YEG - Edmonton Int Airport

[alexis]

I thought Spar has closed down their hangars at YXD, due to lack of business, although they are looking to lease them out. I'll try and pop up after work for a quick look, and then down to YEG for the NASA machines

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by kyle_olsen

This?

thats it

[alexis]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

thats it

Are you SURE!

I popped up at 5pm and the only thing I could see of any size was a First Air C-130, which was all white, had 4 engines and a big tail, BUT the wings are above the fuselage opposed to under it, as well as having a fuselage about twice as fat. C-130's were regulars in YXD due to SPAR, L-188's are not.
Both Air Spray and Buffalo Airways operate them, but they have a maintenance base in Red Deer, so they would go there.

No sign of an Electra at all, and nothing on the flight tracker...certainly not unheard of if it's just flying up from Red Deer or down from Yellowknife.

The Herc was parked over on the East side of the field next to the Army reserve base....the apron around by Spar is not accessible due to stands for the Indy race and other fencing.

Try this for a First Air C-130
http://www.firstair.ca/Charters/fleet_info.html
Well OK, it's strictly a L-382, which is the civilian version of the C-130

Alexis

[Coldrsx]

^im quite familiar with hercs...this didnt appear to be one.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Muni too valuable to use for aviation
I have had the experience to be on both sides of the airport debate.


In 1992, I supported the retention of the Municipal Airport. My major reason was the lack of any alternative, a real “big time” airport. The Muni had to be kept alive until the pieces of a major airport were in place.


In 1995, I supported the consolidation of flights at the International, which turned out to be the right decision after all the bitter battles. Consolidation gave us a much-needed redevelopment of the International, allowing Edmonton and area to have more flights and, even better, more direct flights. It made us “big time” and also gave everyone the chance to see how two airports could work together.


I also stated in my later years in office that the time would come when the property would become more valuable than the working relationship and the land too valuable to remain as an additional airport supporting mostly air service to the North with small-capacity planes. That time is now.


This city council and future councils have the opportunity to create something in the centre of our city that no other city in North America has at its fingertips — a major land parcel available for prime-time development. Much work must be done to develop the area that will make . Wemust start thinking about all this now, as we lay plans for roads and extension of the LRT.


The issues about costs to reclaim the land, relocate businesses, etc. are relevant, but secondary to the major issue: the impact that proper development of this parcel can have on the city’s future.


It will be a focus for civic pride and excitement about living in Edmonton for generations to come.


I have had the experience to be on both sides of the airport debate.


In 1992, I supported the retention of the Municipal Airport. My major reason was the lack of any alternative, a real “big time” airport. The Muni had to be kept alive until the pieces of a major airport were in place.


In 1995, I supported the consolidation of flights at the International, which turned out to be the right decision after all the bitter battles. Consolidation gave us a much-needed redevelopment of the International, allowing Edmonton and area to have more flights and, even better, more direct flights. It made us “big time” and also gave everyone the chance to see how two airports could work together.


I also stated in my later years in office that the time would come when the property would become more valuable than the working relationship and the land too valuable to remain as an additional airport supporting mostly air service to the North with small-capacity planes. That time is now.

This city council and future councils have the opportunity to create something in the centre of our city that no other city in North America has at its fingertips — a major land parcel available for prime-time development. Much work must be done to develop the area that will make . Wemust start thinking about all this now, as we lay plans for roads and extension of the LRT.


The issues about costs to reclaim the land, relocate businesses, etc. are relevant, but secondary to the major issue: the impact that proper development of this parcel can have on the city’s future.


It will be a focus for civic pride and excitement about living in Edmonton for generations to come.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Airport has potential
I am concerned about what will happen to Blatchford Field. I think it’s important, not because myDad “Wop” May and mayor Ken Blatchford had the vision to acquire the Hagman Farm along Kingsway Avenue and move the airport a mile east from May Field to the new location, but for several other reasons:


The City Centre Airport has far more economic potential than other proposed developments. Much was lost when the city and the airports authority chased away revenue-generating business. They should be welcomed back.


The airport was there first — before all of the other development and houses surrounded the area. Nobody can say they are surprised that airplanes use the airport — that’s what it’s for. Every business and building near the airport was bought or built by people who knew the airport was operational.


Allowing commuter traffic and 19-passenger planes to operate there will in no way hurt the International Airport.


Do we really need more highrise buildings downtown? There are lots of other places highrises can be built where there are no height restrictions.


Many Edmontonians want the city to be “world class.” World-class cities — such as London, England, Washington, D.C., Vancouver and Toronto — have downtown airports.


I am frustrated by the fearful who say a plane may crash in the city. That logic suggests we should also ban cars and trucks. Flying is safer than driving, or walking for that matter.


I am also concerned that people continue to change history. It’s important to keep history alive and accurate, as at the Alberta Aviation Museum, where those in aviation who helped make Edmonton “world class” are honoured and remembered.


In the June 24th edition of The Journal there were a few errors in letters and articles:


May Airplanes Ltd. flew their Curtiss JN-4 “Canuck” from May Field.


“Wop” May and his brother Court May were partners in May Airplanes Ltd. In 1919, my dad was flying with Fred McCall out of Calgary. Another pilot, George Gorman, was flying out of Edmonton. He was the pilot who flew the Edmonton Journal to Wetaskiwin.


