Topic: 177701 - Inaugural Flight

[Globesmasher]

Tail number 177701 made it's first flight from the Boeing plant at Long Beach, California today.
The aircraft took off at 1000 hrs PST, 9 Aug 2007.

It was in "perfect" condition ...... still is actually. 

More here ..........

http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/news_e.asp?id=4104

[Baden Guy]

Anxiously awaiting pictures from Abbotsford.   

[Strike]

I wish I could be there in Abbotsford.  You guys are going to be the highlight of the show I'm sure!  I can't believe I'm a actually saying this to a trash hauler, but I'm actually jealous!

[geo]

"Boeing again has made good on our commitment to provide world-class airlift capability to our customer in world-record time," said Dave Bowman, Boeing program vice president, before the gathering of senior Canadian officials and more than 1,000 C-17 employees. "This is yet another great day for Boeing and demonstrates our ability to design, build, deliver and support the world's most advanced airlifter."

Correct me if I'm wrong but, the only reason we have received CC-177 number 1 in world record time is that this plane was supposed to have the Kangaroo roundel - until a side deal was struck with PM Howard.

Thank you Australia!

CHIMO!

[Green On!]

Globesmasher,

Hope you're enjoy the maiden voyage, life in A3 Tpt has been less than cheery with all the last minute C17 issues (amongst other things).

See ya on the 'rfang next week.

bk

[Roy Harding]

I'm sure that flight is an awe-inspiring sight to behold.  I regret that I can't see it.

Have a good time, Globesmasher - you deserve it.


Roy

[mudrecceman]

 

[C1302C17 TECH]

So y'all couldn't swing by Charleston on the way over and let the poor AVN & AVS techs on Cadre 2 an opportunity to touch, kiss, lick or worship our new baby?  Tsk tsk    It's good to see that Canada One is a Canadian now, and look forward to working aboard her.  We hope to see lots of pictures as this group of Aircraft Medics are hungry for all that is CC-177.  So have they provided the hats or shirts yet?  Boeing has to through in some free hats.  LOL

Have a great unveiling, and welcome home Canada One...

[Colin P]

the silence from the Media on Canada getting it's first jet powered strategic transport aircraft is deafening. Yep no agenda on the media's part to ignore good news!

[ParaMedTech]

B7 of the Vancouver Sun.

"this is the first time it has been seen in Canada"

No mention that it's the CF's first C17, and the US has had one at Abbottsford for years.

More ignorance from Canada's reporters.   

Letter sent to the author.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=1bd3e0d0-0533-4ceb-b85e-87534e21fd87

Edit to add link.

[milnews.ca]

Safe travels - PM'ing with something (hopefully) of interest....

Gee, the MSM ignoring a positive development connected with the Canadian gov't?  How unlike them!   

[Baden Guy]

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=759833

Canada's New Government Welcomes Arrival of First C-17 Aircraft
ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 11, 2007) - The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, today joined the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of International Cooperation, and Lieutenant-General Angus Watt, Chief of the Air Staff at the Abbotsford International Airshow to welcome the arrival of Canada's first C-17 Globemaster III strategic lift aircraft.

"Canada's New Government has long recognized the importance of acquiring our own strategic airlift aircrafts to allow us to quickly deploy equipment, supplies or passengers when and where needed around world, and without having to rely on our allies or contractors," said Minister O'Connor. "Our first C-17 will soon be used for operations in support of humanitarian relief, disasters including floods or forest fires, or to a theatre of operations. Canada's New Government is proud to be fulfilling our commitment with its arrival."

The strategic airlift capacity of the C-17 will ensure the Canadian Forces can quickly move heavy equipment, supplies or passengers over long distances, when and where needed in Canada or overseas.

More at link.

[Old Sweat]

I saw the Global TV coverage of the event with featured Tara Neslon exclaiming that after the break we would see the Canadian Forces newest toy. The cost of the aircraft was highlighted, along wiht Ujall Dosingh (sp) who claimed it was a white elephant that would not be in service until after we left Afghanistan. The broadcast then claimed that the program took funds that otherwise would have allowed us to field tactical transports and helicopters that would avoid suicide bombers and IEDs.

Talk about twisting facts. It is either sloppy or deliberately misleading journalism. Check your local schedule.

[AES Op - Jr]

All the fine journalism going on....  Here CTV has listed an American C130J picture as being our new C17....

Think after all this time someone would get their facts in order.

Heres the link:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070811/c17_oconnor_070811/20070811?hub=Canada

Billy

[MedTech]

I was there on the ground for its maiden flight to BC, and it's unveiling and its flypast. It was a beautiful plane to see and behold. I loved every second of it. Beautiful, breathtaking and just down right FREAKING awesome! 

[Colin P]

Lucky bugger, would have been nice to see! 

