Looking for advice on this route

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ImmaPilotMeow@reddit

Do it all the time in my piston single. It’s a great corridor that connects NW Ontario with southern Ontario.

You’ll be plenty high enough that glide isn’t a worry. Enjoy the view!

What app are you using?

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

Thank you, I appreciate the advise from a local. I planned this out on Sky Vector but I will be using FF.

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You might want to skip the YHM waypoint. If you go IFR with that route and want to skirt the terminal area you’ll be likely be pushed down early to maintain separation for arrivals/departures into YYZ.

I’d file YVV BUF direct in hoping that staying high will be out of the way and get to right over YYZ. By the time you need to descend you’ll be far enough over the lake that glide distance isn’t a worry.

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weech@reddit

Looks like skyvector

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Hodgetwins32@reddit

I’d just fly over the water, you can swim can’t you?

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

Maybe I will take that gamble when I can upgrade to a twin...

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Hodgetwins32@reddit

When I was flying across Erie, a bit lengthwise and regularly in a single, one shore was always less than 50nm at the midpoint, at a high enough altitude one shore was surely glide-able. Also not against FARs, and assuming you’re so risk averse(why are you flying then) that you’re worried about engine failure in steady state cruise(least common time for engines to fail) then you can land in the water which is something like greater than 90% survivable, literally a more desirable forced landing zone doesn’t exist on land for an inexperienced pilot forcing it down. Train yourself on water landings, execute, swim and be saved in minutes, enjoy your news reel. Non issue in my mind. Arguably I’d feel safer over water than most urban areas.

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Hour_Tour@reddit

Sure you can probably land and get out fine, but AFAIK as I know the great lakes are a cold and unforgiving place to find yourself alone miles off shore. Needle in a frozen haystack.

I regularly fly routes where I plan shores/lakes as engine out options, but only if it's not the snowy season, and no matter what I gotta be able to reach land with a potential injury. Single piston is pretty safe, but I'm not gonna fuck around and find out.

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Hodgetwins32@reddit

Lake superior is the cold and deadly one, not to be take lightly, the rest are mild. If you’re in contact with ATC and declare immediately coast guard will be there within the hour to find you.

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Nice_Cellist_7595@reddit

That looks like lots of fun. I flew to Beaver Island last year. That's a nice part of the world. Personally, I would fly further west then north. There is no issue with Canada but if you DID have an issue and needed to make a precautionary landing for some reason - there isn't much up there and you are going to be stuck. West then North will give you more options.

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

I live in southeast Michigan so I see that area all the time. I thought this would be a cooler route.

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Nice_Cellist_7595@reddit

Ah - yes that makes sense - thought your question was from a risk management perspective. It is pretty!

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Present_Thought_8436@reddit

No complaints, stay high enough so you’re within gliding range above the lake if single engine. 👍

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bluejayfreeloader@reddit

You don't plan to land?

Tobemory used to have bikes you can use for free to get into town. Call and see if they still have them?

Killarney has a great fish and chips spot. They will come pick you up and bring you to the restaurant if you call in advance - or so I'm told.

You should be able to see a ship wreck that is just below the surface of the water in the Tobemory area.

Owen sound has a great restaurant attached to it.

Niagara falls is better at night than it is during the day.

Brantford has amazing breakfast.

Parry sound has a good diner an awesome group of guys at the flight school ;)

Can you tell I'm time building in Ontario?

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the information! I am not too far over the border in Michigan, so I will for sure have to come back and visit some of these places. So far I have only flown into YTZ in Canada.

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tempskawt@reddit

You don’t really need CYHM, but yeah solid plan

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ltcterry@reddit

Several people seem to be OK with the plan. I'll defer to local knowledge. But I'm curious why that route? The straight line between departure and destination is shorter and has far less time over water. And a slight detour gives even less time feet wet.

Break.

My dad was a Navy pilot. A couple of times he delivered airplanes to Brazil and Venezuela. He said flying over the ocean on one engine didn't bother him as much as the jungle bothered him even with two.

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I definitely agree that sometimes water is less scary than trees, but the much more experienced pilots in my life are not big fans of flying over the water and probably would send me a disapproving text if they saw that on my flightaware.

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Dirty_Power@reddit

I would just go direct to Port Huron and then north from there…

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

I live in southeast Michigan so I see that area all the time. I thought this would be a cooler route.

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mods_n_admins_r_naz@reddit

I advice you to bring me along with you

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

I just need enough excuses to upgrade to a 6 place airplane.

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HossAndAQuarter@reddit

As someone who flies up the peninsula sometimes, add CNC3 after CYVV, it’ll keep you a little closer to Manitoulin Island if you’re worried about glide distance. Watch out for afternoon cells in the summer but it is one of the most beautiful routes in the world I think

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Jealous_Fail6071@reddit (OP)

Thank you! I will keep your route advise in mind. I plan on just following the coastline.

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Icy-Astronaut-9788@reddit

Very doable, some cells near manitoulin pop up throughout the day during summer so know which airport (with customs) you could divert to just in case, lmk if you want recommendations for places to stop at if you plan on clearing customs

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CAVU1331@reddit

In an emergency I don’t care if there is customs.

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BagOfMoneyNoChange@reddit

Diverting for weather isn't an emergency.

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CAVU1331@reddit

It can be depending on how it develops and being in a small aircraft.

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BagOfMoneyNoChange@reddit

Literally anything can become an emergency if you allow it to develop long enough. What a dense take.

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CAVU1331@reddit

When things compile even if planned for shit happens. I wouldn’t limit myself to landing because customs is unavailable.

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TheGacAttack@reddit

Absolutely, 100% yes!

But... Planning ahead for lower-friction diversion options is still prudent.

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flyingchaos@reddit

I did that flight (or close enough) in a SEL a long time ago. Gliding distance wasn’t an issue if you had decent ceilings. If you’re tempted to go past Niagara Falls, pay really close attention to the proper pattern for fixed wing vs helicopter. I had friends who got in trouble for mixing that up.

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SanAntonioSewerpipe@reddit

Check your gliding distance engine out to land and make sure the cloud ceiling is high enough. Maybe dog leg a bit east to stay closer to land. Other than that it is a beautiful flight up.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hello, I am looking for any guidance on flying this route this summer. I plan on just overflying Canada and not landing there at all. I have flown into Canada before so I understand the international border crossing part. I would like some advice on flying over the island chain between Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay. Is this a safe route? Anything I need to be worried about? it looks like it has the potential to be very scenic, but I don't want to compromise safety.

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