RCAF wants Ottawa to buy two used jets for the VIP fleet

The Royal Canadian Air Force is recommending that the government buy used aircraft to replace two of the planes inits aging VIP fleet, at a possible cost of $12 million to $18 million,CBCNews has learned.

The prime minister and Governor General are not allowed to fly on commercial aircraft for security reasons. They use the RCAF's Challenger jets for most of their air travel.

The RCAF has flown Bombardier's Challenger business jets since the early 1980s for VIP transport and other special missions, including medical evacuations, disaster relief assessments and national security operations.

Only four aircraft remain in the fleet:two 1980s-eraChallenger 601 models and two of the more modern Challenger 604 models purchased in 2002. Two older Challengers were retired from the Air Force in 2014.

The recommendation to buy used aircraft is part of a July, 2016RCAFstudy, prepared for the commander of the Air Force andreleased toCBCNews under the Access to Information Act.

Cost estimates for replacement aircraft were deleted fromCBC'scopy of the report.A search of used aircraftwebsitesshow that several Bombardier604swith comparable flight hours are available for roughly $6 million to $9 million each.

A brand-new Challenger 650 model can be purchasedfrom the factory in Montreal for just over $32 million (the price can fluctuate depending onthe buyer's choice of interior options).

RCAF Challengers have transported Prime Ministers since the 1980s

6 years ago

Duration 1:40

One of the old Challengers is painted black while the newer aircraft are painted white with a red stripe

Half of the planes in the RCAF'sVIP Challenger fleet are too old to be flown in some areas of the world.

"As new airspace regulations come into effect," the report says, "theCC144 fleet is becoming less operationally effective. In order to respond to expanding operational restrictions a number of avionics upgrades are required ..."

The report says the manufacturer, Bombardier, doesn't support upgrades to the cockpit instruments in the two older 601 models, and having the instruments replaced elsewhere "would be cost-prohibitive because no economically viable solution currently exists."

But the RCAFcontinues to fly thetwo Challenger 601sas itsearches for a way to get replacement aircraft approved by the government.

The report doesn't look at the option of buying aircraft from another manufacturer. It says buying two used Challenger 604s would "fall within the current budget, and many used CL604 aircraft are available for purchase.

"This option consolidates the fleet to one aircraft type. Cost savings in the form of avionics upgrades, sparing and crew/maintenance training could be realized."

Right now, the Challenger fleet uses two different types of engines. The cockpits in the older aircraft feature analogue instruments, while the newer aircraft use digital instrumentation.

The report ruled out the option ofleasing four new aircraft, stating that the cost of retrofitting them to suit the RCAF's needs and then converting them back again at the end of the lease would wipe out any cost savings.

Buying two new aircraft would breakthe fleet's budget. And the Challenger 604 has since been replaced with a much newer version by Bombardier, so its parts would not be interchangeable with those in the older aircraft.

The report mentions the possibility of a public-private partnership to modernize the fleet but the affordability of such a venture appears to have been redacted from the CBC's copy.Bombardier refused to comment on such a partnership, citing competitive reasons.

Sajjan says RCAF is looking at options to replace Challengers

6 years ago

Duration 1:41

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan spoke with the CBC's Chris Rands

Asked about plans to replace the Challengers,Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan toldCBC News the RCAF is working on "various options."

"And when I have those options I'll be able to present that to Canadians," hesaid.

RCAFpolicy is to have at least two aircraft in theChallenger fleet flight-ready at all times, so the other two can undergo maintenance or be used for training.

Typically, the prime minister and the Governor General use the newer Challengers while the older models are used by the Canadian Forces for medical evacuations and for trips that can't be completed by flying commercial.

Opposition defence critic James Bezan said he learned about the fleet's shortcomings firsthand in June 2016, when he and Sajjan shared a flight to Berlin a flight which required two refuelling stops.

Conservatives call for Challengers to be replaced

6 years ago

Duration 1:06

Defence Critic James Bezan speaks with the CBC's Chris Rands

"First of all, they are not very comfortable," he said. "Secondly, this plane, because of the old aeronautical system, had to fly under 10,000 feet all the way across the Atlantic, burned a lot more fuel in the process and required more stops."

New international civil aviation rules force the older Challengers to fly at lower altitudes, drastically reducing their range without refuelling.

Spending money on VIP aircraft is a politicallychallenging decision for any government. When Jean Chretien bought two Challengers in 2002 to refresh the fleet, the government released the news just before Good Friday to reduce its impact.

"They need to make a hard decision," said Bezan, "Kicking the can is not the answer and that's what it looks like the Liberals are going to do."

However,Bezan wouldn't say if the Conservativeswould support replacing all or part of the Challenger fleet.

"Let's see what they come up with and see if they actually make a decision, because they haven't done one yet."

NDP MP Matthew Dubesaid he supports buying new Challengers instead of purchasing used jets that could wear out faster than expected as long as they're bought through anopen and transparent process.

"The price tag is acceptable, provided that the process leading to the use of that money is one that is appropriate for taxpayers," he told CBC News.