For those who thought Captain D was heading to a dubious spot...here's some pics to prove otherwise. I do realize "beaver' may have other connotations and when you throw the word "flying' in front of it....well some thought...."pole dancing."
This iconic float plane base/bar and grill is nestled on the south side of the Vancouver airport. One can have a beverage, sit in the sun, watch float airplanes, have a great meal (I had the bi-plane burger) and have some great conversation. Actually, many retirement parties happen here. For some, their career started by flying floats and ends here with an Air Canada retirement party.
Yesterday's layover was fun. First the F/O and I went for a jog (separately...we weren't that close. lol) Walked to the "Beaver" (30 minutes) and then imbibed a few local beverages on sale. A pilot's haven. LOL
We spent a couple of hours in the summer sun enjoying Vancouver's hospitality. No wonder it just won (again) "World's best city to live!"
Tomorrow (really, really early) I get to fly to Canada's (perhaps the world's) windiest, wettest, cloudiest, foggiest city...St John's, Newfoundland. Chris...we'll see ya on George Street. Here's the latest weather...and yes..it's living up to its meteorological reputation.
But as I averred before, the place is loaded with friendly people. Maybe this place has another connotation for the word..."beaver?" LOL
METAR CYYT 070000Z 04024G32KT 1/2SM R11/P6000FT/U R16/P6000FT/U
-DZ FG VV002 10/08 A2971 RMK FG8 SLP065
Translation...it's blowing a gale from the northeast with a half a mile visibility in fog and drizzle and only 10 C (50F). This is what will be greeting me early tomorrow morning...yeah baby!
-DZ FG VV002 10/08 A2971 RMK FG8 SLP065
Translation...it's blowing a gale from the northeast with a half a mile visibility in fog and drizzle and only 10 C (50F). This is what will be greeting me early tomorrow morning...yeah baby!
******************************* NEW ****************************************
Now in St. John's and the above METAR pretty well was the exact same stuff we met 12 hours later. Translation...the crappy weather didn't leave. LOL Foggy pointed out on his blog I did not capture one beaver (yes they were there but many have been modified with turbine engines) so here's a pic "borrowed" from his site. Off to get some DBBs (De-Briefing Beverages). :)
***************************** NEW ******************************************
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| Check this out...notice there is no "back end" to the truck. |
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| This is how the floatplanes are transferred from the Vancouver airport to the water. |
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| Someone should tell him he is missing his "dairy air" |
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| The F/O knew his airplane types. I didn't. |
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| Things get pretty busy at the "Flying Beaver." |
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| One getting airborne |
50 comments:
What a nice spot and seemed like a beautiful day to enjoy 1,2, and 3. ;)
Oh and I liked Cedarglen's pic of the day!
:)
Anon. I mentioned this before, but I'll recount it one more time....
While sitting in a local establishment in Osaka, Japan in the mid afternoon sun the captain raised his glass and said...."this is nice." Just those few words spoke volumes. I knew exactly what he meant...to accomplish what you set out to do in life and reap some of its benefits is priceless. I'll never forget it.
I tend to be appreciative and know full well my good fortune can be taken away very quickly.
On that note, it's off to the East coast to "take up the torch."
Gone flying.... :)
Great shots Doug. Be sure to try HA's sister restaurant, The Flying Otter, in Victoria!
Hi Connor. I'll check it out. Some of the guys...when their Vancouver layover is really long...do the
"jumpseat reciprocal" thing and hop on a flight from the Vancouver harbour base and fly to Victoria for the afternoon. Neat. Another perk to the job.
I better get ready. Just checked my schedule...I see I have the honour of having Transport Canada on board my flight from Halifax to Montreal on Monday. Fun!
Great pic of "A Glen full of cedars!"
What a beautiful private spot.
I know the feeling Doug....when my wife and I bought our boat, we were sitting out on it at sunset, the girls were splashing in the water, the water was like glass, warm quiet night, and we both said, this is nice.
This is why I work in the profession I do.....to have to ability to do the things I like to do on my days off....... it's nice to sit, reflect, and know the only reason you get to do those things, and enjoy those moments, is from a long road of hard work.....and NEVER taking it for granted!
I know the name of the blue float plane....."Mickey Mouse"! Looks like the ears anyway. What a cool spot...have a beverage and watch planes! Sweet.
