While sitting on the button of runway 28 in Calgary, Alberta yesterday waiting for take off clearance, I looked over and saw the cluster of parked Bae 146s and Fokker 28s. They have been sitting there for years. Thought I'd mention these since my last post talked about airplanes with their wings clipped. I remember one captain saying a few years ago when we visited an aviation museum in London, England, "you know you are getting old when you see the airplane you flew in a museum." I flew the Bae 146 and that's probably where these ones will end up. Either in a museum or under the demise of a welding torch.
On a happier note, here is a great vantage point on the climb out of CYYC (Calgary) enroute to Vancouver. This is nearing Canmore which is close to the Banff National Park. Last week the family and I were planning to ski in Banff, but decided to catch some of the Olympic mania in Whistler. Crossed the Rockies twice yesterday and both times the viewing was phenomenal. Plus my first officer had to listen to my tree planting stories about me busting my back to make money to chase my dreams. He took it pretty well.
14 comments:
That second one is a beautiful picture. Can I ask how high you were when you took that picture?
Lavi. I think we were passing through 20,000 feet or so. My F/O was from Calgary so he was pointing out the local geography.
Lots of fresh snow on them hills.
Doug
Amazing picture! Very jealous
Thanks Mario. The Rockies sure were glistening with fresh snow that day. Hopefully, we'll get to capitalize on some of it at Whistler.
Capatin Doug
If you don't count the current plane I fly now, the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum in Hamilton, Ontario had 75% of the aircraft types I have flown commercially in its collection. (I say had as I believe they no longer have the B727 that FedEx donated to them.)
Murray. Sounds like you have a few hours under your belt as well.
Thanks for the post.
Captain Doug
Doug. SMU Library just closed, so
I've switched over to Killam...
___________________________
Since Gmail no longer possible on
public computers here, thought I'd
comment on your post and answer your
email at the same time.
____________
You said that you've flown one of
those older airplanes before. Do
you still remember how to operate
this type, or would it take much
study in order to safely fly it
again? I imagine it would take
an enormous shifting of mental
gears, since you are accustomed
to the Airbus.
_______________________________
And speaking of the Bus, my parents
will be on an Airbus 320...Sunday.
Toronto direct Orlando. So can
they keep their copy of the Enroute
Magazine?
___________
I told them that if you are their
captain, they will be in especially
capable hands...
Hi Dan. Yes, I flew the Bae 146 for Air Atlantic, but only got about 500 hours on it until they hit some economic turbulence and knocked some pilots off it.
As far as previous aircraft I've flown, it's just a blur. Last spring I attended a safety conference in Saint John, New Brunswick. The only way out was in the
jump-seat of a Dash -8. I have 5500 hours on a Dash but I've forgotten it. I also realized how slow it is. So slow, with the trip to Montreal, I started remembering a lot of stuff about it.
Glad to hear your parents are flying Air Canada. Yes, it says on the cover of enRoute, "yours to keep."
The family and I will be trying to get to YVR (Vancouver) on passes. Wish us luck because the flights are jammed.
Dan, thanks for the post and the enRoute question.
Doug
Hope the passes worked out! Here in Jamaica - I understand the place is overrun with Canucks in the north of the Island in the resorts - some sort of holiday I suspect?
Down here in the south coast, not so much, so just languishing on layover once again!
Next month - the bids open for the B777s into CYYZ - and I finally get to buy you a beer.
Cheers - say hello to the Rockies.
Ian
I was always fascinated with the BAE 146 - a great concept when Hawker Siddeley first brough it up - and still in stellar service over in our neck of the woods in "Avro RJ" designation.
Lycoming engines I believe which were more than sufficient at the time.
Someone commented to me once, just before configuring for landing there was a ghost like wail (not exactly a technical description I will admit) which goes through the cabin of the 146 - any idea what she was talking about or was it a gin and tonic too far?
Cheers Ian
Ian, Jamaica is littered with Canadians. I flew a flight there two weeks ago from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The flight was full both ways.
My wife and I are on the computer looking at flights to Vancouver as I speak. As you know, we are looking at Plan B (through Calgary), Plan C (through Edmonton), Plan D (through Regina), Plan E ...well you get the picture.
Enjoy the vitamin D and I'm looking forward to that beer.
Doug
Ian. With the trailing link gear the 146 was easy to grease on the runway, but it was a squirrel in a crosswind. The engines had no reverse so it was just the air brake located in the tail and brakes.
Yes, the ghost like wail happened when the flaps were extended. The sound was actually duplicated in the simulator. It sounded like a subway (tube) going through the cabin. In fact, the flight attendants made an announcement about the irregular sound.
Back to planning our trip.
Doug
I believe all those aircraft are owned by Avmax in YYC. Some have been sold or will be leased to other companies.
Mike
Mike. Thanks for the info. I did notice the number of aircraft are dwindling, but the remainder sure are taking their time to get flying again. Doug
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