Question for Canadian Pilots on ADSB

[cliffy]

What are you being told or what have you learned about ADSB implimentation in Canada?

 

From all I have read, it is only used over remote areas of Hudson Bay above FL290 with no plans to expand it in the foreseeable future.

 

Is there something new or different than my info from 6 months ago?

Thanks!

[yvesg]

Have not seen anything recent about this here. I guess COPA would let its members know if ever there would be policy changes around this.

Yves

[drapo]

I've given a few presentations on the subject to pilots and controllers. NavCanada has decided to install new radars and fix old ones to upgrade it's coverage. Since our domestic trafic is mainly around the US border and 200nm north, it didn't make sense to go the full ADSB route as the USA did whwn they decided to upgrade their coverage.

So up here in Canada, ADSB is not mandatory but in certain airspace, Hudson Bay and Coastal North Atlantic and at certain higher flight levels, some airplanes can have their spacing decreased to 5nm instead of close to 50nm in some cases. That spells major economies for participating companies and less environemental impact.

ADSB, as you guys know it, isn't on the radar, so to speak, on this side of the border, neither in or out!

[Piloto]

Canada did the right thing. They used the ADS-B money on improving airports facilities (de-icing stations, snow removal equipment and others). They are smart.

José

[drapo]

I won't contradict you on Canadian being smart José!   But these are two different pockets! NavCanada is responsible for the navigation system, including navaids, ATC, FSS, radars etc...

The Airport side is also private (In most cases) and they charge their own user fees to pay for de-icing, snow removal etc...

[Piloto]

I won't contradict you on Canadian being smart José!   But these are two different pockets! NavCanada is responsible for the navigation system, including navaids, ATC, FSS, radars etc...

The Airport side is also private (In most cases) and they charge their own user fees to pay for de-icing, snow removal etc...

Oh Canada. They are even smarter than what I thought. No taxpayer money for airports facilities. Too many lobbyists here in the US to get taxpayers money.

José

[jetdriven]

It feels smart till you get a 18$ user fee for one segment flown. Or a 60$ landing fee. Or the big hangars get town down to make way for a non-aviation use, there's no tie down ropes, and they're out of fuel. ( Kingston) Here we have the airport and airways trust fund which pays for airport and airway infrastructure paid by a fuel and passenger head tax. And our fuel is still far cheaper here.

[drapo]

User fees for a canadian private aircraft of 2 metric tons or less, is $68/yr. If your airplane is registered outside Canada, you would pay 25% of that amount for every trimester (threes months fixed period starting March 1st and so on) you are flying  using NavCanada's services.

 

As far as landing fees, bigger airport are charging fees to fund their activities. It can start at $10 at St-Hubert airport, Montréal's biggest general aviation airport and one of the busiest in the country to around $100 total at Toronto's Lester B Pearson airport. Plainly said, they don't want you there.

 

Most smaller airports are city or privately owned and don't charge a penny to private users for their general services. If you don't buy any fuel, they might charge you for overnight parking, but that's about it.

 

Mid size airports like Kingston and Québec city are becoming more and more unfriendly to General aviation, the hope for the future is for smaller airport located outside big cities were most of us are based.

 

I always enjoy flying down to the States. For sure your fuel is cheaper, but that's also true for the automotive fuel, but also there is always that special welcome we get when we walk into an FBO at smaller airports. But, I don't think I would get that same attitude from people at Boston Logan or New York La Guardia... So sometimes, we feel like Kingston and Québec are trying to become the Canadian Logan or La Guardia ...

[yvesg]

It feels smart till you get a 18$ user fee for one segment flown. Or a 60$ landing fee. Or the big hangars get town down to make way for a non-aviation use, there's no tie down ropes, and they're out of fuel. ( Kingston) Here we have the airport and airways trust fund which pays for airport and airway infrastructure paid by a fuel and passenger head tax. And our fuel is still far cheaper here.

Byron, if you go again in Kingston this summer, park at the Kingston flying club instead of the FBO. That is where I park when I go there. There is no ramp fee. If you spend time overnight, there might be some costs but a local folk reported something like $10

I fly there a few times a year... the city happens to have my favorite restaurant. Ned and I went there about a month ago (and yes we did it in formation) with the wives... the attending flying club young instructor was very friendly.

If you plan to spend several days around that area there is also Smith's Falls airport. If I recall correctly their policy for parking is free if you stay less than 30 days. This is the friendliest GA airport I know about. Contact me if you need more info.

Yves