jbhillard

I wish there was something we could write articles about that doesn’t fan the flames. You know, like AIRPLANES. Avweb has become just another place for people to be political. This isn’t a story. This is just some hack garbage that continues the vitriol and division. If you don’t like Trump, thats ok. But giving this kind of stuff the light of day is just as bad or worse than Trump himself. What Canadian pilots should be doing is coming to Oshkosh ANYWAY. Because why would you let ANY politician take you away from something so fun and special??? Nobody is going to care if you are Canadian and you don’t come. Nobody. So why miss out over what a politician said? SAD SAD SAD. Do better Russ Niles. Your politics have certainly shown through in your writing in recent years. Stick to airplanes and aviation. Keep your politics out of it. We don’t read Avweb for your politics. Just my opinion.

3 replies

JohnKliewer

Nobody is going to care if you’re Canadian? Did you just make their point for protesting Canadians? Maybe it has something to do with the president of a Canadian neighboring country threatening the sovereignty of Canada? Or did you simply neglect to put yourself in the shoes of Canadians whose sovereignty is being threatened?

1 reply

Douglas_C

This is an aviation story. Keep publishing aviation articles even if that aviation topic is created by government policies and statements and the aviation community’s discussion or reaction. Just my opinion.

Raf

Why would I want to go to a party where I’d feel unwelcome? That’s really what it comes down to.

Canadian pilots have been loyal participants in Oshkosh for decades. I have Canadian friends and family, I understand where they’re coming from. When they’re dismissed with comments like “Nobody will care if you don’t come,” it only reinforces the feeling of being disrespected.

It’s not about being thin-skinned. It’s about being good neighbors and knowing when that respect isn’t being returned. For some, staying home this year says more than showing up and I get that.

And I agree with Douglas_C, this is an aviation story. When a whole group of pilots reconsiders attending the biggest GA gathering in the world, that’s news and belongs in the conversation.

MuffinMan

Canada has no leverage. The U.S. has all the leverage. In the end, which is very near, Canada will capitulate on everything the U.S. is demanding. Plain and simple, it doesn’t matter how much Canada cries, jumps up and down, holds their breath until they turn purple. It doesn’t matter.

There are smart countries (the ones cutting deals right now) and there are the dumb ones holding their breath kicking and screaming like Canada. The longer they wait, the more they will lose.

6 replies

JohnKliewer

You win the best argument yet for Canadian pilots to stay the hell away from any US event. I don’t blame them one bit for being repulsed.

1 reply

vayuwings

'I wish there was something we could write articles about that doesn’t fan the flames. You know, like AIRPLANES. ’
If somethings seems on fire, maybe check your hair.

This subject is very important to many pilots in Canada, and the US. Try talking about “AIRPLANES” without including weather, regulations, pilots, fuel, manufacturing, safety, etc. A news piece covers a subject in similar fashion.

In case you need another hint, your complained political bias, well, it just happens to be your own. Maybe try and take your own advice, and ‘Keep your politics out of it.’

jjbaker

It is becoming increasingly difficult to fathom the depth of division between aviators around the globe.

I’ve spent two and a half decades of my time in this industry trying to foster dialogue and open/ honest communication.

While much of my effort was focussed on seaplane-, aerobatic- and glider- pilots, my overall focus and conviction has been, that vibrant communication (at times inconvenient, harsh and very direct) will help our community to face the challenges brought by NIMBY’s, overreaching political influence as well as capricious and arbitrary rule-making.

Some if my best friends and strongest supporters are Canadians and I was given memberships in multiple Canadian pilot groups and associations. Canadian pilots went to battle for American advocacy groups and vice versa.

Thinking that a single stumbling elephant has the ability to make American “aviators” look down on Canadian “aviators” or to tell them that “nobody cares” about their protest and absence from one of the worlds most important aviation events, is shocking.

One of my early Western Riding instructors once told me to always be mindful when proudly sitting on a particularly tall (high) horse. Two rules apply. (1) You’ll fall longer and (2) the impact is harder.

Make sure there is some sort of relationship left when this current political clownery ends. That will be a bit over 3.5 years from now.

MuffinMan

Everyone wants to kill the messenger. I only lay out the facts as I see them and they are just that, facts. Leave the emotion out, it’s not productive. Get your head out of the sand and understand the facts, all of them.

There is this thing called cause and effect. The crack in the damn is widening and will burst allowing water to seek its natural level. You can’t stop this. It will happen. The only option left is to adapt. You don’t adapt, you don’t survive.

1 reply

jjbaker

Some feeling tells me that the “damn” has already broken. Except, this particular dam was never ever holding water, to begin with. Maybe manure and I fully agree, the levels are rapidly rising!

jallmon

I hope my Canadian friends will reconsider. Anyone who runs an international business like I do, fully understands the gravity of these tariffs. I buy props from Germany and engines from Canada. 10% tariff on $175,000 worth of props is more than my profit margin so guess what Mr American Customer, you get to pay the tariff. That will teach those Germans a lesson right?

