I haven’t done much flying lately. I’ve been busy with my other project, World Flight Planner. We just released a new version the other day that has some pretty nifty features. If you’re interested in checking it out, read the WFP Blog. I’ve been doing research into which should be my first airplane to buy….
I currently use an ASA Flight Bag to carry my headset, documentations, POHs, etc.. It is a “duffel style” bag that is large, heavy, and well, kinda sucks (photo). I came across this new flight bag from BrightLine Bags that simply blows the ASA bag out of the water. Some of the things I love…
Planning on getting an IFR rating this summer in Southern Ontario? I know that Toronto Airways instructors like to use Kitchener/Waterloo to practice ILS approaches. Turns out the ILS will be unavailable for 2 months between June and August. This is part of NavCanada’s ILS Replacement Project. Your alternatives will be Toronto City Centre (might…
It’s that time of year again! When the NATCA in the states honours their Air Traffic controller with the Archie Award. Check out the audio clips from this years awards! It’s a shame NavCanada doesn’t do something similar.
The Transportation Safety Board has launched a “Watchlist” and Calls For Action for nine critical safety issues troubling Canada’s Transportation System. Of these nine, five are aviation related, they are: PROBLEM There is ongoing risk that aircraft may collide with vehicles or other aircraft on the ground at Canadian airports. SOLUTION Improved procedures and the…
Hot of the presses! CYTZ (Toronto City Cent… eerr I mean Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport) tower is now available for streaming on LiveATC.net. This completes all of the airports in the GTA, with the exception of Downsview. Nothing happens there anyways as it is a private airport used by Bombardier. On another note, there…
The weather in Southern Ontario has been awesome this past week. It’s a shame I haven’t been up in the air to take advantage of it. What I have been working on though is a new release of World Flight Planner. It’s been taking up most of my time outside of work. I’m working hard…
(Update, some users may have had issues playing the clips. It has been resolved). Captain Sully is no longer flying, as he has retired from US Airways. LiveATC.net has captured his last departure from Fort Lauderdale Airport, and his last arrival at Charlotte, NC. Listen to the Departure Clip or the Arrival Clip
Ars Technica has a great article on the Science and Technology of ATC. It is a good primer on everything from transponders, radar, ADS-B, even VHF and HF voice communications. It contains some pretty neat photos of control centres (in the states). Definitely a good read for pilots and anyone interested in ATC.
PBS has a pretty good documentary called Flying Cheap. It is a look at regional airlines, specifically Colgan Air who was responsible for the Dash 8 crash last year. The documentary explains how the big airliners essentially contract out these smaller companies to run their regional operations. The scary thing is, that in the USA,…