Category Archives for "Aviation"

Response to Worksheet on Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA)

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Latest News

On December 9, 2014, the first public meeting for the Environmental Assessment (EA)  for  Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) was held.  This is one of a series of concurrent studies underway by the proponent (Toronto Port Authority) to amend the Tripartite Agreement to allow for an extension of the runway and the introduction of new-technology jets.

Transport Action Ontario has been very active on this file, and has met with the EA team twice to provide input into the scope of the study.  The public meeting posed four questions pertaining to the scope of the EA.  In response, we provided written answers to these questions, and sent these to the EA team.

Our response can be viewed here: TAO-BBTCAWorksheet2014-12

Review of Potential Future Safety Zones at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Major Reports

With the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) and the introduction of jets,  it will be necessary to review and very likely expand the safety zones at the airport.  These safety zones have received very little public discussion.

On March 24, 2014, Transport Action Ontario released a major report on future safety zones at an expanded BBTCA.  In summary, assuming regulatory standards and specifications are followed, there will be major impacts to the harbour and Port Lands.  These impacts are large enough that the City should say “no” to the expansion proposal.   If exemptions from these standards are provided, this will significantly increase safety and liability risk.

Our media release can be found here:  Toronto Island Airport Media Release 2014-03-24

Our full report can be found here:  Toronto Isl Airprt Safety Zones 2014-03-24

The computer illustrations presented at the press conference can be found here:   Toronto Island Airport Media Release Illustrations 2014-03-24

Position Statement on Transport Canada Needs Assessment – Pickering Lands, 2010

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation

The proposed Pickering Airport, east of Toronto,  has been an on-again-off-again issue for over 40 years.  Transport Action Ontario has been active on this file for many years.  Our most recent public communication was a letter to the federal Minister of Transportation in January, 2012.  This is posted elsewhere on this website.

In  2011, Transport Canada released a new report entitled “Needs Assessment Study – Pickering Lands, 2010” which favoured the construction of the airport.  Then in June, 2013, the federal Minister of Finance re-announced the airport plan with a different configuration of land.

In response, Transport Action has prepared an updated position paper,  identifying six key reasons why we oppose the Pickering airport plan.    The position paper can be viewed here: TAO-Pickering Airport Needs Assessment 2014-02

Toronto Billy Bishop Airport Expansion – Presentation by Dr. Avrum Regenstreif

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Latest News , Major Reports

Transport Action Ontario (TAO) board member Dr. Avrum Regenstreif has extensive experience over a period of 30 years in analysis and planning of airport projects.

He prepared a paper for TAO to be presented to the City of Toronto in early 2014.  It discusses numerous issues with the proposed expansion at Billy Bishop Airport (BBTCA), experience in other cities with intercontinental jet airports on urban waterfronts, and rail alternatives to an expansion at BBTCA.

His paper can be viewed at this link:  BBTCA Final Presentation 2013-12-23

Toronto Billy Bishop Airport Expansion – Unanswered Questions for Transport Canada

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation

Transport Action Ontario has reviewed the reports prepared for Porter Airlines by Airbiz and LPS Avia Consulting.  We find that they specifically ask Transport Canada and other agencies to review and make decisions on certain issues relating to the proposed runway expansion.   There are over two dozen places where major outstanding questions were identified.   The outstanding questions are documented in our report: Toronto Island Airport -Questions for TC2013-11-22

Transport Action Ontario recommends that the City of Toronto defer approval of the airport expansion until Transport Canada have reviewed these questions, presented their review and answers, allowed sufficient public debate about them and approved the proposed design.