Calgary International Airport II

[yyc_engineer]

The new B-C Corridor Widening project partially opened last week. Some photos below. Currently it's just the walkway portion that's open with the travelator and CTS (Compact Transit System aka. people mover) to follow.

Widened Corridor looking East

http://i.imgur.com/b6oVT1Y.jpg

Looking West. The CTS route is on the right

http://imgur.com/MwHbpgW.jpg

New Maple Leaf Lounge Entrance

http://i.imgur.com/on6XxFT.jpg

[Bigtime]

Wow, that is looking good!

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

This provides for several benefits, the most important of which for this discussion is better fuel efficiency and lower weight, due to the removal of hydromechanical, analogue or manual control systems. Now the -2B6 still has a power management control (PMC), so it's not just antiquated cables, rods and hydromechanical systems, but this isn't as advanced as the engine control unit on a FADEC engine.

I know what FADEC is and the additional efficiency it provides but you originally said more powerful, so I addressed only that aspect.

[holhm22]

Awesome pics!!! Way better than what the official YYC FB page posted

[Johnny Aussie]

KLM is revising its operational equipment on YYC-AMS for Spring 2016.

The flight reverts back to daily as per normal on 27 March however the route will be operated by a daily 332 from the 27 March to 2 July.

The route then will be operated by a daily 772 from 3 July until the end of October as originally planned.

http://airlineroute.net/2015/10/06/kl-s16update3/

[yyc_engineer]

WestJet has a display up showcasing their new Plus Seats "Centre Tray Console"

Personally I don't care for it, just makes the seats feel more claustrophobic.



http://i.imgur.com/6O2MGvm.jpg

[casper]

Originally Posted by yyc_engineer

WestJet has a display up showcasing their new Plus Seats "Centre Tray Console"

Personally I don't care for it, just makes the seats feel more claustrophobic.



http://i.imgur.com/6O2MGvm.jpg

Until AC Rouge switched back to proper business seats they were using oversize pillows to fill up the middle space. Looked pretty but not as functional as the WestJet booster seat/drink tray.

[PPAR]

So does the new BC corridor mean you can choose to go through security at either the westjet or AC side, then walk between the two on the sterile side? I spent 40 minutes in a security line on the AC side on Thursday evening as they had only one X-ray machine going at dinner- it would be nice to have an option.

[yyc_engineer]

Originally Posted by PPAR

So does the new BC corridor mean you can choose to go through security at either the westjet or AC side, then walk between the two on the sterile side? I spent 40 minutes in a security line on the AC side on Thursday evening as they had only one X-ray machine going at dinner- it would be nice to have an option.

Not yet. Right now the corridor only connects AC's domestic C gates to AC's International B gates (London, Frankfurt, Tokyo). Because of US Precleared B gates you can't walk from C to A. This all changes once IFP opens as the B gates will be converted to domestic gates and pax will be able to walk or ride the CTS all the way from WestJet to the International Terminal.

Longterm, I have heard the goal is to have one centralized security checkpoint in the Domestic Terminal and one in the International Terminal. That's still a long ways off, and not finalized. Even if it were to happen there are major considerations for pax flow. The current terminal is not laid out to be conducive to a single security checkpoint, simply due to the long, wide and curvilinear design of the check-in hall from which the 3 distinct piers (or concourses) radiate.

A lot of airports that were built in the 60's/70's/80's are struggling with the same issue with their terminal layouts in trying to reduce the number of distinct security checkpoints. (Kansas City Airport is an extreme example of this)

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

Indeed, in terms of max thrust rating, you are correct.

However that little F at the end of the second engine (which AC has and WS doesn't) stands for FADEC, Full Authority Digital Engine Control. Basically, engines equipped with FADEC (all of them nowadays) place full authority of the control/operating parameters of the engine in the hands of the computer. This provides for several benefits, the most important of which for this discussion is better fuel efficiency and lower weight, due to the removal of hydromechanical, analogue or manual control systems. Now the -2B6 still has a power management control (PMC), so it's not just antiquated cables, rods and hydromechanical systems, but this isn't as advanced as the engine control unit on a FADEC engine.

Dont know if an upgrade to FADEC is at all possible without changing the engines.

Depending on the hours/cycles on the current engines; engine replacement may be something that WS has to do anyway in the near future.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by PPAR

So does the new BC corridor mean you can choose to go through security at either the westjet or AC side, then walk between the two on the sterile side? I spent 40 minutes in a security line on the AC side on Thursday evening as they had only one X-ray machine going at dinner- it would be nice to have an option.

The 40 minute wait needs to be brought up to CATSA. You can file a complaint at catsa.gc.ca or via phone at 1-888-294-2202. I am constantly filing complaints with CATSA regarding them only having one lane open during the late afternoon and early evening.

The problem is that Garda (contract security company) has been given enough money to staff two lanes, but their preference is to only staff one lane and have second lane personnel on break relief and additional secondary screening personnel. Garda personnel crank up the walk through metal detector sensitivity to provide secondary search subjects rather than employ staff on primary inspection.

I have caught Garda personnel having nonwork related meetings (goofing off) in the private screening area.

I usually phone into CATSA with a complaint 3-6 times per year. Long term the complaints are actioned upon by CATSA at their usual meetings with Garda. Your complaint will not fall onto deaf ears.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Cage

The 40 minute wait needs to be brought up to CATSA. You can file a complaint at catsa.gc.ca or via phone at 1-888-294-2202. I am constantly filing complaints with CATSA regarding them only having one lane open during the late afternoon and early evening.

