Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

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careerpilot?
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Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by careerpilot? »

Good Day all,

My sister is coming to visit next week, and wants to spend some time on the beach while here. From Brandon, the nice beaches on Lake Winnipeg are several hours drive, so I am thinking of flying us to Gimli, which is about 10 miles from Winnipeg Beach then taking a cab. It would make the trip that much more fun as well.

The CFS lists the airport as open, but the COPA Places to Fly website states it is not a friendly airport to visit. Has anyone used YGM recently who could shed some light? It would only be a day trip. I am going to call the contact number in the CFS next week, but would like to get a Pilot's perspective on the place if I could.

As a tack-on to this question, the following NOTAM is active at YGM:
120275 CYDN GIMLI INDUSTRIAL PARK AIRPORT
CYGM PARAJUMPS ACT 1.5 NM RADIUS AD. SFC TO 12000 FT MSL.
1300-0200 DLY
1207151300 TIL 1210160200
Rookie pilot question here: Would this imply the airport is completely closed during those times (local would be 0800 to 2100 daily), or is this an advisory only? I will again confirm via FSS / Airport manager next week, but this is mostly a professional development question for my own education.

Thanks!

PS - If anyone knows of a good "secret" spot with a nice beach near an airstrip (I'm good with turf/gravel strips, it's all good practice) within an hour (by C172) flight of Brandon and is willing to share, I would be appreciative!
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nwopilot
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by nwopilot »

The airport in gimli is pretty busy during the summer. The air cadet program has a region gliding school at the airport that operates 3 tow planes and 5 gliders, 7 days a week during daylight hours for the purpose of training glider pilots. They dont use the hard top, but instead they use the grass next to the runway. The air cadet program also operates an ATA out of the tower when glider ops is in effect. There is usally never any conflict beacuse they do circuits to the west of the runway, while other traffic does it to the east. There is also lots of skydiving activity, but once again, usally no conflict.
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lostaviator
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by lostaviator »

You will usually hear the divers going up. They fly up to 12,000, call Winnipeg Centre who gives them any traffic (Verified or not) information before they jump.
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YQLRookie
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by YQLRookie »

I'm currently training out of Gimli with the air cadets, so I'll put in what I know.
-Air Cadet ops typically start at 0700 and end at 2000, but for about 15min on either end the train of 5 gliders roll across the hardtop to taxiway Bravo to the cadet hangar. Advisory operates during those periods of time, occasionally closing for maybe 20min for meals I believe. As stated we operate 5 gliders and 3 tow planes to the west, and our operation stops at about 4000'AGL
-Waterbombers: usually there is around 3-5 based here, parked at the north end of the ramp by the cadet hangar, as well as the fire scout airplanes.
-Parachuting: haven't seen a lot of them lately, but last year they were jumping pretty regularly to a gravel circle by the north end of the ramp

There must be some kind of FBO or something, as we do get frequent GA visits, even had a Cessna Citation yesterday. Not sure of the specifics though. If you do come, have fun, the beach is pretty nice.
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careerpilot?
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by careerpilot? »

All good info, thanks very much for all the replies.

I guess far from being closed, Gimli sounds like the happening place to be! It also sounds like the gliders operate exactly the same as they do in Brandon, so it should be pretty familiar.

Thanks!
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High and Behind
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by High and Behind »

The paradrop 182 is here but I haven't seen any meat bombs in the air for some time now.
The west side of the airport as mentioned is for glider operations so if your coming from Brandon plan on a left base for rwy33 or a downwind left for rwy15. Over head wont work as the gliders go as high as 3800 feet so plan accordingly. The tugs and gliders are constantly going. Don't be nervous around them as they operate a real top notch outfit over there. We regularly depart our parallel to there operation.

You can buy fuel here from the Town Of Gimli pumps located at the North ramp by the Tanker Base.

Parking can be had out on the main ramp. Getting to town could be the tricky part unless you want to pay for a cab. There's no real FBO to speak of. But if you need a hand with something there's plenty of people around to help out if need be.

