Friday, December 29, 2006 - 19:06:54 ET

Mayday Marathon on Discovery Chan

I just noticed this now and thought I would bring it to your attention.

The discovery channel is showing Mayday, a new episode every hour until 6PM ET Saturday!

Happy watching.

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Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 15:52:13 ET

TAL and CFA Forum

I got word today that there is a forum for Toronto Airways and Canadian Flight Academy "users".

You can access the forum at forum.beapilot.ca. Right now there are only 13 members however I can see this growing and becoming a valuble resource.

If you are a student or rent from either TAL or CFA feel free to sign up and contribute to the forum.

Comments (3) | Permalink | Category: Interesting Things

Saturday, December 23, 2006 - 13:57:58 ET

School Complete for 2006

I got my marks today for the two classes I took last semester and with that I was able to complete 7 of the 10 credits needed in one year.

I am taking one class next semester (Economics) which is the first class being held off the airport.

I've added a new Ground School entry which covers some of the questions that could be asked of you during your flight test. I will be adding more in the coming days/weeks.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Comments (1) | Permalink | Category: Training

Saturday, December 23, 2006 - 13:29:18 ET

Ground Briefing Study Lesson #1

Documents and Airworthiness
Q: With respect the Air Regulations, what documents are required to be on board for every flight.
A: Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, Weight and Balance Report, Journey Logbook, POH, Licences (radiotelephone medical, and pilots licence), Interception Orders, proof of insurance.

Certificate of Registration
Q: What does the Certificate of Registration tell you?
A: Gives the nationality and registration mark, aircraft manufacturer, model and serial number, the purpose, name and address of the owner, owner registration date, certificate issue date, and signature for the Minister of Transport.

Q: How long is the Certificate of Registration valid? What invalidates it?
A: Remains valid as long as the ownership does not change, or the owner's address does not change. It becomes invalid when the aircraft is destroyed or taken out of service permanently.

Q: How long does the owner of an aircraft have to notify the Minister of Transport for a change of address?
A: 7 Days

Q: What is the procedure with respect to the Certificate of Registration when the aircraft is sold?
A: To effect a change of ownership, the reverse side of the Certificate of Registration must be filled out and mailed to the Minister of Transport within 7 days.

Certificate of Airworthiness
Q: For how long is the original Certificate of Airworthiness valid?
A: Indefinitely, if the aircraft continues to meet the conditions under which it was issued, that is, as long as the aircraft is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the controlling agency.

Q: What temporarily invalidates the Certificate of Airworthiness?
A: Failure to comply with Airworthiness Directives, failure to do required maintenance, an action that contradicts the POH, minor or major accident, snag written in the journey logbook.

Q: How often must the Certificate of Airworthiness be re-validated?
A: Once a year of every 100 hours, whichever comes first.

Q: How is it revalidated?
A: By submitting an Annual Airworthiness Information Report

Q: Is a Certificate of Airworthiness issued for amateur-built aircraft?
A: No, Amateur-built aircraft are issued a Flight Permit

Weight and Balance Report
Q: Define Basic Empty Weight (BEW)
A: BEW includes: Weight of the standard airplane, all optional equipment, full oil.

Q: Define maximum takeoff weight
A: Maximum takeoff weight is the maximum weight approved for the start of the takeoff run.

Q: How does the maximum take off weight differ from the maximum ramp weight?
A: Maximum ramp weight includes the fuel that will be used for start, taxi, and run-up. Therefore, as a result of the fuel already burned, maximum takeoff weight will be less than maximum ramp weight.

Q: Who prepares the Weight and Balance document that must be carried on board?
A: The weight and balance document is prepared by the manufacturer of the aircraft.

Q: Show the actual Basic Empty Weight and Gross Weight for the test aircraft.
A: Produce, for inspection, the weight and balance report for the aircraft actually used for the flight test test.

Q: What is the difference between normal and utility categories?
A: The utility category is solely for the purpose of training pilots in certain flight manoeuvres and, therefore, is usually subject to some restrictions. The normal category, maximum gross weight operations are permitted, but certain manoeuvres, such as spins and steep turns, are prohibited.

Q: What can the pilot learn of the categories for which the aircraft is approved as well as any related limitations?
A: Take a look inside the POH

Q: Is an aircraft considered airworthy if overloaded? Why?
A: No. Compliance with weight limitations is part of the airworthiness validity.

