INITIATIVES aNd advocacy
YZF airport improvements
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NWTFA/COPA 108 members share a common interest in supporting improvements of the Yellowknife airport facilities to promote the Northwest Territories as an aviation-friendly destination and to encourage general aviation.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is now collecting substantial revenue generated through its new airport improvement fee. NWTFA/COPA 108 believes that a portion of this revenue should support improvements which will encourage the growth of general aviation, including private aircraft used for pleasure and business. Representatives of NWTFA/COPA 108 recently met with the YZF airport manager to discuss future plans for improvements of significance to general aviation. This meeting resulted in positive signals that our ideas will be considered in the development of new airport infrastructure and policy. NWTFA/COPA 108 will be following up with the airport manager over the next few months to implement short-term improvements and elaborate on longer-term ideas and priorities. |
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YELLOWKNIFE FLOATPLANE PARKING
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The Northwest Territories Floatplane Association engages regularly with the City of Yellowknife respecting floatplane parking on Back Bay. Issues include the preservation of docks currently used by resident pilots and the development of parking options for visiting aircraft. Progress has recently been made in placing docks at the Plummers Lodge floatbase for use by visiting pilots for overnight parking and refuelling. An understanding has also been reached with the City for the placement of additional docks on Back Bay for use by itinerant pilots. These docks are expected to be available for use in the summer of 2018.
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east arm (thaidene nene) national park reserve
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The Northwest Territories Floatplane Association has been monitoring efforts by Parks Canada to establish a national park reserve at the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. NWTFA has engaged in several consultation and focus group meetings with Parks Canada to bring forward issues relating to aviation activity in the proposed park reserve. NWTFA takes the position that aircraft landings and take-offs in the park reserve should be unrestricted and that any permitting process should be flexible and inexpensive. NWTFA supports the "Reliance Adjustment" proposed by the East Arm Property Owners Association to exclude the area around Reliance from the park boundaries so as to maintain its use as an important transportation and economic hub.
Parks Canada recently released its report on public consultations respecting establishment of this park reserve. This report fails to accurately portray the concerns and positions advanced by NWTFA and various other organizations respecting proposed boundaries and permitted uses. In particular, it overlooks the specific input provided by NWTFA and fails to acknowledge the proposed Reliance Adjustment. NWTFA is following up with Parks Canada to request that the report be amended appropriately. |
Proposal for Reliance Adjustment
Parks Canada Consultation Report
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FLOATPLANE LAUNCHING AT LONG LAKE
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In consultation with the Department of Transportation of the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Northwest Territories Floatplane Association has developed procedures for the movement of floatplanes between Long Lake and the Yellowknife airport property. Both parties recognize the potential risk inherent in moving aircraft across the highway between the lake and the airport gate. Adherence to the agreed procedures assists in coordination between pilots and airport fire hall personnel and helps to ensure the safe movement of aircraft.
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Long Lake Launching Procedures
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