New bird? Nope!

Now that the season is over, not only am I lax in updating my blog, we have been able to take a little time to get “out of Ignace”.  We just retuned from a family wedding in Niagara Falls ON.  We also had a little time to visit our youngest daughter, Jo, in the big city -Toronto. 

We had a great time “down south”.  While in Toronto I hooked up with an old college buddy.  Many of my college classmates are airline captains, chief pilots and operations managers.  I have to remind my self that I am not only an aircarrier President but also the chief outhouse hole digger. Funny how career paths suite the one taking the journey.  Back to meeting Pete.  My classmate Pete is now Senior Training Captain on the Airbus for Air Canada.  He brought Karen and me into the Air Canada training center and let me fly the Airbus 320 simulator. 

At first glance, it looks simpler than a Beaver but full motion and visuals makes it a very realistic and demanding experience.  Notice the joy stick in my left hand to control the aircraft.  That is all it is.

The Airbus is a very sophisticated aircraft.  In fact it has all the latest technology.  It is fly by wire and has a glass cockpit.  Unlike in the Beaver you are more a systems manager than a stick and rudder pilot. 

Karen performed admirably as my co-pilot.  She handled the auto-pilot, landing gear and flaps.  The Beaver has no auto-pilot, the landing gear is always down and secure, and the flaps are rather simple so I have no need for a co-pilot…  most of the time.

Three landings didn’t make make me re-consider my career path.  It was a lot of fun even if the Airbus doesn’t land as smoothly as the Beaver.  But then 30 years landing the same aircraft can not be compared to a couple of “impressive” first attempts.

My regular office.

End Season 2010

Our 2010 fishing and hunting season has ended.  All our guests have safely retuned from the camps, water lines are drained, motors have been flown out and we have a few days to do our fall chores shutting down and cleaning up. 

 

 

Motors are flown out for winter service.  This involves a little heavy lifting.

Moving almost 90 outboards in and out each year gets old real fast. There is plenty of behind the scenes work that makes Ignace Outposts one of Canada’s premier fly in fishing and hunting destinations.

We are already thinking about 2011.  How about you?

Join us in 2011.

Moose season

We are at the beginning of our rifle hunting season.  Some archers were up last week and sent me this note and pictures of their trip.

Hello Brad and Karen,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you for a wonderful moose hunt on Seseganaga Lake.  You run a great operation.  All the equipment worked great.  The country is second to none.  Your advice on how and where to find the moose was right on.  I know that my Dad is all set to come back next year, and I definitely want to give it another try in the future.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Jeff C

Protecting tourism values

Our segment of the resource based tourism industry relies heavily on remoteness.  One fact of living in this part of the country is that the resources of the land must be shared.  The logging industry is as important to the area as our tourism industry.  In order for our two industries to thrive on the same land base, we must work together on some issues.  Protecting the remoteness of fly in tourism is one of those issues.  Working with us is the Ministry of Natural Resources in protecting the interests of the Province and the people of Ontario.  Ontario has recognized that some areas of the province should remain remote; that logging should also occur, but not at the expense of our industry.

In some areas, when logging does occur, the government enforces road closures to allow fibre extraction and at the same time protect tourism.

Last week I rode with the MNR to verify the effectiveness of road closures near one of our outposts.  Once logging in the area is complete, and the roads are decommissioned, it does not take long before the area returns to a wilderness setting. Then the need for these signs is diminished as the area returns to a similar level of remoteness as there was before logging occurred.

Construction Zone

These past few weeks work has been down on our street to repave.  They crews are just by our hangar now.  We can not access the highway our normal way but have to journey down Lakeshore Dr. to West Street and then to the highway.

 

 

I am not sure what exactly is being done, but the job requires digging out about 3 feet of the road and replacing 3 feet of road.  I didn’t know gravel had an expiry date but apparently there is a good reason for this.

The ride can be half the fun

Flying so often I sometimes take the enjoyment of the flight for granted.  It is quite an experience to fly over the Canadian wilderness on the way to and from an Ignace Outposts camp.

Fall Fishing

The weather may not always cooperate but fall fishing can be as rewarding as summer fishing.

Dress a little warmer by adding a few layers. 

I think Neil has every on that he brought except a smile.  It’s still better than working however.

Thirsty birds

The Beaver and Otter aircraft were designed with pilots in mind.  They were designed for the bush and the job they do.  Part of the design of the aircraft is being able to fuel the plane without climbing up on the wing. Part of preparing for every day of flying is ensuring engine oil and fuel are sufficient for the flight.  Floats are pumped of excess water and a good walk around the aircraft is performed.  The pilot does this himself.  The pilot also loads his own aircraft.   Many guest only see the fuelling, loading and flying part but there is more to being a bush pilot than meets the eye.  This is not a job for guys with white shirts and soft hands.