Episode 64: The Kingfisher: Developing, acquiring and flying the CC-295 Kingfisher Part 2 - Luc Coates, Francois Fasquelle, Dan Faux
In this episode, we continue our conversation with:
- Lieutenant-Colonel Luc Coates, Commanding Officer of 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron
- Lieutenant-Colonel Francois Fasquelle, Commanding Officer of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron
- Major Dan Faux, subject matter expert on the CC-295 Kingfisher
We begin with Dan’s early days as a pilot and what led him to join the fixed-wing SAR project. From there, we explore why Canada needed a new fixed-wing Search and Rescue aircraft and what that journey looked like — from concept to selection. Finally, we dive deep into the Kingfisher itself: the modifications that set it apart, how it’s performing in operations so far, and the process of training a new generation of SAR crews to fly it.
