Cheers,
Andrew
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Where has 2010 gone?
As you can tell, my blog hasn't been a high priority this year. When I find the time, I will share my latest flying adventures with you and try to get more pictures up. Until a further date!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Winnipeg Bound!
December 2nd 2009
Our stay at Thunder Bay Esso couldn't have been better. Their service to us was excellent! The pilots based at YQT allowed us to stay two nights in their pilot/crew area and have access to the pilot lounge and amenities. All in all we had a good experience, despite eating almost every item on Tim Hortan's menu during our stay.
A new month had begun with more snow, but there was finally hope in leaving. Shortly after speaking with FSS, pilots from a local airline had just flown our intended route and said that the trip could be flown. It was encouraging to hear advise from an experienced pilot and know that we would be home that night.
We thanked the crew for the first-hand wx info and went on to file the flight plan. With everything in place we departed for our last leg of a 2500 nm journey.
As Manitoba was nearing, the more I got excited! Eventually the time came to dial our final frequency. At 1725 we touched down ending off a crazy adventure that will remain engraved in my mind forever. ~25 hours of PIC were added to my logbook and in those hrs. I learnt a ton. I stepped out of the plane a different pilot.
That night, I was finally in my own bed and was relieved to know that I would be flying Westjet home for Christmas!
Our stay at Thunder Bay Esso couldn't have been better. Their service to us was excellent! The pilots based at YQT allowed us to stay two nights in their pilot/crew area and have access to the pilot lounge and amenities. All in all we had a good experience, despite eating almost every item on Tim Hortan's menu during our stay.
A new month had begun with more snow, but there was finally hope in leaving. Shortly after speaking with FSS, pilots from a local airline had just flown our intended route and said that the trip could be flown. It was encouraging to hear advise from an experienced pilot and know that we would be home that night.
We thanked the crew for the first-hand wx info and went on to file the flight plan. With everything in place we departed for our last leg of a 2500 nm journey.
As Manitoba was nearing, the more I got excited! Eventually the time came to dial our final frequency. At 1725 we touched down ending off a crazy adventure that will remain engraved in my mind forever. ~25 hours of PIC were added to my logbook and in those hrs. I learnt a ton. I stepped out of the plane a different pilot.
That night, I was finally in my own bed and was relieved to know that I would be flying Westjet home for Christmas!
No where to land
November 29, 2009
After a good night of live music at the hotel, we were back to business at 1605 as we began our takeoff-roll at Sault. To be honest, I was quite unsettled for our flight to Thunder Bay.
North of Sault the land is covered by thick forest and lakes of all sizes, leaving only two options in the case of an engine failure.
1. Water landing (Chance of survival...slim)
2. Bush Landing (Better chance of survival)
Diverting is also a problem due to the few airports that scatter the countryside. Although I had this fear in the back of my head, I needed to face it and trust God for my safety and rely on His wisdom and guidance as I navigated through the deteriorating weather conditions.
I won't go into detail, but the wx conditions we faced that night were nothing we want to experience again. It was a nightmare but we made it.
That night as I headed to the hotel in Thunder Bay, I was thankful to be on the ground and looking forward to a good nights rest. It was also good to know that we were nearing our destination - Winnipeg.
After a good night of live music at the hotel, we were back to business at 1605 as we began our takeoff-roll at Sault. To be honest, I was quite unsettled for our flight to Thunder Bay.
North of Sault the land is covered by thick forest and lakes of all sizes, leaving only two options in the case of an engine failure.
1. Water landing (Chance of survival...slim)
2. Bush Landing (Better chance of survival)
Diverting is also a problem due to the few airports that scatter the countryside. Although I had this fear in the back of my head, I needed to face it and trust God for my safety and rely on His wisdom and guidance as I navigated through the deteriorating weather conditions.
I won't go into detail, but the wx conditions we faced that night were nothing we want to experience again. It was a nightmare but we made it.
That night as I headed to the hotel in Thunder Bay, I was thankful to be on the ground and looking forward to a good nights rest. It was also good to know that we were nearing our destination - Winnipeg.
The Great Lakes: A blessing and a curse
November 28, 2009
Saturday morning we departed the YSN at 0900 bound for Sault. By now, we were used to the horrible wx created by the lakes but were hoping for the best.
