The U.S. uses K because they had lots of radio stations whose callsigns started with K. The rationale for the initial assignment of K and W for U.S. radio stations is not recorded. They also have N, plus AAA-ALZ. Since airplanes are self-contained radio stations their registrations are radio callsig...

Since you don't have any feel for the plane flight sims make you preoccupied with the instruments rather than looking outside like you're supposed to. This is a hard habit to break when you get in a real plane.

...laura

The Google Maps imagery of Langley is ancient, pre-dating the construction of the new terminal building. The Google Earth and Apple Maps imagery is more recent and shows my plane parked on the east apron. In one well-timed update a while back I was taxiing to the runway 01 runup bay.

...laura

You don't need anything to log dual if there's an instructor in the right seat.

And, yeah, CFI means something different here in the Great White North.

...laura

I always pull my plane away from the pumps by hand. Thanks to a bad ($$$) experience last year.

...laura

Nice! Kamloops is fun, you can float along for ages before you actually land.

A bit warmer last time I was there, attending an event at the Flying Club last July.
...laura

Villeneuve isn't actually half way to Slave Lake. It only feels like it...

...laura

Go to the airport and talk to people.

...laura

If you're really nervous about this go for a dual flight and get an instructor to show you the ropes. In my experience such flights are time and money well-spent.

My first post-PPL dual flight was Victoria CYYJ. Three runways, too many taxiways, ridiculously complicated procedures.

...laura

I'd fly west of Pearson's zone down to the lake shore, then east. Toronto Terminal may be helpful. City Tower will clear you for orbits of downtown, typically at 2000 or 2500.

...laura

The new CFS and CAP charts don't show a tower frequency anymore, just the MF, so there's no need for a NOTAM I guess. We had a similar situation in Vancouver when they redid the VFR procedures for Boundary Bay in June 2017. They took effect the day the new CFS was published, so no NOTAM was require...

Regarding opening the door before an officer arrives... if it’s 30c+ and people are burning up. Open the door... you wouldn’t leave your dog in a hot car so CBP can shove it. If they give you a hard time, ask for a supervisor. In Canada, they don’t care as long as you’re not out loading your car. R...

Bellingham don't have radar so the only VFR squawk code they care about is 1200. I was taught to activate my U.S. flight plans through Flight Service and get a squawk code from them while I'm at it. It works for me. Shrug. The first time I did I called Seattle Radio on the Bellingham RCO and was tol...

photofly wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:19 pm

Just tell the briefer to "assume departure". Seriously. Job done, no more fiddling about with FSS frequencies after departure and trying to talk on COM1 and listen on NAV1.

Do they give you your squawk code when you file?

...laura

It's not that difficult. Really. South: eAPIS, call CBP, file, fly, close flight plan, stay in the plane until told otherwise , talk to CBP dudes. North: eAPIS, call Canada Customs, file, activate , fly, phone Customs. People often get burnt on failing to activate their flight plan back to Canada, s...

As long as you keep it brief nobody will complain.

"Victoria Tower, GWHG East Point 3000"
"Renton Tower, C-GWHG Bellevue 2000 landing with Sierra"

If you think you should be on a different frequency, ask.

...laura

A couple of times while doing circuits in Abbotsford I've been told to extend downwind and have almost hit Lynden. Less than 6nm I flew some circuits at Abbotsford some years ago on my student pilot permit. I checked the ATIS before I departed, noted that the active was 25 and discussed the airspac...

CYNJ-CYPK, 8nm. Zero cruise time, as soon as I'm clear of Langley's zone I'm starting my approach in to Pitt Meadows.

KBLI-CYXX, 16 nm. Shortest international flight.

...laura

Commercially, about 14 hours. Vancouver to Auckland.

As PIC, about 2.5 hours.

...laura

CaptainGoose wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 28, 2018 4:59 pm

How’s Langley Flying School ‘s refund policy? In case anything happens to school, can unused tuition be refunded?

Not applicable: all flying is pay-as-you-go.

...laura

The LFS Cherokees look pretty ratty, but they are maintained to standard. My favourite during flight training was FKKF.

...laura

I went through the requirements for different kinds of flight when I bought my plane. She's equipped for Day VFR, Night VFR and VFR OTT. Yes, the pitot heat works. Since I fly out of Langley I keep my pitot static certification current. I've just read Paragraph 13 and don't see the typo. Sorry. Alte...

152 is not an IFR certified. They aren't? I thought they (some?) were. It's all moot anyways, this time of year in Canada you'd be hard pressed to find any trainer that can punch through clouds due to icing limitations. There is no IFR certification per se for aircraft in Canada. You need the usual...

I've gone for flights in the U.S. logged them as dual and enjoyed the experience. Most recently a mountain flying trip in northern California in the left seat of N1483L. Nice plane.

...laura

You have to be able to reach the controls and see out the windows. Go for a fam flight and see for yourself. If you fit in a 152 you'll fit in anything. There are height requirements for flight attendants, since they have to be able to reach the overhead bins but not be so tall as to constantly bump...