YXD countdown has begun

[Cessna driver]

. Somebody got paid off big time.

Yep, their names are Stephen Mandel and Kim Krushell.

YXD will end up just like Meigs Field.

[Trematode]

I've been fairly close to this whole mess (the latest round of it, anyway). The thing that gets me the most is the blind vitriol that is directed towards the airport and its supporters by what seems like an increasingly large, devastatingly ignorant portion of the city's populace. Maybe it's just chipped away at me and my friends long enough that it's taken its toll.

The passion for aviation -- the joy felt for all things related to flying -- is an obvious thing. There's a reason the people who support the airport feel the way they do.

Conversely, I will never understand how someone can celebrate the destruction of a place held so dear to so many people. The comments in the media, and on social networks unrelated to aviation seem intolerably full of these people. It's gotten to the point where I've honestly lost most of my motivation to be an active and contributing member of my own home town.

For those of you thinking about making the trip here, McEwan's (formerly Esso) has been rock solid through the whole ordeal: They've been trucking in fuel from offsite since the city scared Esso away. As far as I understand it, they'll be sticking around till the bitter end. Shell's still open too, but I think they've been running a bit of a skeleton staff lately, who knows for how much longer.

I'll miss the guys (and gal) up in the tower. I'll miss the whole place dearly.

[Cessna driver]

I've been fairly close to this whole mess (the latest round of it, anyway). The thing that gets me the most is the blind vitriol that is directed towards the airport and its supporters by what seems like an increasingly large, devastatingly ignorant portion of the city's populace. Maybe it's just chipped away at me and my friends long enough that it's taken its toll.

The passion for aviation -- the joy felt for all things related to flying -- is an obvious thing. There's a reason the people who support the airport feel the way they do.

Conversely, I will never understand how someone can celebrate the destruction of a place held so dear to so many people. The comments in the media, and on social networks unrelated to aviation seem intolerably full of these people. It's gotten to the point where I've honestly lost most of my motivation to be an active and contributing member of my own home town.

For those of you thinking about making the trip here, McEwan's (formerly Esso) has been rock solid through the whole ordeal: They've been trucking in fuel from offsite since the city scared Esso away. As far as I understand it, they'll be sticking around till the bitter end. Shell's still open too, but I think they've been running a bit of a skeleton staff lately, who knows for how much longer.

I'll miss the guys (and gal) up in the tower. I'll miss the whole place dearly.

I know the whole crew at mcewen's....they will be there to the very last day.

[Hipster Exterminator]

Conversely, I will never understand how someone can celebrate the destruction of a place held so dear to so many people. The comments in the media, and on social networks unrelated to aviation seem intolerably full of these people. It's gotten to the point where I've honestly lost most of my motivation to be an active and contributing member of my own home town.

I feel the same way about Edmonton today as my neighbour in Calgary feels about his homeland of Zimbabwe. That might sound like hyperbole, but hear me out.

He (half black, half east-Indian) worked in agriculture, specifically irrigation and until twenty years ago it seemed to be recognized that the commercial farmer and agriculture was economically beneficial to Zimbabwe. But then Robert Mugabe went crazy and set out to destroy agriculture. Those who worked in agriculture weren't merely made to feel unappreciated. They were made to be the enemy of the state.

In Edmonton, at least for most of my adult life aviation was viewed as economically beneficial to Edmonton, gateway to the north, chariot of the rig pig and all that. But then the political rhetoric changed and we became not merely unappreciated but the enemy of the state and some sort of albatross against Edmonton's economic development rather than its catalyst.

Just this past summer my old boss had a chick from city hall telling him that Villeneuve will never be allowed to develop further because it will be both a catalyst for "suburban sprawl" and undermine the international airport and would just move the YXD debate rather than end it. They aren't offering solutions, they aren't offering alternatives. To paraphrase the American healthcare slogan the common policy of the ERAA and Edmonton towards general and corporate aviation is "Die Quickly". Meanwhile watching these dipshits cum in their pants for one-stop transatlantic service via Iceland is just about the most embarrassing thing I have ever seen. Boy-oh-boy, just wait for the 707 to enter service and we will be set.

