AN MHM PUBLISHING MAGAZINE // APRIL/MAY 2020 COVER STORY Operators in Crisis THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THRUSTS CANADIAN SKIESMAG.COM AIR OPERATORS INTO UNCHARTED TERRITORY ALSO Exploring Change SUMMIT AIR PURSUES NON- TRADITIONAL EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES Low-Risk Capability BOEING OFFERS THE BLOCK III SUPER HORNET AS CANADA’S NEXT FIGHTER JET Specialists In Care FOX FLIGHT AIR AMBULANCE EXCELS THROUGH A COMMITMENT TO PATIENT CARE Next Gen Diamond WE FLY THE EFFICIENT, DIESEL- POWERED DIAMOND DA40 NG Otter Devotion PLANES & PARTS HAS BEEN FERRYING TWIN OTTERS FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS CANADA’S AVIATION & AEROSPACE AUTHORITY ACCOMPLISHED. F LY The A330 MRTT carries more fuel, more passengers and more cargo than any other new generation tanker aircraft. With fewer flight hours required, your operational requirements are met – every time. 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We make it fly. airbus.com SKIESMAG.COM 81 April/May 2020 14043_AIR_A330-MRTT_10.75inchx8.375_SkiesMagazine_1.0.indd 1 20/01/2020 12:51 AN MHM PUBLISHING MAGAZINE // APRIL/MAY 2020 COVER STORY Operators in Crisis THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THRUSTS CANADIAN SKIESMAG.COM AIR OPERATORS INTO UNCHARTED TERRITORY ALSO Exploring Change SUMMIT AIR PURSUES NON- TRADITIONAL EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES Low-Risk Capability BOEING OFFERS THE BLOCK III SUPER HORNET AS CANADA’S NEXT FIGHTER JET Specialists In Care FOX FLIGHT AIR AMBULANCE EXCELS THROUGH A COMMITMENT TO PATIENT CARE Next Gen Diamond WE FLY THE EFFICIENT, DIESEL- POWERED DIAMOND DA40 NG Otter Devotion PLANES & PARTS HAS BEEN FERRYING TWIN OTTERS FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS CANADA’S AVIATION & AEROSPACE AUTHORITY CERTIFIED OUTPERFORMANCE. LEAD THE WAY NOW. Unprecedented performance. Industry-leading technology. Exceptional comfort. Now certified. 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As the first airplane in its category with fully-integrated autothrottle and automated icing detection, the TBM 940 earns its place as the top member of Daher’s very fast turboprop aircraft product line – which is preferred by aviators everywhere. - Photo Airborne Films Speak to a Daher TBM expert: Columbia Aircraft Sales (Eastern Canada) Ken Dono - Tel: (860) 941-1813 email: [email protected] www.columbiaaircraftsales.com Crafted for aviators SKIESMAG.COM 1 April/May 2020 54 SKIESMAG.COM 2 April/May 2020 In this APRIL/MAY 2020 | VOLUMEIssue 10, ISSUE 2 42 14 66 OPERATORS IN CRISIS SPECIALISTS IN CARE Efforts to contain the unprecedented Fox Flight Air Ambulance has seen COVID-19 pandemic have thrust growth over two decades of operating Canadian air operators into global air ambulance flights. From uncharted territory as they cut the back of the plane to the front, the capacity, seek relief and issue Toronto-based company’s operations thousands of layoff notices. are strictly geared towards one goal: patient care. By Lisa Gordon By Robert Williamson 42 76 EXPLORING CHANGE 76 THE NEXT GENERATION With the mining industry slowing The Diamond DA40 NG, powered by down in the Northwest Territories, the fuel-sipping AE300 diesel engine Yellowknife-based Summit Air and featuring the capable Garmin has made the strategic decision G1000 NXi avionics package, makes to diversify. Today, the company a powerful impression with flying is venturing into non-traditional schools and private pilots alike. areas to pursue expansion through opportunity. By Conrad Hatcher By Lisa Gordon 86 54 OTTER DEVOTION LOW-RISK CAPABILITY Planes & Parts Ltd. owner Bob Ambrose has been flying Twin Otters Boeing says its Block III Super for more than 50 years. His Alberta- Hornet offers Canada proven based company has ferried countless performance and predictable examples of the type to operators costing, along with a binding around the world. commitment for significant investment in Canadian content By Ken Pole and a ‘gradual handover’ of intellectual property. By Chris Thatcher IN EVERY ISSUE ON THE COVER From the Editor ................6 Plane Spotting ................34 As the COVID-19 pandemic gathered steam in late March, voices from Canada’s air transport sector came together In the Jumpseat ................ Marketplace................... 8 91 in a growing chorus to request emergency financial View from the Hill .............10 In the Circuit ..................98 assistance from Ottawa. For many operators, the situation is dire. Cover design inspired by Alex Praglowski and Focal Points ..................12 Instrument IQ . 101 created by Kaytlyn Wismayer Briefing Room ................14 Faces of Flight .............. 102 SKIESMAG.COM 3 April/May 2020 APRIL/MAY 2020 Let’s Connect VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 Contact Us PHONE: 1.866.834.1114 FAX: 519.748.2537 SkiesMag.com SKIESMAG.COM We’re your best source for aviation industry news! Come on over to our website for your daily dose of the latest news, original Skies feature articles, unique desktop calendars and wallpapers. Plus, you can read all our back issues at SKIESMAG.COM/ISSUES. The Team GROUP PUBLISHER MIKE REYNO [email protected] Skies Daily GROUP PUBLISHER Stay current with Skies Daily, our free e-newsletter that delivers the LINDA REYNO latest aviation news to your inbox every weekday. Sign up today at [email protected] SKIESMAG.COM/SUBSCRIBE. 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