Niagara Falls Flight

[Falz]

Hi there everyone,

I'm having a holiday with my fiancée, the last before our wedding next year, and as it is a big birthday for me I'm being treated to a flight over the falls.

So the question is who is the best school to book with?

I'm current in 172's, PA28's and still instructing as well as flying commercially. Although none of that matters as I am more than happy to have an instructor along to do the RT and navigation if it isn't Class G.

I'm not looking for the cheapest price, but the best value and as we are in Canada for the date of my actual birthday, May 1st, we want to fly then.

Thanks all

Falz

[iMac0960]

Check out St. Catharines Flying Club if you want to do the flight yourself. They are a good group there and can tailor it to exactly what you want.

[evansb]

Have you considered a helicopter tour of Niagara Falls? The helicopter tours appear to rate at least 4 stars (or more) by even the most jaded tourists.

Niagara Helicopters Ltd. | Spectacular Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tours

FYI Flight Restrictions Niagara Falls: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx...3.11.4&idno=14

Scroll down to Flying The Falls CYR 518: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviatio...tions-5827.htm

[+TSRA]

I'd hesitate to suggest that you do the flight yourself if you're only allotting one day to flying.

The airspace can be tricky if you're not used to the area. The entry and exit routes require you to be able to identify highway intersections and the altitude restrictions have you nestled between local helicopter traffic and airline/military traffic from Buffalo. It can be quite the task to stay in the pattern, on altitude, making your radio calls...all while you're trying to look out the window too. Not hard by any stretch for a local pilot, but certainly can be a handful if you're having to rely on anything other than your eyes.

As for getting into the plane as a pilot you'll have to at least do a Biennial Flight Review and the associated paperwork for a Temporary Foreign License. Depending on your experience, this can be anywhere from a quick hour all the way up to five hours (also depends on the insurance requirements).

In the long run, probably easier to have someone else do the flying and just enjoy the view. It's absolutely stunning from the air, and not having to focus on the flying will make it a better tourist experience, IMO.

However, St. Catherine's Flying Club does (or did 5 years ago) have some pretty cheap rates, it's only about a 7 minute flight from take-off to the entry to the circuit area, and the local radio guys are more than helpful if they have the time. Otherwise, as evansb suggested, the local heli operators do a pretty good job at it too.

Either way you choose to go you're in for a treat if the weather plays nice. Pray for clear skies, a slight wind to blow the smog away, and low humidity and you'll get to see the entire Golden Horseshoe.

[Falz]

Thanks guys,

Yes I'm not really wanting to go through a biannual and a flight review for this flight. Although I would prefer a fixed wing as I'd like to ask to get my mits on the stick when we are approaching the falls.

I'm more than happy to let an experienced pilot handle nav and RT whilst I play around like a trial flight.

Just wondering if there are any suggestions of which schools to go to.

[iMac0960]

With St. Catharines Flying Club you can log the time in your book as dual with an instructor on the tour. You have two airport options to fly out of. You can either do CNQ3 (Welland/Central) or CYSN. Personally, I would do CYSN as it's closer to civilization and you get a better tour. Plus they have an ops spec to fly into the restricted airspace, getting you closer to the falls.

[slam525i]

Just fly above the restricted alt (above 3500), no reporting, fly whatever track you want etc.

They talked about this last month at a Transport Canada Safety seminar.

Yes, you HAVE to fly above the restricted airspace, or you WILL be "violated".

The procedure is under "Niagara Falls VFR Terminal Procedures chart" in the CFS. I suppose you can argue that technically it's not controlled airspace within that area and you can do what you like, but that's like charging into an uncontrolled airport and doing the same thing.

Just do the proper thing. Enter from the 420/QEW or Navy Island point, fly the circuit as depicted, and exit as depicted. Talk on the frequencies. Fly safe.

[slam525i]

According to Transport Canada and NavCanada, the restricted airspace is restricted. Only the specified operators may use it.

For the airspace above, you're supposed to follow the published procedure.
The confusion is people think the published procedure is for within the restricted airspace, whereas a careful read of it would show that it's for ABOVE the restricted airspace.

In other words, you can't "If you want a "better / lower" view, fly the procedure / airspace etc.". It's a CYR, and as such, you can't enter it at all. The procedure applies to the airspace ABOVE the CYR.

[mstram]

According to Transport Canada and NavCanada, the restricted airspace is restricted. Only the specified operators may use it.

For the airspace above, you're supposed to follow the published procedure

(Wiping egg from face and foot from mouth)

I should have re-read the CFS, instead of trying to remember what I did ~20 yrs ago.

(And I don't fly anymore (last flight was 2002) , sadly due to lack of $$$ )

[slam525i]

(Wiping egg from face and foot from mouth)

No worries. I do that so often, I have a special towel for it.

(And I don't fly anymore (last flight was 2002) , sadly due to lack of $$$ )

Get back into flying! We need more people to burn AvGas. GA is shrinking in the GTA, especially with the upcoming closure of Buttonville and the island airport turning into Porter Airport. We need all the support, we can get. You can get your "currency" back in 2 or 3 hours of dual, and then rent once a month at reasonable costs, or buy a block of time and use it for 100$ burgers. I can put you in touch with someone if you want.

After all, "It's still cheaper than hookers and blow." (At least I think it is... don't correct me if I'm wrong.)

[macgill]

Did the falls on Monday the 26th With my daughter Only 1 aircraft in the circuit
At 11 am Lots of helicopter traffic below Very straight forward