New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Underdeveloped, like Winnipeg?
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Kejidog wrote:Pilotdar
You mention a few good tips i am wondering what you carry for a survival kit. I have a 25 pound duffle bag with a ton of my camping/survival equipment. I carry an axe and a trail blazer saw water filter 2 tarps a plastic groundsheet long undies mits, over mitts gloves sox a jacket matches lighters signal mirror and a bunch of stuff i am forgetting. Anything else i forgot?
You also mention the arctic. I am really interested in a trip to labrador and northern quebec. Would an old 172 be able to do it? Probably just myself and maybe another person.
I built my own survival kit from lists on the Internet.
Food, water, fire starter, shelter materials, medical kit, all important groups. Mine in a small backpack for quick access in case of emergency. Bought a lot at mtn equip co op.
Also for remote areas flying -- a spot device is an excellent idea. And tell someone your itinerary besides Nav Canada. Always think have an out, have a backup plan.
Be mega conservative with fuel, too, especially the more remote you're thinking.
Gain incremental experience in each area of aviation. Gradually, cautiously.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Kejidog,Kejidog wrote:Armchair.
Thanks i was thinking of crossing Maine near Houlton after gassing up at CYFC Crossing straight to the Sherbrooke area and then down to Bromont later this winter to get some snowboarding in with friends. Maybe I should pick another route. Is flying over US without landing a big process? I am trying to get some tips as I go. I have so much to learn. The COPA site has some info but it seems like a hassle.
I flew to CYFC yesterday and got hosed for 100 ll. does anyone know if the MFC school sells 100ll like they do in CYQM?
The nice thing is though is my hours are coming up; 91.5 so far. I hope to break 100 before the end of the month.
I have done round trip Southern Ontario-New Brunswick a dozen or more times. I'm not sure what Armchair is referring to regarding crossing over Maine. Aside from possible difficult emergency landing spots (similar to many parts of Canada), the distance from Fredericton-Sherbrooke is well within the limits of your C-172. As for the terrain, the MOCA (minimum obstacle clearance altitude-an IFR altitude that allows for adequate clearance above terrain/obstacles) on that route is 6,000' ASL also well within the limits of your C-172 you can do this VFR even lower.
Landing in the US is a pain in the rear but crossing over without landing is not complicated (flight plan, discreet transponder code, taking to ATC...). You have an airplane so you can go direct. Take advantage of it

But yes, that route (like many in Canada) suggests a good survival kit. I would add a PLB (personal locator beacon ) or SPOT (GPS tracker) to your list.
Glenn
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
That's a sane route, however you want to fly high, as there's really no places to land in an emergency. Not even roads. First time I did the Quebec city to Houlton VOR route was a sunny day with clouds around 6000ft ASL (VFR). No problems with obstacle clearance, but I went out of ATC radio range for about half an hour (due to the low altitude), and ended up needing to practice some Dead Reckoning for a while when I couldn't pick up any VORs. (I suddenly developed a distinct desire for an IFR GPS box...) Next time I went IFR with a GPS box and much closer to 10000ft!Kejidog wrote: Thanks i was thinking of crossing Maine near Houlton after gassing up at CYFC
No. Be a a flight plan, Have a squawk code, and be taking to ATC and you're fine. The EAPIS bureaucracy starts if you want to land in the US, the COPA docs explain that process well.Kejidog wrote: Is flying over US without landing a big process? ... The COPA site has some info but it seems like a hassle.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Did the Rockliffe trip during the summer a few years ago, it's a good trip. To do the museum right you need a full day & get the extra for the "storage" building tour.Kejidog wrote:Armchair.
Thanks i was thinking of crossing Maine near Houlton after gassing up at CYFC Crossing straight to the Sherbrooke area and then down to Bromont later this winter to get some snowboarding in with friends. Maybe I should pick another route. Is flying over US without landing a big process? I am trying to get some tips as I go. I have so much to learn. The COPA site has some info but it seems like a hassle.
I flew to CYFC yesterday and got hosed for 100 ll. does anyone know if the MFC school sells 100ll like they do in CYQM?
