Government Air Service | “Hospital planes” that are aging poorly

In addition to the Challenger jets at the “end of life”, the only two other planes belonging to Quebec and used in the medical transport of patients are condemned to “obsolescence”, we have learned The Press. These devices risk being grounded more and more often even if millions are released to offer them a rejuvenation cure.

“Availability of parts increasingly problematic”, aircraft increasingly “on the ground” due to “non-functional” systems, “loss of operational capacity”: the picture is gloomy for the two Dash-8 aircraft held by the Government Air Service (SAG).

These findings are found in a report of approximately 20 pages prepared by the firm Trend Tec, mandated by Quebec to assess the state of these two propeller planes and look into their future. The Press was able to consult this document obtained under the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information. It has been in the hands of officials since last April.

“Availability of new parts increasingly problematic; increase in maintenance costs to be expected due to parts acquisition costs,” writes the firm, identifying the “problems” of “keeping the two Dash-8s in operation.”

His recommendations were redacted.

10 million for an update

Headed by the Ministry of Transport, the SAG is responsible for air medical transport, the fight against forest fires (with its air tankers) and other air activities, such as collaboration with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), thanks to its helicopters.

It operates four aircraft described as “hospital planes” and used to transport patients from remote regions to large hospital centers in the south.

We are talking about two Challenger jets from Bombardier and two Dash-8s (Q-100/200, Q-300 versions). Formerly built by the Quebec aircraft manufacturer, this program has belonged to De Havilland since 2019. Construction of the two models owned by SAG ceased in 2005 and 2009, respectively.

In principle, the two government Dash-8s could respectively fly until 2039 and 2041 by offering them an update of the “avionics suite” – all the electronic and computer equipment that helps pilot the planes –, according to the report. The bill could approach 10 million, estimates Trend Tec Canada.

This will not solve the problem, warns the firm.

Exponential increase

“The changes observed over the last 24 months in the industry have revealed that all operators who operate a Dash-8 fleet have reviewed their operations with this type of aircraft,” we can read in the report.

In other words, there are fewer and fewer of these devices on the market. They are no longer assembled, and copies are sent away every year. For the SAG, it will therefore be increasingly difficult to find replacement parts when the time comes to carry out maintenance.

“We are only at the beginning of the process,” underlines the document. The number of equipment considered obsolete will only increase exponentially over time. »

The Ministry of Transport, to which the SAG reports, had not responded by the end of Tuesday to a series of questions sent Monday morning.

Is the game worth it?

Mehran Ebrahimi, professor at UQAM and director of the International Observatory of Aeronautics and Civil Aviation, agrees. Before spending millions to extend the life of its two Dash-8s, Quebec must ask itself if the “game is worth it,” warns the expert.

“We will still end up being faced with maintenance issues over the years,” he says. We can cannibalize existing devices to obtain parts, but there aren’t any indefinitely and it will cost more and more. The quality of the parts will eventually come into play. »

The government finds itself in a delicate position, recognizes Mr. Ebrahimi. Since the Dash-8 is no longer being manufactured, propeller-driven aircraft options are very limited, he says. The Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR offers a model (ATR 42) whose take-off distance is similar to that of a SAG Dash -8 300. Otherwise, it will likely be necessary to turn to a device powered by jet engines, underlines Mr. Ebrahimi.

“Unworthy of an emergency service”

Parti Québécois MP Joël Arseneau, who is closely following the issue, has difficulty explaining how the government could have reached the point where all of its planes dedicated to medical transport are in such poor condition.

“It is unworthy of an emergency service offered by the State of Quebec. It’s like saying that we no longer maintain ambulances,” he laments, questioning the slowness of the authorities in this matter.

“Are we developing this vision where, through attrition, we are turning to the private sector? Is this a phenomenon that we let go voluntarily or through carelessness? », asks the elected official.

Emergency medical transportation has experienced several hiccups in recent months. As recently as January 4, a patient died on the tarmac at Val-d’Or airport. It was necessary to use a subcontractor’s aircraft since no SAG pilot was available. This problem is in addition to mechanical problems in the government aircraft fleet.

According to our information, the two SAG Challenger 601 jets are at the end of their rope. One of the examples (C-GURG), built in 1989, was out of service for more than 125 days last year, according to documents obtained through the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information.

Last October, The Press reported that SAG was preparing to pay up to 7 million by May 2025 to 4 subcontractors due to the obsolescence of its aircraft fleet. It also took less than six months to use up all the funds ($700,000) for a subcontract that was to cover a full year.