How does one hang on to faith when everywhere you turn the city and ERAA is just waiting the smack you across the face with their dick?

[Tom H]

Today initial engine condition runs on the Boeing 737 were completed.

Power was taken from idle to 80% on the main engines and all systems operated.

Everything went extremely well with only a couple of minor snags (problems).

This is the first of many steps to evaluate if we can fly the 737 off the Edmonton City Centre Airport to safe secure storage.

The sweet sound of the 737 is one that I personally have missed for a long time, I just wish it was not a circumstance we had to deal with.

Tom H

[5x5]

In Edmonton, at least for most of my adult life aviation was viewed as economically beneficial to Edmonton, gateway to the north, chariot of the rig pig and all that. But then the political rhetoric changed and we became not merely unappreciated but the enemy of the state and some sort of albatross against Edmonton's economic development rather than its catalyst.

I must say I have to agree with with you. It's very disheartening and seems that not only this, but all the moves Edmonton has been making and the debt they have incurred in an attempt to become a "world class" city are merely steps to becoming a northern hinterland.

It's only time and/or one more oil bust away from being Nowheresville, Alberta.

[Cessna driver]

Conversely, I will never understand how someone can celebrate the destruction of a place held so dear to so many people. The comments in the media, and on social networks unrelated to aviation seem intolerably full of these people. It's gotten to the point where I've honestly lost most of my motivation to be an active and contributing member of my own home town.

I feel the same way about Edmonton today as my neighbour in Calgary feels about his homeland of Zimbabwe. That might sound like hyperbole, but hear me out.

He (half black, half east-Indian) worked in agriculture, specifically irrigation and until twenty years ago it seemed to be recognized that the commercial farmer and agriculture was economically beneficial to Zimbabwe. But then Robert Mugabe went crazy and set out to destroy agriculture. Those who worked in agriculture weren't merely made to feel unappreciated. They were made to be the enemy of the state.

In Edmonton, at least for most of my adult life aviation was viewed as economically beneficial to Edmonton, gateway to the north, chariot of the rig pig and all that. But then the political rhetoric changed and we became not merely unappreciated but the enemy of the state and some sort of albatross against Edmonton's economic development rather than its catalyst.

Just this past summer my old boss had a chick from city hall telling him that Villeneuve will never be allowed to develop further because it will be both a catalyst for "suburban sprawl" and undermine the international airport and would just move the YXD debate rather than end it. They aren't offering solutions, they aren't offering alternatives. To paraphrase the American healthcare slogan the common policy of the ERAA and Edmonton towards general and corporate aviation is "Die Quickly". Meanwhile watching these dipshits cum in their pants for one-stop transatlantic service via Iceland is just about the most embarrassing thing I have ever seen. Boy-oh-boy, just wait for the 707 to enter service and we will be set.

How does one hang on to faith when everywhere you turn the city and ERAA is just waiting the smack you across the face with their dick?

Well said....well said.

[W5]

Today was a bittersweet moment. Sitting in the cockpit of the 737 and doing the run-up, while looking out over the rest of the infield and the runways. Knowing that for me, this was the last time ever.
We had a conversation in the cockpit (all 3 of us) right along the lines what Hipster Exterminator and Trematode said.
Sad, very sad.

[RatherBeFlying]

Somebody please clue me in. EFC had a lawsuit going against the closure -- what happened to it?

It won't surprise that people decided not to spend more money on lawyers, but expropriation of leaseholds when you're the landlord is unfair dealing and something a lawyer could take to court.

[azimuthaviation]

A lot of dreams were born there, a lot of ambitions will remain unfulfilled. No other way to describe it but a shame, the direction XD and the city of Edmonton as a whole is taking -a dead end. Not for all, but for some, including myself. I beat the rush and left Edmonton for good a few years back, knowing there was no longer a future there.