Fortunately, so far, new Pratt engines fall under the USMCA agreement so no tariff. So far.

I am confident this will get worked out very soon. I just hope the damage between the US and Canada is repairable. I love Canadians and love that country. But I do agree, the US has been taken advantage of too long.

Warbirdflyer57

The Canucks aren’t happy!!! Shocking! The Make America first agenda hurts their feelings. Please. Grow a set. You are currently governed by an unelected globalist! SO GET OFF OF YOUR SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS HIGH HORSE and realize, there would be no Canada without the US! The Canadian government has hugged up to the Chinese Communist Party and has been infiltrated. Castro’s son made sure of that.
You should stay home and fix the mess your government has created for you! A quick fix. Return the $billions of aid the American taxpayers have given you!

1 reply

Moon

We hear a lot of crying about these tariffs, but no one even mentions that on the world market, we the American manufacturers get shafted by all of the other countries. You like your “Cheap” goods, because they are made in slave labor countries and exported here, then our decent hard working yet good paid employees can’t sell any of our products in their countries because of large tariffs and restrictions on imports. WE are trying to force an equal playing field. If the other countries allow an equal field the tariffs will stop.

2 replies

n8274k

Canadian aircraft owners spend money and I think voting with your wallet is an effective protest. Money goes where it’s invited. I look forward to their return.

Robert_D

Bravo to the bold Canadian Pilots who refuse to cave into our Boy-King Bully. Better to die on your feet than live on your knees. Wish more Americans felt this way.

And it is an aviation story. It will be a different Oshkosh if Canadians stay away in large numbers.

kent.misegades

There is always a back-story when it comes to Trump-bashing like this article written by a TDS-suffering Canadian: " Trudeau insulted Trump for years, now places are reversed - Trudeau has spent years attacking Trump to boost his own political fortunes, so why are Canadians upset that Trump is returning the favour?" Brian Lilley, Toronto Sun, 12/27/24. When Pierre Poilevre is Canadian PM, things will be a lot different, and better, for our friends to the north.

1 reply

cannuck

While I agree this is an aviation website, not intended for political debate: ANYTHING that disrupts the aviation marketplace - even political in nature - can have significant impact on what we make and fly. So without the partisan rhetoric, here is my take on tariffs.

We have been here before (Smoot - Hawley tariffs of 1930 that helped make a depression into the global Great Depression) but I am a bit young to remember that one. I DO, however, work with a UK aviation manufacturer that has had to navigate the perils of Brexit and must fully account for and accommodate the peculiarities of the US if it ever expects to sell into the US genav market. My own advice has been due to the major problem of lawyers and insurers on one hand, and excessive FAA compliance costs making the US too costly to use in global supply chain means the only way to work in that marketplace is to come in from outside. It is not the tariffs, but the unpredictable (insert your own expletives) application of a set of rules with no ability to plan around any stability for the next 4 years means we will simply not do business in the USA. On the military side: the whole NATO compliant status of products is one thing, but the inward, isolationist tariffs make one think twice about products being US military friendly rather than just NATO acceptable. IMHO: only way forward is with US licensee and/or partner with duplicated supply chain at MUCH higher cost.

Fully understand the reasons behind this protectionism, but having even the least bit of understanding of history and markets I have to say the way to protect your economy is by limiting access through quality and other standards, not arbitrary and totally unpredictable trade protectionism.

So, will not be at OSH, did not do S&F this year, but also skipped AERO as well since instabilities in marketplaces means slowing marketing efforts to spend the time and money trying to navigate stable supply chain development. That translates into more innovative products not coming to an airframe near you any time soon.

Arthur_Foyt

Notice how one comment, from a group of 100, on some Meta page, is converted into the headline “Canadian Plots Say”. Notices how AvWeb want to join in to stir up the same garbage here.

No thanks.

2 replies

anoldpilot

Marking my calendar, Milky. Assuming these comments are still here in January of 2029, we can review who has capitulated on what. Of course, the spin will probably be something like “this was our plan along…” Horse hockey. Bovine fecal matter. Fertilizer.

Chris_B

This author loves to flame politics more than talk about airplanes it seems. His bias is very clear as was seen in his last article I read. Nevertheless, while I look forward to seeing more balanced trade and fewer factories moving out of the country, the Canadian pilots who protest will only feel more bitter for not coming. Aviation is a passion that transcends politics. There are only so many laps in the pattern we get to take and to deprive oneself that passion is misguided in my opinion. When you set your feet onto the ground and take in the spectacle of AirVenture, I don’t think politics will be what is on your mind. Put away the pettiness and let your passion guide you. I promise we can talk about airplanes and leave the politics for after the show. Enjoy life!

