The Canadian Forces Snowbirds may be the stars of the Flin Flon Rotary Air Show, but for many the Hercules (or Herc) is just as impressive in its massiveness and its power.
The newest Hercules model, the Lockheed Martin CC-130J with four Rolls-Royce engines, is a fixed wing turboprop that can carry 92 combat troops. The propellers have six blades, which allows the aircraft to land and take off much faster than the older models. The GPS system gives it the ability to drop cargo with precision.
The Hercules is flown by a crew of three: two pilots and a loadmaster. It has been used to deliver fuel and supplies to the remote Canadian Forces base in Nunavut and in support of coalition operations in Iraq and Syria. It was also used in and out Khandahar, Afghanistan during the recent war.
Canada’s older Hercules are used mainly for search and rescue. Other nations have been content to run their Hercs into the ground, but Canada has modified and renovated its fleet.
We are awaiting confirmation, but we hope to see a Hercules aircraft at the Flin Flon air show. The plane that will visit us is not coming out of mothballs; it is still very much on call. If an emergency comes up it will have to cancel its trip here and go to the rescue.
If a Herc is able to come to Flin Flon, plans are for it to circle the stack and then release paratroopers onto the airport runway.
Rotary organizers have no influence over the time of this event, but expect it may be as early as 2:30 pm. To reduce the chance of disappointment, spectators are encouraged to be out at the airport when the gates open .
