Click for larger!
I haven't been flying in a while. The last time was in June. This is for multiple reasons:
- Been hard at work on worldflightplanner.com.
- Saving up my cash to buy my own airplane ($170/hr. renting is nice chunk towards a down payment).
I haven't blogged in a while because, really, I don't have anything worth blogging.
I had originally planned on hitting up Oshkosh this year, but that didn't happen. Again for reasons stated above. I really, really, want to go. Perhaps next year.
One thing that I did find amazing about this years event is the story of Mattheiu de Quillaco. Get this: He built his own helicopter in France. Tore out the rear seat and installed an extra fuel tank. Then flew it across the Atlantic to the United States!
He did this trip because hes always wanted to be a part of Oshkosh, so when he arrived he was a volunteer during the event.
On the way home, he's going to be heading west through Russia. Awesome!
For those of you that are in Ontario, Transport Canada has released its 2010/2011 schedule for the Aviation Safety Seminars. The line-up looks good this year! I've marked them in my calendar.
At first I was disappointed that I was going to miss the Canadian International Air Show this weekend (for a friends wedding). After looking at the line-up, I'm no longer disappointed.
As they say: Keep the blue side up!
Click for larger!
Unfortunately the link in the publication is in correct. It should be http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/menu-1152.htm.
I'm currently subscribed to the News Releases list, which is low traffic and mainly contains notices of when a new TSB report comes out. I've added my self to the Advisory Circulars mailings.
Now, when will NavCanada start notifying users by email of new AICs?
]]>World Flight Planner was designed primarily for general aviation pilots but could also be used for commercial operators. It supports both IFR and VFR flight planning as well as weight and balance.
The biggest selling feature (in my mind) is the ability to access your plans from any Internet connected device, whether that be your desktop, the computer at the FBO, or your blackberry. Easily generate or update your flight plans while on the go!
World Flight Planner also visualizes for you some very important information such as SIGMETs, and PIREPs on your route map. You can quickly and easily see the type of weather by overlaying near real-time weather radar as well.
Right now we have support for planning flights within Canada and the United States. We're working on getting support for Australia as well in the near future.
Everyone is welcome to try it free for 30 days. After that, if you want to continue to use the software, it will only cost a cool $9 a month (if you pay for a year up front).
For being a loyal reader of the blog, use the coupon code "FLYWITHBLAKE" to get your self a free month!
COPA Members get a discount as well, which can be combined with the coupon code.
I want to thank all of those you helped beta test the software for us! It was your feedback that help shape version 1.0!
]]>I will be renting an aircraft from the St. Thomas Flight Centre to give my girlfriend's dad his fathers day gift.
I will have to get checked out with an instructor. I will most likely have to do a few circuits to prove my proficiency with the school. This is the first time I would have done a circuit at an uncontrolled airport before. So I will have to review to make sure if there is anything different (I doubt it, you make the same calls right?).
Anyways, the plan is just a short sight seeing flight over some privately known landmarks and the city proper. I'll be sure to bring along my GPS to track the flight.
It's going to be good to be back in the air. Today two buddies of mine (Doug, and David) were flying (IFR of course) to various destinations. I'm going to be meeting David for lunch tomorrow downtown.
]]>It's destination? A ship 100 miles off shore. Using only an AM radio station on the ship and a directional antenna on the aircraft, the pilot was able to fly directly to the Navy Ship.
Since then ADF has been refined and in some countries replaced. However it it still one of the primary form of navigation in countries like Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world with large vast distances.
Wired has more information about the early uses of ADF.
]]>This weekend, the airspace around Woodbine racetrack is to be restricted for the Queen's Plate (yup, she's going to be there).
On Monday, she is going to be touring the RIM offices. So a 2nm no fly zone has been erected around the building.
Keep an eye on those NOTAMs while she is in Canada. You'll find the oddest places declared no fly-zones as she makes her way west.
]]>This was widely publicized in the media. I declined to mention anything about it on my blog for various reasons.
Yesterday, I read of another fatality at Buttonville, killing the sole occupant. This was during a commercial operation (from what I can tell by the liveatc.net recordings). The plane was in the middle of a "banner drop" when the accident happened.
I'm looking forward to the TSB report and will provide my thoughts/comments on it when it comes out.
]]>The weather was perfect, clear skies and not too hot. My flight plan had me heading to Collingwood via the Mans VOR (YMS). I was going to use VOR tracking only to get to/from Collingwood.
My VOR tracking was a little rusty on the way there. Mainly because I didn't calculate any wind correction in my headings so I kept on "chasing the needle" every time I noticed it drifting away.
My landing was a little rough too... what can I say? It's been 3 months since I flew the last time.
Sara and I had some lunch and lazed around the airport.
The ride on the way back was a little more bumpy and Sara's stomach didn't appreciate it. My VOR tracking, on the other hand, was much better. As you can see by the red line:
I turned too late after I passed over the VOR (on my way to Buttonville) because I was too busy trying to call up London Radio. I tried both 126.7 and and 123.15 to no avail. I wanted to file a priep (only ever done that once) but couldn't. Aww well.