The nice thing is though is my hours are coming up; 91.5 so far. I hope to break 100 before the end of the month.
Going to stayed in Canada; Miriamichi/Rivere Du Loup/Trois Riveres/Rockliffe and return via Cornwall/Bromont(weather)/Saint Georges & back in Canada at St. Stephen.
The trip across northern Maine was straightforward, file a CDN flight plan and make sure you have the frequencies you'll pass through in Maine. Check for the latest rules, we didn't have to file eAPIS because we weren't landing. ATC in Quebec was fine for an English speaker but it was better to have a French speaker for the landing in TR. Right hand circuit plus local traffic.
Fuel at St. Stephen was reasonable. We were given crew cars at Mirimichi, Riveres du Loup & St. Stephen.
Like I said, good trip.
D

Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
There is a strip on Brier Island that's about 2500' long. Located at 44.255370,-66.360324 . If I remember correctly there are some power lines on the approach to the south bound runway.
I think you used to call D.B. Kenney Fisheries to get permission to land. There is a fish and chips spot within walking distance.
Unfortunately all my info is 12 years old.
JAllen
I think you used to call D.B. Kenney Fisheries to get permission to land. There is a fish and chips spot within walking distance.
Unfortunately all my info is 12 years old.
JAllen
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
You guys make me want to retire, scoop a 150 and relive my youth. The places I would visit! On MY time. Of course, our backgrounds are vastly different so I'd be "poking the bear" in ways I'd advise you against. Just get out there an enjoy yourself.
Illya
Illya
Wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Illya. I am having a blast. Did 2.5 hours taking a friend up for his first flight in a GA aircraft. Flew over Halifax, and around Cape Split dodging clouds. I am enjoying every minute. We planned for the Cape Breton highlands but couldn't because of clouds. Oh well another day.
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Happy you're enjoying yourself. I won't be really jealous though till you tell tales of daring do, complete with tall tales involving exotic rum drinks on beaches!Kejidog wrote:Illya. I am having a blast. Did 2.5 hours taking a friend up for his first flight in a GA aircraft. Flew over Halifax, and around Cape Split dodging clouds. I am enjoying every minute. We planned for the Cape Breton highlands but couldn't because of clouds. Oh well another day.
Cheers
Illya
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Bummer, I am glad I flew into DC national when you could do that still. Guess a guy could figure out a near by airport and take a train in but that would not be as fun.Illya Kuryakin wrote:The good old days are gone. I was in Dulles two weeks ago. It is indeed an adventure, but no VFR. To security sensitive we were told.Beefitarian wrote:I don't know if you like airplanes but I recommend flying to an airport called Dulles. They have a neat museum there.
Illya
What about going further south to Kitty Hawk, that would be cool.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Illya Kuryakin wrote:Happy you're enjoying yourself. I won't be really jealous though till you tell tales of daring do, complete with tall tales involving exotic rum drinks on beaches!Kejidog wrote:Illya. I am having a blast. Did 2.5 hours taking a friend up for his first flight in a GA aircraft. Flew over Halifax, and around Cape Split dodging clouds. I am enjoying every minute. We planned for the Cape Breton highlands but couldn't because of clouds. Oh well another day.
Cheers
Illya
Illya.
Would a tale of a flight to Big Bear California be a tall tale? No exotic drinks unless you wanna hear of the ice tea at Atlantic Aviation at PSP. I was in Palm Springs and took a local flight with the resident flight school. Flying over mountains was really interesting. paying $ 160 and 70 bucks US for an instructor to point out local land maks was a bit pricey. But i learned a lot bout US radio calls. And landing at a 6000 foot airport was eye opening. Taking off was even more enlightening. Thankful it was a cold afternoon. Nice FBO the even had a pool!! I missed a few tennis players in on the private jets for a local tournament
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
A bump to this post. I have had the experiece to fly to Quebec in July and Ontario just this week. I flew CYFC-CZHU over maine. Yes they do have some big hills! And like NB not much besides trees and lakes. My next trip was CYFC- CZBM. Both with clear skies but low clouds to shake me up over Maine. I got to see an F16 scream below me going the oppsite direction at 3000' so he must have been just on the deck!
return route was through CYID. Both times. Great airfield with wonderful friendly staff. It is amazing that I am able to just flight plan and go I managed to accumulate 18 hours of flying in 7 days this week. I am still learning and still trying to improve technique. Keeping a separate "stupidity log" is really helping me too. Also shouts to CYRO staff. Great folks and super helpful with a radio problem that I was having.