I am concerned about what will happen to Blatchford Field. I think it’s important, not because myDad “Wop” May and mayor Ken Blatchford had the vision to acquire the Hagman Farm along Kingsway Avenue and move the airport a mile east from May Field to the new location, but for several other reasons:


The City Centre Airport has far more economic potential than other proposed developments. Much was lost when the city and the airports authority chased away revenue-generating business. They should be welcomed back.


The airport was there first — before all of the other development and houses surrounded the area. Nobody can say they are surprised that airplanes use the airport — that’s what it’s for. Every business and building near the airport was bought or built by people who knew the airport was operational.


Allowing commuter traffic and 19-passenger planes to operate there will in no way hurt the International Airport.


Do we really need more highrise buildings downtown? There are lots of other places highrises can be built where there are no height restrictions.

Many Edmontonians want the city to be “world class.” World-class cities — such as London, England, Washington, D.C., Vancouver and Toronto — have downtown airports.


I am frustrated by the fearful who say a plane may crash in the city. That logic suggests we should also ban cars and trucks. Flying is safer than driving, or walking for that matter.


I am also concerned that people continue to change history. It’s important to keep history alive and accurate, as at the Alberta Aviation Museum, where those in aviation who helped make Edmonton “world class” are honoured and remembered.


In the June 24th edition of The Journal there were a few errors in letters and articles:


May Airplanes Ltd. flew their Curtiss JN-4 “Canuck” from May Field.


“Wop” May and his brother Court May were partners in May Airplanes Ltd. In 1919, my dad was flying with Fred McCall out of Calgary. Another pilot, George Gorman, was flying out of Edmonton. He was the pilot who flew the Edmonton Journal to Wetaskiwin.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Mixed messages
City council wants to close the City Centre Airport, and yet wants Edmonton to be known as the Gateway to the North.


This is much like being faced with a dog that is growling at you and wagging its tail at the same time. Which end to believe?


If Edmonton is serious about being the Gateway to the North, then let it make full use of the jewel in its midst. Eliminate the absurd restrictions on aircraft seating capacity and make northerners feel truly welcomed.


Otherwise, the Gateway to the North slogan is empty, and not worthy of a city whose great potential stands to be sacrificed to lesser ideals.


City council wants to close the City Centre Airport, and yet wants Edmonton to be known as the Gateway to the North.


This is much like being faced with a dog that is growling at you and wagging its tail at the same time. Which end to believe?


If Edmonton is serious about being the Gateway to the North, then let it make full use of the jewel in its midst. Eliminate the absurd restrictions on aircraft seating capacity and make northerners feel truly welcomed.

Otherwise, the Gateway to the North slogan is empty, and not worthy of a city whose great potential stands to be sacrificed to lesser ideals.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Let’s wait for a better plan
Re: “Can city afford to keep the Muni?” Editorial, June 24.


I don’t disagree in principle with the editorial’s arguments in favour of closing the City Centre Airport, but there are some points that must be made.


First, this is not a gold mine for the city. This is unserviced land, and it may even be contaminated. The City has raised our taxes in order to fund the expansion outward. All that the expansion in the suburbs requires is allowing developers to put the neighbourhoods in and then paying for maintenance of the new areas. If the City Centre Airport will be different, I fail to see how. It needs everything a new suburb needs, so we’ll probably see higher costs to service it.


Some misguided and optimistic souls claim closing the airport will “transform” our downtown, lifting a height restriction on skyscrapers. But nobody is planning to build skyscrapers. The proposed Epcor building will be shorter than the nearby CN Tower. The only non-government office building that seems to be to be even close to starting construction is Ironwood, at 18 storeys. It certainly was not constrained by the airport. The ICON is building a 35-storey condo tower, so we should at least see office buildings reach that height, even with the airport close by. I wonder where the developers of these lofty towers are going to come from?


I do agree with one point. Edmonton has only one chance to develop this property. To date, I’ve not seen any proposal that shows the kind of urban utopia that such a location deserves.


I’ll wait until I see some genuinely inspiring projects conditional on closing the airport before the city receives my support.

[240glt]

I love it when letter writers can't even get their facts straight before they pen a letter the the editor

[ibz]

So when this guy says Vancouver has a downtown airport, does he mean the spot where the sea planes land in the bay??? And Epcor shorter then CN? When did that happen....

I only skimmed through those letters, but if people are going to be so against something maybe they should get their facts straight first.

[Coldrsx]

wow!

[Bigtime]

Hey guys, Wop May's son says keep the airport open. Better do it...or else.

Edit: Was I the only one that thought they were experiencing deja vu reading those posts? Some of them had the same letter posted twice.

[itom 987]

Jasper and one o nin,
you need to give credit, and a link to the source of those articles you posted.

[newfangled]

Wow. People are dumb.

[tuffyy]

Looks like YEG is not effected by AC's route reductions and the dropping of some routes altogether.

[Jasper and one o nin]

good news

[CanadianCentaur]

^ Yeah, but don't be so sure.

[tuffyy]

Talk around the office today suggests AC will reduce flights from YEG.

YEG-LAX 5xtimes per week.


YEG-LHR back to 5x week for winter.

Although loads suggest that would be unlikely as yields and freight are high.

Just people getting nervous IMHO.

[Coldrsx]

good to hear.

[CMD UW]

Yea, good to hear is right.