2 replies

William_Copp

TDS is in full swing on this website by the perpetually angry, miserable Trump haters. Don’t like Trump and his policies, maybe go out and win an election with a viable candidate, instead of one appointed in a coup. As for Canadian pilots not showing up, really, nobody cares, and your loss.

James_Peterson

Really, Russ? This is the content important to American aviation enthusiasts? Read the room…

jimhanson73

“avoiding buying American goods when Canadian-made versions are available.”

Can’t blame Canadians for THAT! As a Minnesotan (next-door neighbor to Canada) people in the U.S. do the same.

Trump is right–all he is asking is equal treatment on tariffs–MATCHING the tariffs that other countries put on U.S. goods–“tax the U.S. more on goods, and we will do the same for you–tax U.S. goods LESS–WE WILL LOWER OUR TARIFFS ON GOODS SOLD HERE.”

In the meantime, I’ll continue to enjoy Canadian fishing with our friends to the north–and they will continue to shop here in the U.S.–and enjoy OSHKOSH while here!

bdboyle

Then stay home. Feel good about impotently shaking your fist ‘at the man’. More space for domestic pilots, some of whom may never have gone to OSH, to park. Let us know if you need some protest march signs…pretty sure we can find a few to send north.

Fact is, you don’t vote here, you don’t pay taxes (unless you’re buying something on our side of the border and pay sales tax, just as we do when on your side), you don’t have a say in how the US government runs its business or the results of the free vote of the majority last November. So, shake your fist, trash talk about whomever is the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, stay home.

If you spent as much time worrying about your own problems north of the border cleaning up after the soy boy as prime minister…maybe then we would listen.

CharlesBremner

It’s truly sad to see the hostility towards the Candian point of view voiced by some commenters here. As a European who has lived for years in the United States, I get the impression that many Americans are not yet aware of the catastrophic damage the Trump administration is inflicting on the image of the USA in the countries that have traditionally felt friendship as allies.

FlyerDon

No, you give your opinions and try to pass them off as facts.

Bob3

Thanks Russ for reporting the news. I care about what my friends and fellow pilots in Canada think about America. I have flown in Canada, built an airplane in Canada, and lived there. Canada is a great Country and a good friend of America. It is very unfortunate but understandable that some Canadians feel unwelcome in America right now. I don’t blame them.

1 reply

rniles

C’mon, Art. Give me a little more credit than that. I couldn’t run all the comments. Those were supposed to be representative. Follow the link if you want to read the rest.

1 reply

dbier

I’m generally against tariffs but have to ask why is it “unfair” to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose tariffs on our goods? In addition, tariffs may be appropriate to protect industries deemed vital for military or medical survival. I worry that many Americans want to save a nickel even if unbalanced tariffs harm our industries or our preparedness. Canadians have every right to skip Oshkosh in protest - but I hope they attend. Either way, I’ll be there as usual (and maybe enjoying having a few more open spots at Camp Scholler).

Annesdale

This is just the beginning of further international isolation. Travel to the U.S. is down and heading lower.

bobd

I guess I wouldn’t criticize any Canadian for skipping Oshkosh given that our President has been quite open about his intentions to use economic rather than military force to annex Canada as a 51st state. If I were a Canadian that would sound an awful lot like a declaration of war.

1 reply

Humpi

We had our experience with our Führer leading us to disaster. When he expired the whole world hated us. Better luck to you all!

1 reply

jbhillard

My sentiments exactly! It’s the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot to hurt someone else. The other person isn’t even noticeably damaged and there you are with a hole in your foot. Doing yourself more harm than your perceived enemy is an exercise in futility. I will however enjoy more options for accommodations if these Canadians stay home. That will be a nice side-effect. For the record, I would much prefer they just join their fellow pilots for the thing that brings us together. But I guess they are Canadians first and pilots second.

dbier

Not even close to comparable.

2 replies

Arthur_Foyt

AirVenture is non-political.
Giving credit to anyone trying to make making it political is wrong.
We have enough crap to deal with without people pushing politics into whether we fly or not. Everyone is welcome at AirVenture.

3 replies

jbhillard

The sovereignty of Canada is not being threatened, that is just a load of crap. If it were, you would know it, it would look like B2’s and F22s and thats not even been floated or discussed by anyone.

If Canadian sovereignty is being attacked by US tariffs, then the US has been under attack by Canadian tariffs for decades.

If the Canadian people decided through a democratic process to join the United States, that too would NOT be an attack on the sovereignty of Canada. That would be the Canadian people deciding to go a different direction.

I don’t mind discussing the finer points of tariffs or trade, but to suggest anything beyond trade policies is just ludicrous and wholly NOT TRUE.