I've been busy with World Flight Planner so I haven't been able to blog as much as I'd like. Work as well has been extremely busy with the upcoming G20 summit in Toronto and the FIFA World Cup. I do tweet regularly, so feel free to follow blakecrosby on Twitter!
]]>You can view the details by taking a look at AIP Supplement 11/10.
Here is the low down for the G20 summit in Toronto:
There are going to be two rings of restricted airspace, a 15nm and 30nm area over the city. The restriction is from the surface to 18,000'.
Pilots will have to file their flight plans (flight itineraries are not allowed) with London FIC 60 minutes before departure. You must have a transponder and will be given a code by either London FIC when you file, or by your local ATS unit.
When planning your flight, if it transits through the restricted airspace you need to provide a fix just outside of either side of the restricted area. I'm making the assumption so that ATC knows where you will enter and exit the restricted areas.
Don't do anything stupid. No acrobatics, flight training, air exercises, or hot air ballooning will be allowed in the area. This goes the same for city tours. Essentially GA aircraft will only be allowed to take off, land, or transit through the restricted area.
All traffic within the restricted airspace will be monitored by surveillance radar and any unauthorized aerial activity will be subject to intercept by military aircraft under the authority of the Government of Canada. Therefore, it is imperative that all pilots operating within or near CYR542 review the CFS, Section F--Emergency Procedures--Interception of Civil Aircraft to ensure they know and understand their responsibilities if intercepted.
The good news is that this will only be in effect for the actual event (26 June to 28 June 2010), not the weeks leading up to it.
]]>CYYZ 280200Z 36007KT 15SM FEW040 FEW120 BKN230 22/16 A2987 RMK SC1AC2CI1 SLP112
The stuff after RMK is the type of cloud cover, and the sea level pressure in milibars. So in the example above the sky is covered with:
And the sea level pressure would be 1012.5 milibars.
Automated weather stations aren't able to determine the type of cloud cover. Previously they've usually just put the sea level pressure in the Remarks section. However, now, they are displaying the density altitude. Take a look at this automated metar:
CYZE 280200Z AUTO 32005KT 9SM OVC100 18/14 A2993 RMK PRESRR SLP138 DENSITY ALT 1100FT
We can see that the density altitude is 1100' above sea level. Handy for calculating your performance numbers.
So Nav Canada, why don't you include the density altitude on all your METARs, not just the automated ones?
]]>The document is far from complete, but I'm looking for some early feedback from you, my beloved readers, as to if I'm heading in the right direction.
So without further delay, here is a copy of my POPs, version 1.0.
]]>I also have about half of my Personal Operating Procedures done too, which I will share with you in early June.
In the mean time, I leave you with this joke. Thanks Raj!
A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He spots a man down below and lowers the balloon to speak with him. The balloonist gets close enough to speak with the man on the ground and shouts down to him, "Excuse me, but maybe you can help me. I promised my friend I would meet him half an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."]]>
The man on the ground responds, "No problem; you are in a hot air balloon
hovering about 30 feet above this field.
You are located at 26' 04.4 North Latitude, and 80' 09.2 West Longitude
and drifting slowly south."
You must be an airline pilot, says the balloonist.
"I am, how did you know?" replies the man on the ground."Well," says the balloonist,"everything you have told me is technically
correct, but I have no idea what to make of the information you gave me.
I am still lost, so you have done absolutely nothing to help me!"
The man on the ground says "You must be in airline management."
"I am"; replies the balloonist, "how did you know?"
"Well"; says the man on the ground, "you do not know where you are or
where you are going. You have made a promise that you cannot keep and you
expect me to solve your problems for you. The fact is that you are in the exact
same position you were in before we met, but now it is somehow my fault."
At one time, this was the busiest single strip airport in the United States. It's 3000' foot runway gave plenty of room both GA as well as commercial operators to use the airport. It also had 4 helicopter landing areas.
When I was a young lad, I used to play a lot of MS flight sim. The default airport you would start at is lined up on runway 36 at Meigs.
7 years ago the mayor of the city decided to illegally close and bulldoze down the airport overnight leaving 16 aircraft stranded.
There was an outrage from the public as well as the GA community. The FAA fined the city $33,000. This was the maximum fine that was allowed by law for not giving the FAA the required notice for an airport closure.
Sara and I spent about 40 min on the island, doing a quick walk around. The place was completely empty of people. Sara commented that the island would be better used if it wasn't just a large field of grass. I suspect that the most use this island ever saw, was as an Airport.
It was a sad day in the history of general aviation and one I hope is never repeated. Chicago reminded me a lot of Toronto, and it would be a shame to see something similar happen to Toronto Island Airport (CYTZ).
One good item that has come out of this is the FAAs "Meigs Legacy Provision". At the time, the FAA was only allowed to fine $1,100 per day for not giving the required notice of an airport closure (with a published IFR approach). The provision increased the fine to $10,000 a day. If this was the case back in 2002, the city would have been fined $300,000 instead of $33,000.
]]>If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with Aviation Unlimited. I plan on attending.
]]>