The British Royal Air Force (RAF) recently completed what is being described as the world’s first flight using 100 per cent synthetic fuel. The flight took place on November 2, 2021, in Great Britain with a Rotax-powered Comco Ikarus C42 microlight aircraft.

Prior to the flight, Zero Petroleum’s synthetic fuel was extensively texted by CFS Aeroproducts Ltd, the UK Distributor and Authorized Service Centre for Rotax Aircraft engines. From this testing, Rotax explains the engine performed as though running on fossil fuels, but ran at lower temperatures, suggesting that the synthetic fuel could increase engine lifespans while reducing carbon emissions.

Officials from both CFS Aeroproducts and Zero Petroleum stated that power and torque curves closely match between what is now being called ZERO SynAvGas and UL91 fossil fuel. The synthetic fuel could also save up to 90 per cent carbon per flight, explains Rotax.

The innovation behind the synthetic-fuel powered flight comes from the RAF’s Project MARTIN, which was initiated by the Rapid Capabilities Office in June 2021. Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement said that the flight was “a world first innovation and that it shows the determination of UK Armed Forces to drive forward creative ideas on net zero alongside meeting operational commitments.”

“We are proud to be part of this world record flight,” said Peter Oelsinger, General Manager BRP-Rotax / Member of the Management Board, Vice President Sales, Marketing RPS-Business & Communications. “The multi-fuel capability of our aircraft engines, that are able to fly with unleaded, leaded MOGAS or AVGAS fuel provides the perfect match for such an innovative project like this.”

The gasoline was manufactured in Orkney by extracting hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide, and combining these ingredients using locally generated wind, and tide and wave energy. Rotax explains this process can also be used to create a range of “drop-in” fuels, which are a substitute for fossil-based aviation fuels and require no engine modification. Paddy Lowe, the chief operating officer of Zero Petroleum, explains that the synthetic gasoline had been developed “in just five months” and yet it ran successfully in the aircraft without any modification to the plane or the engine.

Leveraging this innovation and working towards the government’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050, the RAF has set an internal goal of becoming a net zero force by 2040 with its first net zero airbase by 2025.

(Photo: Rotax)

After almost 70 years of municipal ownership, the Saugeen Municipal Airport has a prospective buyer. A group of local business people has expressed interest in purchasing the airport. (Photo: Pauline Kerr)

— By Pauline Kerr, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Walkerton Herald Times

A group of people has expressed interest in buying Saugeen Municipal Airport (SMA), for the purpose of operating it as an airport on a financially viable basis.

The group, consisting of Walkerton businessman Darren Holm, his brother Todd Holm and his landlord Sam Bacher, recently made a presentation to Hanover council about purchasing the airport. In stating their case for private ownership of the airport, they promised to run SMA as an airport for 10 years. They have yet to make presentations to West Grey and Brockton councils.

When asked about the short length of time (10 years), Holm referred to Canada’s intention to reduce carbon emissions and get rid of internal combustion engines in vehicles — this could have an impact on airplanes.

“We can make it profitable,” Holm said in an interview about the group’s plans for the airport. “We can make it stand on its own two feet.” He spoke of a combination of investing in the kind of infrastructure at the airport — things like automated grounds maintenance — that would drastically reduce operating costs, and some new airport-related development.

Holm also spoke of problems with the way the airport is presently being operated, as a partnership of three municipalities — Hanover, West Grey and Brockton. “It’s being run on a shoestring,” Holm said. “The taxpayers will not support additional investment in it.”

He went on to say that he thinks the airport “is in trouble, but it can be fixed” by having private owners with the resources to make necessary investments.

In his presentation to Hanover council, Holm referred to a $171,000 deficit — a number that the mayor and council took issue with, saying $150,000 of that was the “municipal contribution.”

This year, Hanover Coun. Dave Hocking, who represents that municipality on the airport commission, predicted a $35,000 surplus. Holm said he takes issue with this figure. By his calculations, “it looks like a deficit again.” Holm has copies of financial documents presented at airport commission meetings.

Holm said his group questions a number of things in the airport’s financials. One is the amount pilots pay for hangars. A few own the land and building, and pay taxes and access fees; most either lease the land or rent hangars. Holm said he’d like to see a more equitable rental fee structure, for starters.

He also takes issue with the fuel pricing and the airport’s management contract.

He said that if his group ends up negotiating a good price for the airport and purchases it, the priorities will be “creating efficiencies and getting spending under control — and keeping the pilots happy.”

