Neha Jain: http://canadianaviationnews.blogspot.com/ 27

1. Industry veteran prepares rival airline for takeoff against Porter

After 30 years in the Canadian aviation industry, Russell Payson is preparing for battle once again as Air Canada’s hired gun in its fight against Porter Airlines Inc.

Mr. Payson’s Sky Regional Airlines Inc. surprised the industry last October by winning a high-profile contract to operate the new “Air Canada Express” service from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport starting May 1.

Most industry observers at the time expected the contract to go to Air Canada’s long-time regional affiliate, Jazz Air Income Fund, now known as Chorus Aviation Inc.

But knowing the admirable reputation Mr. Payson has earned for himself over the past three decades in the Canadian aviation industry makes the win a little less surprising.

It has been more than four years since Mr. Payson sold his interest in Skyservice Airlines, and he said in an interview this week he is champing at the bit for another opportunity to build an airline from scratch, and to get Sky Regional airborne this spring.

Air Canada’s new service from the island airport was originally slated to launch in February. But a hold-up negotiating terminal space pushed it out to May. In the interim, Mr. Payson said he has been training staff and putting the finishing touches on the service he and Air Canada will offer, putting an end to Porter Airlines’ five-year monopoly there.

“All of our staff is really up for this because it has become a personal pride issue for us,” Mr. Payson said. “Everybody is pretty hyped up on this.”

Mr. Payson’s history in Canadian aviation dates back to the launch of his air ambulance and executive jet business in 1986 under the Skyservice brand. In addition to maintaining a fleet of 60 business aircraft for well-heeled individuals and corporations, he now overseas a successful maintenance business for regional and business jets and turboprop aircraft.

Mr. Payson was also behind the launch of Skyservice Airlines in 1994, which quickly became one of the largest charter airlines in the country, and garnered him a reputation for running a tight ship. He managed to negotiate a graceful exit from Skyservice Airlines in 2007 when it was purchased by Vancouver-based Gibralt Capital Corp.

The charter airline subsequently fell into bankruptcy last year well after his departure.

But, like most in the industry itself, Mr. Payson’s path has not been without a few mishaps along the way, noted Rick Erickson, an aviation consultant who heads Calgary-based RP Erickson & Associates. The failed launch in 2001 of Roots Air, a luxury airline that lasted just 39 days before it folded, figures high on the list, he said.

That doesn’t detract from the fact that Mr. Payson is a heavy hitter in the aviation sector with a great deal of respect from his peers.

“He had some hiccups, Roots Air being at the top of the list. But there were some other players who had egg on their face over that too,” Mr. Erickson said. “In the meantime, he has run a steady-as-it goes business, and, obviously, Air Canada has a great deal of confidence in him too.”

Prior to the launch of Sky Regional, Mr. Payson had been focusing his attention on running his air ambulance business and Skyservice Business Aviation, which has bases in Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal, where Sky Regional will also co-locate.

He credits Skyservice maintenance facilities in Montreal, and his extensive track record for maintaining Bombardier Q400s that Air Canada will use on the Island dating back to the aircraft’s launch, for giving him a leg up in the competition to win the Toronto Island contract.

2. The Canadian Space Commerce Association Critiques Proposed Federal Budget

In reviewing the federal budget released yesterday, the Canadian Space Commerce Association (CSCA) believes that proposed government plans are not optimal for the requirements of the Canadian space systems sector.

The CSCA's primary concern is with the proposed 12 - 18 month "strategic review" of the "aerospace" industry. The smaller, but growing and primarily Canadian owned space systems sector has a different set of planning and policy requirements than those appropriate for the much larger aviation industry.

Putting the two categories of businesses together for a combined policy review does neither industry any service.

By way of comparison, the Canadian aviation sector as reported by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and summarized in the Deloitte report titled "The Strategic and Economic Impact of the Canadian Aerospace Industry" registered industry revenue of C$23.6 billion in 2008 and C$22.2 billion in 2009.

But the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) 2009 State of the Canadian Space Sector Report, which tracks Canadian private sector space activities over the same period, presents a far different picture. Comparatively Canadian space industry revenues were $3.025 billion over the same period of time, though with 8% annual overall growth over the previous year, and with workforce growth continuing strong. There is also little industry overlap between the top eight mostly Canadian companies being tracked in the CSA report and the top eight companies being tracked in the Deloitte report.

These are clearly two different industries being tracked by two different reports. The CSCA recommends these two industries be treated appropriately and differently to allow each to grow and generate high quality Canadian jobs.

The CSCA is also concerned that any combined "aerospace" discussion could end up being dominated by the F-35 procurement issue, which represents the largest government aviation undertaking ever but is not the primary business concern of companies focused on satellite services, Earth imaging, novel robotics development, and commercializing new applications.

