TSB Investigation - Canadian Approach Minimums

[pelmet]

We had SA for CAT II in the US at a previous company. I think it is the training and equipment that allows this.

[thenoflyzone]

So you will eventually see a few SA CATII approaches pop up across the country. It will get the job done.

Until some airplane ends up off the edge because they lost the centerline (no lighting).

What you describe can't happen, because of the requirement to fly it with autoland or HGS. You can't "lose the centerline".

These SA CAT II's have been in operation in the US for a number of years now on runways that don't meet conventional CAT II requirements. They're tried and tested. If it wasn't safe, TC wouldn't implement them.

[thenoflyzone]

We had SA for CAT II in the US at a previous company. I think it is the training and equipment that allows this.

Exactly. There are a lot of airports in the States with SA CATII's. It's not new. It's only new here in Canada.

[hithere]

Very interesting, thanks for the explanation

[CaptDukeNukem]

Interesting that the government is putting the onus on operators to get expensive equipment rather than actually spend money on the airport.

[jpilot77]

Interesting that the government is putting the onus on operators to get expensive equipment rather than actually spend money on the airport.

Nothing new about that, in Canada aviation is treated as a cash cow as opposed to vital infrastructure.

[goldeneagle]

Interesting that the government is putting the onus on operators to get expensive equipment rather than actually spend money on the airport.

I see it quite the opposite. Lots of operators already have the equipment, now they can make proper use of it.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Interesting that the government is putting the onus on operators to get expensive equipment rather than actually spend money on the airport.

I see it quite the opposite. Lots of operators already have the equipment, now they can make proper use of it.

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with you.
Operators have paid millions for this equipment ahead of the fact that this country’s capital city gets a BS SA Cat 2 approach. Those operators either inherited the airplanes with such equipment, or decided that those few tails are flying to airports where minimums can be a problem is worth the extra cost. The cost of a CAT 2 at a nation’s capital should be simple enough. YWG has one for Christ’s sake.

I’ve flown over municipals in the USA that have CAT 2s on both ends. Cost cutting and red tape is all this is. You’re telling me you need a full HGS or auto land to land on a Cat2 in YOW?? Crazy.

I’m gonna edit one more:

What’s the cost of getting the special authorization from TC?

[goingnowherefast]

Interesting that the government is putting the onus on operators to get expensive equipment rather than actually spend money on the airport.

I see it quite the opposite. Lots of operators already have the equipment, now they can make proper use of it.

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with you.
Operators have paid millions for this equipment ahead of the fact that this country’s capital city gets a BS SA Cat 2 approach. Those operators either inherited the airplanes with such equipment, or decided that those few tails are flying to airports where minimums can be a problem is worth the extra cost. The cost of a CAT 2 at a nation’s capital should be simple enough. YWG has one for Christ’s sake.

I’ve flown over municipals in the USA that have CAT 2s on both ends. Cost cutting and red tape is all this is. You’re telling me you need a full HGS or auto land to land on a Cat2 in YOW?? Crazy.

I’m gonna edit one more:

What’s the cost of getting the special authorization from TC?

The operators put the equipment in their airplane for CAT III approaches (HUD, autoland). That was the business decision. Now they need airplanes essentially equipped for CAT III approaches, but only able to fly to CAT II limits?

All operators should be pissed. The ones that made the airplane and pilot training investment for CAT III want to fly to CAT III limits. The operators that made the decision to stay with CAT II level of equipment and training, aren't able to utilize the approach. Everyone is stuck 1 CAT higher than they are equipped and trained for. All because our nation's capital doesn't want to equip the runway appropriately.

[flieslikeachicken]

Two things that need changing in the interest of safety. The ridiculous approach ban, and the convoluted Notam dissemination system.

Nothing better than going into Newark and looking for the important NOTAMs between all of the HLDG PSN SIGN OTS garbage.

[thenoflyzone]

YYC 17R/35L getting a conventional CATII on both sides as of next publication cycle (27 November 2025). Runway now has centerline lighting, TDZL and ALSF-2 approach lights. From what I can see, no rapid exit taxiway centerline lights or stop bars were added. Taxiways on that side of the airport don't have centerline lights either, so the runway level of service will stay at RVR1200.

Either way, it's good news. One more runway in this country with centerline lights and CAT II or III minimums.