Air Force accepts first new search-and-rescue plane despite issue with manuals
Posted December 24, 2019 4:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — The Canadian military has accepted the first of 16 new search-and-rescue planes despite outstanding issues with the aircraft’s manuals.
The new plane was officially handed over by European manufacturer Airbus to the Royal Canadian Air Force in Spain last week.
It was supposed to have delivered on Dec. 1, but that date was pushed back due to disagreements between the company, the Air Force and the Department of National Defence over the contents of the aircrafts’ manuals.
The manuals are thousands of pages thick and provide pilots, aircrew and technicians with necessary instructions and references for safely operating and maintaining the aircraft.
Despite the plane’s successful delivery, Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier says the government is reviewing the manuals with the company to ensure they meet the military’s requirements.
He adds that the plane will remain in Spain until the middle of next year as Air Force members train on the aircraft and test it before flying it to Canadian Forces Base Comox in British Columbia.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2019.
The Canadian Press
