Lessons from a scenic flight over Niagara Falls

We flew down to Niagara Falls just before New Year's for a scenic flight, and along the way I learned a few lessons that'll help me plan and fly future excursions like this.
Links to prior videos referenced:
• The Case of the Broken...
• My first time as a tes...

[@bitlong4669]

Toronto scenic flights never get old, especially at night.

[@brucebyer7565]

You fly a camera very well also. I enjoyed the music as well as the flight; pleased that your wife did as well - definitely a win. The interaction with the Controllers is good to hear as well.

[@flyingmaven]

Great video!!

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks!

[@stealhty1]

Such of neat video , your plane really like to fly and you guys does it very well.thx for taking us aboard

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks so much!

[@paulfleming4284]

Enjoyed the video...thx

[@WingsOverTO]

Glad to hear it!

[@Mixturerich]

Nice video! Informative! Now I want to do the Niagara Circuit :-). I love flying north and south of CN Tower. I feel like Superman!

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks! It is a beautiful flight, I can’t wait to do it again in the summer. I love the Superman comment, that’s awesome. 😀

[@antoniobranch]

I love Toronto, it a beautiful city. I'm a former New Yorker. I'll take Toronto over the Big Apple any day.

[@wesfogt5660]

Very well done! That was very informative on describing what chart and CFS information you had to collect and communications with Controllers

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks, Wes!

[@manos434]

My thoughts about the different freq: with less traffic due to covid, ATC is combining frequencies and one controller is responsible for a larger area of airspace than before...not always possible to predict the next freq when talking to center / arrivals....and he probably assumed you wanted flight following until closer to the MF at st Catherine’s :)

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks Manos, that makes a lot of sense. We know they’ve been combining controllers at CYOO! So why not Toronto too?

[@GlensHangar]

You’re based at Oshawa? I have a hangar there as well, and will be moving C-FMVU back there in early December after the refurbishment is done. We should collaborate.

[@WingsOverTO]

Sounds good to me. Ping me on Instagram if you’re on there and we’ll chat.

[@richardgreen6857]

...a little late to the party...but, I live and fly from St. Catharines and the Niagara Falls Scenic is a common ride for first time fliers and friends that haven't seen it from that perspective. Nice camera work! As for your comments about ATC and transponder codes from others; it's quite common to get a code from CYSN FSS as they have a screen in the tower (it's no longer a "control" tower though), they must all work from a list of daily codes, once we get one, we typically keep it throughout whatever flight we're making. Additionally, the Toronto Centre controllers hand you off when they're busy, but expedience (and boredom relief, I think) many times, regardless where you are around the western end of Lake Ontario they seem to keep you on the same frequency.

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks Richard. That’s an awesome airport, I’m envious!

[@garywheeler2055]

Well made video 👍🍺🇨🇦

[@Jolie_sailor]

Great video. May I ask for your opinion on how you’d rate CFA vs Durham vs Island air schools. I’m struggling in choosing a school for PPL. Would you recommend any of the Oshawa schools or perhaps Island air? Thanks and fair weather to you

[@WingsOverTO]

Unfortunately I don’t have any insight into those schools personally, as I’ve only flown with Durham Flight Centre. I know the other two are supposed to be quite good, if bigger. I have heard that CFA has newer planes with more modern avionics. DFC’s planes are mostly old analog 6 packs, and when I was training only one of them even had a GNS 430w. The rest didn’t have GPS at all. I know they’ve gotten a couple planes since then, though. I’d suggest visit all 3, meet with a couple of instructors and interview them. I think the instructor matters as much if not more than the school.

[@Jolie_sailor]

@@WingsOverTO Thank you for your insight. At this point - being so new - I don't even think having new Avionics matters in my training. I had one check ride at downtown and didn't quite click with the instructor. But the location is the most convenient so I may just do it with them and maybe I'll get to learn from different instructors. I've learned quite a lot from your videos about flying in and around GTA. It was a pipe dream but I see it now being quite possible. Super exciting. Cheers

[@WingsOverTO]

Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad my videos are helpful! I would recommend finding one instructor you click with and sticking with them. Moving from one instructor to another slows down your progress.

[@Jolie_sailor]

@@WingsOverTO I shall heed your advice. I have all the pieces in place to start training next spring and go all out and try and finish it by the Fall 2025. Now, just hoping for no surprises!!! lol Would you recommend taking the Ground school at the same time as flight lessons or am I better off getting it out of the way prior? (Assuming there are no overlap requirements)

[@garywheeler2055]

Quick question, When you were Niagara bound and they handed you off to St Catherine’s radio, di you already have a transponder code? Are you supposed to have one while in the special rules area ? Thanks again 👍

[@WingsOverTO]

I did have one because I’d asked for flight following from Toronto Centre. But no, you don’t need a special transponder code for the Niagara special rules area. It’s see and be seen only, no radar services or ATC monitoring provided.

[@Shadowaspen]

why the heck do you wear a face mask in the aircraft

[@WingsOverTO]

This was pre vaccine. I was renting out my plane and had a rule that everyone had to wear masks. I wanted to abide by the same rule.