Health and happiness to all here :)
Safe flight Captain.
CAT III Approach
and Foggy....have you checked with the "big oil" companies....I'm sure with your experience in procedural documentation and organization you would be a great fit. I wish I had a UK contact for you my friend. :( Best of luck with the search.
What is the twin on floats, Captain?
Surely not a Lodestar (L18)?
Christopher. I think my F/O said it was a Beechcraft 18? Anyone?
For Christopher and Cap'n Doug, the F/O was correct - buy him/her a coffee.
Beech 18 Expeditor 3NM, C-GGGF
Amigo Airways
now with
Van City Seaplanes
That is one SMART aeroplane :)
"Flying Beaver"? There's a "tool hire" shop on the Chichester by-pass - think Binford Tools and "More Power", etc. - noted for it's (very!) near the knuckle advertising tag lines; something about the Spice "Girls", getting a "Beaver Tool" and trimming a Beaver ****! They were told to take it down as it was a distraction to drivers on the by-pass!!
As for the DHC-2, I have a few in my virtual M$F$im hangar for when I feel the need for something a bit heavier than a Cub or Tiger Moth. Now that I have a little more time - Haha, ROTFFL..., etc.! - I'll post some screenies on my blog later today.
Catch you later...
"Foggy"
I would like to live in a house like that.
Hi Doug. I love the Beavers on floats. Sadly, they don't eally look like the originals. Truthe-be-told, my first flight in a 'small' airplane was a floated Beaver, owned by USF&W - about 1964. THe oil filler was at my left knee, it was HUGE and noisy beyond belief. Thanks to Alan and Horton, those two hours (30 min in the air) changed my life. I made a turn and managed to keep the nose up! One does not forget a Beaver ride!
Thanks for sharing my pic. It is a part of the home space on 75 acres of fir, alder and cedar forest in the Western wilds of Oregon. We are many miles from the usual 'urban' services, but do have electricity - most of the time. If anyone wants to map the rough location,try 44.21N/123.7W. Our summer season is 8-10 weeks, otherwise monsoon weather with a few breaks. The nearest neighbor is over a mile and yes, it is a quiet, peaceful place. Wildlife in the 'yard' is normal and we often defer to their needs. We do not hunt nor do we permit it on our land. After 35-40 years in a demanding, non-flying profession, I read about flying, savor the technical details and fly with our friends. Yes, I do get up once in a while, but no longer as a pilot. Thanks for showing my pic, Doug. In the end, all must have a grounding place and this is a small part of mine. I enjoy your blog and your links to other like-minded folks. Of course I'll stick around. Regards, -Craig (Glens of the Cedars...)
A lovely piece and lovely comments.
My brother lives on Vancouver Island and is regularly badgering me to visit - wouldn't it be cool to truck up in his town and take him somewhere he may not be aware of - it is now on my list of must visits! Doug, he always flies AC to the UK and rates them very highly.
Foggy, I know the tool hire company you refer to well - I miss their entertaining displays. One I distinctly remember was when the Beagle mars explorer was lost (due to a mismatch with metric and imperial as I recall) they had a great model of it on their roof!
Kind regards to all
Dave from the UK
If nothing else, this is getting the "page count" up!!
Flying Beaver
Hey Captain!
That looks awesome, must indeed be a place you can stay for hours.
@Cedarglen, what a nice picture. Looks very peaceful!
Take care,
Bas
Foggy. LOL about the "beaver tool." I'll say no more.
As you can see I borrowed a pic from your site.
Doug in overcast, windy, foggy, rainy and cold St. John's, Newfoundland.
My partner in crime better not be taking me far for dinner. :)
"Glens of the Cedars." My pleasure in showing your pic. Actually I like this idea of viewers sending in their pics. It makes my blog that more interactive.
Looks like you sought solitude and got it!
Again, thanks for opening the door a little on your world.
Doug in the other side of the continent. In fact, I'm just minutes away from the eastern most point of North America - Cape Spear.
Dave from the UK. That's what you should do...show up unannounced and take your brother for a float plane ride. The coast of BC is riddled with float planes.
(Just make sure the in-laws could handle such a surprise). Yes, I'm talking from recent experience. :)
That tool hire company seems like a "must visit" as well.
Bas. You would love it at the "Flying Beaver." Now there's a thought, you should come to Canada to do some of your flight training. Who knows, you may be flying "floats."