Holm is the owner and operator of Holm Graphics in Walkerton. He has a diverse background in aviation and health care as a paramedic and respiratory therapist who operated his own air ambulance service in California.

― By Julien B. Gauthier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Le Lac-Saint-Jean

Montreal-based Aeronyx wants to develop the drone delivery market in the Saguenay―Lac-Saint-Jean area. Choosing to establish itself in Alma, the company plans to run tests and start building relationships with local businesses.

Its vision is to offer businesses a new segment in the supply chain that can be called upon when transport issues risk disrupting the transit of goods. “We noticed that interruptions in the production line can cost companies thousands of dollars per hour. We have to come up with an alternative solution to restart production – it’s a vital issue,” declared Jérémy Laplante, Aeronyx’s president and cofounder.

Aeronyx got its start through the SUITE entrepreneuriale Desjardins business incubator program and is a member of Alma’s UAS Centre of Excellence. It currently has three employees.

Legislation
For the moment, however, the company must overcome obstacles posed by Transport Canada’s regulations. Currently, drones cannot transport cargo exceeding 25 kg and deliveries must be within the pilot’s line of sight.

This is why Aeronyx is currently networking to find companies willing to participate financially.

Parallel to these efforts, the company is also lobbying Transport Canada to change its regulations. With more and more actors asking for change, Aeronyx believes the law will have to adapt. “We have to demonstrate that companies are interested in this new market to convince Transport Canada to broaden the scope. Within a year or two, I believe they will be ready to take that step. We’re starting to see it in the United States, with out of sight flights,” reasoned Jérémy Laplante.

Aeronyx believes that it will soon be possible for drones to transport heavy cargo, most notably for companies and hospitals. “There are examples around the world, but we’re still talking about pilot projects focused on a single region. For example, there is a company called Zipline already making medical deliveries in Africa. We want to take it even further.”

Demystifying Drone Delivery
“Many companies associate drones with military applications or small drones that can only carry small loads. We tell them to imagine how things will be a few years from now. If today drones can carry 25 kg, tomorrow it will be 100 kg,” he concluded, pointing out that high capacity cargo drones already exist.

Next summer, Aeronyx will be working on a drone delivery project to connect two strategic points over the Saguenay Fjord. Talks are currently ongoing with a partner based in La Baie.

(Image : Aeronyx)

— Cynthia Murphy, Director, Aviation Operations, Canadian Owners and Pilots Association 

Many pilots are experiencing delays in the processing of either new or renewal medical certificates. However, there are a few things you can do to make the process as smooth as possible. For a Category 4 renewal, apply early, at least 60 days prior to the expiry date of the medical certificate. Be sure to submit your application electronically, either via email or epost. As medicals are processed by region, so make sure to send the form to your TCCA Regional Service Centre, not to Civil Aviation Medicine. AIM 1/2022 will be updated to contain the website with contact information for the regional offices, which can be found here.

A Category 4 medical is an acceptable means, but not the only means, to validate a: Student Pilot Permit (all aircraft categories, see NCR-117-2020), a Glider Pilot Licence, a Recreational Pilot Permit (Aeroplane) and an Ultralight Aeroplane Pilot Permit.

A number of exemptions have been put in place with respect to Category 4 Medical since the start of the pandemic, with the intent of minimizing delays.

Exemption NCR-014-2021 – This exemption allows applicants attempting the Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot or ATPL exams to write the required exam(s) with a Category 4 medical certificate. This exemption is valid to January 31, 2022.

Exemption NCR-037-2021 – This exemption allows applicants attempting the Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or ATPL skill requirement to hold at least a Category 4 medical certificate. This exemption is valid to February 28, 2022.

Exemption NCR-117-2020 – This exemption allows for a physician signed Category 4 Medical for a SPP Helicopter, Gyroplane and Balloon. This exemption is valid until November 30, 2025.

You can find these exemptions listed here.

It is important to note that CAR 401.03 (1) states “…no person shall act as a flight crew member or exercise the privileges of a flight crew permit, licence or rating unless:
(c) the person holds the appropriate medical certificate; and
(d) the person can produce the permit, licence or rating, and the certificate, when exercising those privileges.”

This means that you must have received your Category 4 medical certificate from Transport Canada, prior to exercising the privileges it affords. A Category 4 medical can be used by student pilots, who are awaiting a higher level medical, to continue training by writing exams or attempt a skill requirement with the Category 4 medical.

