New fixed-wing SAR aircraft: "DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH."

That's the word via the Ottawa Citizen's David Pugliese at his blog. Seems right to me:

The official word from the Defence Department on the Fixed Wing Search and Rescue aircraft project is that the various government players will be ready in the “spring” to make a recommendation on how to proceed on the program.

And the unofficial response from the aerospace industry? Don’t hold your breath.

Most people in the aerospace and defence community remember Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s boast in December 2008 that he was going to buy a new FWSAR aircraft fleet by the spring of 2009 [more here]. Yes, you read that correctly. He said 'buy.'..

Mr Pugliese has some compassionate words for those often looked at askance:

...(You have to feel sorry for some of these public affairs officials...)

Grisly details at a July 2009 post here:

Fixed-wing SAR aircraft balls-up