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The End Of Swoop: What's Next?

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          On June 9 2023 in a press release that surprised few in the industry, WestJet announced that subsidiary airline Swoop will be integrated into the mainline fleet of WestJet as of 28 October this year. The press release was preluded by rumors that Swoop was to be shut down as part of the agreement reached that prevented the recent strike scare prior to May Long Weekend this year. Indeed, the integration is no doubt part of the agreement between the WestJet pilots union and the WestJet group, however there's some speculation from outsiders that higher ups within the company quietly agreed to axe Swoop as a brand at the negotiating table. Part of the reason the recent strike of WestJet and Swoop pilots nearly happened was due to pay differences between the mainline fleet and the low-cost subsidiary. Some onlookers however wonder what is next for the Boeing 737 aircraft and staff currently in the Swoop fleet. So what's next for Swoop's fleet and staff after...
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Golden Era Aviation: A Hidden Aviation Gem!

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           June 4th 2023 was the Regina Flying Club's annual open house and as usual, I attended for the full day to document the various attractions. Before the event I caught wind that Saskatoon-based Golden Era Aviation would be in attendance with their ex-RCAF Beech 18/C-45 Expeditor. Of course being fascinated with historic aircraft, I was very keen to cover Golden Era Aviation's visit in particular. Chief pilot Mike and his family were there with the Beech 18 to offer rides and much insight into the history of their aircraft, but to my surprise, I was offered a media flight!           Golden Era Aviation and I have long been aware of each other- after all, I first learned of their existence last year after my review of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, where their Beech 18 was housed at the time. Before the open house officially kicked off chief pilot Mike and I coordinated with each other to get pictures of them touching down...
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UFO Over YYC: A Halloween Mystery?

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          In the early hours of October 29 2022, a pilot who wishes to remain anonymous called the Wings Of The Prairies UFO Investigation Hotline in Regina, Saskatchewan with a fantastic tale- a UFO had followed him all the way to Springbank Airport in Calgary, Alberta from the sleepy Alberta town of Olds!            The pilot, who wishes to be referred to as T. Rockefeller, explained that on his late night flight on October 27, he departed Olds in his Cessna 172 and at three thousand feet spotted a dark shape to his starboard at three o'clock high, rapidly closing distance. As the object got closer, he could make out that the object he was seeing was unlike any other, a black triangle he guessed to be roughly the size of a Boeing 737, with a light on each point and one in the middle. T. Rockefeller suddenly realized that the aircraft was on a collision course and had to take evasive action to avoid collision. The black triangle ov...
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Museum Review: Saskatchewan Aviation Museum

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            Two days ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I have communicated with many of the museum personnel often since starting the Wings Of The Prairies project, and have been meaning to visit for quite some time. I originally planned my trip around filming the museum's Aviation Days event, but unfortunately it was canceled and the hotel room couldn't be refunded due to a concert. Thankfully though, my wife and I are coming up on our one year anniversary and used the opportunity to make it into an anniversary trip! Due to my previous discussions with museum personnel, they knew who I was fairly quickly. I was told I could take photos or video of whatever I wanted to... so I did just that and gave myself a self-guided tour. Here's my thoughts about the museum and my first visit.          Overall, it's a really great museum! I've been to museums where the collections are...
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King Of Speed: Bombardier's New Thunder

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            In the latest news to come in the Canadian aviation community Bombardier unveiled its newest aircraft design, the Global 8000. I first learned about the new aircraft yesterday evening, and upon further research and reading the Bombardier press release itself, this newest jet to hold the Global name is an absolutely impressive aircraft and may just be geared up to become the first fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde.           As stated by Bombardier, the Global 8000 is capable of trans-sonic flight with a top speed of mach 0.94. It also boasts an impressive range of 8,000 nautical miles, the furthest range ever for a business jet making the longest hauls possible without a stop to refuel. Bombardier also stated in its press release that the Global 8000 features a flex wing tailored for performance and ride comfort at all speeds, next generation fly-by-wire technology which they call the Bombardier Vision, which ...
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Tante Ju Over The Prairies: The Ju-52 In Saskatchewan

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           The Junkers Ju-52 is perhaps best known for its role with the Lufwaffe during the Second World War, flying for a variety of roles and missions on various fronts during the conflict, much like the Douglas C-47 the allies used. From Stalingrad to France and all the way to North Africa, the Ju-52 was there. However before the Ju-52 gained notability for its role as the "Nazi Dakota", the Ju-52 actually ended up in one of the least likely of places- 1930s Saskatchewan.            A couple days ago, a pilot friend of mine sent me a couple books and some Canadian Forces Snowbirds memorbillia in the mail. One of the books he sent me is called "Wings Beyond Road's End: Airplanes Over Saskatchewan's North", which goes into the history of flight in the province. Of course given the content I create, I immediately found the book interesting and began previewing pages before diving in. I noticed a very odd photo, and looking at ...
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F-35 Orders Cancelled: A Starfighter Ordered?

           In a breaking news article that broke on May 4 2022, the Canadian government has abruptly cancelled their orders for F-35s in the wake of a new fighter entering the CF-18 replacement program last minute- the Sienar Flight Systems TIE/IN. Sienar has obtained massive contracts with an unnamed Galactic Empire in a far, far away galaxy, as well as a mining guild located in the same galaxy. Their products are cutting edge, as they also manufacture interceptors, bombers, transports, and even drones.           The RCAF TIE/IN fighters will number 100 units, with orders being delivered in 2023. The TIE/IN is capable of spaceflight and can carry all NATO standard equipment with modifications. The starfighter has two general purpose blasters canons and is outfitted with an l-a2b solar ionization reactor and SFS P-s4 Twin Ion Engines, and a top atmospheric speed of 1,200 kilometers an hour. Sienar has stated in a press release that ...
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