GK121 , No one has issues with single engine Zoomy things but If the US deem it unsafe to deploy them to Alaska why should it be so different for Canada ?
The author goes on to state
"The need for a twin-engine fighter jet is very clear, and purchasing a single-engine fighter jet would be a serious mistake," he said.
The government is expected to make a final decision on the replacement for the CF-18 as early as this week.
Although Byers says the F-35 is not the plane for Canada, he has no issues with other countries opting for the strike-fighter.
As an example, he notes the U.S. has a much higher density of airports on its territory — providing greater options for emergency landing in the event of engine failure.
Hedging bets
Byers also says the U.S. has "hedged its bets," by having in its air force fleet the twin-engine F-22.
"The United States bases many of its F-22s in Alaska," he adds. "The F-35s will not be based in Alaska because a single-engine plane is inappropriate for the Arctic — the United States Air Force has decided that."
Byers says the Royal Canadian Air Force has studied the F-35 carefully, and may very well have examined the issue of single-engine versus twin — but the RCAF isn’t making its report public.