2 replies

jbhillard

Also, I encourage people to go look at the authors of nearly every article on this website. Nearly all are written by Russ Niles. You probably should rename Avweb to Russ Niles Opinion Page. It’s billed as news, but the fact is… it’s dangerously close to being the equivalent of CNN or FoxNews of the aviation world.

1 reply

DaveP

And what would happen if Canada stopped tariffing American goods?

Then the attack on American production by Canada would end. Period.

If reciprocal tariffs are an “attack”, then the longstanding tariffs have been an attack. It’s called critical thinking. Something that should be done at election time.

1 reply

rniles

I didn’t politicize it, Art. I just reported that it had been politicized. When did you suddenly stumble into a field of wildflowers full of wide-eyed innocence?

1 reply

DaveP

Sentiment on Facebook is a noisy minority. Like the Tesla vandals, noisy minority.

Flyboy920

The Canadians are a “small” issue. They are on the same land mass as OSH. What about the international arrivals? OSH turns into a temporary international airport during Air Venture. The Europeans, Asians, NZ, Aus occasionally charter a really big airplane and land at OSH and clear customs there. Given the current CBP “thinking” how many of those might have “paperwork” issues and end up denied entry, in a holding cell somewhere, or on the deportation bus to MKE or ORD for the first available flight back to the home country?

1 reply

William_Copp

You are totally hysterical, please tell us how many MS13 killers you are hiding in your basement from border patrol. Tell us in coherent speak, if tariffs are so bad, why does Canada and the rest of the world slap them on the USA that effectively blocks any import of American goods they don’t want in?

1 reply

Arthur_Foyt

“I just reported that it had been politicized.”

You had no idea that re-posting (and using that headline) would not stir up political posts?
Respectfully, pull the other one.

1 reply

sasho01

Yeah, defund ICAO in Montreal and cut a beautiful international air travel deal with El Salvador.

bobd

Argue trade policy all you want, but one thing about the President. He doesn’t hide the ball. He’s been quite open about using economic measures to force Canada to relinquish its sovereignty and accept the fact that they are nothing more than our 51st state.

1 reply

Sven_Freitag

Trump, his VP and his spokesperson have repeatedly on camera referred to Canada as future 51st state of the US - that is what Canadians are most upset about. Seems to be hard to understand as supporter of a president that is even more deranged than the last one.

rniles

Not part of the calculation when considering what to report, Art. I know you don’t believe that but it’s true.

rniles

I write about 40 percent of the stories on AVweb but also do about half of the opinion writing.

mcapocci

??? what do you mean no leverage!. they are our biggest trading partner. ie 2 play at that game. there is NO WAY Canada will become a set of US states. ONE if they did they sure would not vote republican! That fact alone would keep congress from approving this folly.
assuming this happened…the current organizational structure would remain in place ie 10 Provences 3 territories which would make 60 states none of who would be ever in the republican world making a democratic majority permanent in the house the senate AND the Oval Office…this idea is full of bad things for Tru8mp.

INDICA710

Then why is your currency worth less than the USA Canada and especially young Canadians want to get money from a us company as an influencer sad that we stay out of your political stuff but the whole world wants to be in the USA politics

1 reply

Mike_Wallis

Just for fun, EAA should impose a 10% tariff on all registrations from Canada for this years Airventure.

1 reply

bcarlson

Or how about a 10% discount for all Canadian registrants!

Annesdale

Anybody using the term “TDS” needs to have their foil hat adjusted.

DaveP

Trump has been using the discussion to pressure Trudeau to step down.

Canada, you’re welcome.

Canada needs to figure out that they have an opportunity here to change their trajectory. He has no intent on FORCING Canada into anything more than equal trade. Canada, laugh off Trump’s jabs and right your ship. Get a sense of humor.

1 reply

Aviatrexx

This is a shame, but I can’t blame COPA members for feeling that attending this year’s Airventure would be different from last year. Believe me, quite a few Americans feel the same way about our current top management team. I would wager that considerably more than half of the American attendees this year feel badly about the way Canada has been treated, and wouldn’t blame you for boycotting the event.

But do you think that doing so would result in even a parenthetical footnote on the daily recitation of all the things he’s managed to cock up? Or would, in even the most minute way, change his attitude, behaviour, or soap-bubble fragile self-esteem?

If not, I suggest that the best course of action would be for Canadian pilots to show up en-masse, all wearing bright sky-blue hats reading “Truck Fump”.

I will be.

Aviatrexx

I would like to welcome INDICA710 to AvWeb and congratulate them for their courage in expressing such fact-, substantiation-, and punctuation-free gibberish on an international forum. Such hubris should be recognized.

anoldpilot

Getting closer by the day. Illegal rendition (aka kidnapping) of people with no evidence against them and no due process. The comparisons are mounting.

