military@cbnews.ATT.COM (William B. Thacker) (04/14/89)
From: Robbin W. Johnson <ubc-cs!resrch.MoliEnergy.BC.CA!Robbin.W.Johnson> [Submission for sci.military] In the latest issue of AW&ST (April 10) there is an article on "Airshow Canada" at Abbotsford B.C. (my home town!) in which it is mentioned that the airshow organizers are hoping/planning on have 2 MiG-29's at this year's Abbotsford Airshow. They hope to duplicate Farnborough and get a single seater and a two seater. They have asked the Soviets for a flight plan over Alaska (security clearance?) so I guess this may come about. If this should happen, I have no doubt that the news media will be full of shots and film of the Soviets flying down Alaska and B.C. surrounded by dozens of Eagles and (Canadian) Hornets, all looking very menacing and business-like. The thing I found _very interesting_ was the fact that the Soviet pilots have expressed an interest in swapping rides in an F-16! The idea would be the Soviets give an F-16 driver a ride in the back seat of the Mig and the U.S. would give a Soviet a ride in a two seat F-16. Could this be done, or would the "security issues" cause too much of a problem? Just what could one side learn from the other? Would the guest be allowed to drive for a while or limited to just holding on for the ride? If the U.S.A.F. were to say no, could the C.A.F. offer a ride in a CF-18 Hornet? Would/could the U.S. squash such an offer, since it is U.S. technology and there is no-doubt a very complex and complete technology transfer agreement between the two countries? I sure hope the Mig's show up. See you all there (all three days!) -- Robbin W. Johnson Moli Energy Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., CANADA robbin@molienergy.bc.ca ...!uunet!van-bc!resrch!robbin