And taxi slowly. Lots of divots.
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Meatservo
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by Meatservo »

OK, sorry to go a little off-topic, but I find the term "meat bombs" to be pretty funny. Thanks for that.
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High and Behind
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by High and Behind »

I'd love to take credit for the term, but I got it from someone else who had me in stitches when he said it.

Glad you liked it.

Kinda fits with the meat servo thing doesn't it?
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Buschpielot
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by Buschpielot »

I'm guessing IBX (C-46) is still sitting there - would be worth a look. What about any DC-3s or the old Saunders (sp?)?
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Trim Spinner
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by Trim Spinner »

Lots of glider activity. Sometimes you get some big gliders too!
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North Shore
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by North Shore »

Buschpielot wrote:I'm guessing IBX (C-46) is still sitting there - would be worth a look. What about any DC-3s or the old Saunders (sp?)?
Yes, there's one old, clapped-out C-46 there (Not sure if it's IBX) and also a DC 3. The shell of the Saunders is also still there. There's a few GA aircraft, and the tankers at the base, when they are in town..
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yycflyguy
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by yycflyguy »

Trim Spinner wrote:Lots of glider activity. Sometimes you get some big gliders too!
Yup. The occasional B767 glider.
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NovaBoy
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by NovaBoy »

Gimili, wow, there's a blast from the past. I trained there back in '89-'90 when Interlake Aviation had a big flying school there. We had students from all around the world at the time. One of the old base's bunkhouses was even used for student housing. Gimili was a great little town, great beaches, milkshakes at the Lake and Steak. A lot of good memories there.
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careerpilot?
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by careerpilot? »

So the beach at Gimli itself is a nice beach? Or should we look at getting a cab down to Winnipeg Beach?
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careerpilot?
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by careerpilot? »

So the trip went great, thanks to all for the advice and info! Beautiful day, and a beautiful beach. We had a blast!
North Shore wrote:
Buschpielot wrote:I'm guessing IBX (C-46) is still sitting there - would be worth a look. What about any DC-3s or the old Saunders (sp?)?
Yes, there's one old, clapped-out C-46 there (Not sure if it's IBX) and also a DC 3. The shell of the Saunders is also still there. There's a few GA aircraft, and the tankers at the base, when they are in town..
The C-46 is indeed GIBX, and the DC-3 is CF-QHY (photos attached!)
IMG_0611.JPG
IMG_0611.JPG (559.73 KiB) Viewed 1924 times
IMG_0610.JPG
IMG_0610.JPG (420.19 KiB) Viewed 1924 times
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AirAmb350
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by AirAmb350 »

Did my training there in 89-90.....fun times!
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Cod Father
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by Cod Father »

YGM is happening! The municipality installed fuel on a pay at the pump system. Both 100LL and JetA-1 is available at the north end of the ramp by the waterbombers. Divots in the ramp are half fixed. Airport manager is a real top notch outstanding guy doing lots with very little.

Sky divers only really active on weekends.

Buffalo Joe was spotted here recently.
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careerpilot?
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by careerpilot? »

Cod Father wrote:YGM is happening! The municipality installed fuel on a pay at the pump system. Both 100LL and JetA-1 is available at the north end of the ramp by the waterbombers. Divots in the ramp are half fixed. Airport manager is a real top notch outstanding guy doing lots with very little.

Sky divers only really active on weekends.

Buffalo Joe was spotted here recently.
I was wondering why Buffalo Joe hadn't latched onto that C46 and DC3 yet, even if only for parts if they aren't economical to fly. I figured they were still owned by FNT or something... Maybe he was there casing them out? Sure would be nice to see them put back into service, it's a shame for them to sit. They look (on the outside at least) to be in relatively good shape.

Gimli really was a great spot, as a previous poster mentioned the Air Cadets do run a top-notch operation and the Advisory was very friendly and helpful. My only complaint was the runway - very rough, caused quite a shimmy in the nosewheel on the rollout. Used rough field technique on the way out, which helped...
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ipilot54
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Re: Anyone know anything about Gimli (CYGM)?

Post by ipilot54 »

The big one.
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