Trip Logs, Tours, Events & Member Submitted Content |
A Morning on the Island
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By Nigel Walker
Photos courtesy of Nigel Walker - YYZ Airport Watch |
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Hanlon's Point at the Toronto Islands is a fantastic place to watch Porter Dash 8's in action. Once you have picked a sunny day, make sure the winds are from the west before you head out. The landing images shown here are only obtained when they are on runway 26. The backdrop when they land here is spectacular. Condo after condo now dominate the water front skyline. Add the Roger's Centre and the CN Tower and it makes for some really nice photographs.
The Hanlon's Point ferry runs every 30 mins. in both directions. It is $6.50 return at the time of writing. The spot for taking the landing shots is literally a few steps to the right of the ferry dock.
The sun will be behind you all morning and well into the afternoon. I have been a couple of times, usually for about five hours or so. In that time, a good chunk of the Porter fleet can be spotted. This makes it good for the registration guys also.
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A short walk up the fence line will give you a good view of the ramp area. Shots from here are through the fence. If they happen to be landing on runway 08, you can still shoot them as they roll out and taxi to the terminal.
If you have never been here to see Porter or just want a change of pace from YYZ, a morning on the Island is a great place to go.
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Right Place at the Right Time
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| By Roman Sydor - YYZ Airport Watch |
Something that doesn't happen every day!
I was riding the Harley to Manitoulin Island and upon returning stopped at the Tim Hortons in Wiarton.
I was enjoying the coffee outside and an F18 Flew by! Now in Wiarton we have Wiarton Willy, but an F18 Hornet?
So I jumped on the hog and rode to the Wiarton Airport which has a security fence the height of all 3 feet maybe!
I saw a very small crowd that gathered and was able to climb up the ladder and take a peek!
Spoke with the pilot briefly who landed to visit his brother, and head to Hamilton which would take him a whole 8 minutes!
Things happen just by being in the right place at the right time!
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Airport Watch at Hearth Place
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By Andrew Cline
Photos courtesy of Andrew Cline & Eric Dumigan - YYZ Airport Watch |
 Lori and Andy Armstrong, with a signed collection including a zirconium crystal flown aboard the Space Shuttle DISCOVERY, flight STS-85 on August 7-19, donated by Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Ken Money which now is on display in Hearth Place
 Andrea Shaw, Director of Hearth Place with Lori and Andy Armstrong and Family after the successful event
 Csilla Rethi, YYZ Airport Watch, at the Heath Place 5k on the Runway, at Oshawa Municipal Airport October 24 2010
Our old friend Andy Armstrong from GTAA Fire has organized and carried out another very successful charity event. His wife Lori had a close call with cancer several years ago and successfully overcame the disease with the help and support of the Hearth Place Cancer Centre in Oshawa. They have subsequently co-organized several charity events for the Centre, mostly involving aviation The 2010 event was held on October 24, 2010 and was called 5k on the Runway and saw people running, walking and rolling on the closed runway at Oshawa Municipal Airport (CYOO). It was the first such event held at Oshawa and was a smash success for a first effort. Early expectations hoped for about $25,000 to be raised. In the event, despite nasty weather, over $50,000 was raised much to everyone's delight. The weather was cold and drizzly, so attendance was light, and the planned CF-18 flypast to open the event was unfortunately cancelled.
Several YYZ Airport Watch members answered the call for volunteers to help. YYZAW administrator Andy Cline and member Eric Dumigan and his wife Bernadette offered their photographic services and wrapped their gear in plastic to cover the wet event. In doing so they managed to hide behind their cameras and thus avoid being in the photos. Enthusiastic new YYZAW member Csilla Rethi was a runway volunteer and guided the runners along the route. It was a cold and wet experience, but we were warmed by the generosity and success of the event. The sponsors provided food and refreshments for runners and volunteers alike. Next year's second annual event will hopefully see better weather and an even bigger success.
For more information please see www.hearthplace.org
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GTAA Provides an Opportunity for a Tour of the A380
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 Chris Sundberg on his tour of the Emirates A380
 Chris Sundberg on his tour of the Emirates A380
 Chris Sundberg on his tour of the Emirates A380
On November 3rd our good friend Russ Cruickshank, GTAA's Corporate Social Responsibility Officer offered YYZAW a one-time and unique opportunity for a single member of AW to attend a very exclusive tour of the Emirates Airbus A380 and airside ramp tour and walk around along with 8 people from community or business to take place on November 24th. Chris Sundberg, YYZ Airport Watch's eldest and highest hour-logging member was nominated by the committee and selected by a vote by the membership to attend the event and represent YYZ Airport Watch. Chris is one of our most dedicated members and considers Airport Watch "my job". He spends time each weekday from early morning until "nap time" in mid afternoon at Pearson on duty for Airport Watch. He is the first YYZAW member to log over 1000 hours in 2009, which pushed the group total to over the 10,000 hour mark for hours reported for the first time that same year. The tour included a full tour of the aircraft, as well as a rare rampside tour and walk around. Chris felt that it was "an overhelming experience" and would like to thank everyone who helped put it together and allowed him the priviledge. His reward was well deserved, and his efforts 'Observing, recording and reporting' are exemplary.
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