There is a new meme image out there with the picture of an astronaut on the moon. I particularly enjoyed the two below.

Here he is commenting on the computational power available nowadays.

Try your hand at the meme here.

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This video from the very reputable news source, The Onion, reminds me why I would be foolish to sign up for cable TV. Be forewarned, the language is NSFW.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the BBC’s version.

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1. Upcoming events (or “where you can find Flying Dan this weekend”)

I present to you, the Most Interesting Air Traffic Controller in the World:

via reddit.com/r/aviation

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I’ve entered an aviation photography contest and would appreciate your vote. You can find my pictures below with link to the page where you can vote. Simply LIKE the picture to vote. Thanks for your help!

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

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I co-host Cleared En Route the Canadian aviation and space exploration podcast. Check out ClearedEnRoute.com to listen to episodes, read show notes and to find out more about the podcast!

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Hey folks,

A few events happening this weekend, August 19-21, 2011.

Waterloo Air Show at the Waterloo International Airport; and

Southern Ontario Model Airshow is being held at the Stoney Creek air field.

Summer’s not over yet, there’s still time to get your aviation fix.

I am also co-hosting a new, aviation and space related podcast with a focus on Canadian aviation news and events. Check it out at Cleared En Route!

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I haven’t posted a lesson update in quite some time. Truth is I haven’t been progressing as fast as I was hoping (or even wanted to) due to time conflicts between flight training, school (finished my undergrad in Computer Engineering), work (have to pay those bills some how) and life.

Right now I am very close to completing the Private Licence training. Some could argue that I’ve already completed it, just haven’t taken the tests to certify that completion. I have the practice flight test coming up a week from now and I’m hoping to do well and be sent to the “full” flight test. Then I will do my written test and be licenced. It’s been a long journey but the end is well within my reach.

My two most recent flights have been reviews of some more specialized manoeuvres / procedures. First I practiced diversions. For those not familiar with this procedure the basic concept is this:

I’m flying from City of A to City of B. On the way the weather deteriorates or some other event happens which prevents me from reaching City of B and I must now choose a different destination (which I haven’t done any flight planning for) and fly to it (divert to City of C).

It’s an event that will most likely happen at some point during one’s flying career and for which you must be prepared. The basic steps (and these are very basic, DO NOT use these for anything other than informational purposes) are:

1. Find where you are on your map (you should already know this because you’ve been following along as you’ve been flying right?)
2. Decide where you’re going to start your diversion from (a town is usually a good choice but any landmark that you can identify will do)
3. Decide where you will be diverting to
4. Find the distance and heading you have to travel, how long it will take you there, how much fuel you need and whether you have enough
5. Inform the FSS and fly to your diversion destination

There are few more subtleties than this so please ask your instructor and consult the Flight Training Manual.

For my diversion we took off from CYFD and headed over to Scotland. The scenario I was given was: clouds 1600’, divert to Bright. Through the magic of technology, the route I flew is below.

The exercise went well though I did have some trouble staying on track. I did end up finding Bright (top left loop) and identifying it. After that I flew back to Brantford and landed safely.

The second flight was an instrument practice session under the hood. I put on the hood as we were passing through about 1400’ after take off and kept it on right until final. It was pretty awesome. I have no problem flying under the hood but it is quite exhausting.

Oh good I’m at altitude, levelling off, maintaining altitude: OH WOW I’m 30 degrees off heading! Adjust heading, flying heading: altitude is all over the place.

It’s a lot harder than it looks to fly straight and level under the hood and by extension in IMC. We practiced the exercises I will have to perform on the flight test then flew back to Brantford. I did not take the hood off until final. Ashley vectored me in all the way. The landing was one of the smoothest I’ve had in a while. I was also confused about what happened during the landing and we talked about it a bit. It wasn’t so much a problem just something that I was having trouble comprehending. All in all it was a good flight and you can see our route below.

I’m looking forward to the practice test next week. I’m a little nervous but I do feel prepared and I will be reviewing all week.

Thanks for reading!

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As I mentioned before, a NOTAM is a NOtice To AirMen containing, among other things, temporary restrictions, such as the airspace around an airport being closed for an air show. As we were sitting by the flightline on Saturday, waiting for the Hamilton Air Show to begin I noticed a private aircraft that hand landed and taxied off the runway being intercepted by an airport maintenance truck. Even before I tuned in to the conversation between ATC and the aircraft, I had an idea of what had happened. The aircraft turned around and took off.

When I got home I decided to check the Canadian Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) to see what happened. As I guessed, the aircraft was not supposed to be there. The CADORS (file number 2011O1583) reads (emphasis mine):

The privately-registered Morane Saulnier MS-885 aircraft was on a VFR flight from Collingwood Airport (CNY3) to Brantford Airport (CYFD). NAV CANADA staff at Hamilton (JCMIA) (CYHM) reported that the aircraft was observed on radar entering the Hamilton (JCMIA) control zone from the north. There was no response from the pilot to several blind calls. The aircraft passed overhead, joined a left downwind for runway 30 and landed. The pilot later explained that he had intended to land at Brantford Airport and had been making calls on frequency 122.82MHz. The Hamilton Airshow NOTAM was in effect at the time. Ops. impact — none.

One of the main rules or mantras that I keep in mind when in control of an aircraft is the title of this post: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.

The pilot performed the first part, aviate, just fine. He flew and landed the airplane with no problems. It was the second part he had issues with and by extension the third. He was broadcasting on Brantford’s frequency while heading for Hamilton airport.

Listening to the ATC communication with him on his way out, it was clear the pilot was a bit shook up by the whole incident. Luckily there was no conflict and he was able to leave safely.

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Here are some pictures I took at the 2011 Hamilton Air Show. Feel free to contact me if you’d like a copy of the full size image or to see some of the other photos I took. You can see the full set on Flickr here.

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If you’re still undecided about going to the Hamilton Air Show tomorrow, Sunday, June 19th, here’s a look at just SOME of the aircraft you’ll see flying (click to enlarge).

This is the ramp in front of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. These aircraft all flew in the air show and there are many more to see on static display as well.

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