METAR Decoding Help
METAR CYTZ 011500Z AUTO 07033G43KT 2SM -RA OVC008 03/02 A2960 RMK PCPN 3.0MM PAST HR PRESFR SLP026= What does “PRESFR” mean? I coudn’t find it in the AIM. I’m guessing that it means “pressure falling rapidly”.
-
-
Fire at Pearson Tower
There was a fire at Pearson on November 28th. Specifically the Tower was evacuated for smoke and/or fire: NAV CANADA ADVZY 003 CYYZ/CZY *** TORONTO TWR IMMEDIATE EVACUATION *** EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF TORONTO CONTROL TOWER — SMOKE. ALL AIR TRAFFIC UNITS SHALL IMMEDIATELY GROUND STOP ALL IFR DEPARTURES INTO OR THROUGH THE TORONTO TOWER. FSS…
-
Visual Alignment Guidance System Explained
A little while back I noted that Toronto City Centre was getting a new lighting system. The explanation if such system is out in the latest AIC. I wonder if such enhancements were due to Porter Airlines flying out of YTZ now. The visual alignment guidance system is made up of two light units placed…
-
Long X-Country Done!
I decided to take the day off work on Friday and attempt my long X-Country trip that I needed to do as a requirement for my PPL. The forecast was not looking good for Friday morning the night before. Regardless, I decided to do the flight planning anyways in hopes that the forecast was incorrect….
-
Super Short Field Take-Off
If only the Cessna 172 can do a short field take-off like this guy:
-
I Should Be X-Countrying
Today would be a perfect day for my necessary long x-country. Alas, work beckons me. METAR CYKZ 211500Z 22006KT 12SM SCT220 BKN250 01/M05 A3051 RMK CI2CI2 CONTRAILS SLP340= METAR CYQA 211400Z AUTO 16005KT 9SM CLR M03/M05 A3044 RMK SLP325= METAR CYPQ 211500Z AUTO 21006KT 9SM CLR 01/M06 A3050 RMK SLP340= Visibility is lower but still…
-
Flying Under Pressure
The ceilings were too low yesterday to do the pre-flightest work. So I decided to do some circuits and practice various types landings and take-offs. I’m trying to spend a few days each week going over my notes and keeping the information for the PPL exam fresh in my mind. The weather this coming week…
-
Setting Up Your GPS Handheld
You can buy aviation specific gps units for $500 and up. These can include features such as terrain alerts, weather radar overlay, and a database of air space, way points, intersections, etc.. There is an alternative though. You can spend $100 on a “cheaper” gps unit and pre-program it with your way points on a…
-
Why I Haven’t Been Flying
There are two main reasons why I cant get my arse out there to finish the last little bit of things I need to get for my licence. Weather This has had to have been the crappiest and wettest fall ever. October and November have been dominated by low ceilings and drizzle. The Weather Network’s…
-
My Toronto ACC Tour
(This is all from memory, so apologies if I get anything wrong) The tour of the Toronto ACC was awesome. Our tour guide was great, he was able to answer all of my questions. He’s a controller as well as a pilot, so he knows both sides of the story. We started off with a…
