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Discovery Air est un commanditaire de première catégorie du Centenaire de l’aviation et du projet Hawk One.
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Entreprise dont le siège social est à Yellowknife, Territoires du Nord-Ouest, Great Slave Helicopters, et son groupe d’entreprises, est le deuxième plus gros exploitant de vols VFR au Canada.
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Discovery Mining Services est un service minier et une société d’expédition satisfaisant les besoins des sociétés en activité dans tout le Canada.
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Air Tindi exploite une flotte diversifiée de 25 aéronefs à voilure fixe et offre le service d’ambulance aérienne, le service de fret et des vols réguliers partout dans le nord du Canada.
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Top Aces est le premier fournisseur de services de formation aéroportée pour l’Armée, la Marine et l’Aviation canadiennes.
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Les actions ordinaires de classe A à la bourse de Toronto sont échangées sous le symbole DA.A.
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Discovery Air Technical Services (DATS) est un organisme de maintenance agréé par Transports Canada (OMA 23-10) offrant une vaste gamme de services. Nous sommes autorisés à effectuer de la maintenance et des modifications sur tous les appareils enregistrés aux États-Unis conformément à l'entente bilatérale É.-U.-Canada (réf. CFR 43.17) et à la réglementation de l'Agence Européenne de Sécurité Aérienne (réf. EASA 145).
Participation communautaire
Hawk One Flying High with Discovery Air
By Dan Dempsey, Top Aces Inc.
Hawk One Team Historian
Thanks in large part to Discovery Air, Canadians looking skyward this summer are once again being treated to a magnificent aerial sight – the classic lines of the “Hawk One” F-86 Sabre sweeping across the sky adorned in the colours of the legendary RCAF Golden Hawks aerobatic team. For the second consecutive year, Discovery Air has led the way in teaming up with Vintage Wings of Canada, the Canadian Forces and a number of like minded corporate sponsors to highlight Canada’s proud aviation heritage. There is one distinctive change to the paint scheme on the aircraft this year however – the addition of the Discovery Air logo to the side of the aircraft as a salute to that corporation’s vision and leadership.
Formed last year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada, Hawk One and the Centennial Heritage Flight toured across Canada in a highly visible tribute to Canada’s myriad aviation accomplishments. “Resurrect, Celebrate and Motivate” was the theme behind the refurbishment of the classic Sabre affectionately referred to as “The Sword” by the hundreds of RCAF fighter pilots who flew her during the early days of the Cold War in Europe.
All volunteers, the Hawk One team brings together a formidable group of highly experienced civilian and military professionals who are once again displaying the Sabre across Canada from Halifax all the way to Victoria, allowing Canadians young and old to “look, touch and learn” about the rich aviation heritage that helped build our nation. Last year, some two million spectators had the opportunity to see Hawk One fly with hundreds of spectators, young and old alike, having the additional privilege of having their photo taken in the cockpit of the legendary jet.
The 2010 season kicked off in style last month in the nation’s capital where Vintage Wings teamed up with the RCMP to dedicate Hawk One to Al Lilly, a former RCMP officer and later Canadair test pilot who was not only the first Canadian to fly the F-86, but also the first to crack the sound barrier on August 5, 1950. More recently, Hawk One thrilled over 20,000 airshow fans at the Vintage Wings of Canada Open House on the 4th of July and will soon be on its western swing. This will include the jet’s first major foray into the United States where it is expected that over one million attendees at the famous Oshkosh Airshow south of Chicago will see the jet for the first time in its Golden Hawk and “Discovery Air” livery.
RCAF Sabre 23314
The F-86 Sabre that was destined to become Hawk One has a distinguished history. It was the 1,104th Sabre to come off the Canadair assembly line in August 1954, bearing the RCAF serial number 23314. Built as a Sabre 5, it was one of 1,183 Canadian-built Sabres that were delivered to the RCAF between 1951 and 1957 to equip 12 squadrons in Europe as Canada’s aerial commitment to the defence of Europe in the early days of the Cold War.
