Post by scottb on Dec 23, 2016 22:07:54 GMT -5
I've been scoping out Bangor International Airport (KBGR) as a possible new base location. As a small cargo company, I am often subcontracting with the major cargo haulers. Bangor sees a lot of trans-Atlantic cargo traffic. If a large cargo plane unloads in Bangor, chances are there is much cargo that needs distributed around New England and eastern Canada. A lot of that might be going via ground transport, but there is still a large amount of priority deliveries that need air transport.
And that is where I find myself today. As always during the Christmas season, there is a large increase in shipping activity by all the major carriers. I flew into Bangor two days ago in my King Air 350i to check things out. With a lot of cargo incoming, I have also positioned my company B1900 here as well.
The day before, a Taiga Air Cargo 777 arrived from Vancouver on it's way to Norway. There was a large shipment of cargo from the western US and Canada dropped off for distribution. My company pilot, Justin Long, will fly some runs down to Boston and Long Island in the B1900. Myself, I am going to take a load of priority cargo up into Canada, to Sept-Iles in Quebec.
It's going to be a late afternoon departure with low ceiling and minimal visibility. Hopefully I will be down at Sept-Iles airport (CYZV) before dark. The cargo is loaded and ready to go. I file my flight plan and prepare for takeoff.
Just after takeoff. Visibility is quite low right now. I should quickly climb above the clouds.
Climbing above the cloud layer, the sun is sinking lower, and the sky is turning purple. Most of my flights lately have been like this. I pop through the clouds and can't see the ground until I'm at my destination and descend back down below them again.
After an un-eventful flight across Maine, I cross into Canada. I'm taking advantage of some good tailwinds, and I'm making almost 400 knots over the ground. The cloud cover starts to thin out, and I can actually see the ground.
Crossing the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, I am on the GPS approach to Runway 9 via the VOKON transition. I'm about eight miles behind an Air Canada Jazz Dash 8.
On the final approach to Sept-Iles.
Full flaps and gear down. The Dash 8 has landed but seems to be taking time to exit the runway. I slow up as much as possible to give him time to clear the runway, mentally preparing for a go-around if necessary.
Sept Iles off to my left. As I pass the city, I finally hear the Dash 8 call clear of the runway. As I touchdown, I realize the Dash 8 missed the midpoint taxiway and ended up taxiing the whole length of the runway. No wonder it took so long. I actually end up parked before him since I take the midpoint taxiway.
Down on the ramp with the last bit of light fading fast. I'll overnight in Sept-Iles, and in the morning I'll see if there might be some cargo needed to go back to the States.
It was good doing business with Taiga on this run. They are a good company to deal with. Hopefully, with my plans to have more of a presence in Bangor, I can continue to do business with them.
-Scott
And that is where I find myself today. As always during the Christmas season, there is a large increase in shipping activity by all the major carriers. I flew into Bangor two days ago in my King Air 350i to check things out. With a lot of cargo incoming, I have also positioned my company B1900 here as well.
The day before, a Taiga Air Cargo 777 arrived from Vancouver on it's way to Norway. There was a large shipment of cargo from the western US and Canada dropped off for distribution. My company pilot, Justin Long, will fly some runs down to Boston and Long Island in the B1900. Myself, I am going to take a load of priority cargo up into Canada, to Sept-Iles in Quebec.
It's going to be a late afternoon departure with low ceiling and minimal visibility. Hopefully I will be down at Sept-Iles airport (CYZV) before dark. The cargo is loaded and ready to go. I file my flight plan and prepare for takeoff.
Just after takeoff. Visibility is quite low right now. I should quickly climb above the clouds.
Climbing above the cloud layer, the sun is sinking lower, and the sky is turning purple. Most of my flights lately have been like this. I pop through the clouds and can't see the ground until I'm at my destination and descend back down below them again.
After an un-eventful flight across Maine, I cross into Canada. I'm taking advantage of some good tailwinds, and I'm making almost 400 knots over the ground. The cloud cover starts to thin out, and I can actually see the ground.
Crossing the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, I am on the GPS approach to Runway 9 via the VOKON transition. I'm about eight miles behind an Air Canada Jazz Dash 8.
On the final approach to Sept-Iles.
Full flaps and gear down. The Dash 8 has landed but seems to be taking time to exit the runway. I slow up as much as possible to give him time to clear the runway, mentally preparing for a go-around if necessary.
Sept Iles off to my left. As I pass the city, I finally hear the Dash 8 call clear of the runway. As I touchdown, I realize the Dash 8 missed the midpoint taxiway and ended up taxiing the whole length of the runway. No wonder it took so long. I actually end up parked before him since I take the midpoint taxiway.
Down on the ramp with the last bit of light fading fast. I'll overnight in Sept-Iles, and in the morning I'll see if there might be some cargo needed to go back to the States.
It was good doing business with Taiga on this run. They are a good company to deal with. Hopefully, with my plans to have more of a presence in Bangor, I can continue to do business with them.
-Scott
(looking forward to seeing you go into Nantucket - I'm intrigued by that one 
