Hi everyone! I am a CARS operator in Fort Simpson, and every once in a while, we get a charter come in from YYC or YEG and the pilot is clearly a little confused about the service to expect. So, I wrote up a little summary to help you guys out. Hope it is helpful!

It ended up getting pretty long, and since I wasn't sure if it would be too long, I decided to post it to my blog: http://hovergirl.wordpress.com/

Right now, it is the top post, but here is the permalink: http://hovergirl.wordpress.com/2013/03/ ... the-north/

Happy flying!

That is a well written and informative piece. I grew up with CARS stations and what you outlined is second nature however I've listened to many of the radio calls and offered advice to new guys, you nailed it.

The CARS program is a very underrated and largely unknown program to the majority of the country. The level of service offered through CARS is exactly what is needed at most of the smaller and more remote airports which are typically served by the smaller operators, at airports that have the poorest approaches, least infrastructure and the greatest need in terms of access. CARS is a service that should be expanded across the country.

Why Nunavut and the NWT are the only providers of this service (that I know of) is beyond me. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the compliment, Kabloona. (I write a lot in my spare time. ) )

Iced Kiwi, I think the reason that only some CARS close IFR plans is because ATC prefers pilots do it on the frequency whenever possible, and only if there is bad coverage on the ground will they authorize a CARS to close them over the phone. That's my theory -- I will look into it and report back if I hear anything interesting. What's your theory!?!

hovergirl...

Nice writeup! An operator I know, who shall remain nameless, operates 703/704 and doesn't carry CFSs on their airplanes....

It seems lots of pilots don't bother reading what's in the CFS, like you say, there is lots of good info in there!

Also, pilots should read TC AIM RAC 1.2.2 - it details what hovergirl, and other CARS O/Cs, do for their job.