Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 22:58:06 ET

Northern Airlines

I (along with my team members) have to do a quick presentation in my economics class. Our topic deals with airlines in the north and how they can stay in business.

Because the presentation only needs to be 10-15 minutes it doesn't go into great detail.

In any case, feel free to view the pdf of the presentation if you like.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 15:50:59 ET

Canadian Flight Planning Software?

I have asked this question before, but I'm hoping that new visitors to the site can answer it.

Is there any good flight planning software out there?

AeroPlanner is great, if you fly in the USA. Is there an equivalent for Canada?

VFR planning for now but ideally the solution will also support IFR planning too.

Comments (2) | Permalink | Category: Training

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 14:21:03 ET

Frigid Temperatures

The winds were still gusty when I arrived to the airport. I still, however, wanted to do the exam.

I went outside to get the plane ready. I had to pre-warm it using a portable heater. I suspected that the unit was out of fuel because it would not ignite. Regardless I decided to continue the walk around until another heater was available.

The first thing I checked was the fuel... Full Tanks? Damn! I needed half tanks to keep the plane in the Utility category to perform the necessary exercises for the exam.

I gave up and went inside and told the examiner the issue and that I don't want to proceed with the exam. I'll do that another day.

I went up regardless, solo, practiced some stuff then headed back to the airport.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 21:35:51 ET

Not looking good...

I have my flight test booked tomorrow for 9am. However I'm not sure if I'll be going. Winds are forecast to be gusting to 25 knots at 7am (as far as the forecast goes). So lets hope that they die down in the following two hours.

I went on a flight the other day. It was a perfect winter day for flying. It was also the first time this year I had to get the plane de-iced. Headed up to the north to practice some exercises to keep sharp for my test tomorrow.

Of course I was keeping an ear to 126.7Mhz. All was quiet when I heard a call from "Snowbird 17" (I think it was 17). He was in and around Trenton (which is a military airport). It's amazing how far you can hear radio calls on 126.7 when its not flooded with people making position reports.

My landing wasn't the best. I turned too late to final and I was way too high. The video does not do it justice. I'm catching my self using 40° of flaps instead of slipping when I find my self too high.

The camera was a little crooked, so it looks like I'm banking when in fact I'm not.

As I found a parking spot next to another plane that had a student doing his walk around. I got out and said "hi" as I was tieing down the plane. We started talking and he recognized me from this website! Turns out we had the same FI earlier this year.

*crosses fingers for tomorrow*

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Sunday, February 18, 2007 - 16:50:24 ET

Cute Short Film

Iain Anderson came up with an idea to create a short film using the 50 official airport icons.

The tune is catchy and the short is only a few minutes long. Check it out at his website, funwithstuff.com.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Interesting Things

Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 21:09:20 ET

Quick Update

Weather has been too crappy to complete the PPL exam. I've been pretty busy at work lately too, so I guess it worked out.

Interesting clip (the player only works in IE):

A KingAir decompresses at 20,000' and the pilots are unable to use the oxygen supply to remain conscious. The airplane goes into a dive as the pilots are passed out. The report states that at 7000' the pilots wake up and take the plane out of the dive and land it safely.

The resulting dive caused the wings to bend and ripped off the elevators and tail.

Comments (1) | Permalink | Category: Training

Wednesday, February 7, 2007 - 08:21:24 ET

No Go on Flight Exam Today

Environment Canada has a snow squall warning in place for Barrie extending to Oshawa. As I look out my window right now I see clear blue skies. It's amazing how 40 kms can make a huge difference when it comes to weather.

I've been keeping a close eye on the weather radar too:

The winds are also going to pick up as well and change direction such that the cross-wind component would be too nasty.

So, the exam has been rescheduled for Monday morning. I'm hoping I can get a flight in regardless so that the exam wouldn't be the first time I fly in 2 weeks.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 16:36:51 ET

Part Two of PPL Exam

The flight portion of my PPL exam is scheduled for Tomorrow morning.

Hopefully the weather will hold up. The Weather Network is showing a temperature of -11°C and "a few flurries" for the time of the flight.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Friday, February 2, 2007 - 08:24:34 ET

PPL Flight Test Update

I passed the ground portion of the test.

I decided against doing the flight portion because:

1. The TAF was showing 3SM visibility and Snow during the time of the test.
2. The upper winds were ~35KTs at 3000'

I'm not happy with my performance on the ground portion at all. However, all that matters is if you pass or fail, right?

I have the flight portion booked for Monday morning. Let's hope the weather is good!

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training