The problem is that Garda (contract security company) has been given enough money to staff two lanes, but their preference is to only staff one lane and have second lane personnel on break relief and additional secondary screening personnel. Garda personnel crank up the walk through metal detector sensitivity to provide secondary search subjects rather than employ staff on primary inspection.

I have caught Garda personnel having nonwork related meetings (goofing off) in the private screening area.

I usually phone into CATSA with a complaint 3-6 times per year. Long term the complaints are actioned upon by CATSA at their usual meetings with Garda. Your complaint will not fall onto deaf ears.

What I find annoying is if you finish you meeting in Calgary early head to the airport to spent the rest of your time in the lounge before your flight and you can't past the silly CATSA/Garda staff because they think you are "to early" for flight. Instead they force for you stay pre-security until an hour and half before your flight. Quite silly.

[casper]

Originally Posted by yyc_engineer

Longterm, I have heard the goal is to have one centralized security checkpoint in the Domestic Terminal and one in the International Terminal. That's still a long ways off, and not finalized. Even if it were to happen there are major considerations for pax flow. The current terminal is not laid out to be conducive to a single security checkpoint, simply due to the long, wide and curvilinear design of the check-in hall from which the 3 distinct piers (or concourses) radiate.

A lot of airports that were built in the 60's/70's/80's are struggling with the same issue with their terminal layouts in trying to reduce the number of distinct security checkpoints. (Kansas City Airport is an extreme example of this)

YVR is a good Canadian example where all the domestic gates have been connected for decades and yet they still have two check points.

[cyeg66]

You guys should check this out. They sound so convincing, even I'm thinking of signing on. I hate myself more than I normally do.
http://www.wcatc.ca/home-122.html

I wish 'em luck.

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by Cage

The 40 minute wait needs to be brought up to CATSA. You can file a complaint at catsa.gc.ca or via phone at 1-888-294-2202. I am constantly filing complaints with CATSA regarding them only having one lane open during the late afternoon and early evening.

The problem is that Garda (contract security company) has been given enough money to staff two lanes, but their preference is to only staff one lane and have second lane personnel on break relief and additional secondary screening personnel. Garda personnel crank up the walk through metal detector sensitivity to provide secondary search subjects rather than employ staff on primary inspection.

I have caught Garda personnel having nonwork related meetings (goofing off) in the private screening area.

I usually phone into CATSA with a complaint 3-6 times per year. Long term the complaints are actioned upon by CATSA at their usual meetings with Garda. Your complaint will not fall onto deaf ears.

Thanks- I will file a complaint.

Originally Posted by cyeg66

You guys should check this out. They sound so convincing, even I'm thinking of signing on. I hate myself more than I normally do.
http://www.wcatc.ca/home-122.html

I wish 'em luck.

This is the best part.

"Prolonged exposure to frequent air traffic noise has shown to increase heart issues, stress levels and anxiety. People are affected psychologically, physically, emotionally and financially. Health and property values are at stake."

This from planes at 10,000 feet. Bahahaha.

[CalgaryLankan]

Originally Posted by Acey

This is the best part.

"Prolonged exposure to frequent air traffic noise has shown to increase heart issues, stress levels and anxiety. People are affected psychologically, physically, emotionally and financially. Health and property values are at stake."

This from planes at 10,000 feet. Bahahaha.

They are to be the last to complaint (if it is a problem) but they are even more organized than people around Whitehorne/Rundle). They were bugging CBC and Mayor Nenshi via FB and Twitter a lot lately, but not sure if they get any positive response.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by CalgaryLankan

They are to be the last to complaint (if it is a problem) but they are even more organized than people around Whitehorne/Rundle). They were bugging CBC and Mayor Nenshi via FB and Twitter a lot lately, but not sure if they get any positive response.

Ward 6 ... I can't say what I want to say.

[Nick]

Well clearly we should close the new parallel runway and go back to the crossing runways. I'd like to see how much noise we sent their way under the old preferred 35L/29D29 mode!!

[Nick]

There are many errors on that page, such as their old departure noise map from 2013 that seems to indicate that we departed 3 runways at once and there was a nice even spread of noise. This is not the case at all. From 2011-2014 we usually departed a single runway and arrived 2, depending on the wind at the time. This would hammer all departures over places like Beddington, Edgemeont, Mayland Heights, Renfrew etc. Their Actual Flight Paths maps are confusing as well. Perhaps they should get ahold of a CAP (book of approach plates) and show where the STARS (Standard Arrival Routes) and SIDs (Standart Instrument Departures) are located compared to their neighbourhoods. They are for sale at the Calgary Pilot Supply. At the same time study the noise abatement procedures to see the expected altitudes that aircraft will encounter their neighbourhood.

They also say "Aircraft noise is one of the most stressful things for people to live with." I would argue that an over-capacity, bordering on safe/unsafe, airport is one of the most stressful things for air traffic controllers to work with. There's a point when we have to play the safety card and declare that these things are done in the name of safety. I'm just speaking generally here and I don't speak for my employer at all, but the operation is much much safer now and that the general public doesn't have any idea of what us in the tower and terminal did to make things work and kept it as safe as possible over the years with an underdeveloped airport infrastructure.

Does anyone have a map of the Calgary area noise monitoring stations? I have seen quite a few in my neighbourhood. They are usually in parks and are grey boxes with speakers-like objects on top. I know the map is available internally to YYC Airport Authority, but has it been made public? Some actual evidence of aircraft noise and comparing it to other neighbourhoods and baseline noise would be interesting. Anecdotal evidence of 4 planes going by in 10 minutes doesn't tell the whole picture.