I also get the distinct feeling the PR push is reaching all the way into the blogosphere...read the comments.
posted by Babbling Brooks at 1:09 p.m.
5 Comments:
The Viking guys need to hire some of The Bomber or PWC PR flaks to get this story some political heft at scamming money out of Ottawa :)
While there is no doubt the Buff is a wonderful performer in the BC Mountains - nothing new is going to touch it, in the other 90% of the country the 27's speed, load, pressurized cabin, common to the Jerc's engine, props and glass cockpit make it a clear winner.
I'd love to see re-refurb's Buffs flying - one of the most sphincter tightening experiences I ever had was a "Tactical Decent" from 7500 feet to a runway followed by an "emergency stop". Like an elevator without a cable attached.
But Viking should skip the political approach and stick to making a business case to industry if they really believe in what they are proposing.
Or they should stick to making new build Twotters - they can sell everyone they build and be very profitable.
Why does this feel like LSVW Redux?
So you are saying that both Lockheed Martin and Alenia are above using lobbyists and PR to pitch their wares to governments around the world? Hello this is the real world.
So you are saying that both Lockheed Martin and Alenia are above using lobbyists and PR to pitch their wares to governments around the world?
Don't put words in my mouth, Don. I'm not saying that at all.
My opening sentence says exactly what I'm noting with this post: "It looks like the folks from Viking Air are becoming adept at the aerospace game in Canada." That's not necessarily either a good or a bad thing - it depends upon the context of what they're pushing for what capability at what price and terms.
I was simply noting that they seem to be pushing. I could very well have added that they seem to have learned well from the examples of LM, Alenia, Airbus, etc, and especially Bombardier.
If I may post them, here's a link to a couple of related articles:
"Why Shoot Down the de Havilland Buffalo" & "Canada Needs the CC-115 Buffalo"
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1392055/canada_needs_the_cc115_buffalo_fixed.html?cat=3
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1426405/why_shoot_down_the_de_havilland_buffalo.html?cat=62
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