FLOATPLANE LAUNCHING AT LONG LAKE
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In consultation with the Department of Transportation of the Government of the Northwest Territories in 2014, the Northwest Territories Flying Association developed procedures for the movement of floatplanes between Long Lake and the Yellowknife airport property.* Both parties recognize the potential risk inherent in moving aircraft across the highway between the lake and the airport gate. Adherence to the agreed procedures assists in coordination between pilots and airport fire hall personnel and helps to ensure the safe movement of aircraft.
* As of June 2022, YZF airport management has unilaterally changed portions of this process. Please refer to the updates below or contact YZF airport management directly to determine any additional requirements. The YZF airport currently charges a $75 fee for the escort of floatplanes between the airport property and the dock at Long Lake. NWTFA has not been provided with a satisfactory explanation of the authority for this fee or the basis for its calculation. |
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REVISED FLOATPLANE LAUCHING PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY YZF AIRPORT
March 16, 2023 YZF airport management recently presented NWTFA with revised floatplane launching procedures* respecting the transport of floatplanes between the airport property and Long Lake. In comparison to the procedures agreed upon in 2014, these procedures add processes for payment of the escort fee but do not make any substantive changes to responsibilities for aircraft movement. NWTFA has provided comment to YZF airport management but received no response. Nevertheless, members should anticipate their application during the 2023 float season. * access restricted to current NWTFA members OUTCOME OF NWTFA COMPLAINT TO NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OMBUD
November 7, 2022 The Northwest Territories Ombud has concluded its investigation concerning the escort fee charged by the YZF airport for escort of floatplanes between the airport property and Long Lake. The report of the Ombud* issued on November 7, 2022 contains its findings and anticipated resolution. * access restricted to current NWTFA members The Ombud concluded that the fee is permitted pursuant to the Financial Administration Act which permits fees for service to be established by regulation or ministerial directive but acknowledged that the applicable process had not been followed. The Department of Infrastructure has undertaken to properly develop a directive for all cost recovery items, publish and communicate relevant fee information to stakeholders, meet annually with NWTFA, and work with the Department of Finance to ensure proper management of fees and cost recovery. The Ombud concluded that the quantum of the $75 fee was not clearly unreasonable or unfair based on its rationale of cost recovery for staff and administration time, maintenance of equipment/vehicles and fuel costs. NWTFA immediately sent an email response to the Ombud* acknowledging its conclusion that the fee was improperly implemented and expressing its position on legitimization of the fee. NWTFA will continue to monitor the issue and follow-up with the Department of Infrastructure to ensure proper authority and costing details. * access restricted to current NWTFA members |
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NWTFA COMPLAINT TO NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OMBUD
August 11, 2022
NWTFA recently submitted a complaint relating to the floatplane escort fee to the Northwest Territories Ombud for investigation. NWTFA takes the position that the escort fee is both unauthorized and unreasonable. Updates from the Ombud indicate that its investigation is taking longer than expected but that information is being sought from the GNWT Department of Infrastructure and the file remains active.
August 11, 2022
NWTFA recently submitted a complaint relating to the floatplane escort fee to the Northwest Territories Ombud for investigation. NWTFA takes the position that the escort fee is both unauthorized and unreasonable. Updates from the Ombud indicate that its investigation is taking longer than expected but that information is being sought from the GNWT Department of Infrastructure and the file remains active.
ONGOING OPPOSITION TO FLOATPLANE ESCORT FEE AND PROCESS
June 17, 2022
NWTFA has yet to receive satisfactory explanation from YZF airport management or the GNWT Department of Infrastructure to justify either the new process for arranging floatplane escorts or the escort fee. NWTFA continues to challenge authority for levying of the fee and to question its quantum. Members encountering difficulties caused by the new process are encouraged to report their experiences to NWTFA.
