Fellow Aviators
This is being addressed to you airline folk, Air Canada/Jazz/Westjet/Georgian/Sunwing, who operate regularly to Saint John, NB during those "foggy" summer months.
For those of you who do, I'm sure you can attest to Environment Canada's claim that YSJ is the 3rd foggiest city in Canada....over 600hrs per year with visibility less than 1km!
Approx. 4 years ago, when runway 23/05 (ILS both ends) was being resurfaced, I approached the airport board and CEO and mentioned the new TC Approach Ban that was going to be implemented shortly. I advised them that they may want to upgrade runway lighting, including installation of center line lighting, but, at the time, they said they didn't have sufficient funding...1 year later, they expanded the terminal building!?!
Move ahead to March, 2008. It was announced that the YSJ airport had an operating surplus last year of $800,000.00...what do they want to do with that capital?...you got it, expand the terminal building again.
I truly believe, having operated out of YSJ now for 14 years, that the operational capabilities and even flight safety are being jepeordize for the sake of a nicer terminal building. I'm sure the paying public would rather stand in a crowded departure lounge for 15-20 minutes waiting to board their flight rather than sitting in a spacious lounge for 2-3 hours waiting for the fog to clear because RVR's are below 1200 and they can't depart...how many countless pax have missed their connecting flts in YHZ/YUL/YYZ because of the YSJ fog?
With center line lighting, Georgian Airways wouldn't be restricted to their 1800RVR landing limit and all operators, with a reduced vis. Ops Spec, would be able to depart with vis. limits down to 600RVR...this would virtually ensure no more departure delays out of YSJ.
From a pure flight safety standpoint, those dirty 1200RVR approaches at night with a slight crosswind, well, for those that have seen it (and it can be at, or just above 1200RVR for days at a time), know how difficult it can be to judge drift during the flare without the aid of those center line lights.
I've attached a link to the local Saint John paper, The Telegraph Journal, with a story about this very subject (I'll print out the link as well, not sure if it'll auto jump to the site, as this is my first post). For those that do operate to YSJ I'm asking if you would please read the article and, if you feel as strongly about this issue as I do, then write to Editor or send your opinion electronically to the paper.
I believe if the CEO and the airport board hear from enough of us, then maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference. I think it's time, we the operators take back some control, especially when it comes to something as important to flight safety and operational enhancement of this, the 2nd fastest growing airport in Canada.
If possible, could those of you who read this pass it on to other pilots at your company...or maybe just the link to the news article...at least that way, everyone has a chance to be informed.
BTW, your ecomments to the paper can be sent "Anonymously"
Heres the link
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/ ... cle/299962
Thank you
Dale Hackett
Chief Pilot
Irving Group of Companies