Safety procedures
Hello Concerned Resident.
Procedures for flying into and out of every airport are published in aeronautical publications that pilots are expected to have available to them in the aircraft for every flight.
The pages concerning the TCCA are very clear about noise sensitive areas, curfews and other procedures associated with the airport. If a pilot has NOT taken the time to brief the requirements of a particular airport, they are not likely to tell the tower.
Some pilots do inform us - "we are unfamiliar" etc... and in that case we can guide them with more explicit instructions to help abide by area restrictions.
If an unfamiliar pilot is coming in to land and makes a turn towards a "noise sensitive" area, unfortunately, this event would have to be caught the second it happens and the radio frequency would have to be available to transmit instructions to the pilot to alter course. In effect, once they have turned at the speed they are operating, it is USUALLY too late.
I remind you that the controllers are NOT flying the aircraft and our instructions have to be transmitted by radio and understood by the pilot for compliance. This results in a time lag between a controller spotting a wayward pilot and a corrective action taking place.
These are realities of the profession and NOT excuses for transgressions. Unfortunately, the volume of traffic at the TCCA does not normally allow the controllers to treat everyone as if they were unfamiliar with local procedures. There is an expectation on pilots to live up to their responsibilities.
Also note that Controllers are not the Police or the airspace regulator - that is TRANSPORT CANADA. We cannot issue fines or reprimands or any type of official penalty. We can pass on events to Transport Canada but it is completely up to them if they even proceed with any action against the pilot.
I've discussed some "low" overflights on this blog many times. Without knowing the specifics of your case, please remember these important points governing flights.
1) there is NO MINIMUM ALTITUDE around a residential area IF a flight is on approach to land. The consideration being that a plane must descend in order to land and if you force them to stay higher on the approach, they might not be able to land safely.
2) Pilots landing at the TCCA MUST have the runway visually in sight so this also means they should see everything between them and the airport (like houses, trees and boat masts). If they can see it, they shouldn't hit it.
In the end, Transport Canada and the TPA are responsible for dealing with pilot transgressions. Controllers certainly can (and DO) inform and educate pilots about procedures but Pilots are ultimately responsible for their actions at the controls and should be held accountable.
I think the number of transgressions would be much higher WITHOUT a tower. Think of them like a police car at the side of the road -amazingly everyone slows down when they drive past.
Take care!
Joe
Procedures for flying into and out of every airport are published in aeronautical publications that pilots are expected to have available to them in the aircraft for every flight.
The pages concerning the TCCA are very clear about noise sensitive areas, curfews and other procedures associated with the airport. If a pilot has NOT taken the time to brief the requirements of a particular airport, they are not likely to tell the tower.
Some pilots do inform us - "we are unfamiliar" etc... and in that case we can guide them with more explicit instructions to help abide by area restrictions.
If an unfamiliar pilot is coming in to land and makes a turn towards a "noise sensitive" area, unfortunately, this event would have to be caught the second it happens and the radio frequency would have to be available to transmit instructions to the pilot to alter course. In effect, once they have turned at the speed they are operating, it is USUALLY too late.
I remind you that the controllers are NOT flying the aircraft and our instructions have to be transmitted by radio and understood by the pilot for compliance. This results in a time lag between a controller spotting a wayward pilot and a corrective action taking place.
These are realities of the profession and NOT excuses for transgressions. Unfortunately, the volume of traffic at the TCCA does not normally allow the controllers to treat everyone as if they were unfamiliar with local procedures. There is an expectation on pilots to live up to their responsibilities.
Also note that Controllers are not the Police or the airspace regulator - that is TRANSPORT CANADA. We cannot issue fines or reprimands or any type of official penalty. We can pass on events to Transport Canada but it is completely up to them if they even proceed with any action against the pilot.
I've discussed some "low" overflights on this blog many times. Without knowing the specifics of your case, please remember these important points governing flights.
1) there is NO MINIMUM ALTITUDE around a residential area IF a flight is on approach to land. The consideration being that a plane must descend in order to land and if you force them to stay higher on the approach, they might not be able to land safely.
2) Pilots landing at the TCCA MUST have the runway visually in sight so this also means they should see everything between them and the airport (like houses, trees and boat masts). If they can see it, they shouldn't hit it.
In the end, Transport Canada and the TPA are responsible for dealing with pilot transgressions. Controllers certainly can (and DO) inform and educate pilots about procedures but Pilots are ultimately responsible for their actions at the controls and should be held accountable.
I think the number of transgressions would be much higher WITHOUT a tower. Think of them like a police car at the side of the road -amazingly everyone slows down when they drive past.
Take care!
Joe
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