Landing on the Red River

[Tips Up]

Question for those who fly around Winnipeg area- are there any rules or guidelines to landing on the Red river or building a floating dock on the shores? The Selkirk base is nice but a long way from home for me to get back and forth and I am looking at some property just south of the city where I could maybe build a dock and pull the plane in and out- 185 on straights. Or, failing that, looking for someone who has a dock who may be willing to share. I have heard in days gone by that people used to land within the city on the river and go for lunch but haven't ever seen that.

Thx,

KM

[KenoraPilot]

I used to do float training on the Red River, we always stayed north of St. Andrews and talked to St. Andrews tower. So best bet would be to talk to St. Andrews Municipal Govt, and maybe the city of Winnipeg. They would be the best to talk to, or failing that call Selkirk Air or even Winnipeg Aviation since they used to operate a C172XP for float training all along the river (north of St. Andrews).

[Mr. North]

In general it is not possible to land on the Red within city limits. My parents used to live on the river in st. Vital. They had a good dock and plenty of room on the water and I started looking into landing there to surprise them for lunch one day. I called tower and when he stopped laughing I was told float planes are not allowed to land within city limits because... The area is too developed, there would be an unreasonable amount of noise, and a good part of the river lies underneath the approach path to 31. In the end he suggested I land south of the perimeter and taxi in. I left it at that and my parents moved shortly thereafter (property was eroding!). I'd be curious to know however, if this is a firm rule or if it is possible with some careful planning and the right permissions.

[A321]

My parents have a house in St Vital on the Red River... My dad had a 180 on floats for commuting to his business which was based in Red Lake. In the good old days he would land right by the old Canoe Club in St Vital and taxi to his dock at the foot of his lot on the Red River. Our neighbours 4 doors down use you fly a 185 amphib and park it at their dock as well. I can even remember when I was a kid... the guy next door who flew for Illford-Riverton brought a Beech 18 on floats in for the weekend and parked it at the foot of his lot!

When I learned to fly in the early 80's things started to tighten up with float plane traffic within city limits on the Red River. We had to telephone the YWG tower (this was before cell phones) just prior to start up on the Red River then make a call on 118.3 once off the water and a transponder was required.

I would guess it has been > 20 years since I have seen a float plane land in St. Vital. As the saying goes... all good things must come to an end.

[Tips Up]

Curious- I wonder why no more float planes even within city limits. Lots of places that have land and seabases run combined traffic- Victoria international your approach is the same as the "foot" traffic except we get to stay much lower over the water and it's no big deal.

Maybe I ll give tower a phone call this week. Would be nice to pull up to 529 and have a picnic....

[Sasquash]

The cars now preclude a/c operations within a city unless you do so at an airport.

Take-offs, Approaches and Landings within Built-up Areas of Cities and Towns

602.13 (1) Except if otherwise permitted under this section, section 603.66 or Part VII, no person shall conduct a take-off, approach or landing in an aircraft within a built-up area of a city or town, unless that take-off, approach or landing is conducted at an airport, heliport or a military aerodrome.
(amended 2007/06/30; previous version)

(2) A person may conduct a take-off or landing in an aircraft within a built-up area of a city or town at a place that is not located at an airport, heliport or a military aerodrome where
(amended 2007/06/30; previous version)

(a) the place is not set apart for the operation of aircraft;

(b) the flight is conducted without creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface; and

(c) the aircraft is operated

(i) for the purpose of a police operation that is conducted in the service of a police authority, or

(ii) for the purpose of saving human life.

[tedcuthbert]

Right, so it comes down to what is the definition of “Built-up Areas of Cities and Towns” even then, someone needs notice and report you. I do allot of float flying in southern Ontario so did some research on this a while back, there is a well documented case of TC action against a Montreal based float operator who was using the Welland river near Niagara falls to land and drop off passengers.
In that case, “built up areas” were defined as the yellow areas on the VFR chart, and the decision was, if there is yellow on both sides of the river it’s a no go. More common though, is if there is yellow on only one side of the river or lake, in that case, you should be ok as long as you do not conduct the arrival or take-off portion of your flight (under 1000 AGL) over the built up area.

Key is, if you land somewhere, and someone complains, and you are warned, don’t do it again (as the operator in the example did) unless you are sure you are within your right to do so.