When Trans-Capital sold Esso fuel, it used to be a great deal for parking. Now, unfortunately, the parking charges are virtually the same as Porter's. Updated by phone 2009-06-29, confirm by calling Trans-Capital at (416) 361-1100. All prices Canadian:
Trans-Capital no longer sells fuel, but the Porter FBO fuel truck will come over and fuel your plane there. No point, really, since you might as well just park at Porter.
The airport is very scenic, especially at night. The ramp and fuel prices are tough to swallow though. The airport closes at 11pm, and the last ferry runs at midnight.
This airport is a short walk from Skydome (now the Rogers Centre), where the Toronto Blue Jays play -- you could probably watch a bit of a game from your plane on short final when the roof's open (check out the satellite picture).
The airport closes some time around 11:00 pm (no takeoffs or landings allowed except medevac) and the ferry across the channel stops, so unless you can track down a water taxi you're stuck for the night. A few years ago I talked to one pilot who landed late, didn't get away in time, and ended up sleeping in his plane.
I have frequented the Porter (City Center Aviation previously) for the past year and a half and would say that the staff here really make the difference. I know of the cost issue with ramp fees and expensive fuel but go to any major US city (Boston loves to give it to GA) and it is not as bad you might think.
One of the nicest spots to stop into within walking distance to Starbucks, Sushi restaurant, Tim Hortons, Quiznos, Subway and a few hotels. I walk rather quickly so take that with a grain of salt :)
Compared to Pearson or Buttonville this is where I would rather land then no matter were I was going in Toronto.
This is a great airport if you are visiting Toronto. You land on the island, right next to downtown. The approach gives you a dramatic view of the CN Tower, the baseball stadium, and the downtown core. A quick ferry ride takes you to the mainland. Hop public transit, or grab a cab, and you're in the core in a matter of minutes. The city is quite walkable and has fabulous public transit. No need to rent a car to visit the main sites in Canada's largest city.
Pearson (Toronto's major Int'l airport) is way out in the west end - there is no efficient public transit into the downtown core, and a car/cab ride is going to take at least 45 minutes, if the highways aren't jammed with traffic. The smaller airports (Buttonville, etc.) are great if you're visiting the 'burbs, but not so great for downtown.
I tried out the Porter FBO yesterday. The fuel was expensive, but they waived the ramp fee because I was a COPA member (I think that the offer's good only for summer 2007). It's not a bad FBO, aside from the cost ($35/night tie-down, etc.).
This is one of the nicest airports in Canada for flying to a big city, either commercially or in a private plane. It's unbelievably quiet considering how close it is Toronto freeways, and you can actually walk downtown after taking the little ferry across.
Comments about Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport
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Comments 1 to 17 of 17 about Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport:
Thu, 03 Sep 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/09/03/airport-bishop.html
Sun, 30 Aug 2009
Victor's crew is always warm & friendly to fly-in visitors, despite the fuel issue.
Mon, 24 Aug 2009
Porter is trying to build a tunnel to replace some of the ferry service.
http://www.thestar.ca/news/gta/article/685512
Wed, 01 Jul 2009
There are often taxis waiting for fares by the mainland ferry dock, especially if a Porter flight is due in.
Mon, 29 Jun 2009
When Trans-Capital sold Esso fuel, it used to be a great deal for parking. Now, unfortunately, the parking charges are virtually the same as Porter's. Updated by phone 2009-06-29, confirm by calling Trans-Capital at (416) 361-1100. All prices Canadian:
Ramp fee (under 20 minutes, single-engine piston): $20
Ramp fee (over 20 minutes, single-engine piston): $25
Overnight parking (single-engine piston): $35
Trans-Capital no longer sells fuel, but the Porter FBO fuel truck will come over and fuel your plane there. No point, really, since you might as well just park at Porter.
Updated by phone 2009-06-29. Call the Porter FBO at (416) 203-2424 for confirmation. All prices Canadian.
Fuel (100LL): $1.60/litre + GST (CA $6.06/US gallon)
Ramp fee (single-engine piston): $25
Overnight parking (single-engine piston): $35
Note: parking and ramp are mutually-exclusive -- you don't have to pay both.
Tue, 14 Aug 2007
The airport is very scenic, especially at night. The ramp and fuel prices are tough to swallow though. The airport closes at 11pm, and the last ferry runs at midnight.
Wed, 08 Aug 2007
Phone: (416) 203-2424
Fax: (416) 203-9592
Email: customer_service@flyporter.ca
Web: http://www.flyporter.com/
Unicom: 123.35 MHz
This airport is a short walk from Skydome (now the Rogers Centre), where the Toronto Blue Jays play -- you could probably watch a bit of a game from your plane on short final when the roof's open (check out the satellite picture).
Sun, 29 Jul 2007
The airport closes some time around 11:00 pm (no takeoffs or landings allowed except medevac) and the ferry across the channel stops, so unless you can track down a water taxi you're stuck for the night. A few years ago I talked to one pilot who landed late, didn't get away in time, and ended up sleeping in his plane.
Tue, 24 Jul 2007
I have frequented the Porter (City Center Aviation previously) for the past year and a half and would say that the staff here really make the difference. I know of the cost issue with ramp fees and expensive fuel but go to any major US city (Boston loves to give it to GA) and it is not as bad you might think.
One of the nicest spots to stop into within walking distance to Starbucks, Sushi restaurant, Tim Hortons, Quiznos, Subway and a few hotels. I walk rather quickly so take that with a grain of salt :)
Compared to Pearson or Buttonville this is where I would rather land then no matter were I was going in Toronto.
This airport is great to fly into at night, beautiful view of the city.
Wed, 18 Jul 2007
This is a great airport if you are visiting Toronto. You land on the island, right next to downtown. The approach gives you a dramatic view of the CN Tower, the baseball stadium, and the downtown core. A quick ferry ride takes you to the mainland. Hop public transit, or grab a cab, and you're in the core in a matter of minutes. The city is quite walkable and has fabulous public transit. No need to rent a car to visit the main sites in Canada's largest city.
Pearson (Toronto's major Int'l airport) is way out in the west end - there is no efficient public transit into the downtown core, and a car/cab ride is going to take at least 45 minutes, if the highways aren't jammed with traffic. The smaller airports (Buttonville, etc.) are great if you're visiting the 'burbs, but not so great for downtown.
Sun, 15 Jul 2007
The new ferry is free, at least so far. If you fly in with four people, that's a significant saving at $5.50/person.
I tried out the Porter FBO yesterday. The fuel was expensive, but they waived the ramp fee because I was a COPA member (I think that the offer's good only for summer 2007). It's not a bad FBO, aside from the cost ($35/night tie-down, etc.).
Tue, 19 Jun 2007
This is a nice airport to visit, though I miss being able to get fuel at TransCapital.
Tue, 05 Jun 2007
This is one of the nicest airports in Canada for flying to a big city, either commercially or in a private plane. It's unbelievably quiet considering how close it is Toronto freeways, and you can actually walk downtown after taking the little ferry across.