(Photo: Adobestock)

Shortly after pilot Phil Englishman flew his plane back to his hangar at Saugeen Municipal Airport, he was given a ticket for trespassing. (Photo: Pauline Kerr)

— By Pauline Kerr, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Walkerton Herald Times

When Phil Englishman got the word that he could pay his access fees for the Saugeen Municipal Airport (SMA), he was pleased he’d be able to get his plane into his hangar before the snow flew.

That was Friday, Nov. 19. Two days later, Englishman’s plane was back in its hangar, but the dispute between him and the airport commission is clearly far from over. He’s once again preparing to fight a trespassing ticket and has launched a petition he plans to present to Brockton council.

Englishman, a longtime pilot, has been involved in an ongoing dispute with the airport commission that has involved an accusation of flying in an unsafe manner (not even investigated), a trespassing charge and subsequent court case (he was completely exonerated) and having his hangar blocked with up to four large pieces of concrete. Englishman’s cheques went uncashed. He was forced to fly out of other airports, most recently Kincardine, which meant an added expense.

He’s been spending an increasing amount of time dealing with lawyers when he’d prefer to be flying. In addition to his work with Royal Canadian Legion Br. 102 Walkerton where he’s Sergeant-at-Arms, he’s been an active member of the Saugeen Municipal Airport community for many years. He’s been instrumental in arranging many special events there, including air shows and appearances by the Snowbirds Canadian Air Demonstration Squadron. His work with the Young Eagles program has earned him international recognition.

He and others had an expectation that the findings in the court case would end the dispute, but since last summer, matters escalated. A West Grey member of council and previous member of the Saugeen Municipal Airport Commission (SMAC) was censured by the integrity commissioner for her testimony on behalf of Englishman – that was deemed to be a violation of the code of conduct.

The issue of the concrete blocks has been raised at Brockton council numerous times and has proven quite divisive (Dan Gieruszak, chair of SMAC, is the municipality’s deputy mayor and representative on the commission).

Englishman decided to pay his access fees at the Hanover municipal office, which handles the airport’s books, to ensure everything was in order. He presented a certified cheque, which this time was accepted, and made plans to move his plane from Kincardine.

The agreement included the provision the concrete blocks would be removed within 24 hours, and they were – but contrary to the agreement, not far. They were placed mere feet from the hangar, where they could be easily moved back. Englishman had stipulated they’d be removed from the site. Englishman and his wife, Martha, stated the blocks in their present location continue to “pose a threat.”

Englishman flew out of Kincardine Sunday morning and offers the highest praise to the people there, saying he was treated with respect and consideration. But SMA is “home.” It’s where he’s invested a lot of effort and time, owns a hangar and has friends.

The wind was picking up and the sky was becoming overcast when he made a perfect landing at the airport and cruised down the taxiway to put the plane in his hangar.

He went to the airport’s restaurant for a cup of coffee with Martha and a couple of friends and was asked to leave. Shortly after that, an OPP cruiser showed up and Englishman was given… a ticket for trespassing.

As for announced plans to celebrate the airport’s 70th anniversary in 2022, Martha Englishman offers a carefully worded caution.

“Predictions for 2022 sound promising, but it will be a huge undertaking and will involve extensive co-operation and camaraderie to guarantee a success.”

The area within the fence and outside of the fence around Whitecourt Airport is getting a remodel. Tree cover within the fenced zone was removed due to a court order, and just recently, Woodlands County Council voted to allow logging adjacent to the runaway. (Photo: Serena Lapointe)

— By Serena Lapointe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Whitecourt Press

Due to a court order, Woodlands County must remove all the tree cover on the fenced-in airport lands. Passersby can visibly see large mounds of debris from the removal of those trees. To keep the tree cover from growing back, Administration proposed breaking the land down and seeding it to forage crop. Doing so has a cost, and Administration proposed an idea to help pay for it. During a recent Woodlands County Council meeting, Director of Infrastructure Andre Bachand explained that they wanted to log an area of Woodlands County forest outside the lands of the airport.

“The conservative estimate revenue is $100,000. To break the land, we are estimating $650/acre totalling roughly $85,000. To burn the existing piles, the stumps and slash piles, is in the area of $40,000. We are working on obtaining pricing on chipping and disposing of material so that it’s usable, but we won’t have those numbers until later. ”

Councillor Alan Deane asked why it would cost $40,000 to burn the piles. “I believe you, but what’s captured in those costs?” Bachand explained that there needs to be equipment on-site during the burning process. “We need excavators to be able to move the material and keep re-piling it, and there are roughly 120 piles out there, so that’s a lot of piles to burn.” He then added that if they fail to break the land, the tree cover will regrow, and the cycle will continue of removing it. With a court order in place, they need to keep it from growing back.

