November 1, 2002
In late 2001, Air Canada made a decision to phase out the DC9 fleet. We were also interested in possibly donating aircraft to a Museum and Aviation Colleges. The Canadian Aviation Museum in Rockcliffe was an obvious choice and arrangements were made to have Air Canada donate a DC9 to the Museum. With some research and through experience with the aircraft we determined that a landing in YRO would not be a problem.
The DC9 did its last revenue flight in January, in fact fin 711 was the aircraft on the last flight!
The result, we had very few current DC9 pilots by September, a few management pilots who had ferried aircraft to the desert during the spring were the most recent, of which I was one.
The crew to deliver 711 to YRO was myself as Captain, Capt. Rob Giguere (Executive Vice President Operations and a former experienced DC9 F/O) as in the right seat and Capt. Chuck McKinnon (former DC9 Flight Manager) in the jump seat.
To prepare for this historic flight we completed a simulator exercise in our DC9 simulator in YYZ. As the aircraft had not flown for almost 8 months and the fact that we as a crew now fly B767 or A340 aircraft, we were a "little rusty", so we also took 711 up to YMX the day before delivery to YRO for a little practice. As expected our Maintenance group had done an outstanding job on the aircraft and it operated flawlessly with no snags. As for us, the DC9 flies like a dream and after a few circuits, we were all very comfortable with landing in YRO. We practiced a few short field landings and as our takeoff roll was close to 4000 feet, we knew after arrival in YRO there was little chance of getting 711 out of YRO once we landed.
On Saturday, September 21, we arrived in YUL Operations planning to depart at 09:00. Unfortunately a weak frontal system was just west of YOW and rain was threatening. After consulting with Flight Dispatch, we elected to delay a few hours as a landing on a wet runway at YRO was not acceptable and also after the front went by, we anticipated a bit of a west wind as a bonus to reduce our landing distance.
By 11:00, conditions looked good, we filed IFR with plans to cancel and land VFR as we approached YRO. After coordination with Simon at the field and YOW arrival control we were ready to go. In an effort to land at as light a weight as possible we boarded minimum fuel, which included enough to fly from Dorval to Ottawa, conduct a precautionary approach at YRO and if required divert to YOW (total FOB 10,000lbs). Our take off weight was 73,000lbs, giving us an estimated landing weight of 68,000 lbs. Flying time YUL-YRO, :45 minutes.
As YRO was the shortest runway that any of us could remember an Air Canada DC9 landing on, we planned a precautionary approach to insure we could maneuver into a position to touchdown and stop safely. On the first approach I stabilized well out with 50 flap and an approach target speed of 115 knots. As we proceeded in visually, Rob and Chuck monitored altitudes and airspeed so I could visually get the aircraft in position. Our first approach worked out well and after the go around we quickly discussed minor changes for the next approach and final landing of 711.
On approach we planned a normal descent to the runway end with my target for touchdown just past the displaced threshold line.(I believe we ended up on the "numbers"). As Rob selected reverse thrust, I applied medium braking and we stopped in about 2000 feet, following a smooth touchdown and rollout. Given our practice in YMX the day before, the aircraft performed as expected and our arrival in YRO was no big deal. (which is exactly how we like to plan all our flights!). We will all miss the DC9, but know that 711 has found a good home!
The B737 will be the next aircraft to leave the Air Canada fleet and given its long history as part of Canadian aviation maybe one day we can deliver a B737 to YRO as well. My staff on the B767 think we could even get one of those into YRO given the opportunity! So you never know.
Simon, thanks to you and all your staff for your help in preparing for our arrival and coordination of your airfield for the final approach of aircraft 711 Air Canada’s highest time DC9.
Capt. Hugh Campbell
Senior Director, Flight Operations
Air Canada