The jet served in Europe with 441 (F) Sqn following the move of RCAF 1 (F) Wing from North Luffenham, England to Marville, France. Upon repatriation to Canada, it served in a number of locations, most appropriately as one of the training aircraft for the Golden Hawks at RCAF Stn Trenton during the workups for the 1963 airshow season. The aircraft ended its service career with the RCAF and Canadian Forces at the Sabre Transition Unit located at CFB Chatham, New Brunswick where it was used as a lead-in fighter trainer for the CF-104 Starfighter. Sabre 23314 flew its last RCAF sortie on December 31st, 1968. Following the removal of its six 50 calibre machine guns and several years in storage, 23314 was sold to private interests in the United States where it remained for some 35 years. Following its sale to Vintage Wings in September 2007, it winged its way home to Canada to begin a long restoration process.
Flying the F-86 Sabre
As any fighter pilot would anticipate, the Sabre is an absolute joy to fly. Most pilots who have sat in it have expressed surprise at how tight the cockpit is – the old adage of strapping a fighter to your back is not far off when it comes to the F-86. To date, eight former Canadian air force pilots having fighter experience of one sort or the other (from Mustangs to Starfighters to Hornets), have checked out on Hawk One. This year’s displays are being flown by two former Hornet demonstration pilots, Mike Woodfield of Westjet and Will Radiff of the Canadian Forces.
The Sabre loves to fly fast and, while she is no match for today’s afterburner equipped fighters, she accelerates to over 450 knots with little effort or sensation in the cockpit. Yet, she is surprisingly easy to fly – a fighter pilot’s fighter as they say. Even at an all up weight of 16,233 pounds, nosewheel rotation occurs at 115 knots and she eagerly leaps into the air at 131 knots – with only 2,800 feet of runway behind her. As the jet rapidly accelerates through 200 knots her leading edge slats automatically slide closed. Once over 300 knots the roll rate of the aircraft, even at half aileron deflection, is very fast – dizzyingly so at full deflection. Combining pitch, roll and acceleration rates as she races through the sky, it is readily apparent why the Sabre was so successful as a dog fighter – and why she was so revered by those fortunate enough to have flown her.
One of the truly amazing technological advances of the Sabre was its leading edge slats which automatically deploy at slow speeds to improve manoeuvrability. Mounted on simple rollers, there is no sound or sensation as they extend or retract, an invaluable asset in a slow speed dog fight or while turning base to final. Overhead pitches are nominally flown at typical fighter speeds of 300 knots. After lowering gear and full flap at 185 knots, final turn is flown at a minimum of 150 knots decreasing to 130 on final and 110 over the threshold.
A Unique Partnership
Like all celebrated projects, Hawk One began with a vision that hard work and determination turned into a reality. The members of the team, from the technicians to the support staff and pilots, have each had a role to play in bringing the project to fruition. Still, the project would never have seen the light of day without the generous support of many organizations and individuals. It is a credit to Discovery Air that they have led the way in helping Vintage Wings tell the story of a legendary aircraft and the RCAF pilots who helped make her famous.
Dan Dempsey is a former CF fighter pilot, Snowbird commander and airline captain who now flies for Top Aces. He is honoured to be a member of the Hawk One team, last summer being one of the five pilots to fly Hawk One across Canada. He currently has 40 sorties in the Sabre to his credit.
The RCAF Golden Hawks
The Golden Hawks were formed on March 1, 1959 as the RCAF’s contribution to the Golden Anniversary of Flight in Canada. Under the command of Wing Commander Jack Allan, Squadron Leader Fern Villeneuve and his team flourished, quickly establishing themselves as one of the finest aerobatic teams in the world. Resplendent in their six gold-coloured F-86 Sabre 5 fighters, the Golden Hawks represented everything that was glorious about the RCAF and aviation in Canada.
Although originally slated to fly for only one year, the popularity of the Golden Hawks ensured their survival for five full airshow seasons until debilitating budget cuts to national defence sealed their fate on February 7, 1964 as the team practiced for their sixth season.
All told, over 15,000,000 North Americans watched the Golden Hawks weave their aerial magic in 317 shows over five years. They came to symbolize a form of national pride, a thrilling sight millions of Canadians would cherish and never forget. Today, their legacy lives on through Hawk One and the Snowbirds, this year celebrating their 40th year of aerial excellence.
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D'autres participation communautaire
le Canada célèbre son centenaire de l’aviation
Cette année, le Canada célèbre son centenaire de l’aviation. Dans le cadre de ces célébrations, un groupe de volontaires à remis à neuf un aéronef classique RCAF Sabre 5 aux couleurs de l’équipe d’acrobaties aériennes légendaire Golden Hawk. L’équipe Hawk One forme une partie du patrimoine des vols du centenaire de l’Aviation et se joindra aux Snowbirds canadiens tout au long de la saison de spectacles aériens 2009. La mission combinée des Snowbirds et de l’équipe Hawk One consistera à motiver les jeunes à réaliser leurs rêves, peu importe lequel.
