Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

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Valkyrie_XB70
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Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

Post by Valkyrie_XB70 »

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2013/09/15/p ... agway-race

Whoopsie....
In memory of the Air Canada Gimli glider, an unexpected visitor landed at the Interlake Raceway on Sep 14.

Active racing was taking place on the track around 1:45 p.m.

That’s when a plane touched down in the run-out section of the 1/4-mile track.

The landing happened without incident to the racers and the plane was promptly turned around by track officials and took off under its own power.
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CpnCrunch
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Re: Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

Post by CpnCrunch »

Maybe he'll check the NOTAMs in future.
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Valkyrie_XB70
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Re: Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

Post by Valkyrie_XB70 »

There wouldn't be a NOTAM for this. The drag strip is on a former Runway that hasn't been used in years. (Last time I was racing there was in 1992).
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CpnCrunch
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Re: Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

Post by CpnCrunch »

Ok, I see. It looks like Gimli has two runways, and the outer one has been decommissioned. I've never flown there, but looking at the satellite view there don't seem to be any Xs on the decommissioned runway. I guess the pilot just wasn't familiar with the airport and landed on the wrong runway.
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oldtimer
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Re: Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

Post by oldtimer »

Any drag strip I have ever been to or seen on TV has a whole bunch of signs, banners, bunting and spectator stands close by and I cannot see how this guy could have mistaken the drag strip for a runway. But then again the "airplane" was a homebuilt so anything is possible.
I saw a picture of Canada Jet Charters when they landed a Lear 35 on a drag strip in Belise so I guess anything is possible.
I would think the biggest no no was to take-off after words. Especially without notifying TSB or TC.
Maybe the pilot wanted to save gate fees or was looking for the requsite 15 seconds of fame.
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40echotango
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Re: Plane lands during Interlake Dragway race

Post by 40echotango »

Having grown up 12 to the north of YGM, I have flown in and out of Gimli many times. Yes you can tell where the old runway is, but there is really no excuse to mistake the drag strip in its current state as a runway. It would be interesting to hear the pilot's side of the story!

40ET
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