By 1000 we were already needing to divert due to a white wall of miserable conditions, leading from the ground to an unknown altitude. We spent a good portion of our Saturday at YKF and finally a window of opportunity opened late afternoon.
We scrambled our belongings and made our way to Sault. After witnessing a beautiful sunset during our cruise; we began our descent/approach ending off our 3 hr. flight.
We called it a day and traveled into town for the night. Thankfully we were granted the pilot rate at the local hotel, which also offered a free shuttle to and from the airport. Despite the wx and havoc that comes with flying, I believe the benefits still out-way the bad!
Saturday morning we departed the YSN at 0900 bound for Sault. By now, we were used to the horrible wx created by the lakes but were hoping for the best.
By 1000 we were already needing to divert due to a white wall of miserable conditions, leading from the ground to an unknown altitude. We spent a good portion of our Saturday at YKF and finally a window of opportunity opened late afternoon.
We scrambled our belongings and made our way to Sault. After witnessing a beautiful sunset during our cruise; we began our descent/approach ending off our 3 hr. flight.
We called it a day and traveled into town for the night. Thankfully we were granted the pilot rate at the local hotel, which also offered a free shuttle to and from the airport. Despite the wx and havoc that comes with flying, I believe the benefits still out-way the bad!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Dealing with bad weather
November 22, 2009
The wx was forecasting lower ceilings and vis but no precipitation across our route; nothing unusual for the time of year but not the best. I said good-bye to my family and then headed off to the airport to prepare for our late afternoon flight to Sault.
By 1500 we were airborne and as we made our way north of Toronto, I received news from FSS that the wx was deteriorating north of Owen Sound. I discussed the options with my co-pilot and we agreed to divert to Owen Sound for the night. We landed at 1612 just as the airport manager was locking the doors. He was kind enough to give us a lift to a cheap motel in town and said he would be by at 0800 the next morning to pick us up.
The next morning we got to the airport early and began gazing at the wx. Again, the news was no good. Anywhere north of our location was IFR conditions and that was going to last for not just a few hours but for at least four days. My patience began to run dry as there was nothing I could do but wait.
We ended up flying back to Niagara and spent the week at home. Although it wasn't what I had planned, I tried to focus on the good things in life. The next promising day to depart was November 28. We kept our fingers crossed!
The wx was forecasting lower ceilings and vis but no precipitation across our route; nothing unusual for the time of year but not the best. I said good-bye to my family and then headed off to the airport to prepare for our late afternoon flight to Sault.
By 1500 we were airborne and as we made our way north of Toronto, I received news from FSS that the wx was deteriorating north of Owen Sound. I discussed the options with my co-pilot and we agreed to divert to Owen Sound for the night. We landed at 1612 just as the airport manager was locking the doors. He was kind enough to give us a lift to a cheap motel in town and said he would be by at 0800 the next morning to pick us up.
The next morning we got to the airport early and began gazing at the wx. Again, the news was no good. Anywhere north of our location was IFR conditions and that was going to last for not just a few hours but for at least four days. My patience began to run dry as there was nothing I could do but wait.
We ended up flying back to Niagara and spent the week at home. Although it wasn't what I had planned, I tried to focus on the good things in life. The next promising day to depart was November 28. We kept our fingers crossed!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
"Lights Out"
November 15th 2009
The alarm clock sounded at 0530 (CST) Sunday morning. Despite the early start, Marcin and I were well rested and hoping for clear skies for our flight from YWG > YSN.
After checking the wx, we were relieved to see clear skies and a ~20 Kts tailwind for the majority of our flight; definitely an improvement from the day before. Final calculations were complete and we were on our way by 0800 CST.
Our route took us southeast across the northern section of Superior to Marathon and then south to Sault - 5.5 hrs. total.
After a delay due to wx, we departed Sault at 1835 for YSN. As we were flying over the Bruce Peninsula, I tried to establish radio contact with ATC but got no response - our radio wasn't transmitting. We plugged 7600 into the transponder and continued southbound.
A few minutes later the low voltage light came on - great. After completing cause checks ect. we switched our code to 7700 and declared emergency. We still had about 1.5 hrs to YSN so we decided to divert to YKF. We were cleared and 5 minutes prior to landing everything went black. At this stage the airport was insight and we arrived safely. Our alternator had failed.
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