Q:How often does an aircraft have to be re-weighed?
A: If a change in weight of more than 2% of the empty weight has occurred.

Q: What important information is found on the original Weight and Balance Report that will not be found elsewhere?
A: Date of manufacture of the aircraft, the actual unusable fuel, the amount of full oil.

Comments (3) | Permalink | Category: Ground School

Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 22:20:09 ET

The New Tower

I took a few pics on Saturday. One of the photos was on final for runway 33. It's almost exactly the same as the photo I took during the spring.

There is one big difference though, The new tower! You can see it peek over one of the hangars.

You can see the original photos I took here and here.

I do have one question though: Why are the windows in ATC Towers slanted? I read someplace that it has to do with being used at night. Anyone have any idea?

Comments (1) | Permalink | Category: Interesting Things

Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 19:00:37 ET

Taking Off From Runway 33

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Friday, December 15, 2006 - 16:33:45 ET

D-Day

I finally had a flight today to go over some pre-flight test stuff. The winds were howling at 3000' (33KTs) and this was my first time in this "new" plane (C-GKJJ).

This was with a new FI that I don't normally fly with.

The FI that I have been with for the past 11 months is not going to be teaching any more. I have known this for a while now and unofficially have a new FI. As with all of the FIs at Toronto Airways: he is skilled, responsible, and fun to fly with. I look forward to flying with him again. (Astute readers will now notice the gender change from "she" to "he" when I speak about my FI ;) )

Along with the upper air work we did a force approach. I did something totally risky and it paid off.

We were above 4000' when the engine "died". I found a field that was pretty close by and I needed to drop altitude like a rock. After the cause check and mayday call, I dropped the flaps to 40° and headed to the field.

Once you use flaps, you can't bring them back up, only add more.

3500 feet, then 3000, did my engine shutdown and passenger briefing, 2500 feet, I think this is going to work! I did a COWLS check at around 2000' and made the field.

After the overshoot, my FI told me how much of a risk that maneuver was and to not get into the habit of using 40° of flaps right off the bat. I could have spent a little while longer picking out a better and longer field since I was so high. I'm so used to doing these things at 2000 feet with my ex-FI.

That said, he booked my flight test for Jan 6th, with a backup date of Jan 8th, both at 10am. Let's hope both the weather and my knowledge hold up for those two days.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 11:43:40 ET

The Black Box

I'm hoping that I can do a flight tomorrow morning (I have a plane booked at 8am). The forecast isn't looking good though. However, it doesn't hurt to study at all.

I came across the above pixel art on the net... it's almost as funny as the Landing Strip here in Toronto.

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Monday, December 11, 2006 - 21:26:24 ET

Still No PPL

I have this entire week off work and a flight booked almost every day of the week in hopes of getting my pre-exam flight and PPL exam flight done. I made a promise to my friend two months ago that I would bring him up when he's back in town for Christmas.

School is on hiatus for the Christmas break. I did well on my two exams. The only question I was unable to answer was on my Basic Aircraft Systems exam and was worth 6 marks. The question was "Name six types of variable pitch propellers". I didn't understand the question even after asking the teacher for clarification. I could only think of three... Electrical, Hydraulic, and Mechanical.

Nothing really else new to report.

I'm doing some research about schools at the Island Airport. Once I get my license, I'd really like to start flying out of YTZ considering I can walk to the airport from where I live.Their C172 rates (at both schools) are $134/hr. That's $10/hr more than at Buttonville (with Toronto Airways).

The past few posts by Sulako (here and here) have been about Pilots and their relationships with a significant other. I've been thinking a bit about that with my girlfriend (we've been together for two years now). I am worried about how we will cope when I switch careers from being a computer nerd to an aviator. Right now she's working at a local hospital as a nurse in the NICU and has 5 days off in a row between her set of shifts. I have a 9-5 job right now and we're used to spending a lot of time together (especially when she has weekends off).

I've given her a heads up about how my new schedule will possibly be when I'm flying full time. She says she's cool with it now... only time will tell.

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Friday, December 1, 2006 - 10:26:17 ET

METAR Decoding Help

METAR CYTZ 011500Z AUTO 07033G43KT 2SM -RA OVC008 03/02 A2960 RMK PCPN 3.0MM PAST HR PRESFR SLP026=

What does "PRESFR" mean? I coudn't find it in the AIM. I'm guessing that it means "pressure falling rapidly".

Comments (2) | Permalink | Category: Training