Summary
Since 1992 the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has operated a small fleet of multi-role, long-haul aircraft based on the Airbus A310.
Now coming close to the end of their operational life, I had the chance to look inside one of them at the recent Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the UK.
RCAF CC-150 Polaris
The five A310 aircraft operated by the RCAF are designated CC-150 Polaris.
This represents a multi-role adaptation of the original passenger aircraft to provide passenger, freight and aerial-refuelling operations for the air force on its operations.
One of the aircraft is configured with a VIP interior for government transport work.
Two of the CC-150 aircraft are configured as tankers and are regularly used to help transport smaller aircraft of the RCAF over longer distances, such as across the North Atlantic.
This was the case with the aircraft I visited on this occasion, which had flown to the UK with various F-15 and F-18 fighter jets in tow. These aircraft received 20 tonnes of fuel from the Polaris to allow them to transit the Atlantic without stopping.
RCAF Airbus A310 Fleet and History
VIP configured CC-150
The Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris fleet comprises:
- 15001 (msn 446) – VIP configuration
- 15002 (msn 482)
- 15003 (msn 425) – Stored for part out, Guam
- 15004 (msn 444) – Tanker
- 15005 (msn 441) – Tanker
15005 previously flew with Wardair as C-FHWD. Photo (c) Simon Butler
All of the aircraft began life in the late 1980s with Wardair Canada, a well-known Canadian airline.
They later flew for other carriers such as Canadian Airlines International and Thai Airways International, before being acquired by the Canadian Armed Forces between 1992-1997.
Inside the CC-150 Polaris
View from the wide open freight loading door in the CC-150.
A310 CC-150 Cockpit
On my visit, I was able to step inside 15004, a 37-year-old aircraft which was on display at RIAT.
Inside I was welcomed into the entrance vestibule at the L1 door, where crews showed the equipment used in the refuelling process. Drogues are positioned on the outer wings of the aircraft which can link up to trailing aircraft, offering fuel.
Behind the dividing curtain, a large cargo bay was exposed to the outside world thanks to the large cargo door being open. This area can carry a variety of freight, from vehicles to military supplies.
Behind this area, another divider separates the cargo area from a small passenger cabin with traditional airline seating, as well as a full galley for crew provisions during long flights.
The cabin, with a divider separating the passenger seating at the rear.
The cockpit of the CC-150 Polaris is largely unchanged from its days as a passenger airliner, with a mixture of analogue instruments and CRT displays used by the two-man crew in flying and navigating the aircraft.
Thanks to its auxiliary fuel tanks the CC-150 can fly for incredibly long sorties, however the crew told me that typically it is used on 5-7 hour missions such as the one flown to the UK from its base at Trenton in Ontario.
RCAF A310 Replacement
Given the age of the CC-150 Polaris aircraft, the Royal Canadian Air Force is now actively sourcing their replacement.
Despite still being in excellent condition and capable for the role they’re used in, more modern aircraft will enable the RCAF to take its tanker and transport provision into the future.
Two Airbus A330-200 aircraft have so far been secured, which are already flying for the RCAF and will be converted into tankers. More A330s are due to to follow.