1 reply

anoldpilot

Sorry, Arthur, “non-political” has been dead since war was officially declared on journalism.

Hoosier84

Just for the record, even before Trump set out to destroy the world economy, the U.S. averaged higher tariffs on the rest of the world than theirs on us. The rest of the world is fully justified in isolating the USA right now, and not just at flying events…

1 reply

kent.misegades

Couldn’t agree more. Trump is always three steps ahead of his detractors. Trudeau and his ilk are grasping for straws. A real adult, Pierre Poilevre, will soon be PM and relations between our two great countries will reach new heights.

kent.misegades

Huh? " U.S. tariffs are among the lowest in the world – and in the nation’s history". Pew Research Center. “Where are the highest, lowest tariffs? Trump’s reciprocal tariffs explained - The US has some of the lowest tariffs in the world. Trump is now threatening to reverse that with reciprocal tariffs, due to take effect on April 2.” AlJazeera. Both sources hardly friendly to the Trump Administration.

1 reply

Raf

Meanwhile back at the hangar. People are surprised Canadians might skip Oshkosh. Just read the thread, it’s not debate, it’s hostility. Mocking, annexation jokes, “nobody cares if you come.” That’s not disagreement, it is making visiting pilots, their families and friends feel unwelcome, even unsafe.

This isn’t just about hurting feelings. It’s about respect. And if Canadian pilots take a pass this year, after reading all this, who can blame them? The level of stupid comments is sadly remarkable.

This is not the Oshkosh spirit. The hate, arrogance, and stupidity aren’t making a point, they’re making a mess.

Love2fly

Tariffs have a place when America is making things that others overseas or next door is also making facilitating an “even playing field” for both domestic and export.

American participation in major manufacturing of durable and perishable goods for our domestic use and export is all but over. We have voluntarily given that portion of our economy outside of our boundaries.

That overseas/across the border manufacturing was not forced upon these companies. They chose to exploit cheap labor opportunity to fatten bottom line profits, which many Americans welcomed via their 401k’s or investment portfolios. Surprisingly, investment gurus, banks, Wall Street, our military congressional industrial complex , Pentagon, Congress, and Executive, Judicial branch of government, including our last 10 presidents never considered this overseas manufacturers would get really good at what they produced both in price and quality raising that labor forces standard of living. Those objectives certainly worked for America post WWII. Why wouldn’t it for others who chose to follow our then lead?

If you’re not producing, you are in no position to complain. Certainly cannot cry foul in a game you have chosen NOT to participate in, The best performing producer defines the price, quality, availability, and its distribution. China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada have figured that out, and stepped into the vacuum left by vacating American companies, of which Americans have gotten accustomed to purchasing. If the company declines in quality, availability, performance, and its distribution, with increasing prices and less value, the consumer determines who can and does deliver a better product.

No one put a gun to the head of Continental/Lycoming/Cirrus/Diamond/Mooney and said you must sell your ownership to China. China bought all this huge portion of GA, invested in each of these companies or, in the case of Mooney, has chosen not to…( their choice as they are the owner)…and have been not only flourishing but are the GA leaders and innovators, while still employing US/Canadian workers paying taxes to Alabama, North Dakota, Minnesota, DC, and Ottawa, CN. And we love our/ their Cirrus/Diamond airplanes powered with Continental and Lycoming engines, using Garmin and Aspen avionics being painted with Sherwin-Williams paint, pulled thru the American and European air by Hartzell propellers. China learned to do American capitalism better than America now. Our competitive response? Do as we say, not as we do …, or in our case what we do not do… or we will sanction you, destabilize your government, and then shoot you!

The worst part of all this we are now the global bully, but got fat, flabby, lazy, complacent, and lethargic, threatening we are going to kick the rest of the planet’s collective keesters, if we can just manage to climb out of our Vietnamese made Lazy Boy, put out our Cuban cigar take that last sip of our Colombian coffee, pull up our Bangladesh made extra large shorts, and our Indonesian made stained T-shirt, point our nicotine’stained fingers at everyone shouting unfair…unfair… followed with “I’m coming at you”with an F-35 that does not operationally nor cannot perform, a few of the remaining 80 year old B-52’s, 6 of our flyable twelve B2’s, with a support cast of Javelins, Tomahawks, Patriots, and Stingers from 80’s, bring surveilled and guided by 30 million dollar plus Reapers bring shot down weekly, all of this financed by Treasuries bought by the countries we are seeking to destroy, Yeah, tariffs makes sense …REALLY?

1 reply

JohnKliewer

As you consider discussing finer points, you might do well to extricate yourself from the media bubble in which you find yourself to the extent that you hear and read actual words from the mouth of the current US president declaring that “everything including military action is on the table” with regard to annexing Canada.