Discovery Air est fière d’être un commanditaire de première catégorie de l’équipe Hawk One. L’équipe Hawk One est menée par un ancien commandant des Snowbirds, lcol Steve Will, et elle rassemble un groupe formidable d’aviateurs chevronnés, notamment l’astronaute canadien Chris Hadfield et notre propre capitaine des Top Aces Westwind, Dan Dempsey.
Le président-directeur général de Discovery Air, Dave Jennings, est photographié au-dessus du hangar des Vintage Wings à Gatineau, QC. Il est extrêmement fier de faire partie du projet Hawk One et il désire prendre le temps de saluer l’équipe Hawk One pour leur saison exceptionnelle.
Pour en savoir plus sur les célébrations tenues à Gatineau pour le projet Hawk One, veuillez visiter le site blog.hawkone.ca/. Pour obtenir plus de renseignements sur le projet Hawk One, veuillez visiter le site de Hawk One.
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Great Slave Helicopters et Air Tindi sont des commanditaires du programme de bourse des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, lequel offre huit bourses de 5 000 $ à des jeunes du Territoire qui désirent poursuivre une carrière en aviation dans l’industrie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest chaque année.
Dans le cadre de l'initiative de renommé Hicks & Lawrence's "Discovery Air Fire Services," cette nouvelle logo commencent à apparaître sur des avions de transport d'incendie au cours de la prochain saison.
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Discovery Air Fire Servicese exploite deux divisions
Great Slave Helicopters, Deline célèbre 185 années de travail avec son partenaire local Techi?q, Great Slave Helicopters et Discovery Air du Nord la division Services a récemment fait don d'une série de chandails de hockey et rondelles commémoratives célébrant Deline comme étant le berceau du hockey sur glace en 1825. Lisez plus sur cet événement dans le numéro de Décembre de plan de vol.
Pour en savoir plusUn avion entièrement rénové, acheté directement du fabricant Raytheon Beechcraft, le Beechcraft 1900D dispose d'une cloison mobile qui permet, en toute sécurité, une capacité de 19 passagers ou une combinaison passagers/cargo. Le 1900D dispose d'une large porte cargo et ayant également un intérieur de cabine étant 50 pour cent plus grand que son concurrent le plus proche, faisant en sorte que C-GHUE sera un avion idéal pour le Nord.
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Le réseau Northlinx réunit un grand nombre de partenariats de projet conjoints autochtones de Great Slave Helicopters permettant aux participants de profiter de projets d’envergure sur tout le territoire nécessitant des services d’hélicoptère dans le Nord. Actuellement, il y a douze partenariats en exploitation dans ce modèle profitable autour des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, notamment Denendeh Helicopters, Dehcho Regional Helicopters, Sahtu Helicopters, Kitikmeot Helicopters, Gwich’in Helicopters, Havgun Helicopters, Kivalliq Aviation, Tlicho Helicopters et Akaitcho Helicopters. Les opérations de vol pour Northlinx sont menées par Great Slave Helicopters, à l'exception de Sahtu Helicopters, Denendeh Helicopters, Superior Helicopters et Hudson Bay Helicopters,que la conduite des opérations de vol sous leur propre certificat d'exploitation.
Nous sommes engagé à fournir à nos clients des solutions d’aviation spécialisées, peu importe l’endroit ou le moment requis. Nos pilotes, notre personnel de l’entretien, de logistique et nos administrateurs travaillent avec précision et fierté dans des environnements qui représentent le plus de défi dans le monde.
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Discovery Air s’est engagé à recruter et à retenir les meilleurs talents de l’industrie aéronautique. En vous joignant à Discovery Air, vous aurez l’occasion de participer à un environnement unique et dynamique axé sur la croissance, l’entrepreneurship, l’innovation et le travail d’équipe.
Discovery Air Fire Services, est un exploitant aérien basé dans le Nord de l’Ontario; il est en activité dans l’industrie de l’aviation canadienne depuis plus de 50 ans.
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Si vous aimez vous concentrer sur le pilotage de l’aéronef tout en sachant que vous êtes entre les mains les plus sécuritaires en ville, notre équipe de maintenance prendra soins de tous les aspects de la gestion de votre flotte.
