From: AVN@canada.com 
  
 The Hercs are stacked outside the hanger waiting for periodic 
 inspections due to a combination of parts and major repairs to 
 structures. While NATO flying school did draw from the forces for 
 technicians this is not the same kettle of fish. They are looking to 
 send the Hercs to repair facilities up and running now to help put the 
 periodic stager back to normal. This is not a long term contract like 
 IMP or Moose Jaw so few if anyone would apply. I also heard they are 
 talking about sending some as far away as Portugal to have inspections 
 carried out. While Aurora maintenance is busy for periodic inspections 
 our stager is still being maintained. Our airframe is 20 years newer so 
 we are not yet seeing major fatigue cracks that the Hercs have. With the 
 CP140 fleet AIMP has taken more than it's share of aircraft off the 
 hanger line but is required to bring the aircraft in line with our NATO 
 partners. 
 We have new technicians arriving all the time now so things should get 
 better in the next few years once they gain some qualifications. 
 The only thing not being tried is a incentive program to keep the more 
 experienced technicians in the forces. If things start improving in the 
 civilian market in the next few years and with a good portion of AVN/AVS 
 reaching 20-25 year mark things could turn ugly quick. 
  
  
 Brendan Grace wrote: 
 > Which paper was that in Paul.  It seems like we are almost that bad in the 
 > Aurora world too. 
 > 
 > 
 > "Paul Morgan"  wrote in message 
 > news:2q5lovkmmm6ctd83393rtrvruscab1km8s@4ax.com... 
 > 
 >>Just read in paper where minister of defense is going to contract out 
 >>some of the Herc maintenance to bring up servicability rates. 
 >>Any other groups (ships, vehicles) need a boost like that also? 
 >>He said that there are not enough technicians left in the military to 
 >>work on all the Hercs to keep them in flying condition. Much like the 
 >>NATO flying schools in Moose Jaw and Cold Lake, the company will draw 
 >>its technician pool from the military leaving even fewer techs in the 
 >>military. 
 >>To my mind, this is just another band-aid solution that will bite them 
 >>on the ass. 
 > 
 > 
 > 
  
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