Photos by Chris Welter: November 23 2013

It's been nearly two weeks since my last blog post so I've sifted through plenty of photos to bring this one up to date. It's nearly the end of November; I completed my Nav Canada air traffic control interview yesterday, two rides in the Cessna 182 recently and the occasional 172 ride. I've kept busy with studying for my Commercial Pilots License and spending time in Winnipeg. If the interview was a success, I'll have confirmation within a few weeks and I'll be put in a pool for training selection. Each course only has three seats, so it's a very competitive selection process. If I'm not selected, I'll likely pursue avionics in either Toronto or out on the west coast.

Earlier this afternoon, I did a flight with my dad over Lake Winnipeg from Grand Beach to Gimli. It had been one of my goals for the longest time to climb up high over the lake and cruise to the opposite shoreline. I'll include some of the shots in the following photo gallery.

Following Highway 59 northbound, we met up with the intersection of the Brokenhead River, which unofficially marks the boundary of the Winnipeg Terminal Airspace. That means that once we have crossed north of the river, we are able to ascend without attaining permission from a control tower.

In the air at 6000 feet above sea level, you can see the city of Winnipeg from above the lake. It's pretty hard to make out buildings along the horizon in small photos but seeing it with your own eyes is pretty amazing.

Another nice shot of the sun's reflection on the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg

It's too bad there was so much sun glare off our windscreen; this picture of a frozen Grand Beach would've turned out really nice.

Glancing north towards Victoria Beach and Elk Island as we make our way across the lake

Arriving over the town of Gimli, MB

Gimli, Manitoba

The next photos were taken on a flight about 4 days ago when I was learning some tips from Tom Kresnyak on the Cessna 182. We had some carburetor icing issues but fortunately landed safely on the runway back in St. Andrews after the flight.