Canada's CC-150 Polaris 001 has become like a haven for the royal couple during the whirlwind tour, says the pilot of the jet that's been shuttling the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge across the country.
Lt.-Col. Andy Cook told Postmedia News on Monday that Will and Kate are using the unglamorous aircraft's surroundings, usually reserved for the prime minister, as a tranquil refuge between their very public appearances.
"The amount of pressure and the amount of people who are always watching the Prince and the Duchess at all times, I think our two tiny rooms in this aircraft are a real haven for them. I tell you when they walk on the airplane, they go in there and the door closes and except for one steward that serves them personally — if they want a coffee or something like that — they are on their own. And they are no longer the Duke and Duchess and they are just a newly married couple," Cook said.
The mid-1980s Airbus 310 — now designated as a CC-150 Polaris — was purchased in 1993 from Canadian Airlines and has never been renovated. The regular passenger seats in the back of the aircraft even have ashtrays embedded in the armrests.
Prince William and Catherine are making do with two small rooms, the size of a tiny den, set up the same way as when Prime Minister Stephen Harper is onboard.
What is commonly referred to as "the state room" is actually two rooms: an office with four business class seats, a desk, and a couch that can seat three people which is often used for meetings with aides; and another more private room with two couches that can be converted into beds and a small, approximately 14-inch television set on which to watch movies on DVD. There is also a small standard airline washroom that can be connected with another airline washroom that was converted into a small shower.
"We only connect the shower when we have VIP trips," Cook said.
"That's all it is . . . (It's) not palatial by any stretch of the imagination. Very comfortable but it is certainly not palatial."
Cook, the commanding officer of the 437 Squadron in Trenton, Ont., since July of last year, arrived to pick up the royal couple in London on June 28 and will be flying them until they land in Los Angeles on July 8.
So far, he said, the couple has kept to themselves, cocooned in the state room enjoying its tranquillity and emerging only minutes before the doors of the aircraft open.
"They haven't really moved a lot around the airplane at this point. We've certainly made the offer, if he wants to come up and sit behind the controls on the way to Yellowknife today, once we are up at altitude, they are very very welcome," Cook said. "But I think what they have been enjoying is comfort and the serenity of being out of the public's eye when they are in the airplane."
By Althia Raj, Postmedia News
CC-150 Polaris
Gravity always wins!
I think it is great they are being flown around in this. Its a shame though that the UK still shy's away from having an aircraft such as this. I think we must be about the only major nation not to have one. Who is picking up the bill for this the Canadian Taxpayer, British taxpayer or the Royal family? Personnally i think it should be the British taxpayer of which i am one.
Victor,
The tradition is that the Canadians will pick up the tab. The federal government said the tour will cost about $1-million, half of the $2.2 million spent on the Queen’s last tour of Canada. The money comes from a fund that is set aside for state visits.
As members of the Canadian Royal Family, it is normally customary that they travel onboard Canadian Forces VIP aircraft from 437 Squadron (CC-150 Polaris) or 412 Squadron (CC-144 Challenger) or helicopters from 1 Wing while undertaking official duties on behalf of the Crown.
It is also worth to note that the tour ends in Los Angeles and from there the couple will travel home via commercial carrier.
As a Canadian taxpayer, I think the money is well spent, look at all the free advertising we are getting around the world. :-))
It is nice to see our Royal Family is still respected overseas. People in the UK whinge about how much they cost without realising what they actaully bring in return.
I say well done Canada.
It was great seeing the footage of Prince William landing the Sea King on water even if there was a lot of tape on it!
Thank you.
As for the "taped up S-61" the reason was that they did not want any wet shoe incidents with a VIP aboard. When I flew the S-61 in the RDAF we did waterbirding and I remember vaguely some water seeping in. Our waterbirding was done on a lake north of Vaerloese Base (no saltwater please!), that was in the late sixties. Of course the choppers were "brand new" and not old and tired. :-)).
Impressive stuff flying the S-61s for the RDAF. I know they have been replaced by the EH101s nowadays in the RDAF but i still prefer the look of the S-61.
I seem to fall into the ESL trap sometimes, when I write "flying" I forget the word "in" because of my Danish way. I flew as a crewmember, mostly as a hoist, operator, and not as a pilot. As for the looks give me the S-61 anytime. I am biased :-))
Still impressive though flyvertosset. I suppose i should be biased towards the Merlin but on looks alone it doesnt match the S-61.