OurAirports: Comments on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport

[CYTZ] "Stolen name" by Anonymous Flier

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:05:06 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Toronto has to take everything. Billy Bishop, arguably the British Empires no 1 flying ace of WWI was from OWEN SOUND. Thats why the airport in OWEN SOUND is called Billy Bishop and was called that first. So good job Toronto, you couldnt think up something original and had to steal OWEN SOUND's airport name.

[CYTZ] "Porter Airport Parking / Toronto Island Airport Parking / Bi" by Anonymous Flier

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:43:48 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

This is for those that have complained about the expensive parking rates at the airport above aka Toronto City Center Airport or YTZ.

I recently had to catch a flight out of Porter and parked at 19 Bathurst St, just behind the Amsterdam Brewery, which happen to only be a short 5 minute walk to the terminal. And at only $20/day, it was a no brainer. Especially when you consider that Porter airport charges a whopping $38/day!

Cheers

Piero

Frequent Flyer

[CYTZ] "re: Awesome Airport!" by david

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:20:15 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you also like my favourite airport. I think the Island Airport will seem busy if you're used to a quiet, GA-only airport like (say) Smith's Falls, Brampton or Burlington, but will feel quiet and relaxed (and almost rustic) if you're used to to busier airports like Montreal or Ottawa.

I'd also give it a high grade - 9/10 (reserving one mark because the Porter FBO, while great, is a bit too expensive).

[CYTZ] "Awesome Airport!" by Anonymous Flier

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:05:20 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

THIS AIRPORT IS VERY COOL WITH 6 RUNWAYS AND A COOL LAYOUT AND IT IS A COOL CHALLENGE TO LAND BECAUSE OF SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF AIRCRAFT!

10 OUT OF 10!

[CYTZ] "My experience landing at Billy Bishop" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:36:52 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Landing was great , even though it looked somewhat scary.

The boat ride was 1-2 minutes

Excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CYTZ] "ILS / PAPI Angles" by prattsoplenty

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:42:13 -0400

Comment by @prattsoplenty on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Some useless trivia... the ILS glideslope for runway 08 is 3.5 degrees (PAPI 3.9 degrees). The ILS glideslope for runway 26 is 4.8 degrees (as is the PAPI). The PAPI angle for runway 15 is 5.5 degrees, which is the same as the ILS at London City Airport (EGLC). The steepest ILS that I could find is at Lugano, Switzerland (LSZA); the ILS glideslope is 6.65 degrees.

[CYTZ] "re: My Home Base" by david

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:18:48 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Reply to @dazuppa: it's not hard to bring a Cherokee in on a 6+ deg glidepath - I'm guessing the ILS 26 isn't quite that steep.

[CYTZ] "My Home Base" by dazuppa

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:10:24 -0500

Comment by @dazuppa on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

I've got my wings at CYTZ, so am sort of insider here... :-) Let me share some hopefully useful information:

- There are two flight schools at the aeroport, Island Air and Canadian Flyers, with certain rivalry between them. Don't tell one of them that you've talked to the other;

- Flight training out of CYTZ is challenging, with lots of traffic and radio work. C150 and C172 have to be "plugged in" between the Porter Dash-8, medevac choppers and sneaky PC-12. And if you think those are fast, look if you can catch up with a Piaggio Avanti!

- ATC is 50/50 affair. Sometimes those guys are super-friendly and useful, other times it is hard to describe their attitude without using the expletives. Like a lottery. Also, they tend to do some training in the tower, and when a student pilot meets a student controller, things go fun quickly;

- Runway 33 is legally usable (except for NOTAMs), but in reality it's one-way - especially now when Concord built a pack of highrise condos right in front of it. I am curious what will their residents think seeing a plane taking off straight to their balcony...

- Gibraltar Point NDB is sort of weird, I personally treat it as a thing of historic interest, not an actual navaid;

- ILS approach for 26 is good for Guinnes record - very steep! Unless you are flying the Dash-8, you'll probably won't be able to enjoy the "right" papi lights;

- Noise sensitive areas - houses on the island. Crash sensitive areas - downtown towers, including CN one, and the hearnstacks on the East;

- If there was a Porter landed or took off right in front of you and the winds are blowing in the right direction, you can ask for runway 24 instead of 26 instead of overshooting. If approaching from the West, things get even better, as you'd be right in front of the apron after landing on the 06, leaving the busy 08 for Porters;

- If you have a crappy radio, prepare for a blast of radio-roar on the base and crosswind - CN tower is really powerful;

- Druxie's stuff is not eatable. Or at least not recommended. If you have any time, jump on the ferry and cross the channel. There will be a free Porter bus (you may act as a client, as the airport is pretty much a Porter property anyway! :-) next to the terminal - jump in it and go Downtown. Plenty of excellent restaurants and other fun stuff there;

- Everything about CYTZ is expensive. Eve-ry-thing.

Hope that helps! :-)

[CYTZ] "re: restaurnts" by david

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:31:20 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

There's a Druxy's Deli in the old (white, wooden) airport terminal.

[CYTZ] "restaurnts" by Anonymous Flier

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:56:44 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

I'm told there's no place to eat at the airport? Do you have to take the ferry to get a bite to eat.

[CYTZ] "Porter to fly 1 Million Passengers This year" by bcrosby

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:31:34 -0400

Comment by @bcrosby on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

I suspect that porter will be breaking the 1 million passenger mark this year sometime.

According to http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/2010/04/30/porter-airlines-ipo-document-reveals-red-ink-but-management-sees-lots-of-blue-sky/page1

They served 912,613 passengers in 2009.

[CYTZ] "Airport May Be Renamed" by bcrosby

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:51:58 -0400

Comment by @bcrosby on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/09/03/airport-bishop.html

[CYTZ] "pleasant parking spot" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:00:52 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Victor's crew is always warm & friendly to fly-in visitors, despite the fuel issue.

[CYTZ] "Island Tunnel" by bcrosby

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:35:38 -0400

Comment by @bcrosby on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Porter is trying to build a tunnel to replace some of the ferry service.

http://www.thestar.ca/news/gta/article/685512

[CYTZ] "Taxis by ferry dock" by david

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:39:56 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

There are often taxis waiting for fares by the mainland ferry dock, especially if a Porter flight is due in.

[CYTZ] "Fees at Trans-Capital" by david

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:46:46 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "Fees and fuel update for Porter FBO" by david

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:43:19 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "Visited for the first time the other day" by Lommer

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:16:58 -0400

Comment by @Lommer on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "Porter FBO contact info" by david

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:33:22 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

Phone: (416) 203-2424

Fax: (416) 203-9592

Email: customer_service@flyporter.ca

Web: http://www.flyporter.com/

Unicom: 123.35 MHz

[CYTZ] "Best airport for Blue Jays baseball" by david

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:38:21 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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).

[CYTZ] "Airport closes at night" by david

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:38:37 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "Friendly Staff at Porter" by Flyin_Dutchman

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:38:25 -0400

Comment by @Flyin_Dutchman on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "My favourite x/c" by kateski

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:51:38 -0400

Comment by @kateski on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

This airport is great to fly into at night, beautiful view of the city.

[CYTZ] "Awesome downtown airport!" by Bonnie

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:42:16 -0400

Comment by @Bonnie on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "Ferry is free" by david

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:33:38 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.

[CYTZ] "Porter FBO" by david

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:32:45 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.).

[CYTZ] "Very nice airport" by david

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:03:55 -0400

Comment by @david on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

This is a nice airport to visit, though I miss being able to get fuel at TransCapital.

[CYTZ] "Nice airport" by Anonymous Flier

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:32:27 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada:

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.