Keytone

Your politics have certainly shown through

No, your politics are showing through in this bent to censor the facts of the news being for Canadians are actively boycotting the USA, and all US aircraft events.

What Canadian pilots should be doing is coming to Oshkosh ANYWAY

Explain why we should support the USA economy in visiting the USA?

If you don’t like Trump, thats ok. But giving this kind of stuff the light of day is just as bad or worse than Trump himself.

Trump, as representing you all and the USA, has declared war upon Canada.

This is just some hack garbage that continues the vitriol and division

Please re-read your vitriolic comment.

No, your complete lack of empathy to validated Canadian sentiments and of a compete aghast to the reality of reporting events in this current world are of alternative facts to fabricate insulting arguments against your former allies to the North.

Keytone

there would be no Canada without the US!

There remains a Canada due to the fighting and sovereign will of Canadians and despite the USA.

No other country has attempted (repeatedly failed) to invade and conquer Canada.

Thank you, for reminding us for why the USA is now currently boycotted. Enjoy your bubble and self inflicted depression to come.

Googbye, Lockheed-Martin and the F-35. Welcome, Saab or Eurofighter.

Keytone

When you set your feet onto the ground and take in the spectacle of AirVenture,

Ground within the USA. With just cause, that is not going to happen.

Not a single sovereignty concerned Canadian will make the choice to visit and support the US economy.

Why should we toss your country’s aggression and politics aside to satisfy your hubris?

Please, do you not comprehend how tone deaf and unempathetic you sound?

Tom_Waarne

We like airplanes and space. We like talking to other pilots. We like the discomfort of travel and the superb cuisine that entails. Tribalism isn’t a big part of it for most of us. Sort out the silliness and things will improve.

dbier

You’d have to be delusional or ignorant regarding Hitler’s rise to power to believe Trump is doing anything close to what Hitler did - even in his early years. Deporting criminal illegal aliens is not even in the same ballpark as jailing and persecuting innocent people because of their ethnicity/race.

1 reply

Peterc

Hi all,
I am a Pilot from Australia, my wife and I try to get to Airvrenture every second year. We are not coming, and yes a little personal protest.

I will miss the show and all the people but the way your President is treating our Country I feel strongly enough to miss it and go to Europe for a motorcycle ride instead.

Please check your Tourism information numbers as what we in Australia are being told is the numbers travelling to the USA are down worldwide.

First time responding but I do really feel like we also are getting attacked, and we are your mates.

I hope you all enjoy the show and yes we will be back
Cheers,
Pete

Love2fly

I love my country but truly despise what our government has declined to. The only nationalism allowed is global bending of the knee for the red, white, and blue.

I love flying, aviation of all types from models to full size aircraft. This includes the camaraderie forged from not only a common interest in flight, but the mutual respect that comes from accomplishment culminating in maybe becoming a pilot, aeronautical engineer, A&P, designing and building airplanes, then flying our creation, or bringing back to life a 100 year old airplane, and once a year , getting together at OshKosh showing respect for all that effort, dreams brought into reality, and being truly happy for others journey into the sky.

But to think we can disrespect our neighbors nationality thru cavalier challenges to their sovereignty, their economy by bombastically, with snarky sarcasm, announce another country is nothing but our future 51st state, to me, cannot be ignored. Nor swept under the rug because we have a common love for airplanes and risk spoiling a US national aviation treasure as world renown Oshkosh, because we expect the people our leadership have disrespected including their love for their country, national identity, and personal patriotism to show up at our uber patriotic, highly nationalistic event , with their Canadien’s flavor of aviation spending their hard earned Canadien money on our turf, and for a few days ignore our leaderships continued disrespect is extremely ignorant at best.

There is an old adage that says how people may potentially come out of complacency, or simple ignorance depends on “whose ox is getting gored”. If Canadiens including the Snowbirds boycott Oshkosh, people and aviation manufacturers of Mexico, Central and South America, South Africa, France, Australia, and Germany decide to sit out Oshkosh 2025 because of global economic testing from imposed tariffs combined with future escalating threats, our collective “ox gets gored” and we will be whining like babies. When Boeing and Ford fold their big tents along with their EAA sponsorship because they are no longer profitable is a real possibility. Can you imagine a 2.5 million dollar SR22T displayed if China chooses to convert our 145% tariff into a tangible reality? Followed with plant closures in Duluth and Grand Forks? How about your cylinders for your IO-550 when they shoot up to $7-10k per jug… if you can get them. And what about a decline in EAA membership and maybe 100,000 fewer folks coming thru the turnstiles. I get a feeling the aviation love and camaraderie espoused by many will evaporate quickly… because our ox is getting gored while our government continues to gore theirs.

