Search and rescue is one of the most visible services the Canadian Forces provides – literally; its aircraft are painted bright yellow and red, instead of the standard olive drab.
In 2003, CF search and rescue responded to over 8,000 calls, from stranded hikers and snowmobilers, to rescuing injured freighter crews at sea. Although search and rescue also uses fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Twin Otter and Buffalo, the helicopter is the mainstay of its operations.
The Labrador Helicopter was used as a search and rescue tool for almost 41 years in Canada and had its official retirement in 2004. The last operating Labrador was inducted into the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa on July 27, 2004.
The Cormorant (DND)
In 1998, the Canadian government signed a $790-million deal to buy 15 CH-149 Cormorant helicopters from EH Industries, a British/Italian consortium. The Cormorants based on the company's EH-101 model, have slowly been replacing the aging Labradors since 2001.
While the Cormorants will be used for search and rescue, the government has decided to use a different helicopter for the military: the Sikorsky S-92. Twenty-eight of them will be purchased to replace the ancient Sea Kings.
- Related: Requiem for the Sea King
Back in 1993, then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien cancelled a program to buy the EH-101 helicopter to replace both the Sea Kings and the Labradors, because it was too expensive. It would take more than a decade before the military would be certain of getting new helicopters. Some in the military say it would have been more sensible to have the same model for its maritime fleet in order to train technicians, air crews and maintenance workers.
But the new Cormorants have had their problems, as well. In October 2004, they were grounded after cracks were found on the tail rotor of one of the helicopters in Newfoundland. The Cormorants were only allowed to fly for essential search-and-rescue missions and for testing. It was the third time in 2004 the Cormorants had to be grounded.
The Cormorants have also required more maintenance than their manufacturer initially promised. EH Industries said they would require seven hours of maintenance for every hour of flight. In fact, they require 22 hours of maintenance for every hour in the air. EH Industries now says the aircraft initially needs 12 hours for every hour of flight, which will go down to about eight hours as the maintenance crews get more experience.
Labrador saved thousands of lives
Labrador (DND)
The federal government bought 18 CH-113 Labradors in 1963. They have provided support to the army, air transport and search and rescue operations. Labradors were the backbone of Search and Rescue (SAR) squadrons located in Comox, B.C., Trenton, Ont., Greenwood, N.S. and Gander, Nfld. Since 2002, only six Labradors have remained operational in the country.
Lt.-Col. Colin Goodman, who has flown Labradors on the west and east coasts, says the Labradors have saved "thousands of hikers, snowmobilers, boaters and aviators." The helicopters have gone out on an average of 440 missions a year.
The Labrador was lauded in 1975 when it battled 65 km/h winds and 18-metre waves to save 15 people from four sinking ships. Another major operation that made headlines was in 1980, involving the rescue of 510 passengers from a burning cruise ship off the coast of Alaska.
While the Labrador has been praised for its many missions, it has also had some major failings. Six of the aircraft have crashed in the line of duty, most recently:
- A crash in B.C. in 1992 killed one crew member.
- May 1995: a Labrador in N.S. loses power during practice. The pilot crash lands and four people are injured.
- January 1997: a Labrador is forced to ditch in the Strait of Georgia, B.C. because of a generator problem.
- October 1998: a Labrador from Nova Scotia crashes on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula, killing all six crew members.
The Labradors have been criticized for their outdated technology and engine troubles. A 1996 panel investigating Labrador crashes cited at least 46 engine-related safety incidents. Maintenance crews would spend five hours or more for every hour the helicopters flew.
A 1999 Canadian Forces report warned that corrosion was taking its toll on the helicopters and certain important parts could fail and cause a crash. Several of the Labradors were sent to a Boeing plant to fix the corrosion and for general maintenance at a cost of $6 million per chopper.
Defence analyst Martin Shadwick of York University said Canadians have gotten their money's worth from the Labradors. He says they did a "marvellous job."
Lt.-Col. Colin Goodman says the Labrador always performed well.
"I have nothing but compliments for the craft."
