Airspace Safety Seminar
Description
Join the Qualicum Beach Flying Club for an engaging safety seminar designed to help pilots confidently navigate the intricate airspace around Vancouver, British Columbia. Using a hypothetical flight from Qualicum Beach (CAT4) to Langley (CYNJ) as a case study, this seminar offers invaluable insights and practical guidance.
The presentation begins with real-world examples from the Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) to highlight common airspace violations. It then provides a concise review of Canadian airspace classifications, covering Class C through Class G.
Dive into a detailed analysis of four potential routes to Langley Airport, with discussions on altitudes, communication procedures, and the challenges posed by busy airspace near multiple airports. Each route is evaluated for its pros and cons, emphasizing the importance of pre-flight planning, effective radio communication, and adherence to airspace regulations.
Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or new to flying in the Vancouver area, this seminar will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to fly safely and confidently in complex airspace.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:01:50 - Searching for CADORS: Demonstration of how to search for CADORS (Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System)
0:07:30 - Airspace Structure: Explanation of airspace classifications, from Class G to Class C, focusing on Class C and D.
0:13:30 - VFR Requirements: Discussion of requirements for operating in controlled airspace, including communication procedures, weather minima, speed limits, and transponder requirements.
0:13:53 - ATC Procedures: Explanation of what air traffic controllers do, including aircraft identification, traffic information, and conflict resolution.
0:22:00 - NOTAMs: Demonstration of how to check NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) on ForeFlight, highlighting a NOTAM for reduced system capacity in Vancouver.
0:23:00 - Class C Airspace: Focus on Class C airspace around Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the need for clearance to enter.
0:25:09 - Communication Techniques: Discussion on different ways to establish initial contact with ATC, including the "cold call" method and the importance of stating intentions.
0:35:26 - Altitude Considerations: Discussion on appropriate altitudes for transiting Class C airspace
0:37:12 - Option 1: North Shore Route at 5,500 feet.
0:43:15 - Option 2: Low-level North Shore Route below 2,500 feet, and discussion of the Straights Traffic frequency 123.2.
0:49:30 - Altitude Restrictions: Explanation of altitude restrictions related to specific airspace boundaries and the need to obtain clearance from different towers (YVR, Harbour, Pit Meadows).
1:05:38 - VTPC: Discussion of the VTPC for Crossing the Southern Straight of Georgia above 2500 ft, including the requirement for a discrete transponder code and the availability of two routes (Cherry Point and Point Roberts).
1:11:00 - Option 3: Southern Straight Crossing - via Cherry Point or Point Roberts, at 5,500 ft.
1:33:30 - Direct Route: Discussion about why we use these other routes vs "going direct".
1:38:37 - Option 4: Coal Pile - a low-level crossing - below 2,500 ft. A more direct crossing, but with certain risks due to low altitude over the water.
1:45:02 - Waypoints: Discussion on the importance of using waypoints in communication with ATC, particularly for position reports and stating intentions.
1:55:12 - Langley Airport Information: Review of the CFS (Canada Flight Supplement) entry for Langley Airport.
2:00:09 - Arrival Procedures: Discussion of the arrival procedures for Langley Airport.
2:07:52 - Victoria Airport Procedures: Comparison of Langley's procedures to those at Victoria International Airport, noting the differences in documentation and the use of visual checkpoints for both arrivals and departures.
2:10:20 - Enforcement: Circle back to the opening of the seminar and comments about enforcement of CADORS.
NOTE: These times provide a general guide to the content of the video. Please note that the group discussion was conversational and topics may overlap or were revisited at different points.