Northern Ontario

info seeker · Post by **info seeker** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:43 pm

Hi there, we picked up a charter from one of the regular operators in YQT.

I will be buzzing around QT, XL, PM, PV8, NM5, ZRJ, etc. Monday and Tuesday.

I have never been in this area before, anything special I should know about the region? is it very busy? special wxx consideration? stuff like that.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Raven20000 · Post by **Raven20000** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:48 pm

What type of conditions are you regularly use to, I know I pay alot of attention to the surface conditions of the gravel strips, and you'll find not a lot of the ndb's work up here so most approaches are gps. If you need any specific info feel free to ping me.

climbandafters · Post by **climbandafters** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:52 pm

well

runways are 3500' glass covered and slicker than snot on a doorknob and dont make position reports longer than they have to be. weather sucks ass and its a busy place. but i like it

El Comat · Post by **El Comat** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:30 pm

climbandafters wrote:...and dont make position reports longer than they have to be.

Amen to that. Keep radio work to a minimum (safety first, of course), it's hard enough sometimes just to get clear air to make a report on. Tell us who you are, where you are, and where you're going (and how long you'll be getting there, if applicable), and please don't ask us to advise you if we are conflicting. Don't worry, we'll let you know as no one particularily likes midairs. Judging by your destinations you'll be using both 122.8 and 123.2, so maybe keep an eye on which airport is on which freq.

If you're looking for wx, the stations that report are YRL, YXL, ZSJ (LWIS), YTL (AWOS), ZMD (LWIS) and YPL. If you're going to talk to FSS to get wx, try and find the discrete freq, as 126.7 is congested enough. I believe YXL has one, but can't remember it right now (126.0 comes to mind for some reason).

Have fun in the north, anywayzz!

EC

flyinhigh · Post by **flyinhigh** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:01 pm

Hey,

Well depending on what you are use to this maybe a big wakeup call on northern flying for you so i'll break it down here for ya.

1. Before you leave make sure you have engine cords, plugs and tents.

2. Carry a bottle of glycol with you, and a small broom to sweep off light frost, etc.

3. Know the runway condition at where you are going, I learned the hard way, it maybe slicker than dog shit, or it may have more snow...wait we don't have much this year anyway

4. If you are planning on spending any nights up there I suggest bringing your own sleeping bag as well.

5. Most important, your going north in the winter so dress for it, don't wear dress shoes or running shoes, be prepared the best you can.

Thats all I can think of right now so peace

bob sacamano · Post by **bob sacamano** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:05 pm

The other guys gave good advise, here's a bit more.

- Bring lots of food, i.e. lunch box. Personally I take alot more than I eat. You never know where you're gonna spend the night.

- Have a bit of cash, 20-40 bucks.

- Ipod, laptop, portable dvd player, book, magazies, etc.

- If you have time, call the airport manager before you go, get the latest surface conditions.

Chuck Yeagermister · Post by **Chuck Yeagermister** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:22 pm

Can be a very busy place. Some runways are kept in good shape some arent. ZRJ YTL YAQ are probably the best bathrooms in the north. No need for long winded positon reports, Manitoba`s got that covered. In YFH use 122.8 to turn on the lights. wouldnt hurt to have a sat phone with you. Check Notams. theres only 3 places i can think of that dont have gps approaches now. Cant really think of anything else that hasnt already been mentioned.

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:41 pm

Bring a bunch of Maxim magazines, you'll need them to keep you from going insane.

info seeker · Post by **info seeker** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:56 pm

Wow 7 replies in only a few hours, thanks guys.

I am used to flying in the North and all the challenges that go with it. But I liked the advice anyway. I was more interested in how busy the area is (my area is pretty quiet) and any local info that may be of interest. i.e dogs are frequently on the threshold of x runway, etc.

I always keep my radio transmissions brief, hehe.

