Although fog has played a key role in the grounding of the pilots at 15 Wing Moose Jaw these last few weeks, a spokesperson for the base said it’s the ice that has been the real issue.
Captain Jennifer Jones, of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, told the Times-Herald that “yes the weather has been poor and visibility has been an issue, however it’s the ice that is the problem.”
Jones said because Canadian Air Force Air Craft abide by very strict safety rules pilots can not knowingly fly into icing conditions.
“So anytime there is icing in the air, they don’t fly.”
With that said, Jones added that weather delays are normal in any air training program like that at 15 Wing and are accounted for when creating the pilot’s schedules.
When the pilots are grounded due to weather conditions, Jones said they take advantage of that time and work on annual qualifications, hold briefings and lectures and are given time to work on other areas related to the course including officer development.
However, Jones said this last bought with the fog and ice has lasted longer than usual.
“This has not been normal, it has been worse than normal but the schedule continues to flex around the weather.”