[Baden Guy]

I am very disappointed with the media. I watched  CTV, CBC, Global, and all I got was pictures of the aircraft sitting on the ramp  or flying by in the circuit. O'Connor was filmed speaking from a prepared text over the sound of aircraft noise and wind. The  only person who spoke to the exciting new capability Canada has just acquired was a few sentences from Lt.Gen. Watt.  We had a brief clip of Ujjal Dosanjh with a smug smile making some meaningless smart remark. Oh and let's not forget reporters hollering at O'Connor about being shuffled in Cabinet.
What I wanted was some individual who could speak knowledgeably about what this aircraft can do,
"The strategic airlift capacity of the C-17 will ensure the Canadian Forces can quickly move heavy equipment, supplies or passengers over long distances, when and where needed in Canada or overseas." DND news release.

I did hear Globesmasher use the word "paradigm."
To bad the media hadn't allowed the Major to speak about the plane and what it can do!

[C1302C17 TECH]

I too am starved for all things Canada One.  Along with several of my colleagues here in Charleston we will make up 18 more technicians scheduled to work on our new fleet.  Our course has prompted us to miss all the great events in this process.  The standing up of our Squadron, and the delivery of our first aircraft.  We were counting on the news to cover it so we may feel the excitement.  Checking CTVNEWS.CA last night at 19h30 was a big disappointment, as they are focusing on the costs of the entire project, and had a picture of a US J-MODEL Herc standing in as a C-17.  The picture has since been replaced, however their story now focuses on how much more this is costing, besides the 4 new planes.  Come on!  Trenton was well due for a face lift, and I am sure that the Project Management Office realized all these costs well before signing the first contract.  Once again the firewords display was nothing more then a birthday candle.

[Baden Guy]

Okayyyyyyy...,  just watched CTV noon time news with reporting by David Atkin from the ramp in Trenton with the CC-177 in the background. Now this is what an informed reporter sounds like. Keep watching CTV news and I am sure they will replay the clip. David will also be doing a tour of the aircraft and I believe he said the media were getting a short hope in the aircraft this afternoon.

Now that's what I'm talking about. 

Edited to add link:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070812/military_planes_070812/20070812?hub=Canada

[milnews.ca]

I did hear Globesmasher use the word "paradigm."
To bad the media hadn't allowed the Major to speak about the plane and what it can do!

Oh, I'm sure they let the good Major speak his piece about the plane and what it can do, they just chose not to INCLUDE it in the story!  MSM strikes again....

[krustyrl]

Well, it's 1 pm here at 8Wing during the height of the big show of the c17 and I am watching ctvnewsnet and the whole airplane thing didn't make the "hours top stories" but funny, the passing of Merv Griffin did.!! I guess by now it's "just another airplane".?

[Globesmasher]

I did hear Globesmasher use the word "paradigm."
To bad the media hadn't allowed the Major to speak about the plane and what it can do!

BG:

Funny you should mention that.
"paradigm" ..... that's my new word for the day!! 

I damned near talked myself hoarse with all the interviews I did with the MSM at Abbotsford.  I've got a sore throat.  And, after all that, approx 3 seconds of a sound bite makes it on National news?  After all the questions on the aircraft's capability and what it represents to Canadians and Canada ......... 3 seconds?

Too funny.
Never mind.
They're not important to me.

What was important was the fact that we managed to get the aircraft out on display to the Canadian public ... the taxpayer, and that is what I took great pride in on Saturday. It was a pleasure and an honor showing the new aircraft to the general public - those were the people I tried to focus my efforts at during the airshow.

My apologies to one and all that we could not open the interior of the aircraft to public touring, but since it was just a whirlwind stopover for 4 hours followed by another flight, we just didn't have time to open it up and then prep it for flight again.  Perhaps next year.

MSM? ....... Ah, who cares about them ........ I just hope Joe Canuck Public enjoyed himself.
They are what airshows are all about.
I met some really nice people on Saturday who stopped by to come and see the jet.

And, thanks to all those who came out to see and meet the new aircraft. 
The aircraft belongs to you - the taxpayer. 
Don't let the MSM and hidden political agendas sully the importance of what your new aircraft represents in the big scheme of things for our Nation.

[Bandit1]

Got in a bit ago, here are some of the pictures from the ceremony and some from the inflight...I'd love to share more but I have to give some of the better ones to publications like Canadian Defence Review...once those have been decided I'll be sure to post some more ASAP.  FYI, these are from Sunday at 8 Wing.

[C1Dirty]

Wow, I'm still in awe of how quickly this all came together.  Well done to all those who helped to make it happen.

As an aside...from the previous page:

The growing threat posed by improvised explosive devices planted along road supply routes has also prompted calls for Canada to switch to air-drop resupply missions, but the military lacks the equipment to do so.

I sincerely hope that this was a poor assumption by the press.

[Rider Pride]

Okayyyyyyy...,  just watched CTV noon time news with reporting by David Atkin from the ramp in Trenton with the CC-177 in the background. Now this is what an informed reporter sounds like. Keep watching CTV news and I am sure they will replay the clip. David will also be doing a tour of the aircraft and I believe he said the media were getting a short hope in the aircraft this afternoon.

Kudos to David Akin...I saw his reporting as well.