Just for fun, an serious Beaver fan (flying type) should be familiar with www.kenmoreair.com of Seattle. If a Beaver can do it, Kenmore has done it, including every modification in the book and a few that are not (haha). Some years ago I watched a lightly loaded Turbo-Beaver take off from their facility on Lake Union. That clunky old bird was nearly in the VTOL class. A Beaver trip is a great way to explore the coastal areas of BC and surrounding. What a ride! A great weekend and sunny skies to all, -Craig.
No problem with the DHC-2 pic, Doug. I know where I can get a -2T, or three - and a Turbine Otter!
Craig, FlightGlobal had an article on Kenmore about 3-4 weeks ago - I'll post the link on my blog tomorrow. Thanks for the e-mail, and for your's, Getjets. You have replies zooming towards your in-tray's.
Cheers...
Doug, interesting weather, then? You should take heart in knowing that what you are getting now will be sliding it's way across the pond and will be with us in the UK in two-three days time! In fact, it sounds like an Advance party has just arrived - wind is picking up and squally showers, some heavy, are forecast through the early hours.
Have a good one,
Kind regards / "Foggy".
http://www.ozfm.com/skycam.htm
Hey Captain Doug, if possible, take a pic of the harbour from your vantage point...if you get a chance....
here is the web site of Harbour cam in St. John's Newfoundland....it sits a bit to the other side of you, I believe..tonite...seems the weather not too bad....surely at least misty....not always a bad thing...
enjoy your stay...I will see you on George Street....one day....maybe Chris too...
Cedarglen(Mr. Craig)...what a shot...what a haven....I visited "Seaside" Oregon back in 1984.....all I wanted to do....WAS MOVE TO SEASIDE....ALL I TALKED ABOUT FOR MONTHS...and drove the highway up through the Columbia Gorge....STUNNING...
Mr. Foggy, I wish I could figure out why my comments won't go through on your site....but I thank you.....and only the best of wishes to continue for you....!!!!!
I will just use the e-mail...and so glad that does go thru.......
Ah...Captain....those pics at the "flying Beaver"....Great!!!!, and did you make that up all by yourself...???? reference the "dairy air"....Truck....
that was Good....!!!
last question Captain.....and look that is a good picture of you....
by why just a uppper torso and head shot??????? hiding something....kidding Mmmmmm
LOL....
misswtwa
The Flying Beaver - sounds awesome! I'll have to look for it next time I'm in YVR.
I've been lucky enough to have spent a great many hours flying over northern Canada in various Beavers, Otters, Twin Otters, Pipers, Cessnas, Norsemen, and Beech 18s (like the beautiful examples on floats shown in the main post). Good times, and sacred memories.
I still have a special place in my heart for original piston Beavers and Otters, as more and more go turbo. They just don't look the same with the long turbo nose, nor do they sound right. You need that good old "woppa woppa woppa woppa" as it appears over the trees.
I haven't seen a Beech 18 in some time. Like the Norseman, they seem to have become fairly scarce in recent years. Too bad.
For years, pilots suffering from temperature extremes in their cockpits have used sheepskin seat covers to keep them incredibly comfortable during the hot summer and freezing winter months. In fact, several international airlines have made sheepskin standard equipment on their airplanes, keeping pilots cool, dry and less fatigued on long flights
interesting.....
Lets see if I can get this right..this time....
I am not quite sure....as far as the big oil companies...isn't "Oil Shale" the new, perhaps, industry, esspecailly in Canada????
Is it me or does the dark blue pontoon plane look upside down at first glance.....
Hope St. John's weather wasn't too bad Captain....
misstwa
It's actually called "Oil Sand" in Canada ...... that's the biggie.
Getjets. I tried to get a pic from my hotel room during my wake up call (4:00 a.m...2:30 a.m Toronto time) but all I got was a reflection with the night skies.
We left in the same weather when we arrived....crappy.
Our first leg into Halifax required a CAT II approach unto 23. Again, crappy weather. Looks like they cancelled summer on the east coast of Canada.
Then it was off to Montreal with Transport Canada in the jumpseat. I still have my license!
Now back home where summer is still summer.
Time for a "senior's" nap." :)))
Craig if you like floatplanes...and it sounds like you do...the "Flying Beaver" is a must visit!
