Part 2 of 2

Hello everyone,

I should start by apologizing for not being able to complete the report sooner (as I have promised), however a few business trips, hectic school schedule (studying for my CPL written exam) and of course, various other activities have kept me busier than expected.

This trip report is Part 2 of 2 of my commercial “300nm X-Country” trip. If you haven’t read Part 1 of 2 please go to the following link:

Pilot Report - "Bush Flying" 1 Of 2 (pics) (by Vio Jul 14 2006 in Trip Reports)

The first four legs (see below) I have covered in the first report, which also brought me to my final destination Fort St. John B.C.

Leg #1 Calgary International (CYYC) – Edmonton City Centre (CYXD)
Leg #2* Edmonton City Centre (CYXD) – Slave Lake, Alberta (CYZH)
Leg #3 Slave Lake, Alberta (CYZH) – Peace River, Alberta (CYPE)
Leg #4 Peace River, Alberta (CYPE) – Fort St. John, BC (CYXJ)

This report will cover my return trip to Calgary, consisting of the following legs:

Leg #5 Fort St. John, BC (CYXJ) – Grand Prairie, Alberta (CYQU)
Leg #6 Grand Prairie, Alberta (CYQU) – Edmonton City Centre (CYXD)
Leg #7 Edmonton City Centre (CYXD) – Calgary International (CYYC)

Enjoy the reading…

When we left off in our previous report, The Dutch Elvis (Trevor) and myself left the ramp at Fort St. John Airport in search for a way to our hotel. For those of you who are familiar with Fort St. John, the airport is outside of town, so it would be ideal to have some mode of transportation. After finding out that the price to rent an economy car from inside the terminal is quadruple the price of a rental at LAX (Yes, Los Angeles International Airport), we opted to hire a taxi to bring us downtown. Coincidence has it that we’ve met two very nice Air Canada Jazz workers, getting off their shift, who offered to drive us downtown free of charge. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Canadians are really hospitable and nice people.

After checking into our hotel room we decided that it was time to rest. It has been a long hot day and the air conditioned hotel room was a welcomed relief. I’m sure you’re all aware of the standard “in room” entertainment that hotels offer… in other words, they are “less than ideal”. TBS seemed like the best choice for that afternoon. There’s nothing like spending 4 hours watching a 90 minute movie.

After relaxing a few hours, we headed out for dinner. The reception staff recommended and Irish pub which was about 30 min (walk) away from our hotel. I personally needed the exercise, so I didn’t mind. Trevor didn’t seem to mind either.
After dinner we hired a cab and in less than 5 minutes, we were back at our hotel. I opted to go to bed, since I knew I’d be up around 3:00am. The Dutch Elvis watched TV but then decided to leave and see what Ft. St. John has to offer.

Monday - July 3rd 2006

I woke up at 3:30am and to my surprise, my buddy was nowhere to be seen. “Oh Crap. Now I’ll have to go fish him out of some ditch” I thought to myself. I had a long day ahead of me. I had to fly from Ft. St. John all the way to Calgary, because the next morning, I was expected to be at work. I couldn’t afford not to show up.

I did my morning routine and ironed my shirt, when I hear someone calling my name… from outside the hotel. I glanced out the window and the break of dawn was coming up. Trevor was walking across the street with his guitar in hand. “Thank God”. It turns out that he went back to the Irish Pub, where he played and sang a few tunes in return for some pints. To my relief he wasn’t drunk but he was awfully tired. That’s what you get for not sleeping.

Leg #5 Fort St. John, BC (CYXJ) – Grand Prairie, Alberta (CYQU)

After we packed up, we took a cab to the airport. We arrived there, completed my walk-around, weather brief and flight planning and at 12:15(Z), we lifted off. It didn’t take Trevor long enough to fall asleep. The sun was coming up and the scenery was amazing, with the exception of reduced visibility due to forest fires. That wasn’t an issue for us, because they were way South of our track.

Sunrise after take-off from Ft. St. John, BC


Reduced visibility due to smoke from forest fires


Leveled off at 5500’ cruising to Grand Prairie, Alberta


The right side of the panel with the Garmin 530/430 GPS, autopilot, transponder, fuel gauge & engine instruments.


Colorful scenery as we head toward YQU


With autopilot engaged, I have a few moments to snap some shots. With the tie on, I almost look like a real pilot. *LOL* Though I have to do something about that hair.


How many people do you know that will sleep on a single engine aircraft?




Rig site in Northern Alberta


VNC Map – See Grand Prairie on the bottom right hand corner


Lake along the way


Pilot’s eye view of what’s ahead.


Approaching Grand Prairie. I awoke Trevor by this point and entrusted him with photo-taking


Performing a 360 degree turn to descend @ YQU. I misjudged my altitude and ended up a little higher than I wanted.


At 19:05(Z) we touched down at YQU, however I can’t recall what runway we landed on. A WestJet 737 was waiting for us to clear the active, so they can begin their trip to back to Calgary. I thanked the pilots for being patient with us while we slowly taxied off the runway. Below you can see it on its take-off roll.