It should be a very interesting Airventure this year. I am sure the EAA board of Directors are very nervous right now. We still have 90 or so days to attack and disrespect more countries prior to Airventure. Look what has been accomplished in 13 weeks so far.

Peterc

Not all your goods come from third world countries. The small amount of goods that you buy from us come from industry that pays their workers a lot higher wages than what your hardworking people make, and as an added extra, we buy more goods from the USA than you buy from us.That always exempted us from tariffs, but not anymore . If the USA wants manufacturing back on home soil, why is he going to exempt electronics and computers from Chinese tariffs? Why isn’t Apple etc coming home to produce their goods?
It’s all a big game, and in the meantime the rich get richer, and the poor get the picture…

Hoosier84

Every country has products to protect, mostly agricultural products. But overall, most industrialized countries have lower tariffs than the U.S. Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs were based on a stupid formula & a massive Big Government overreaction that harms the world but does far more damage to Americans. It’s the biggest tax hike in U.S. history & is based on the assumption that the U.S. government is smarter than you are about your needs and preferences. Worse, the damage to our friends like Canada and allies is causing generational harm to U.S. interests. The biggest geopolitical blunder in American history.

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anoldpilot

Not “Deporting.” Illegal removal without any legal process. There’s a difference. And, yes, I think most people would agree that there are some comparisons to be made. A person was kidnapped by ICE, apparently, for the infraction of signing a letter to the editor.

It’s not the same. No, not saying that. But there are comparisons to be made. So, now we need to make those comparisons, sadly.

Aviatrexx

… unless you count a similar episode 164 years ago, wherein another megalomaniac decided he knew better than the majority of the US population. He was wrong, too. Its societal impacts are still being felt today.

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Annesdale

Just the opposite. The U.S. is alone in this against the world. Canada recently engineered an international sell-off in Treasuries, resulting in a 10% devaluation of the dollar. That’s why Trump blinked. BTW, What exactly are the wonderful “deals” we are making, Mr. Facts?

Pierre

Regardless of the temporary new rules on tariffs and the impact on the political climate, CDS US relations will always be friendly and loyal. We must accept the actual decisions on tariffs and play within the new set of rules. I encourage Canadians and Americans to maintain and protect what work well namely AirVenture and similar venues. I am persuaded that events of this nature will contribute to restore harmony and facilitate dialogues for a lasting relationship… Please reconsider your participation and go to AirVenture

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Love2fly

“ We must accept the actual decisions on tariffs and play within the new set of rules.”

No we don’t. One guy , one emperor, one president does not make my decisions for me, nor for 335 million Americans, or for our Canadien brothers and sisters…or for that matter, the rest of the planet. By being quiet, not wanting to rock the boat, failing to call out callous disrespect to an entire nation, economically turning countries upside down, destroying basic human dignity suggesting we just shake hands and through our mutual hugs and kisses, all will eventually be fine??? That’s Bravo Sierra and has played a major role why we got what we got masquerading as leadership. Our collective silence is deafening. This pilot is done being silent!

Chris_B

Could be that we are “voluntarily” deciding to take those back.

vayuwings

‘We must accept the actual decisions on tariffs and play within the new set of rules.’ You do you. Critical thinking isn’t for everyone.

I’ve never been silent on this Clear, Present and Dangerous cult leader in the White House. Maybe it’s time for me to get up and active in resistance more, though. But with comments like above, I still struggle with Jefferson’s musing - ‘The government you elect is the government you deserve.’

Authoritarianism is being established and ingrained, ego-driven destructive tariffs are our trumpets announcing its arrival.

midlifeflyer

I think the problem is that, for better or for worse, the political environment is part of our reality and aviation cannot isolate us from it. I have not been to Chicago since Meigs field was destroyed. I’d just rather spend my money elsewhere. Is that a “political” choice? Does anyone else but me “care” about my decision? Do I care whether they care or not?

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jbhillard

Not going to Chicago in protest to what 1 person did is completely your choice. While I don’t agree with what Mayor Daley did to Meigs Field, I am not going to do myself harm by never going back to Chicago. I would suffer more than Chicago or more specifically Mayor Daley will ever suffer by my not returning. In fact the effect of me not going to Chicago ever again would go completely unnoticed by EVERYONE. Now, if you couldn’t live with yourself by returning to Chicago, by all means go for it. Do I care if you never return to Chicago or Oshkosh? Nope. It has ZERO effect on me. But from where I am sitting the people that will be impacted the most and more specifically the most NEGATIVLEY are the people who decide not to attend / visit. I do get that it’s a principled decision and a personal decision. But you never returning to Chicago and Canadians never returning to Oshkosh will largely go completely unnoticed by the folks your silent protest is attempting to shed light on. Matters not to me. Just not a logical solution in my opinion nor will it actually do anything to change things.