I thank ya Captain for the effort.....!!!!
The web cam shows St. John's mostly cloudy...and one little bitty break with blue showing....just for me I'm sure...lol
Enjoy your well deserved "Senior Citizen" nap....!!!!ha
misstwa
Oh and Thanks CAT III....:)
heard it really difficult to squeeze the oil out....????? not to mention possible pollution....
I mean after all, wouldn't want to kill some obscure tadpole....with vulcan ears.....
shame Julie....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadair_CL-215
Hey Mr. Adam......Great Pic!!!!!!
Say hello to my hometown, yyt while you're there. I certainly don't miss the weather overall, but I do miss being somewhere that the weather has character.
YZF had the extreme cold, YYT had extreme almost everything, YOW now is pretty bland in that regard...though I do enjoy the consistent nice weather.
YZF Eite....you said it, "YYT has extreme almost everything."
Funny for dinner instead of having fish and chips or standard pub grub in St. John's we had "indian."
It reminded me of the days back in New Delhi and Hong Kong (I ate a lot of Indian there).
New Delhi...talk about extremes....
Captain Doug,
I absolutely love your poetic musings on the "terminator"...and your photos are great too! (I like yours).
Thank you.
Thanks Anon. It's musings of poetry clashing with reality.... :)))
I seem to remember seeing "The Flying Beaver" while spotting at YVR. 26L/8R isn't quite too good for photos so we didn't stick around for very long. I'll remember it for next time I'm there, though.
Also, should I e-mail [email protected] a picture for picture of the day? I may have a few you would like.
- Craig M
Craig. By all means, send me your pics to my email address.
On the departure end of 08Right there were a few airplane spotters the day I walked by.
In fact the F/O and I commented on that very fact.
I think there should be a dedicated spot at Toronto's Pearson. Think of it...set up a place where aviation nuts, the inquisitive public and passengers can congregate and watch airplanes...it will be a huge success. Throw in a scanner, some food and drinks and you got a "build it and they will come" scenario. Just a thought.
Craig M...are you from YOW? We have a nice spot to watch planes. :)
Speaking of spotting parks.
I think Manchester airport (the UK one) has many nice spots for plane spotters, a popular one being the Airport Motel which has a café right next to the start of rwy 23R.
Here is a video of it
I'll send one in tonight then, Doug.
Anon, yes, I'm from YOW. Was just there tonight spotting. Beauty night. We have great spots, though not so much for photography later in the day.
Off to YUL on Thursday to check out the A380.
Craig M
Edwin. Thanks for the video. Doug
@ getjets....no problem
actually it's "floated" out by hot water, then skimmed off....not squeezed.....
There are millions spent on pollution controls .... not as bad as you would think :)
someone has to supply the jet fuel for Captain Doug....lol
CAT III Approach
is it true the Beaver cannot be overloaded?
ie wing design allows more lift than the aircraft could carry?
CAT III Approach
Edwin....I have watched 100's and 100's of videos from that exact park at Manchester....
and always interesting as well....are the snipits of conversations in the background......
that you can overhear.....
mcpcshowcase HD....do a Fabulous job with their videos!!!!!
CAT III.....you should never and I mean never over load a Beaver....ever see the teeth on them monsters.....LOL....look a little top heavy anyway....
CAT III Approach and Getjets.
You two sound like oil tycoons. LOL
Good point, someone has to supply the "jet fuel."
Either that, find a substitute.
I've taken a liking to the saying, "the stone age didn't end because they ran out of stone."
:)))))
In Toronto, although not a designated spotting location by the GTAA, there is a Wendy's restaurant right behind runway 23 that is vary popular with spotters and aviation enthusiasts alike.
It is funny that you mentioned all the stuff they should include in a spotting location as this one has everything that you specified, except for a scanner, although that is not usually far given the amount of people there.
You can take a look at some of my photos from that location here.
http://jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?offset=0&where=|||||||1|45866|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nehal
Doug:
I find it weird that the rear part of the truck is missing. How can the truck transport the seaplane?
I thought that the rear part of the truck is suppose to be there so that the power generated from the engine could be transmitted to the rear by the transmission, in order to let the rear wheel rotate. This appears to be missing. Could you solve the missing puzzle for me? Thanks!
Dr. Jacobo R. Asuncion, Jr.
(Dan's Dad)
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