Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 18:11:22 ET

Meetings about Upcoming Airspace Changes

Transport Canada will be going to various locations around Southern Ontario to discuss and present the upcoming changes to Toronto's Airspace.

The good news is that these meetings count towards your currency!

TRANSPORT CANADA will consider these briefings as part of the regular requirement to maintain currency and distribute Log Book stickers.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Interesting Things

Friday, April 27, 2007 - 12:16:35 ET

Change of Address

I'm moving to a new place on Monday and would like to update my address with Transport Canada.

I was able to do it in person at a TC office during my PPL written exam. However, there must be another way (web, fax, phone) to update your address with their files.

Does anyone know (other than going in person) to update your address with Transport Canada?

Comments (1) | Permalink | Category: Interesting Things

Monday, April 23, 2007 - 17:13:53 ET

No Flying Today

METAR CYKZ 232100Z 26019G31KT 4SM -TSRA FEW030 BKN045CB OVC110 14/13 A2974 RERA RMK SF1CB6AC2 CB NE-SE MOVG E OCNL LTGICCCCG NE-SE PRESRR SLP072=

That's why I'm not flying today :) That has to be the craziest METAR I've seen to date.

Comments (4) | Permalink | Category: Training

Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 21:19:21 ET

Landing at an Uncontrolled Airport

There are two "types" of uncontrolled airports, both of which have different rules and procedures.

An uncontrolled aerodrome is one where a control tower does not exist or is not in operation. For example, Buttonville is an uncontrolled aerodrome while the tower is closed (between 2300-0700 local time).

Because the traffic is not controlled, it is important that users of the aerodrome follow the procedures exactly. This ensures that your actions are predictable to other traffic that may be coming and going.

Mandatory Frequency
Aeordromes with a MF specified in the CFS must use this frequency when communicating your intentions to other pilots in the area. This can be a UNICOM or a RCO or a FSS.

In most cases you will be directing your calls to "radio". For example, if you're landing at Muskoka, you'd be broadcasting your radio calls to "Timmins Radio". In this example I usually make the call as "Timmins Radio at Muskoka".

There is a set of calls that must be made in an MF control zone:

(CARS 602.101)
- 5 Minutes before entering the zone. Give your position, altitude, and intentions on how you plan on entering the circuit.
- When joining the circuit
- When on the downwind leg (if applicable)
- When on final approach
- When clear of the active runway

This ensures that everyone else in the area knows where you are and what you're going to do.

When it comes to joining the circuit, there are only two ways:

- Mid-Downwind Leg
- Straight in Downwind Leg

However, if there is traffic advisory available, you may enter the circuit by using the method outlined in the ATF section below.

Aerodrome Traffic Frequency
Aeordromes with an ATF specified in the CFS must use this frequency when communicating your intentions to facility responsible for the airport. In most cases this is an UNICOM.

In most cases you will be directing your calls to "traffic". For example, if you're landing at Peterborough, you'd be broadcasting your radio calls to "Peterborough Traffic"

The same set of calls that you must make at a MF aerodrome are needed at an ATF aerodrome.

When it comes to entering the circuit, your options are as follows:

- Straight-In Downwind Leg
- 45° to the Downwind Leg
- Straight-In Base Leg
- Straight-In Final Leg

(Similar to your options at a controlled airport).

Things To Consider
- If no ATF or MF are published, use 123.2 Mhz
- Some pilots operating under VFR at many sites prefer to give commercial IFR and larger type of aircraft priority. This practice, however, is a personal airmanship courtesy, and it should be noted that these aircraft do not establish any priority over other aircraft operating VFR at that aerodrome.
- IFR Approaches may be made at an uncontrolled airport. If you are a VFR pilot, try to get familiar with what is involved with a "circling approach" so you will understand what an IFR aircraft will do when trying to land at this airport.

Comments (7) | Permalink | Category: Air Law

Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 21:02:21 ET

Altimeter setting: 30.19

The weather the past four days have been phenomenal. Clear skies and temps in the low twenties.

I was able to get up on Friday morning for a 7am "last flight" with my FI. The airport was dead quiet - not what I expected at all.

I met my new FI on Saturday and we went over some items that I wanted (mainly uncontrolled aerodrome procedures).

I have a flight booked tomorrow afternoon, for which the forecast calls for rain.

Things at work have calmed down, however, I'm still busy packing and getting ready to move to my new place at the end of the month.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Friday, April 13, 2007 - 09:52:33 ET

Booming Industry

I'm hoping it's still not too late to take advantage of this situation:

The aviation industry is booming, resulting in a shortage of Pilots. I's been awhile since anyone has been able to make this comment.

Unfortunately a side effect of this boom is a shortage of instructors.

All flight schools are being challenged in attracting new instructors, and keeping the ones we have. Toronto Airways and Canadian Flight Academy have lost 17 instructors in the last 2 months to various airline companies. Even newly licenced commercial pilots with low time are finding jobs.

We are trying several avenues to try and keep, and attract new instructors.

As such, i'm now on my third instructor. My previous one called me yesterday to tell me he will be leaving at the end of the month.

I think this would be a great opportunity for someone like me to get in early... teaching ground school. Too bad I don't have my PPL yet.

Comments (3) | Permalink | Category: Training

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 23:01:44 ET

Term Over!

I just wrote my final exam for my Economics class. Glad to be on a break for a month. Next semester will be the last two credits that I need to get, Personnel Management and Instruments and Avionics.

I'm also moving back to Aurora (I have been living in the city for the past 8 months)... that's happening at the end of the month.

I still don't have my PPL. In fact, I haven't been flying in over a month. Hopefully that will change come the end of this month. Weather and scheduling conflicts have been the main culprits.

That said, here are some of the latest ATC clips to come my way that are quite funny:

April Fools! This poor airplane is number 47 for departure at JFK. The pilot attempts to request for "taxi priority"

That was a Question! Some communications difficulty between JFK Ground and Air China.

Comments (0) | Permalink | Category: Training

Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - 09:38:31 ET

No Flying This Week

I know I promised that I would never complain about the weather and not being able to fly...

But damn:

This is a good time to hit the books, hardcore.

Comments (1) | Permalink | Category: Training