Will1

There sure are a lot of people here and in other fora who seem to want to crap all over Canadians. You lot utterly despise them, and you are so proud of your new-found hatred. It’s all very odd. Have you forgotten what Joe Clark did? I guess that’s a “yes.”

shalom

Well, I am on the US side of the border and look very sadly at the destruction of trust in the US that will take decades at best to restore, however did you consid3er that 10% of US oil comes from Canada to Texas refineries? That about 65% of US nickel comes from Ontario? That about 20% of NY and MI energy come from Canada?

Today I listened to a meeting of all the parties that are running in the Canadian election that are fighting on a lot but all are united on one thing: They do not like to be betrayed by those they believe were their friends. They remember that only one country ever raised NATO article 5 (US in case you forgot) and they, like the rest of NATO, came to help, paying with lives and money. They all describe how they now must direct their commerce to Europe and Africa and south east Asia. In short they know they are facing a hard time but a large portion of that will be based on the hatred and mistrust Trump managed to create in all the world, against the US. So in the near term maybe some countries will come to capitulate while they gain time. After a short time they will build their alternative economic, intelligence, and defense system, and then the US will find itself were president(s) Trusk want it: Alone, lacking basic stuff and fast spending its past fortunes on becoming a second or third world country. But this is OK for Trump as long as he kills democracy and joins his loved best friends: Trustworthy Putin, Beloved Kim Jung Un, and Lifer Xi.

Respect for those that resist tyrany!

anoldpilot

Admittedly off-topic, but, just curious… Are you referring to Lincoln or the governor of South Carolina in 1861? And, when you use the phrase “US population,” who, exactly…are we counting???

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Aviatrexx

Hi Peter. I’m sorry to hear you won’t be joining us this year. I’ve attended and volunteered at every Airventure since 1987. It takes a solid day of flogging my old, over-gross C172 to get there; but that’s a mere pittance to what it costs you to attend.

One of the best things I got from Airventure was meeting an Aussie (Mal Shipton), He ran an “aerial tours for pilots” outfit out of Redcliffe. After a morning briefing on airspace and procedural differences, we went out to the ramp and picked out which Skyhawk we each wanted to fly. Each couple got their own plane (with that day’s destination programmed into a L-R GPS) and an admonishment to get there before we ran out of petrol, or the airport van left to take everyone to lunch and whatever uniquely Aussie experiences were to be had there. (Who knew you had camel ranches?) Other than that, our flightplan was totally at our discretion. The things we saw, but primarily, the amazing people we met in our tour of the outback half of your continent, made a lasting impression. And of course, as soon as we returned, all our pilot friends wanted to know why we didn’t let them know, so they could have joined us.

A few years later, Mal’s wife got sick, and he announced that he was shutting down the operation. So I told all my friends who missed our first tour, and we booked-up the entire last tour. It was quite literally the grandest adventure of my life, which has not been without its share of excitement.

After the election, we started looking at immigrating to Oz. At the rate things are spiraling here, it’s entirely possible that it will be our last chance.

Aviatrexx

The governor, and “every warm body”.

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anoldpilot

PHewwww.

For a second, I was afraid that it was even worse than I had thought…

JoeDB

Why? You could easily end up thrown in jail and who knows what will happen to your airplane.
It is a lot of risk for an airshow.

bobd

The Wall Street Journal reports today that Vietnam, which already has very low tariffs and thus not much to negotiate with, is trying to stave off tariffs by expediting approvals of a $1.5 billion Trump Organization resort. Just making everything made in Vietnam a little more expensive for all of us in order to line the President’s pockets.

Tristar

Silliness. In reality, we will not know if you’re there or not. You’ll hurt no one nor cause anyone to not enjoy the event. You’ll just be denying yourselves the great OSH experience. You’ll not change anyone else’s experience so what do you hope to accomplish?

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Robert_D

Oshkosh was first politicized in 2016 when Trump flags and “Lock Her Up” flags appeared on airplanes in the North 40. Last year there were Trump flags. I did not see any Clinton or Harris flags. I agree that the event should not be politicized but don’t blame the Canadians. As the old Pogo cartoon says:. “We have met the enemy and he is us”

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JoeDB

Not having a comma wrong on a form and ending up in handcuffs for one thing.

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Aviatrexx

C’mon, Russ. This is AJFoyt you’re talking to. The only thing he has in common with The Real AJFoyt is that he goes around in circles. But this namesake always turns right…

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rpstrong

This is AJFoyt you’re talking to.

No, he’s always made it clear that he is Arthur J Foyt, not Anthony J Foyt (aka AJ Foyt, the racer of renown). If you’re going to be clever with his ‘namesake’, you can at least do a bit of fact checking first.

Tristar

(post deleted by author)

Tristar

Please clarify. (this is just because this forum insists on typing at least 20 characters)