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A contentious water aerodrome on Lake Couchiching is facing more scrutiny.
Last month, on behalf of numerous residents worried an accident will happen, Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke wrote to several authorities, including Transport Canada, requesting a safety review of Lake Country Airways’ operations.
In his response, the Minister of Transport, Steven MacKinnon, confirmed that the water aerodrome known as The Cape Resort Seaplane base (CLA2) – where the business known as Lake Country Airways operates – underwent two safety reviews.
After Lake Country Airways’ location change was approved in June a Civil Aviation Safety Inspector conducted a safety review of operations, “along with another nearby water aerodrome operator,” said MacKinnon.
Focus was placed on “safety protocols, traffic density and management, circuit patterns and communication procedures. Risk mitigation procedures were implemented to proactively manage public safety concerns, including the dissemination of detailed circuit procedures to all pilots operating from CLA2,” continued MacKinnon.
Clarke said he liked what he read from Transport Canada because it shows that they take safety seriously and took action quickly after Ramara reached out.
Implementing clear procedural and flight path information to pilots could be a response to the fears expressed by Orillia Ramara Regional Airport (ORRA) owner Kelly Ewing. Or, to the alarm raised by residents that planes taking off and landing from the bay is not where they originally indicated takeoff would occur.
Lake Country Airways offers floatplane training lessons. Some residents fear mixing the busy waterway for recreational activities with planes flown by novice pilots is a recipe for disaster.
Ewing said Transport Canada did visit his site, but he was not the water aerodrome operator who accompanied Transport Canada on the safety inspection.
“I think there is a huge safety issue,” Ewing told OrilliaMatters as he observed and described planes completing circuits above the ORRA flight paths, causing pilots to reroute.
Ewing has noted an increase in traffic where flight paths cross this summer. He said he still stands by the dangers he expressed to Transport Canada earlier this year.
“I truly believe this is a disaster waiting to happen,” he said.
Ramara’s letter to Transport Canada is dated July 16; six days later another inspection took place. Clarke said “this is good news.”
On July 22, CLA2 was inspected again, along with other nearby sites, stated MacKinnon.
“There were no contraventions to the Canadian Aviation Regulations identified during that visit,” he said.
“Transport Canada officials are engaging with the implicated operators and stakeholders to coordinate a safety plan to reduce the exposure of risk to the nearby children’s camp and recreational users of the lake,” he said in his letter.
The July visit would have shown Transport Canada “the true picture,” said the mayor.
“I wish they’d realize the camps were as active as they were beforehand, but you know what, we reached out and they acted,” he added optimistically.
When the aerodrome was initially approved and inspected in June, Camp Couchiching wasn’t as active as it gets at the height of summer.
“When you read the letter, it implies that they saw things they didn’t like. So that’s terrible that happened, but that’s good news for us that they’re taking action,” said Clarke.
Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers, who brought an aerodrome petition to the House of Commons in June, is “encouraged” by Transport Canada’s engagement with these individuals.
However, he said it’s long overdue.
“The legislation should require this engagement prior to an aerodrome’s operations. I will continue to advocate for our community voices to be heard and hope that all users can find an agreement that makes sense for all of those who want to enjoy our waterways,” said Chambers.
The MP pointed out a major “loophole,” that no consultation process exists in the regulations for an aerodrome to exist.
Residents and First Nations communities, like the Chippewas of Rama who have treaty lands in the area should have been consulted prior to Lake Country Airways relocating its aerodrome, he noted.
There are several layers to the Lake Couchiching aerodrome issue, Chambers said; that the lake is popular for recreational activities, it’s used by First Nations people, and the aerodrome is not one personal plane – it’s a commercial operation.
OrilliaMatters asked Chippewas of Rama Chief Ted Williams to comment on Transport Canada’s safety review but he was not available to do so.
What comes next is a follow up with Transport Canada, said the Ramara mayor.
“We’ll want to hear from them, did they (make) changes,” explained Clarke.
He expects the aerodrome to be monitored over the rest of the season but will want to know what is in store for next year.
Randy Stratton, owner of Lake Country Airways operating at CLA2, did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Ramara resident Bruce Jackson, who spoke at an open forum where residents solicited council to request the safety review, said he has filed an access to information and privacy Act application to Transport Canada.
In it he asked for “the original application” for the CLA2 water aerodrome moving from Lake St. John to Lake Couchiching. Transport Canada notified him of a 60-day delay in order to consult third parties. That timeline has now expired.
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