NavCanada has a ANS service improvements project underway to upgrade some of the aging Air Navigation Systems equipment.

AIC 47/08 and 48/08 outline the schedule for the upgrade of the DME and ILS equipment. One thing to note, is that the new ILS equipment will not provide back-course capabilities. Therefore ILS procedures involving the localizer back-course will be replaced with an RNAV approach instead.

As always, you can check out the AICs at the NavCanada website.

I also also thinking of implementing a service whereby you can “subscribe” for for AIC updates. You …

I hope everyone had a great holiday break! This was the first month in three years where I didn’t go flying once. I’m hoping that trend doesn’t continue.

As 2008 leaves us, its on to look ahead to 2009!

I’ve never been fond of the term “new years resolutions”, instead I use the term “goals”. So here are my aviation goals for 2009:

Finish up and get my CPL
Write the INRAT for my IFR Rating
(Finally) Go to Oshkosh
Fly an ultralight!

These are all pretty realistic. I’ve already got the necessary hours for the CPL, …

I’ve upgraded the site backend from MT 3.1 to MT 4.12. I’m pretty sure I’ve caught everything. However, if you notice any broken links or images, please let me know.

The commenting system has changed a bit. It now uses reCaptcha. You will have to type in two words instead of just one. As well, you can save your details so you don’t have to type in you name/email every time.

A holiday blog post will be forthcoming including my new years resolutions goals.

NavCanada is undergoing a program to refresh the weather systems/stations across Canada. The program is split into four different categories:

- AWOS

- Ice Resistant Anemometers

- Remote Digital Temperature Sensors and Displays

- Digital Weather Cameras

NavCanada will be replacing approx 82 AWOS stations across the country with new equipment. This new equipment will contain the latest hardware in weather detection and reporting. This includes new ice resistant anemometers, along with RVR information. It will also be able to detect ceilings as high as 25,000′ with new laser celiometers.

One of the more interesting additions, …

I was doing some research today and came across a device that will soon be used across Canada in the Aviation field.

A Measuring Device

I’m leaving it up to you to guess what this could be. I’ll post the answer, and the findings to my research in a few days.

Dear NavCanada,

Next time you print the Toronto VTA and VNC, can you please put airport identifiers next to airports like you currently do with Navaids?

Thanks,

Blake

Have $3,000,000? Why not buy this Boeing 727-200? It’s got a bar, and over 50 “first class” style seats.

Avionics look a little rough though: