Revelstoke, BC

[randallg]

There is a huge ski resort development getting started in Revelstoke. Currently there is no public instrument approach to the airport there nor is there any scheduled service. Nearest instrument airports are Kamloops or Kelowna. Salmon Arm has a GPS approach. Does anyone have an opinion on whether an approach to Revelstoke will be designed? I suspect only a GPS approach with a pretty high MDA would be possible - maybe something like Fairmont Hot Springs.

[Ogee]

I think somebody has a GPS approach approved into Revelstoke, most likely the Medevac guys. Apparently its real squeaky bum stuff though.

[Dave T]

There is an RCAP RNAV approach for Revelstoke. Not sure how low it gets you but as the above poster said it is pretty interesting.

[Rockie]

The runway is not aligned with the valley, and the approach would have to be from the south with the missed approach exiting the same way. The valley is quite narrow so the turn would have to be very tight. I can't see how anything but a cloud break procedure with high circling minimums would be doable there. Once this thing gets going it might be worthwhile to build another airport closer to Galena Bay. That would allow an RNAV approach on either end with reasonable missed approach terrain clearance and lower minimums.

[Carrier]

The RNAV (GNSS) A for Revelstoke BC: MDA circling 4000 (2541) vis 3 for Cat A, B, & C. Cat D not authorized. Approach is from SSW, missed approach procedure is to NNW and N with shuttle as necessary. Good climb rate required!

[Big Pistons Forever]

2541 AGL is right down in the valley. Does the plate specify the requirement for the pilot to carry an extra pair of underware

[randallg]

So there is a public RNAV for Revelstoke? I have to get a new CAP - my copy from July 2007 does not have it.

[Driving Rain]

Revelstoke isn't easy to get to at this time of year. This accident happened 34 km east at the Albert Canyon bridge a couple of weeks ago. This is one lucky dude!

[co-joe]

Nothing public. It's in the RCAP Ops spec 099 or 410 required

[randallg]

Where can I get an RCAP publication? I have never heard of it.
How does a private pilot get permission to fly an RCAP approach?

[oldtimer]

You do not just go and "buy" the RCAP. If you are a commercial air carrier or a 604 private operator you apply to TC for either ops spec 099 or 410, jump through hoops, amend your operations manual, train your crews, certify your GPS, and have the approach loaded into your GPS by the factory and then you may be priveledged to download the RCAP. I would be very hesitant about attempting to aquire a bootleg copy of the procedure because that would require you to program your own GPS as user waypoints and that is suicide.
Talk to TC and they may lead you to the proper channels. Otherwise, descend to VFR on the airway and cancell or do a published approach and .. run.

[Doc]

Been there. It's on my "nice sunny day" VFR only list.

[randallg]

Thanks for the info oldtimer. I'd never do that sort of thing against regulation, but I sure hope it can be made public someday, or that it can be approved through TC. Lowest MOCA near Revelstoke is 10900, which is 1000's higher than you'd need to just go VFR from Salmon Arm, which has an MDA of 3900. Revelstoke has some of the world's best snow, so it may become quite a popular destination in the future.

[oldtimer]

To give you encouragement, Trail B.C. was an RCAP GNSS approach but it is now published in the CAP which means anyone with an IFR certified GPS can do it and it will show up in your GPS database. It is a challenging approach in anything but a high performance airplane. I did it in a King Air 350 so it was no big deal but in a normal aspirated single or light twin, it could be challenging in weather.

[desertduster]

I have been into Revelstoke many times, some Vfr, A couple times using the RCAP approach, and then if the weather is down I find it is better to Do an ILS in to Cranbrook or the RNAV into Fairmont and run up the valley. This is my preference as it will almost always get you in lower than the RCAP for Revelstoke. Although, I do recommend being quite familiar with terrain first.

[Rowdy]

[quote="randallg"]Lowest MOCA near Revelstoke is 10900, which is 1000's higher than you'd need to just go VFR from Salmon Arm, which has an MDA of 3900. quote]

Hahaha Please please please do not go vfr from salmon arm to revelstoke unless the weather is gorgeous or you know the route like the back of your hand.

[fougner]

.

[Scuba_Steve]

Excellent, I'm going into revelstoke tomorrow with a 200, My first time, should prove interesting..

The guy coming with has been there a bunch of times so we'll figure it out.

[oldtimer]

Maybe I should clarify my remarks. You require an ops spec to use the RCAP while carrying passengers. I just assumed that if you did not have an ops manual (private owners of small airplanes) you could not use or buy the RCAP.
I am not all that familiar with the procurement process because our company has the ops spec and we are issued the plates.
I also know that we are not allowed to share the plates just like we are not allowed to share other company property without permission from the man whose signature appears on the botom left corner of my paycheck.

All I want to say is - do not "build your own" approach procedure into your GPS. The risks are just too great. Study the procedure and fly it in VFR conditios the first time. If all works out well, well, enjoy.

[fougner]

.

[husky]

Are there non-RNAV or GPS RCAP approaches?

Just because you can get the plates, does not mean you can fly the approaches. You still need the relevant approaches loaded into your IFR certified GPS, which I believe requires the OPS-Spec.

[fougner]

.

[2R]

Ice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Climbing out in ice can be interesting .Just like Cancergar ice on the climb out can make it very interesting
When you lose one thousand feet of climb performance in less than five minutes on the climb out you know you are in ICE
that comes with the big pacific systems that give the area some of the best snow on the planet.

And if you pick up a lot of ice on the approach you may not be able to climb out if you go missed

[randallg]

Hahaha Please please please do not go vfr from salmon arm to revelstoke unless the weather is gorgeous or you know the route like the back of your hand.

I dunno, the route would not be hard to find - just follow the Trans Canada Highway. Biggest problem is the narrowness of the valley, but the bottom is below 2000' the whole way. I don't know what ceiling would be comfortable but certainly something less than the 10900' MOCA would do it. I'll fly it on a CAVU day sometime to get a feel for it.

For comparison I came west from the interior along the Coquihalla highway one day last summer. Ceiling was decreasing and at Hope it was 4000'. That was sufficient but I would not have felt comfortable any lower. The automatic weather observer was reporting 4300' IIRC.

[Golden Pilot]

I have been into Revelstoke many times, some Vfr, A couple times using the RCAP approach, and then if the weather is down I find it is better to Do an ILS in to Cranbrook or the RNAV into Fairmont and run up the valley. This is my preference as it will almost always get you in lower than the RCAP for Revelstoke. Although, I do recommend being quite familiar with terrain first.

Cloud breaking in CYXC or CYCZ is fine for .. running up to Invermere or Golden, BUT there is one small obstacle to VFR flight into CYRV with that plan....the Rogers Pass ????? I'd expect that you'd need at least a 6,000 ASL ceiling to safely run the Rogers ( 4200) in any higher performance fixed wing?


Rowdy wrote:
Please please please do not go vfr from salmon arm to revelstoke unless the weather is gorgeous or you know the route like the back of your hand.

Rowdy, good advice