Archive

Harry's new address and phone number have been added.
Received a very nice email from Ann. She was able to update Harry Lloyds whereabouts and how to get the latest changes. I understand he is now living in Penticton, BC. She also mentioned there is an RCAF Assn in Lake Chapala, Mexico. It is very interesting and many of you will probably know some or all of the people from their list.
If you would like to view their page go to http://www.904wing.org

New Simulator pictures taken at the Western Canadian Aviation Museum, when I was in Winnipeg this summer, Voodoo Simulator and Link Trainer.

Web cost started new in September.
If you find this site useful in any way, a donation will be really appreciated to help lower the costs of site management and development, and internet connection, storage and database development and maintenance.
I'm sure many design-savvy people can tell that this website was created and is maintained entirely in Microsoft Office/ FrontPage. I know it's an old type of web-design program and is no where near the standard-based websites that are out there now. Well, Microsoft knows FrontPage has run its course and they plan to discontinue this program and all its' support by 2009! Hopefully our server will continue to support it until I can transfer to the new design. They have created a new web designing software called Expression Web, Therefore, I plan to learn the latest edition of Expression Web and then will be redoing this entire website with it. I need your support

Latest info on the pension claw-back
Thanks to Bill Kernaghan for the information

Hamilton Spectator article on the Silver Dart replica – Monday, January 19, 2009
can be found at the following web site
http://www.thespec.com/article/498591

6 May 2008
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, P.C., M.P. Minister of National Defence National Defence Headquarters
101 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

Dear Minister Mackay:
I would like to share with you my grave concerns about an issue of fairness regarding the claw-back of a portion of the Canadian Forces Superannuation (CFSA) benefits when a retired Service member starts collecting Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits at age 65. As you are aware, this issue has been and continues to be discussed at length in various for a, including Parliamentary and Senate committees.
From a Legion perspective, the issue is simple. Canadian Forces (CF) members are special Canadians who volunteer under exceptional terms of unlimited liability to serve their country and, in doing so, put their
lives at risk. CF members were never asked if they wanted a "stacked approach" to CFSA and CPP benefits. It is acknowledged that the implementation concept was explained with the CPP introduction in 1966, but the reality is that the "stacked approach" has not resulted in a fair and equitable pension return to military personnel.
Under normal circumstances, as in private industry, the combined separate CPP and Defined Benefit Plan rates as paid by employees rarely exceeds that rate paid by Service members for their CFSA plan. But, these civilian employees receive their CPP benefits in addition to those paid under their Defined Benefit plans. This is not the case with Service personnel. The claw-back of a portion of the member's Superannuation benefit at age 65 is unfair and imposes a burden on many benefit that would normally have been obtained. Moreover, the exceptionally high CFSA contribution rate paid by Service members has resulted in plan surpluses which have not been shared with the members. The situation is compounded by the forced payment of Unemployment Insurance during the member's career with no authority to draw the insurance on retirement. Another injustice. I urge you to speak up for the many loyal and devoted veterans of the Canadian Forces who have dedicated their lives to the service and
defense of Canada and who now face this demeaning and unfair reduction in superannuation. The payment of CPP should not be considered as a plug to fill the claw-back gap but as an additional benefit which has been paid for in contribution rates and earned in unparallel service. The cancellation of the CFSA claw-back at age 65 would be welcomed most gratefully by serving personnel and veterans alike and would reflect your government's high esteem, respect and gratitude for their commitment and years of loyal service.

Sincerely,
Jack Frost Dominion President
cc: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C. Prime Minister
The Honourable Greg Thompson, P.C. M.P.

Received an email that Sid Warford had passed away several years ago. Is there anyone out there that can come closer to the time, at least a year. Thanks.

Many new changes coming. The Links page has been changed. Please let me know if anything is missing. I will try and make it easier to find places. Also the front page (News) will be reduced in size allowing faster entry. Anything else I can do, let me know.

History of the RCAF Flight Simulator after 1994

Sent by Jim McQueen

As you probably know the DND has contracted out the simulator maintenance and some training to the commercial world starting in 1994, at that time about 65 of the current CF technicians were employed by SPAR Toronto. Then in April 2000 the maintenance contract was awarded to CAE in Montreal. At this Site CAE Maintains the C130 Sim and 5 CAPSS Canadian Automated Pilot Selection Systems, of, the Aircrew Selection Center (The modified GAT / link trainers that were in Toronto Aircrew Selection Center.) In 1983 they decommissioned the old C130 analog trainer, meanwhile maintaining the analog trainer in Edmonton. CF installed the new digital C130 manufactured by CAE this simulator was installed in Sept. 1984 and accepted in Jan 1985. In September 1999 we shut this unit down for a major upgrade to better simulate the aircraft modifications carried out (new FMS systems) This modification also incorporated a new CAE Maxvue Plus wide Visual system.

Thanks Jim

Congratulation to Roch & Debra Massicotte & Family on Roch's retirement from the Canadian forces after 30 years. View their picture