Thanks for all the constructive advice. I am not here often but when I do come I love to learn from people who have the benefit of experience and willingness to share.
B
return route was through CYID. Both times. Great airfield with wonderful friendly staff. It is amazing that I am able to just flight plan and go I managed to accumulate 18 hours of flying in 7 days this week. I am still learning and still trying to improve technique. Keeping a separate "stupidity log" is really helping me too. Also shouts to CYRO staff. Great folks and super helpful with a radio problem that I was having.
Thanks for all the constructive advice. I am not here often but when I do come I love to learn from people who have the benefit of experience and willingness to share.
B
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Not sure if anyone has said this as I did not read the hole thing but the best piece of advice I got when I was biting around building time was no more day flying. At some point you will need the night PIC and depending on how your path takes you it could be really important!! I know people that had to go rent planes so the could get there ATPL. So like an old timer told me "I don't want to see you here in the day anymore" do cool stuff in the day just make the trip home in the dark!
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Kejidog,
You asked a few posts back about fuel at Moncton at the school.
I have stopped there a few times and YES , they have 100LL there at a reasonable price. No landing fees.
Just pull up to the pump by the school...self serve...pull out the credit card. They have always been friendly and helpful.
Waldo
Ps I agree with nearly all of what Illya ( This time) You have wings..... spread them.....just be smart.
You asked a few posts back about fuel at Moncton at the school.
I have stopped there a few times and YES , they have 100LL there at a reasonable price. No landing fees.
Just pull up to the pump by the school...self serve...pull out the credit card. They have always been friendly and helpful.
Waldo
Ps I agree with nearly all of what Illya ( This time) You have wings..... spread them.....just be smart.
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
ABSOLUTELY! Great advice. Not sure what the total PIC night requirement is for the ATPL (100?) but get that done early! Then, you can put sunglasses back on and never worry about it again!PT6-114A wrote:Not sure if anyone has said this as I did not read the hole thing but the best piece of advice I got when I was biting around building time was no more day flying. At some point you will need the night PIC and depending on how your path takes you it could be really important!! I know people that had to go rent planes so the could get there ATPL. So like an old timer told me "I don't want to see you here in the day anymore" do cool stuff in the day just make the trip home in the dark!
Illya
Wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Night cross country requirements for ATPL from CARS 421.34(4)(a)......The pilot-in-command and/or pilot-in-command under supervision flight time shall include a minimum of 100 hours cross-country flight time of which a minimum of 25 hours shall have been by night.
While I am in agreement that now is a good time for you to get the night requirements, I do advise that you be cautious. Going on a really cool flight outbound in the daytime and back at night may not be such a good idea. The terrain and routing for a very cool day VFR flight is often not good terrain and routing for a night flight. Also, if the day flight includes time on the ground exploring a distant locale, you're quite possibly going to be tired heading home and that can increase the risk dramatically.
With limited experience, especially at night, keep your routes to populated areas with numerous sources of ground lighting e.g follow major roads. A night VFR flight should always be planned to be the easiest routing possible as far as navigating and terrain clearance is concerned. You're not going to see any sights anyways, so plan the safest route possible. And if it's not in a straight line, as most roads aren't, who cares? You're simply building time and you want to survive it.
Remember, night flying introduces numerous ways to suffer from a visual illusion and you cannot protect against an illusion - by definition you're believing what you're seeing/feeling and it isn't true. You can only takes steps to mitigate the false interpretation of position that an illusion gives you and as a less experienced pilot those steps are not very well established.
One of my pet peeves is how casually some people take night VFR and I strongly recommend you not be one of them.
