The Hangar

Welcome to "The Spotter Dude", the official newsletter of the YYZ Airport Watch Group.  We hope to publish an issue on a regular basis. The newsletter will be available via e-mail, our website and at various shops around YYZ.  We hope you find the newsletter informative and useful.

Clearance Delivery

For past issues of  The Spotter Dude please select one of the links below

June 1, 2004 - Inaugural  Issue

Departure

On June 6^th  2004, the Airport Watch Group committee and members held their first meeting.  Mother nature provided us with a beautiful day and Toronto ATC orchestrated the overhead airshow of arrivals for runway 23.  The meeting was held in a small park located on the east side of Airport Rd, just north of the Wendy's restaurant.  In all some 30-35 members attended.  The purpose for our meeting was to introduce the committee to the members and to explain the course of action we have set out.  For a summary of the meeting, please the see  "Enroute" section. The committee would like to thank all those that attended the meeting and we look forward to meeting everyone again in the near future. 

Enroute

The first order of business was the introduction of  the committee, unfortunately Mr. Don McKay & Mr. Michael Baker could not attend.  Mr. Andrew Cline acted as host and MC, well done Andy!

Mr. Cline explained to the group that the primary reason for forming the Airport Watch Group was to set up a movement that will allow us to liaise with fellow spotters and establish a rapport with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.  The goal is to let the GTAA know that we want to be here and we very much would like to work with them.  We are hoping this will allow us to carry out our hobbies in a safe and secure manner.

Andy explained that the YYZ Airport Watch Group has been set up following the guidelines of RCMP Police Constable Jacques Brunelle, founder of the Ottawa Airport Watch Group.  Their program has been in place since November of 1998 and has some 27 members.  In modeling our group on Ottawa’s we have a very similar situation.  No designated viewing areas have been established there, but with the recognized group in Ottawa, there are also no hindrances to safely parking on perimeter roads.  Another organization who we will be working with is rapidly growing LAAS (London Area Aviation Spotters) in the United Kingdom.  We are examining their pass system, and may produce something similar, depending on how our liaison with the GTAA progresses.  With regards to passes, potential members should be willing to submit to a security check and everyone will also be required to sign an agreement to adhere to rules set out by the committee as well as all laws, rules and safety concerns of the airport authority.  Passes will not allow special access to airside areas of the airport, and are for identification purposes only.

The committee will primarily maintain contact with members through e-mail and our website.  Peter Ivakitsch (Director of Communications) is maintaining an e-mail and phone list for members.  Mr. Andrew Cline can be reached at Aviation World most weekdays.  Please see the appropriate address and numbers below.  In the long run we hope to expand our scope to provide spotting location maps, frequency lists, and perhaps even special events such as ramp tours and slide shows. If all goes according to plan, we anticipate a good relationship with the GTAA.

We would like to carry out information sessions for airport security personnel, Commissionaires and Police to educate them about our hobby, and demonstrate the paraphernalia we use in the process such as guidebooks, laptops, scanners, binoculars and cameras, as well as the end result, logbooks, photo albums, and published photos and articles, perhaps a slide show.

We will be calling on you as member to help fill committee positions and help with all aspects of the group.  Volunteers and nomination of potential candidates will be welcome to fill positions such as Chairman, Spokesman, Secretary, Treasurer, Administration/Pass Control and Sponsorship.

Andy advised members that our next step is to approach the authorities to arrange a meeting to discuss our direction.  We anticipate this will occur within the next few weeks, perhaps early July.

Following Mr. Clines introductory speech, the floor was opened for questions and answers.  Given the great job that Andy did, most elected to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon watching the arrivals soar overhead and enjoying each others company.  Be sure to stay tuned to the website for any news.

The STOC Centre

Company Ops

Andrew Cline
Brian Dunn
Pete Ivakitsch
Don McKay

Committee Director
Committee Director
Director of Communications
Graphics/Photography

E-mail:  admin@airportwatchcanada.com

Ph: 416-674-5959 - Mr. Andrew Cline

Website:  www.airportwatchcanada.com