Today's letters: Canada should train its own pilots, not send them to the U.S.

Friday, March 22: In the past, Canadians always set a high standard, and trained pilots from all over NATO countries, one reader says. You can write to us too at [email protected]

Published Mar 22, 2024 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 2 minute read

A Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (or T-33) is lifted to its new home as part of the collection of the Air Force Museum Society of Alberta in Calgary in 2022. In service in Canada from 1951-2005, the T-33 retired as one of the most versatile, successful and respected jet aircraft ever produced. Photo by Gavin Young /POSTMEDIA

We can train our own pilots

Re: Canada’s Air Force ends pilot training as Ottawa’s spending priorities grow more unbalanced, March 13.

Article content

As a former RCAF pilot and instructor, I was greatly disappointed in the recent decision to cancel future pilot training and have our future pilots train to Wings Standard in the United States.

In the past, Canadians always set a high standard for training pilots. During my career, I had the privilege of Instructing on The T-33, Silver Star. I instructed students from all NATO countries. It is sad to see such expertise lost to our Canadian youth.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

Article content

Don McKay, Carleton Place

Cellular services still quite costly

Today, on the news, it was stated that inflation was slowing and this was partly due to the cost of cellular service in Canada going down by 24 per cent. I cannot accept this when Bell just sent me notice this month that the cost of two cellphones was going up $6 a month for each.

One will now cost $50.50 a month and the other $86. That is an increase of 13.5 per cent for one and eight per cent for the other. Some decrease.

Ian C.D. Moffat, Ottawa

Funding: It’s still a man’s world

Re: Funding to end for program that reviews cases of sexual assault, March 15.

This program came into being because sexual assault cases are being closed, inappropriately, by police. No matter that we have women living in fear for their lives and their children’s lives.

Women are disadvantaged because research/data fail to take gender into account. Males are treated as the default — the normal human — and females as atypical. Consequently, bias and discrimination are baked into our systems. Women pay tremendous costs for this insidious bias, often with their lives.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Women figured prominently and authoritatively in church history, taking leadership in many early church communities. Yet today religion is one of patriarchy’s strongholds.

In last Saturday’s Citizen, Ann Hornaday bemoans the lack of female representation in all areas of film-making. Female designers are underrepresented in the automative industry at around 10 per cent, yet are responsible for: adjustable lumbar seats, child latch systems that hold car seats, and retractable seat belts. They are still fighting to have storage for purses.

It’s a one-size-fits-all and that size fits men.

Alma Haggart, Orlèans

Great family, great story-telling

Re: ‘He was all about family’, March 15.

Congratulations to Sabrina Bedford on a great writing job on the life and times of Joe Hudson and his family. Sad times for the family but they must be very proud of their father.

Great story-telling and a great family. Keep up the good work.

D.J. Phillips, Gloucester

Recommended from Editorial