While I am in agreement that now is a good time for you to get the night requirements, I do advise that you be cautious. Going on a really cool flight outbound in the daytime and back at night may not be such a good idea. The terrain and routing for a very cool day VFR flight is often not good terrain and routing for a night flight. Also, if the day flight includes time on the ground exploring a distant locale, you're quite possibly going to be tired heading home and that can increase the risk dramatically.
With limited experience, especially at night, keep your routes to populated areas with numerous sources of ground lighting e.g follow major roads. A night VFR flight should always be planned to be the easiest routing possible as far as navigating and terrain clearance is concerned. You're not going to see any sights anyways, so plan the safest route possible. And if it's not in a straight line, as most roads aren't, who cares? You're simply building time and you want to survive it.
Remember, night flying introduces numerous ways to suffer from a visual illusion and you cannot protect against an illusion - by definition you're believing what you're seeing/feeling and it isn't true. You can only takes steps to mitigate the false interpretation of position that an illusion gives you and as a less experienced pilot those steps are not very well established.
One of my pet peeves is how casually some people take night VFR and I strongly recommend you not be one of them.
Being stupid around airplanes is a capital offence and nature is a hanging judge!
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
5X5, even now I'm far happier at night with a full moon. And toss the usual VFR minimums out the window.
Thought it called for 100 PIC night?
Nothing like being high over big cities at night. Try Las Vegas!
Illya
Thought it called for 100 PIC night?
Nothing like being high over big cities at night. Try Las Vegas!
Illya
Wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then.
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Try Europe, at night a lot of Europe looks looks one big city.
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Just did Cape Breton last week. Pretty cool flight!Kejidog wrote:Illya. I am having a blast. Did 2.5 hours taking a friend up for his first flight in a GA aircraft. Flew over Halifax, and around Cape Split dodging clouds. I am enjoying every minute. We planned for the Cape Breton highlands but couldn't because of clouds. Oh well another day.
"Carelessness and overconfidence are more dangerous than deliberately accepted risk." -Wilbur Wright
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Bump to this again. I have been looking for some local airstrips where people somwtimes go to and camp. I was hoping to get away in the plane for a few days with my sons. I was thinking of the Quebec or eastern Ontario range. Anyone know of any hidden gems? I have checked COPA’s places to fly but it is a bit cumbersome.
Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
All good advice here, but the real fun is finding out for yourself. You own the plane! No one gets to tell you where or when you can fly (the weather and squawks will have a say).
Put a toothbrush and a change of underwear in your flightbag, so that you have no excuse not to stay overnight if things go downhill, then get out there and explore. Keep challenging yourself to do new things. Fly into CYHZ. Get a US Customs sticker and fly into Maine. Get up early and launch right at sunrise. Put a VNC on your wall and stick pins in it, then fly to wherever there aren't enough pins yet.
The first few years of ownership are magic, because there's a new world open to you that renters can't experience. If you want to go to Montreal tomorrow (and weather permits), then go! No reservations required.
@CYRO
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
For fuel in CYFC, go to Capital Airways. You have it right by going to Cape Breton. While you are there, go to PEI too (Charlottetown, Summerside, Cable Head). Apple River, NS is a nice destination and there's a runway in Amherst too. NS has lots of great places to visit; Digby, Stanley, Liverpool, Yarmouth. Lots of smaller spots in NB too; Havelock, Sussex, Weyman, Scottsfield, Bristol, McEwen's, etc.
I spend some time working in QC and Mont-Joli is a nice strip to visit. Its easy to get there. A nice trip is to follow the NB coast north from Moncton and there are lots of places to stop; Miramichi, Bathurst, Charlo. From Charlo, follow the Matapedia to grass strip in Causapscal and then north to Mont-Joli. Across the water you have Forestville, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Iles, etc, etc. PM me any time you need a passenger
I spend some time working in QC and Mont-Joli is a nice strip to visit. Its easy to get there. A nice trip is to follow the NB coast north from Moncton and there are lots of places to stop; Miramichi, Bathurst, Charlo. From Charlo, follow the Matapedia to grass strip in Causapscal and then north to Mont-Joli. Across the water you have Forestville, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Iles, etc, etc. PM me any time you need a passenger

Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
There is a cool abandoned military airstrip up in northen Quebec, 171 NM from Montreal CYUL. The gps co ordinates are 47.93 N / 74.09 W and it is called Casey airport, but like I said it is abandoned. If you search Casey Camping a lot of information will come up. I haven't been there yet but it is on my list of places to visit, just keep in mind you are very isolated and need to pack and plan appropriately.
