Transport Canada Bans Air Show Pilot From Practicing At Home Airport

Transport Canada has notified air show pilot Dave Mathieson ... known around the circuit as "Super Dave" Mathieson ... that he can no longer practice air show routines in his MX-2 airplane near his home airport of Chilliwack below 2000 feet, citing proximity to "noise sensitive or livestock" areas.

Canadian officials told Mathieson that noise complaints led to the prohibition.

Mathieson made Chilliwack Airport in British Columbia in Canada his home base a few years ago, according to a report in the Chilliwack Progress. And as we all know, flying safely in air shows requires lots of practice. Mathieson says his practice sessions run about 12 minutes twice a day as he prepares for appearances throughout North America. 

Mathieson was also preparing to participate in the filming of a Discovery Channel documentary series called "Air Show" produced by Great Pacific Media. But now, Mathieson says, "there's nothing to film."

The paper reports that Super Dave had obtained permission from the Chilliwack Airport to practice his routines over land owned by them, and he was issued a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SCOF) from Transport Canada for the 2015 season. But then came a letter dated April 8th from the Civil Aviation department of Transport Canada reminding the pilot of his "responsibility" of ensuring compliance with the conditions of the permit.

The letter says that the airport does not support his use of the SFOC because "the site of operation is not located in the vicinity of noise sensitive areas, such as residential areas, livestock areas, etc.

"Please be advised that use of your SFOC at Chilliwack airport for aerobatics below 2000 feet AGL is inappropriate and will be considered a violation" under the new certificate.

Airport officials, however, say they do support Super Dave, going so far as to sponsor the pilot, who has added "Chilliwack Airport" to his livery.

Airport officials also say they were not invited to the discussions of the noise complaints, according to Chilliwack Airport manager Garry Atkins.

Mathieson said he moved his family to the area three years ago, and has invested at least a million dollars over the past 10. Now, he says, he may have to move. The decision by Transport Canada may also have an adverse economic impact on the area. When Great Pacific Media filmed another program, "Highway through Hell in Hope" in the region, it accounted for as much as $6 million for local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Atkins said he now does not see that happening, and added that it could also affect future expansion of the airport.

(Image from Super Dave Mathieson via Facebook)

FMI: http://www.superdaveairshows.com, http://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=34, https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/menu.htm