Councillor Jeremy Wilhelm asked how they came up with the estimate of $100,000 for revenue from logging the land. “We just mean that if we log it, those lands will get roughly $100,000 revenue given the price of lumber. It’s probably more than that, but we are trying to be conservative with that number. When we tender it out, we ask for pricing per tonne for the different types of trees. The highest number gets the job,” answered Bachand.

Mayor John Burrows asked if any conversations had been had with the Whitecourt Trailblazers about their trail system being impacted by the clearing taking place outside the airport fence area. Bachand said they had not spoken with them and said he wasn’t sure if there were trails within the area being cleared. Mayor Burrows said there were.

Councillor Deane agreed. “Yes, they do, as the Mayor pointed out. For the most part, the existing trail is right adjacent to, I would call it, the North Boundary fence and then wraps around and goes by that lease. I don’t think there would be any concerns, but it would be good corporate citizenship to contact them.”

He then asked why the sections selected for logging were chosen. “When I look at the map, I see that there are other forested areas. Why this jagged map? I’m sure there’s a good reason, but I’m just curious,” said Councillor Deane. Bachand explained that much of it followed the property line but that some areas follow the crest of the ridge. “Although we are allowed to log the whole thing, we thought environmentally it would be best to stay away from that ridge a little bit.”

Councillor Wilhelm asked if the logging adjacent to the airport would impact wind protection for the airport area. “Will that have any negative impact?” Bachand said they had discussions with Nav Canada. “They’ve requested that we do some of that logging for the past number of years for sightlines. There may be additional wind or blowing snow hitting the runway, but we are able to deal with that.” Bachand said that within about five years, the regrowth from the logged area outside of the fence, near the runway, would grow back and give some relief from the wind.

“But they don’t think it will have a negative effect on the landing or taking off in the area,” queried Wilhelm. Bachand said they hadn’t discussed the impact on aircraft. Mayor Burrows, as a pilot, wasn’t too sure about not having done a consult on whether aircraft would be affected. “I would recommend that we have that conversation. We can either postpone this until we have that conversation, or we can vote it down. The amount of wind changes that have gone on there, if anyone drives on Highway 32, that is a polished piece of glass in the winter because of the deforestation along there. I don’t want to make our airport useless because we cut some trees down.”

Councillor Bruce Prestidge didn’t feel it would cause that much issue. “I don’t believe that cutting the trees will do much. The City of Edmonton has an airport, and there are no trees within miles of it. So, if we cut all the trees on one side, I don’t see cutting the trees down on the other side changing much.” Councillor Deane agreed. “If you go to Regina or Medicine Hat, those are very windy places, but that being said, I’ve never flown a plane, and I’ve never landed a plane, so I’m not coming from a position of experience.” Council voted to direct the Administration to tender the logging of the airport lands and budget for the revenue and expenditure in the 2022 operational budget.

The Alma City Council held its second meeting on Monday evening, November 29. (Photo: Julien B. Gauthier)

― By Julien B. Gauthier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Le Lac-Saint-Jean

On November 29, the Alma City Council adopted resolutions to approve several subsidies (totalling $143,748.08) for the municipality’s airport sector, including the Qualia drone test site construction project.

A total amount of $106,855.05 was granted to Alma’s UAS Centre of Excellence (CED) to develop its future drone system prequalification centre (Qualia). This sum, part of an $800,000 investment previously announced by the City of Alma, was taken from the municipality’s own surplus.

According to city councillor and CED president Alain Fortin, construction of the Alma Airport-based Qualia site – which started in November 2020 – is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2022. The project is valued at $2.4 million, including $1.6 million in provincial and federal funds.

Infrastructure
Other sums were allocated to the renovation and acquisition of airport infrastructure. $9,815.71 was allotted to the Corporation d’innovation et développement Alma – Lac-Saint-Jean-Est (CIDAL) for the acquisition of a rotating beacon.

A sum of $8,461.25$ was also approved to fund work on the airport’s Miskam hangar door.

The CIDAL will also receive $12,000 to cover the cost of the electrical work required to supply a windsock.

Finally, $6616.07 was attributed to pay for an external accounting audit of the Alma Airport, which was carried out over 3 years.

All of these sums were taken from the municipality’s accumulated surplus and the 2021 budget provided under its three-year capital expenditure program.