I know it's easy to be bitter, but it's no comfort. I too knew a Zimbabwean many years back, a Rhodesian actually. Left Rhodesia the day Zimbabwe gained its independence. When I asked him why, in 1980, did he not stick it out, people were optimistic that it would be a success story. Did he have an incling that what it would turn out the way it did? His answer: "No, it was my country and I wasn't going to stay in it when the kaffirs stole it from us". So he went over the border to live in Apartheid South Africa, to live out his days the way he believed the world should be. Even became a Mormon about the same time, so in his next life he wouldn't have to run into any blacks either. Of course soon Apartheid fell apart and his paradise was lost, even the Mormon church finally agreed blacks had souls as well and had full rights and blessings from God as white men did. So in a last escape he made the Okanagan valley his home, thought maybe there would be the place where he might find a community of people sympathetic to his beliefs. Then he met me. The only time he was happy was when he spoke of the mess that Zimbabwe and South Africa are today. His smile returns to his face momentarily, and his eyes light up with satisfaction as he happily recites from memory the murder rate in South Africa and the falling annual crop yields in Zimbabwe.

Don't be that guy. Don't be happy to say "I told you so", or look forward to Edmonton's demise. XD was a great airport, and Edmonton is a great city, nothing those crooks do will be able to change that. Nothing those crooks do will change my opinion of Edmonton, don't let them change yours either.

[Cessna driver]

Somebody please clue me in. EFC had a lawsuit going against the closure -- what happened to it?

It won't surprise that people decided not to spend more money on lawyers, but expropriation of leaseholds when you're the landlord is unfair dealing and something a lawyer could take to court.

From what i've heard, it went to court and everything and the judge ruled everything the city did was legal and proper.

[iSight]

Today initial engine condition runs on the Boeing 737 were completed.

Power was taken from idle to 80% on the main engines and all systems operated.

Everything went extremely well with only a couple of minor snags (problems).

This is the first of many steps to evaluate if we can fly the 737 off the Edmonton City Centre Airport to safe secure storage.

The sweet sound of the 737 is one that I personally have missed for a long time, I just wish it was not a circumstance we had to deal with.

Tom H

I taxied in from a flight with my student today and heard the APU going. Went upstairs and then I heard the unmistakable sound of those engines. Hurried back to the ramp to watch the show. Both exciting and sad given the reason for the test. I think you guys didn't quite have the jet blast pointed quite right though. City Hall was a little more to your right...

Tom can you please make sure that you pass on the date and time that it will fly out (if it comes to that)? I don't want to miss seeing it airborne.

K.A.

[Trematode]

Somebody please clue me in. EFC had a lawsuit going against the closure -- what happened to it?

The way I understood it was that there were two separate legal proceedings.

The flying club was seeking an injunction to halt the closure of the airport itself. By all accounts these efforts were going ok with key decisions being made in the club's favour.

In the mean time separate proceedings were underway for the expropriation of airport lands, and though delayed through various efforts the city was eventually granted permission to proceed, leaving the injunction case moot.

Theoretically an injunction against the airport being closed could still be granted, but no tenants would be left with any property from which to operate. I'm no expert but I'm assuming the legal system or the parties involved in the flying club's case would cease efforts to resolve the dispute as it would just be a waste of time/money. I'm sure someone with more knowledge could clarify.

[Tom H]

Battle of Britain Parade at the Alberta Aviation Museum

Today at 10am the last "Battle of Britain Parade" will take place at the
Alberta Aviation Museum Associaiton.

The parade, a military style celebration, normally takes place on the part
of the airport (taxi way) next to the Museum.

With the airport closing and the Museum restricted to it's current property
line this is the last one we will be able to host.

After reviewing options with the organizers, 700 Wing Air Force Association
of Canada, there will no longer be room at the facility to host a parade of
this type and scale.

So begins the end of an era.

Tom Hinderks
Alberta Aviation Museum Association

[skymarc]

Im not from Edmonton but not many other GA airports beside Villeneuve which is quit far from the city, were would every body go?

[Cessna driver]

Im not from Edmonton but not many other GA airports beside Villeneuve which is quit far from the city, were would every body go?

See the Parkland Airport thread...(for some companies)

[skymarc]

Yes Parkland I read but its not built yet???

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is R.C.A.F. Station Edmonton before everything moved to Namao.