June 17, 2022
NWTFA has yet to receive satisfactory explanation from YZF airport management or the GNWT Department of Infrastructure to justify either the new process for arranging floatplane escorts or the escort fee. NWTFA continues to challenge authority for levying of the fee and to question its quantum. Members encountering difficulties caused by the new process are encouraged to report their experiences to NWTFA.
CHANGE IN PROCESS FOR FLOATPLANE ESCORT FEE AT YZF AIRPORT
June 1, 2022
NWTFA has just learned that YZF airport management has changed its process for arranging escort of floatplanes between the airport property and Long Lake. YZF airport management is now requiring that paperwork be completed and the escort fee paid at its office in the terminal before fire hall personnel provide escort services. The new process is causing delay and considerable frustration to pilots who are following the established procedures for floatplane launching at Long Lake.
This change was made unilaterally without notice to NWTFA or aircraft owners. NWTFA has submitted written protest to the GNWT Department of Infrastructure requesting that the escort fee be discontinued immediately, refunds be issued for any fees already paid, and the fee not be levied again unless properly authorized.
June 1, 2022
NWTFA has just learned that YZF airport management has changed its process for arranging escort of floatplanes between the airport property and Long Lake. YZF airport management is now requiring that paperwork be completed and the escort fee paid at its office in the terminal before fire hall personnel provide escort services. The new process is causing delay and considerable frustration to pilots who are following the established procedures for floatplane launching at Long Lake.
This change was made unilaterally without notice to NWTFA or aircraft owners. NWTFA has submitted written protest to the GNWT Department of Infrastructure requesting that the escort fee be discontinued immediately, refunds be issued for any fees already paid, and the fee not be levied again unless properly authorized.
CONTINUED INCONSISTENCY IN APPLICATION OF ESCORT FEES
July 14, 2021
NWTFA members continue to report inconsistency in the levy of escort fees for floatplane launching at Long Lake. Since the issue of escort fees remains outstanding, it will be included in the list of issues to be discussed in a requested meeting with the YZF airport manager concerning facilities and services for general aviation.
July 14, 2021
NWTFA members continue to report inconsistency in the levy of escort fees for floatplane launching at Long Lake. Since the issue of escort fees remains outstanding, it will be included in the list of issues to be discussed in a requested meeting with the YZF airport manager concerning facilities and services for general aviation.
OPPOSITION TO ESCORT FEES FOR FLOATPLANE LAUNCHING AT LONG LAKE
September 1, 2019
NWTFA is drafting a letter to the YZF airport opposing the levy of escort fees on private operators. Reference will made to assurances from the former airport manager that these fees are charged to commercial but not private operators. Information provided by NWTFA members indicates that the fees are being levied inconsistently based on unknown criteria.
September 1, 2019
NWTFA is drafting a letter to the YZF airport opposing the levy of escort fees on private operators. Reference will made to assurances from the former airport manager that these fees are charged to commercial but not private operators. Information provided by NWTFA members indicates that the fees are being levied inconsistently based on unknown criteria.
ESCORT FEES FOR FLOATPLANE LAUNCHING AT LONG LAKE
August 1, 2019
Several NWTFA members have recently brought forward concerns over fees being levied by the YZF airport for escort of aircraft to/from the Long Lake floatplane dock. This fee has arisen without notice or consultation and without clear criteria for its application. NWTFA has been advised by the previous airport manager that the fee applies only to commercial aircraft but recent member experience suggests that it is being charged whenever the service involves a commercial operator irrespective of whether the aircraft is owned/operated privately or commercially. NWTFA will follow up with the current airport manager for clarification.
August 1, 2019
Several NWTFA members have recently brought forward concerns over fees being levied by the YZF airport for escort of aircraft to/from the Long Lake floatplane dock. This fee has arisen without notice or consultation and without clear criteria for its application. NWTFA has been advised by the previous airport manager that the fee applies only to commercial aircraft but recent member experience suggests that it is being charged whenever the service involves a commercial operator irrespective of whether the aircraft is owned/operated privately or commercially. NWTFA will follow up with the current airport manager for clarification.