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
Agreed with Illya, and in addition, if you want to practice - go for your CPL and become an instructor.Illya Kuryakin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2017 7:31 pmWe'll meet in the middle. Practice you airspeed control on final to exotic ports of call. Like Spanish Wells, Vero Beach, small airports outside Canada, night landings everywhere...... don't squander this opportunity a) doing circuits b) flying locally. Get outsid the box. Stay inside the envelope, but explore.cncpc wrote:Practice your airspeed control. He won't come and kick your butt. Never wear spurs in the cockpit. He's not Australian.Illya Kuryakin wrote:If you are planning to advance, first off, get night time. You will thank me later. Next, do trips you will never get to do later. I did The Bahamas in a 150! Spent two weeks scuba diving, enjoying local rum drinks. You will thank me later. Enjoy. I'm green.
Illya
Bottom line? Forget local trips. Forget Quebec. Forget Ontario. Go out there and get EXPERIENCE! Fill 'er up and FLY young grasshopper.....FLY!!!!
If you waste 200 hours doing circuits, and practicing "speed control" I will personally come kick your butt. Fill the tanks, check the weather, and put the spurs to her. Seriously mate. Go PLAY!'
You're going to burn the gas anyway.
Illya
The whole point of owning is to get out and see the world.
S.
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Re: New Pilot owns plane looking for suggestions.
It almost sucked to see someone suggest circuits.
I pushed my grumman (150 equivalent) as far as I could. I've been to Bahamas 3 times, Turks n Caicos and Mexico. I've flown over more than half of US states and was limited by only vacation days. You don't need experience before flying further away and in other countries, you should GAIN that experience while traveling far. Of course visit nearby fields, but you don't have to visit them 10 times for no reason other than practice and building hours.
Someone else suggested abandoned airfields and rockcliffe. Definitely do those, but absolutely do not put off traveling to the US (or Bahamas) until you have more experience. If you have a real PPL you have the required experience. Do your homework, do expect cheaper gas in the states (but the bulk of your costs come from hotel rooms) and start with traveling alone so you can push yourself further and not quite yet be responsible for another person.
Bahamas is awesome and very welcoming with a full on island culture. It's very beautiful and safe. Once you get a handle of Bahamian customs, rules and specific caribbean flying (not trusting flight plans, using Miami flight following or buddy flying, carrying bush equipment and spare plugs etc), you'll be able to fly all the way to south america given enough time. Your 172 is way more capable than my AA1.
It would be a sad sad pilot's life if you'll do circuits or draw triangles to build hours or 'gain experience'.
I pushed my grumman (150 equivalent) as far as I could. I've been to Bahamas 3 times, Turks n Caicos and Mexico. I've flown over more than half of US states and was limited by only vacation days. You don't need experience before flying further away and in other countries, you should GAIN that experience while traveling far. Of course visit nearby fields, but you don't have to visit them 10 times for no reason other than practice and building hours.
Someone else suggested abandoned airfields and rockcliffe. Definitely do those, but absolutely do not put off traveling to the US (or Bahamas) until you have more experience. If you have a real PPL you have the required experience. Do your homework, do expect cheaper gas in the states (but the bulk of your costs come from hotel rooms) and start with traveling alone so you can push yourself further and not quite yet be responsible for another person.
Bahamas is awesome and very welcoming with a full on island culture. It's very beautiful and safe. Once you get a handle of Bahamian customs, rules and specific caribbean flying (not trusting flight plans, using Miami flight following or buddy flying, carrying bush equipment and spare plugs etc), you'll be able to fly all the way to south america given enough time. Your 172 is way more capable than my AA1.
It would be a sad sad pilot's life if you'll do circuits or draw triangles to build hours or 'gain experience'.