When my father was posted from R.C.A.F. Unit Fort Churchil to R.C.A.F. Station Namao in February 1961, we stayed at the Pan Am Motel on the Kingsway. It was torn down many years ago. The aircraft were coming and going non-stop over the motel all for the three weeks we stayed there.

Cheers...Chris

[Tom H]

The Last Battle of Britain Parade

Today's events
http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/municipal-ai ... -1.1455864

[pelmet]

Another important airport shuts down. I was lucky enough to get to fly out of there a few times last year. Many cities would probably kill for an asset like that. It sure is cool flying by all those downtown buildings on approach. I wish the big businesses would put on political pressure. They can use it for bizjets.

[W5]

All the big businesses left Edmonton over the years.

[RatherBeFlying]

Well, it looks like Expropriation trumps the EFC application for an injunction.

However Expropriation requires Compensation and leaseholders and occupants are included as owners in interpretation.

Expropriation puts the city on the hook for business losses and relocation costs as well as legal and appraisal. Expropriation is much more expensive than declining to renew leases. Hopefully Edmonton will be forthcoming with the funds to allow these businesses, EFC included, to relocate and erect new premises.

When land is expropriated, the compensation payable to the
owner must be based on
(a) the market value of the land,
(b) the damages attributable to disturbance,
(c) the value to the owner of any element of special economic
advantage to the owner arising out of or incidental to the
owner’s occupation of the land to the extent that no other
provision is made for its inclusion, and
(d) damages for injurious affection.

(b) when the premises taken do not include the owner’s
residence, the owner’s costs of finding premises to replace
those expropriated, if the lands were not being offered for
sale on the date of the expropriation;
(c) relocation costs, to the extent that they are not covered in
clause (a) or (b), including
(i) moving costs, and
(ii) legal and survey costs and other non-recoverable
expenditures incurred in acquiring other premises.

Disturbance compensation to tenant
51(1) The expropriating authority shall pay to a tenant occupying
expropriated land, in respect of disturbance, so much of the cost
referred to in section 50 as is appropriate having regard to
(a) the length of the term,
(b) the portion of the term remaining,
(c) any rights to renew the tenancy or the reasonable
prospects of renewal,
(d) in the case of a business, the nature of the business, and
(e) the extent of the tenant’s investment in the land.

Business losses
53 When a business is located on the land expropriated, the
expropriating authority shall pay compensation for business loss
resulting from the relocation of the business because of the
expropriation and the Board may defer determination of the
business losses until the business has moved and been in operation
for 6 months or until a 3-year period has elapsed, whichever occurs
first.
RSA 1980 cE-16 s53
Compensation for good will
54 The Board may, on the application of the expropriating
authority or an owner, include in determining compensation an
amount not exceeding the value of the good will of a business
when the land is valued on the basis of its existing use and, in the
opinion of the Board, it is not feasible for the owner to relocate.
RSA 1980 cE-16 s54

So why did the Council suddenly decide to expropriate? Methinks they received advice from their lawyers that EFC had a good chance of enforcing the terms of their lease in court.

[golden hawk]

I wonder if the developers will come across any environmental/soil contamination where the cleanup will derail their projects financially, leaving a large urban wasteland?

[rac007]

I wonder if the developers will come across any environmental/soil contamination where the cleanup will derail their projects financially, leaving a large urban wasteland?

Undoubtedly they will. And with how many acres there are it would take years to clean it up. But once Mandel is out of office he will just switch the contaminated soil reports with clean soil reports. And people will end up living in low-cost housing built on contaminated soil. And everyone knows that low-cost housing = projects = rise in crime rate. Wouldn't want to live north of downtown in 5 years.

[Hipster Exterminator]

Today was a bittersweet moment. Sitting in the cockpit of the 737 and doing the run-up, while looking out over the rest of the infield and the runways. Knowing that for me, this was the last time ever.
We had a conversation in the cockpit (all 3 of us) right along the lines what Hipster Exterminator and Trematode said.
Sad, very sad.

I hope you could muster a little more decorum than my last two nerves and three brain cells could manage.