Nav Canada - Ultimate Survey

From COPA, Nav Canada is setting out to review services in the Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor corridor. They are looking for input, so if you fly around any of these areas here is your chance to have your say: Ultimate Survey

Sublime to Rediculous

Forbes is reporting Apple and Microsoft threatened with possible digital copyright lawsuit by Media Rights Technology and BlueBeat.com. Apparently creating your own digital rights protection code is in contravenes the DMCA, when your can pay someone else for the code. This is just my opinion, but I thing IT companies need to fire a bunch of lawyers, hire programmers instead.

20 7b 45 51 f2 db 2a 70 73 26 d6 74 47 de 2b 8f

It has been a crazy few weeks on the copyright/DMCA front with the AACS trying to suppress the release of a processing key for high definition media, also reported int the New York Times. I don't condone piracy, but neither do I support stupidity.

My favourite, if somewhat whimsical treatment is Cali Lewis's music video of Geoff Smith's song commemorating the digital dust up.

If 128 bit integers can be controlled, then shouldn't anyone be able to own one? Freedom to Tinker think so. Now you can own an integer too -- get yours here. 20 7B 45 51 F2 DB 2A 70 73 26 D6 74 47 DE 2B 8F is mine.

In a related development it seems the Great White North will have to do without previews of Warner Brothers (see if you can find Canada in the choose your country menu) movies. You know, where in exchange for a free ticket and a body cavity search you get to see some horrible movie before anyone else. It seems no amount of security can prevent us intrepid Canucks from spiriting away with a pirated copy. I guess that is why US Army contractors live in fear of our loose change. Or is this just another bad Hollywood plot? I wonder if we don't smarten up if they will stop releasing movies in Canada all together. And the DVD, followed by the director's cut with the collectible chachkas.

This would just be sad if the rampant paranoia, and greed (on both sides of the issue) weren't going to cost the innocent bystander so much. If you have bought a PC with Windows Vista, are thinking about such a purchase, or know some one who has or is; you really need to read Peter Gutmann's white paper digital rights management in Vista. Or at least listen to the series of Security Now pod casts on the subject, starting with episode 73.

Speaking of Low Passes

Of course my Cherokee can't compete with this low pass:



A-10 Almost Takes Out Cameraman - video powered by Metacafe

or this one (Warning, strong language).

Township of Rideau Lakes - Aerodrome

As the copy from the very complete and professional looking Westport website declares, the town is nestled in the heart of the Rideau Lakes. The airport however, operated by the Rideau Lakes Flying Club, is loacated in the Township of Rideau Lakes.

Civic government organization aside, the strip is a worthwhile visit for the more experienced pilot, though not for a quick $100 burger. The COPA page has a fairly good plan view showing the distance from the airport entrance to the town, which front on Upper Rideau Lake just north of the airport.

I was by there the other day with the video camera on board. The wind was strong and gusty, out of the west, so I did a quick low and over of runway 25. I didn't land because it is still early in the season, the grass could be soft and I hadn't called for a condition report. The video shows the approach over the lake and the trees off the end of 07. For those pilots who like to come in low over the threshold and drop it on the numbers, check out the hay bales! Whenever landing at a strip with limited maintenance it is always a good idea to call ahead, and make an inspection pass.



The flying club located at the airport hosts a Breakfast Flyin the last Saturday in May. I never seem to get there because of scheduling conflicts, this year will be no different, but it is on my list of things to fly to. If you have skis, they also host a chili flyin mid February.

So if you are looking for a somewhat different destination, think about Westport/Rideau Lakes. I understand it is equally pleasant if you arrive by car, or boat.

Bush Pilots - One of Canada's Seven Wonders?

On the way to the airport this morning I was listening to CBC Radio One, the program was Sounds Like Canada. For the past few weeks they have been pursuing nominations for the Seven Wonders of Canada. On the program today were TWO nominations for Bush Pilots! What a great idea.

Voting starts on May 14th, I hope Bush Pilots make the final list, that will be my vote.