Control tower at YQU


Grand Prairie Radio controller guided us to the Esso station, however to our surprise, they were closed at that time. I called them and I was told that a fee would be charged extra for the service “outside their normal operating” schedule. To my luck, Shell was open for business and more than happy to sell us fuel. Here you can see C-FNAC getting tended by the extremely polite and helpful staff. Trevor is back asleep.


These next two airplanes were getting ready for their next leg. I’ve had a brief discussion with the pilots and it turns out, the gentleman/owner of the float plane was a retired American Airlines captain. He was returning with his wife (and the other couple with the airplane) from Alaska, on their way to Chicago. What a trip that must’ve been.



Leg #6 Grand Prairie, Alberta (CYQU) – Edmonton City Centre (CYXD)

After being refueled and completed all the paperwork/duties, I woke up Dutchie, started up FNAC and taxied out to the active runway. At 14:55(Z), I was off YQU and on our way to Edmonton City Centre, via Whitecourt.

Grand Prairie Airport after take-off


Cruising toward YXD @ 7500’.


Highway 43 can be seen below us as we neared Whitecourt


Right side view. Mr. Trevor was once again asleep.


Flying North of Whitecourt airport


Athabasca River providing good VFR reference points


Again… with A/P engaged I have time to take random pictures. The visibility from the DA40 is awesome.


Started our descend into YXD. By this time we were under the guidance of Edmonton Terminal.



Edmonton Terminal instructed us to descend to 5000’. DA40’s autopilot.


In preparation for landing, I awoke Mr. Trevor up and once again, tasked him with photo taking.


Passing North of Villeneuve Airport, just West of the city of Edmonton.


The city of Edmonton below us.




Turning final for RWY 16 at YXD.


Short final RWY 16 at YXD. We touched down at 16:41(Z)


Edmonton downtown core seen from the airport. I wish I had a better camera that would represent it better.


After landing at YXD, I taxied to the ESSO FBO, where I dropped my friend off. It was a good trip for him, however I was a little disappointed that he slept through both return legs.


After getting fueled up, etc I hopped back into FNAC and taxied out to the active runway, beginning my final leg of my “300nm x-country” trip.

YXD Ramp


Leg #7 Edmonton City Centre (CYXD) – Calgary International (CYYC)

After takeoff from YXD at 18:05(Z), I climbed to 5500 and was handed over to Edmonton Terminal. The controllers guided me West of downtown and eventually flying just west of Edmonton International (which is South of the city).

Edmonton downtown, as seen just off my left wing.


Edmonton International Airport seen from 5500’. The controllers brought me just West of the airport, and eventually right over the main terminal


The main terminal at CYEG. A few 737s an A320, Dash 8… etc.


Highway #2, near Leduc. My flight-plan would have me follow the highway all the way to Red Deer and eventually to Calgary


Cleared of YEG’s airspace, flying toward Red Deer


Being “up there” by yourself is a very exciting feeling. Check out FNAC’s leather seats. Very nice and comfortable.


“Hands free” flying. A/P on, holding @ 5500’.


More self photos (One my think I’m in love with myself… that’s partly true… but only when I’m flying… how shallow…LOL.. j/k)


Flying along toward Red Deer, Alberta






View out the right side/rear passenger window. Like I’ve said before: excellent view


Flying over Red Deer, Alberta. That’s about the ½ way point.


Red Deer Airport seen just NW of my position. I ended up East of Highway 2, to avoid Innisfail’s 5nm restriction.




Only in Canada… straight road… as long as the eye can see. Highway #2, around Innisfail.




The rest of the flight was very uneventful and relaxing. It gave me the opportunity to snap a few more shots, as I approached YYC’s airspace.









Just before I contacted Calgary Terminal on 119.4 it was time for me to put my camera away. I was vectored West of Highway 2 and cleared left base for runway 07. With a slight cross-wind, I touched down at YYC at 19:35(Z). I was authorized to cross RWY 16 and make a right turn on Charlie Taxiway, which brought me to the South East Ramp, where our school is located. This concluded the longest trip of my career. (For now).

C-FNAC resting after arriving back home.


I think I am very fortunate to be doing what I’m doing. I have achieved what few of us on this planet have the chance or luxury to do. I’ve learned a lot from this trip and I’m looking forward to completing my commercial license, multi engine and instrument rating. I know I have a long road ahead of me and so many things to learn, however I’m 100% sure that all my hard work and sacrifices will one day pay off. I just pray to God to give me health and to keep an eye out for me (and everyone else) when we’re up there. The rest… I shall take care of myself.

One day I hope to fly the big birds… but till then, I will enjoy the road that will take me there. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I apologize for not being more descriptive, but it has been two months since I’ve done this trip and some facts were lost. Please feel free to ask questions, comment or critique…

Vio Ludusan
Calgary, Alberta