Billy Bishop Resistance is Futile

The discussion is totally going in the wrong direction. Porter is absolutely lying about the length of the runway extension. It will be at least double the numbers given to the council.

The numbers cannot be real. The numbers listed for the CS100 are numbers not based on any Transport Canada certifications. They are estimates on computations provided by Bombardier.

If you look at the proposed numbers listed in Wikipedia the plane can make it to almost any point in Canada. I used to work for this guy when his family owned Austin. This is a MAX, MAX, MAX kind a guy. Max fuel, Max take off weight, Max Passengers.

Transport Canada will only approve a take off roll listed plus one thousand. And its crazy not to have a runway longer than the takeoff roll. Under the present proposal (not the final one), the runway length is 5000ft.In Wikipedia, Bombardier evidently created some numbers specific to YTZ.

It looks good and the plane could, based on numbers not certified by Transport Canada on an airport extension design itself not certified by Transport Canada. Under these specs based on a 5000ft runway, there is no way that this plane can make Vancouver. Considering that the jetstream usually moves west to east, there are days when the plane will be lucky to make Calgary. All Bombardier did was provide specs with a lower takeoff weight, and that means only filling the wings with half the maximum fuel to satisfy the gullible councillors, stupid investors, and pollyanna customers.

What Porter wants is to get the proposal for Jets rammed though approved. Porter already knows that for them to make the West Coast nonstop they will have to have at least a 6000ft runway. Anyone even the most amateur of pilots know this but none will speak up because they are either in awe or totally frightened of the Porter Owner.

If Porter came with a complete vetted and certified plan then okay. But that is impossible since the CS100 hasn't gone through final certification from Transport Canada. Porter will start building the extension then I guarantee that magically Transport Canada will come to Council that the runway must be 6000ft.

So okay. Anyone can see this train coming out of the tunnel. But approving the runway extension means that the Hanlon Point Ferry docs will be rendered unusable. Even now the ferries come within 150ft of the restricted zone for water craft off the end of runway 24. Extend that runway means that the Hanlon ferry the Onaigara that carries bicycles and vehicles in summer must make one perhaps three course and speed adjustments.

If another 500ft is added to the length of 24 that extra 200M is significant. You see its a major change. The present small craft exclusion zone may likely be extended itself. YTZ is a grandfathered airport. Its approaches and departure angles are using old criteria. Adding to the runway length means that Transport Canada will change everything to bring the approaches up to modern standards. So the approaching jets will fly lower on approach and take off, making more noise for a longer period than what Porter is telling council.

The final 6000ft 24 runway will be made wider because most days its a crosswind runway. And jets come in a lot faster than the Bombardier turboprops. New certifications will be introduced.

What it means is that the Hanlon's point ferry docks will most likely become unusable from a cost standpoint. Ferries are  square boxes and the more maneuvers means the travel time will be longer. A six thousand foot runway may even impact the Centre Island ferry routes. The Onagaira time and travel costs will certainly balloon forcing Toronto ferries to use only two ferry docks and put demands on the Centre dock in the summer.

The only people who will benefit from all this, are the rich investors with shares in Porter. And if you don't believe me, jets or not jets isn't the issue. Airport extensions aren't the issue. The issue is that the use of the Toronto Islands themselves by all of Toronto residents, not just the jet setters, will be severely impacted far beyond what Porter is telling everyone. The issue should be the impact on a valuable recreational resource for all the citizens.

Appendix Oct/2014

1. According to another  airport watchdog, the landings and approaches for the existing runway will mean that in all likelihood that tall ships, such as the Empire Sandy will no longer be permitted in the inner Toronto Harbor. Sailing ships have masts. They stick way up. Into the standard glide slope of jets. Indeed the Royal Canadian Yacht club and other marinas may have to close its doors to sailing vessels. That presents a quandary. Yes the rich boys can get to Calgary five minutes faster, but your sailing yachts, they're out of here. Definitely the Western Gap of the Harbour will be rendered unusable for most sailing ships yachts.

2. Since the writing of this note, Metrolinx is constructing a dedicated rapid rail link between Downtown and Pearson. This makes any costly expansion to jets on CYTZ a very questionable effort.

3. Regardless of what people think. The impact of a runway improvement on the Toronto Harbour is far greater than Porter is willing to admit. I am not against Billy Bishop being used or continue to being used for high performance turbo props. People fail to understand this is not an issue against progress. It must be discussed before the election. After is too late.

This harbour is everyone's playground. None of the present numbers presented by Porter/Bombardier really jive. Deluce is on record of assuring his own clients that he wants Porter flights to Vancouver nonstop. At 5000', the distance Deluce proposes, with the numbers presented to Council from Bombardier with performance stats of a plane that at that point, hasn't completed full flight testing. Under those stats. The plane cannot reach Vancouver without a safety refuel in YYC (Calgary). The numbers are there. Deluce proposes five thou, needs six, and Transport Canada for that type of craft will want 6'000. They will force, arm twist Toronto City council for that little bit more. Is why Deluce wanted the city to start the runway fill to go in now. Once that fill goes in. Its too late.

Toronto City Council should make no decision on this until a Transport Canada signed and approved design for a CYTZ expansion. Toronto City Council should also base their decision on performance statistics after Transport Canada approves those performance numbers based on aircraft certification after a full cycle of flight testing. If that aircraft can make YVR on 3/4 fuel with a 1/2hour fuel supply with the load taking off from a 5000 runway. Then its okay to consider that.

What is most disturbing is that no mayoral candidate or council candidate seems to have tackled with the issue before the Municipal Elections. After the Municipal elections, its too late. Candidates should declare themselves now.