Joe Street <<racingtheclouds>>
writes:

I heard today that Nav Canada, a private corporation tasked with
setting Canadian airspace regulations has announced new changes to take effect
in southwestern Ontario setting basically the whole region with a controlled
airspace floor for class E at 2500' ASL.

Previously in the area that I fly, I could tow gliders to 6500' ASL where class
C begins and aircraft are required to be transponder equipped. Our club is at
1360 ' ASL meaning that our typical 2500' tow ends pretty close to 4000' ASL but
I get the occasional request for a high tow on a nice summer evening for a view
of the sun setting on Lake Huron when the wonder winds are happening.

Now with this new ruling the tug cannot climb above 1140' AGL where we fly. Our
neighboring club which sits closer to 1500' ASL is in worse shape. These changes
take effect 13 days from now on Oct 22,2009. The announcement on Nav Canada's
website says:

"NAV CANADA, the country’s provider of air navigation services, in consultation
with air operators, has reviewed controlled airspace requirements in Southern
Ontario."

This can be translated as Big business has consulted other big business and
decided to change the rules in favour of... big business. I guess they didn't
ask the ultralight air operators. Gliders (and hang gliders who carry a compass
and have passed an airmanship exam) are exempted from the restriction of entry
to class E but not so the tug. Nothing like starting your epic flight with a low
save eh? Don't let your government privatize the department of transport in your
country. Hang gliders and ultralights are little people.