The Canadian Space Agency has already completed a review that consulted stakeholders including other government agencies, academia and industry which resulted in the creation of a Long Term Space Plan which has been sitting in Ottawa patiently waiting for approval since 2009.

The revised Department of Defence space policy which was completed last fall is similarly waiting for approval by Ottawa.

The CSCA recommends these existing policy plans be utilized immediately as the basis for a space policy review, and such a review should not be tied to, or delayed by, any new government review of the aviation industry.

About The Canadian Space Commerce Association

The Canadian Space Commerce Association is a registered Canadian not-for-profit industry group that promotes and supports Canadian space sector businesses. We advance the economic, legal and political environment for space and aerospace focused companies. To that end, we have forged strong links with major organizations - government, research institutions and private industry.

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Family Law Workshop for Female Service Providers - Separation & Divorce: What you need to know to support your clients!
Thursday, March 31, 2011 10:00 AM
Family Law Workshop for Female Service Providers: Separation & Divorce: What you Need to Know to Support Your Clients - Thursday, March 31st, 2011 from 10:00 am - 12 Noon This is a women only event. Healthy snacks and Bus Tickets are...
Venue: Fort Garry Women's Resource Centre
Neighbourhood: Fort Garry
Educational

Canadian Aviation Historical Society - Manitoba Chapter
Thursday, March 31, 2011 7:00 PM
Monthly talks about Canadian aviation history. Recent topics have included: Elsie MacGill, Canada's first woman aeronautical engineer; Andrew Mynarski, VC; writing aviation history books; and the Canadarm. Open to everyone interested in Canadian aviation. For more information, please see
Venue: Western Canada Aviation Museum
Neighbourhood: St. James-Assiniboia
Community

Frontier Centre Breakfast - Peter Kaufmann
Thursday, March 31, 2011 7:30 AM
Most of us know the stats. At one time Winnipeg was the third largest city in Canada and the corporate headquarters capital for western Canada. Today, the city is the eighth largest and Calgary is headquarter city. Do we really have a chance to restore our City’s prominence and make it a world
Venue: Viscount Gort Hotel, Viscount A Room (2nd Floor)
Neighbourhood: St. James-Assiniboia
Business

Still Bloomin Gardening Club - PAL55+
Thursday, March 31, 2011 1:00 PM
Still Bloomin' Gardening Club with PAL55+ invites you to learn from their next guest presenter, John Morgan of Prairie Habitats, Argyle, MB.
Venue: Richmond Kings Community Center
Neighbourhood: Fort Richmond
Community

11th Annual Festival of Fools at The Forks
Thursday, March 31, 2011 11:30 AM
Families looking for some free, fun and foolish Spring Break entertainment should head down to The Forks Market between Saturday March 26 and Saturday April 2, 2011. The Winnipeg International Children’s Festival will hold its 11th annual Festival of Fools featuring zany entertainers, face
Venue: The Forks Market - Centre Circle
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Family

Still Bloomin' Gardening Club
Thursday, March 31, 2011 1:00 PM
Still Bloomin' Gardening Club with PAL(55+) invites you to learn from their next guest presenter, John Morgan of Prairie Habitats, Argyle, MB. Contact Diane - stillbloominpal@gmail.com
Venue: Richmond Kings Community Centre
Neighbourhood: Fort Garry
Community

Calendar Girls
Thursday, March 31, 2011 8:00 PM
At first glance, it looks like a classic Women's Institute calendar, complete with jams, cakes and knitting, except for one thing - the ladies are posing nude. When Annie Clarke's husband dies from leukemia, her friend Chris Harper comes up with the idea to raise money for a comfortable sofa for
Venue: Manitoba Theatre Centre
Theatre

4. A Snowbirds jet could be yours — for at least $50,000

A rare chance to acquire an iconic piece of Canadian aviation history is up for grabs when a Snowbirds Tutor Jet is auctioned in Toronto next month.
   The Canadian Forces’ Snowbirds team, which claims Moose Jaw as its home, has entertained millions of air show spectators as international ambassadors for Canada for more than 40 years.
   The pilots fly the Canadian-built CT-114 Tutor Jet.
   Now one of these rare aircraft will be offered at public auction for the first time at the annual Classic Car Auction of Toronto from April 8 to 10 held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., next to Pearson International Airport.
   It is one of only four known CT-114s under private ownership.
   The aircraft was flown by the team in the 1990s and retains its original cockpit instruments, controls and ejection seats. It was originally flown as number 10 although now has the number 15 on it.
   Originally powered by the J85 jet engine, which has since been removed after being retired from service, the aircraft is expected to become a candidate for restoration or historical museum display.

By
Neha Jain

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