Funding Issues, Fatal Accident In September Among The Stumbling Blocks

The Canadian Coast Guard has a plan to acquire 24 new helicopters, but funding issues and a recent fatal accident have thrown a few obstacles in the plan's path.

In September of last year, a Canadian Coast Guard helo went down in the Arctic Ocean, resulting in the fatal injury of all three people on board. An investigation into the cause of that accident is one of the issues standing in the way of the procurement of the new aircraft. The Calgary Herald report that it is still not known if there was a mechanical issue with the aircraft that was the root cause for the accident.

The paper reports that, according to Coast Guard documents, its fleet of 21 helicopters averages 30 years old, and 95% of the aircraft are beyond their expected service life.

The Coast Guard had opened a contract up for bids last June for 20 new light helicopters with delivery to begin within 12 months of a contract award. But the contract is currently tied up in court after Airbus Helicopters (then Eurocopter) filed a lawsuit claiming Bell Helicopter was given an unfair advantage in the bidding process.

The paper also indicates that the Canadian Government is considering a contract for medium-lift helicopters, but has no firm date for a contract award, and deliveries of that new aircraft would not begin until 18 months after that contract is finalized.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG/Home