Joe hammers home his point
Further to my response to Joana, I wanted to discuss some misconceptions that I have observed when blogging about aeronautical procedures at the TCCA.
1) Noise sensitive Areas (NSA) depicted in the aeronautical charts are information intended to prevent pilots from overflying some residential areas near the airport. This does not constitute a restricted airspace like you might find near a military installation or a parachute drop zone. Due to the classification of the airspace, there are NO specific fines or penalties for overflying the NSA's.
Joana asked about pilot transgressions that could lead to a similar accident like in NYC - but the overwhelming majority of transgressions at the TCCA are overflights of NSA's. Each pilot has their own reasons for flying through the areas and while these flights are a nuisance, they do not pose any danger to the community.
Given the sheer volume of small, private and training aircraft that use the TCCA, the percentage of flights that traverse the NSA's is well under 1%.
I am relying on my own experience of 5 years in the tower observing many days of well over 1000 flights and having to speak to 1 or 2 pilots to remind them of the procedures. Even if it were 5 flights a day, that would work out to .004% of flights (out of 1200)
Before you all jump to your keyboards, remember I worked in the tower for 5 years, I always made a concerted effort to educate the wayward pilots to avoid a repeat performance, and our flight counts were documented at the end of each shift so I am not picking estimated numbers out of the sky.
Furthermore, I AM NOT saying that it's OK to overfly the NSA's - I AM Saying that .004% proves that the system does work and these errors are the exception and not the rule.
If that isn't good enough for the Island community I invite a response indicating something in our lives that has 100% compliance with stated rules. Ever NOT come to a full stop at a stop sign? Ever forget to have your license or ownership in the car when driving?, ever bend one of MANY condo rules?
I fully acknowledge that a flight through the NSAs is a nuisance.
I also know that the source of these complaints are people who can't stand the sight or sound of any aircraft within the postal code so allow me to add a dash of salt.
All I ask you to understand is that you are one of a SMALL collection of airport communities that even has a NSA - they are NOT commonplace.
The compliance rate isn't perfect but the system does serve the community.
2) Another issue is MINIMUM ALTITUDES AND DISTANCES pilots must keep from built up areas. These numbers are:
"Except where conducting a take-off, approach or landing (i) for aeroplanes, 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 2,000 feet from the aeroplane,..."
Link to Air Regs Document:
www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/regserv/affairs/cars/menu.htm
The "Except where..." part is the key point to remember.
Take Care!
Joe
1) Noise sensitive Areas (NSA) depicted in the aeronautical charts are information intended to prevent pilots from overflying some residential areas near the airport. This does not constitute a restricted airspace like you might find near a military installation or a parachute drop zone. Due to the classification of the airspace, there are NO specific fines or penalties for overflying the NSA's.
Joana asked about pilot transgressions that could lead to a similar accident like in NYC - but the overwhelming majority of transgressions at the TCCA are overflights of NSA's. Each pilot has their own reasons for flying through the areas and while these flights are a nuisance, they do not pose any danger to the community.
Given the sheer volume of small, private and training aircraft that use the TCCA, the percentage of flights that traverse the NSA's is well under 1%.
I am relying on my own experience of 5 years in the tower observing many days of well over 1000 flights and having to speak to 1 or 2 pilots to remind them of the procedures. Even if it were 5 flights a day, that would work out to .004% of flights (out of 1200)
Before you all jump to your keyboards, remember I worked in the tower for 5 years, I always made a concerted effort to educate the wayward pilots to avoid a repeat performance, and our flight counts were documented at the end of each shift so I am not picking estimated numbers out of the sky.
Furthermore, I AM NOT saying that it's OK to overfly the NSA's - I AM Saying that .004% proves that the system does work and these errors are the exception and not the rule.
If that isn't good enough for the Island community I invite a response indicating something in our lives that has 100% compliance with stated rules. Ever NOT come to a full stop at a stop sign? Ever forget to have your license or ownership in the car when driving?, ever bend one of MANY condo rules?
I fully acknowledge that a flight through the NSAs is a nuisance.
I also know that the source of these complaints are people who can't stand the sight or sound of any aircraft within the postal code so allow me to add a dash of salt.
All I ask you to understand is that you are one of a SMALL collection of airport communities that even has a NSA - they are NOT commonplace.
The compliance rate isn't perfect but the system does serve the community.
2) Another issue is MINIMUM ALTITUDES AND DISTANCES pilots must keep from built up areas. These numbers are:
"Except where conducting a take-off, approach or landing (i) for aeroplanes, 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 2,000 feet from the aeroplane,..."
Link to Air Regs Document:
www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/regserv/affairs/cars/menu.htm
The "Except where..." part is the key point to remember.
Take Care!
Joe
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