Commonwealth · Post by **Commonwealth** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:02 pm

Bring your laptop to look at RAVEN2000's avatar. Great googily moogily!

jjal · Post by **jjal** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:23 pm

Dogs on the runway? They usually scatter but keep the eyeballs on alert as they're pretty frequent. Village idiots, too. ("This looks like a good place to walk... nice and clear and open...") Trucks and other vehicles have also been known to appear on runway surfaces. When you go to start up watch you don't have some stupid-unsupervised-kid hanging onto something on your airplane or hiding under the prop.

Some places are pretty busy (Trout, Sandy, etc.) but with common sense radio work you'll fit into the "flow" (in the northern sense of the word) just fine.

bob sacamano suggests 20-40 bucks. I suggest 100 or so as if you get stuck somewhere the village idiots know you NEED a ride and will charge you accordingly. Nice folks usually... they just capitalize when they can.

Coming in to YQT is fully controlled but YXL isn't and is a lot busier (or it seems like it!!!) so make sure the calls on 26.7 & the MF (122.0) are well placed. The FSS at XL are still at the airport and they do a hell of a job but you definitely have to have your head working and eyes outside. Beware they also have a runway on the ice in XL about 1nm SW of the airport - they are on the MF too but if you hear someone landing "the ice" or "pelican lake" that's where they are going.

i have many hours in this area (as I am sure most who replied do!) but if you have any specific Qs just PM me and I will see what I can do.

veloz · Post by **veloz** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:43 pm

Make some extra money and take a dozen of vodka mikey's, back in my floats days you could make an easy 100% profit, or if you are not interested in big profit then take donuts, buckets of KFC, and pizza hut all dress. Ohh yea and if you dont sell all the mikey's drink the local girls pretty hahhhahahhah the good all days!

RVR12 · Post by **RVR12** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:27 pm

Most runways up here are 3500' x 100' gravel, and a bit slick now. They have aprons that are usualy around one end of the runway, with a little terminal that tends to be locked when your pax aren't there. The MTO's sometimes offer "overnight accomidations" or a daytime fee, but require PNR. PV8's ARCAL was not working from the air the other day, but from the ramp she works. Not too much for wx considerations, not much throws it out up here, there is a ridge (about 13-1400'ASL) that is about 10 miles north of ZSJ that sometimes makes a bit of wx, YVZ has lots of little hills around it that are about 1350'ASL; if you get into trouble(ALWAYS USE THAT THING ON YOUR SHOULDERS FIRST... never forget to leave an "out"), and your LAST hope is to climb about 1500'ASL and you should not have too much in the way (except for maybe nungasser tower) some routes may be a bit of a stretch to the next Airport. ALWAYS bring your winter gear up here, tents, covers, cords, heaters, a good car brush thing helps to get off snow/ice. I personaly fly around with a small bag that has snow pants and stuff like that in it, you never know when you have to put down in the bush, (when i fly off skis, i even wear em, you never know!) bring a sat phone, some terminals have phones (pv8 has a payphone) others don't it helps to let your company know all is good or if crap happens, all our company A/C have survival gear in em, if yours don't make sure it atleast covers the basics! Most guys are on 22.8/23.2 and 26.7 use 26.7 for ENROUTE only, no one cares on 26.7 that you are taxiing kasabica for pickel, thats what 23.2 is for!

Most of that has already been covered... just reinforcing it...and use that noodle you should have!

What type are you flying? maybe well talk at ya later!

jedinite · Post by **jedinite** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:32 pm

If you don't have the 100 dollars, try negotiating with a 12 pack of pepsi or two

info seeker · Post by **info seeker** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:53 am

"What type are you flying? "

I'll be in a Dash 8-100

AEROMONKEY · Post by **AEROMONKEY** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:46 am

I'm assuming your in the air inuit arriving at 10?

see ya then!

Tui · Post by **Tui** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:55 pm

Sioux's discreet wx freq is 126.0, in the Pickle area it's 123.475 and in Big Trout and Red it's 123.55 (Big Trout's is a DRCO though, so 4 clicks on the mic). 135.15 is Big Trout's PAL for Winnipeg Ctr. (135.325 in Red).