Reader’s Questions - Military Training At Moose Jaw Municipal Airport
With the local 15 Wing stating in the past they did not need nor had any plans to make use of the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport for training purposes a reader asked a series of questions about the training there by the Snowbirds.
The reader wanted to know if what they saw as a change of policy had any potential costs and if so would the Department of National Defence be helping out with any costs.
We agreed to pass their questions on. Here is the response.
Q1. When did 15 Wing change this policy?
A1. This is not a policy nor a change.
The Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds trialed flying over Moose Jaw Municipal Airport (MJMA) last spring.
15 Wing will frequently reexamine potential to improve upon the training delivered to its members.
For instance, using the airspace above the MJMA would provide an excellent opportunity for the CF Snowbirds to practice safely close to home while further deconflicting the 15 Wing airspace with 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School.
Q2. Why the change in policy?
A2 This is not a policy nor a change. The Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds have and continue to fly over other aerodromes in the vicinity of 15 Wing Moose Jaw such as Mossbank.
Q3. Was 15 Wing lobbied by any third party to participate in this training?
And if so lobbied by the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport was that lobbying by an independent third party properly reported?
A3. 15 Wing and 431 Air Demonstration (AD) Squadron (Sqn) were not lobbied by any outside agency.
15 Wing is regularly re-evaluating how training is conducted to ensure resources and airspace are used efficiently.
Q4. Given that the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport is once again asking the City for capital funding upgrades is the military prepared to add additional funds for capital improvements?
A4. 15 Wing does not directly contribute to capital costs at any civilian airport. Use of facilities is paid for through user fees and similar with any other civilian client of that facility.
Q5. Is this not a change of policy?
A5. No. There has been no change in policy.
Q6. How much is being paid for this training?
A6. The MJMA (Moose Jaw Municipal Airport) does not charge landing fees to aircraft and instead generates part of its revenue from fuel surcharges.
As the CF Snowbirds aircraft will not land or takeoff from the MJMA or purchase fuel, 15 Wing remits a Payment-In-Lieu (PIL) similar in what would be earned by the airport had the aircraft fueled there.
This compensates the airport for the services rendered to maintain the facility and for any lost income due to the restricted airspace implemented during the CF Snowbirds practices.
Currently this rate negotiated directly with the airport authority, with each practice being billed to the 431 AD Sqn monthly.
Q7. Is 15 Wing not concerned as their actions could be seen as entering municipal politics?
A7. 15 Wing pays to use several services from the City of Moose Jaw to supplement its own capabilities. This includes services such as the Moose Jaw Fire Department and water utilities.
Q8. Do you have anything else to add?
A8. Although the primary goal is to train our team members, we also want to make sure to keep a good relationship with our local community and find new ways to work with local partners.