RAA Toronto Blog
Build stories, fly-in recaps, member spotlights, and chapter news from RAA Toronto.
First flight Nov. 23, 2022
A young pilot earned his Recreational Pilot Permit at age 15, becoming licensed before obtaining a driver's license, then took his sister on his first passenger flight.
RAA-Toronto May 2026 Newsletter
Three stories: a humorous tower exchange with a student pilot, Bogdan becoming the chapter's youngest RPP holder at 16, and coverage of ScaleWings' SW-51 Mustang reaching 40 deliveries.
Civil Air Search and Rescue Association
CASARA presentation at the chapter — the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association's volunteer aircrews supporting Canadian search-and-rescue operations.
Chili Bash @ Hangar 41 – 2026
Springtime potluck on May 9, 2026 — bring a pot of chili, salad, or dessert as your entry fee. Free-will donations go to RAA-Toronto.
RAA-Toronto March 2026 Newsletter
A humorous anecdote about accent-swapping radio calls, plus a deep dive into the Globe Swift — its rise during the postwar aviation boom and the accounting error that helped sink it.
Toxic Oversight
A document on toxic regulatory oversight in Canadian aviation — full PDF attached.
USB Power for Aircraft
A technical guide to USB power standards, connector types, and cockpit charging for iPads and tablets — including how chargers and devices negotiate current.
Panel Planner 101: Used Avionics Caveats
Guidance on purchasing pre-owned avionics: consult the installer first, source through reputable dealers, and avoid discontinued models lacking manufacturer support.
Cessna Skycatcher: The LSA That Couldn't Catch On
An analysis of why Cessna's effort to create an affordable training airplane around the new LSA category ultimately failed, with fewer than 200 deliveries before cancellation in 2014.
RAA-Toronto December 2025 Newsletter
Three stories: the Beechcraft Starship's composite legacy, Textron sunsetting the Baron G58 and Bonanza G36 in favour of the new Denali, and the AOPA McSpadden Report showing declining GA accident rates despite more flights in 2023.
RAA-Toronto November 2025 Newsletter
Two topics: a personal account of limping home at night on a single magneto, and an overview of the FAA's MOSAIC rule (effective October 22, 2025) expanding U.S. sport pilot privileges.
RAA-Toronto October 2025 Newsletter
Upcoming meeting with a NavCan ATC guest speaker, Aircraft Spruce discount details, BFC Open House recap, and articles on the relocated Roswell Air Races and the rare P-63 King Cobra warbird.
Free NavCanada Seminar
A free Nav Canada seminar on VFR operations within 80 NM of Toronto and Class C airspace procedures — May 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM via Teams. No registration required.
Chilli Bash Pics from May 10th 2025
The annual Chilli Bash celebrated community spirit with ten homemade chilis, salads, and desserts — gathered to share food, stories, and camaraderie.
CASA-2025-04 — Civil Aviation Safety Alert (IO-520-F)
Transport Canada safety alert covering Teledyne Continental engine through-bolt replacement on overhauled IO-520-F engines.
Standard 625 Appendix A: Elementary Work (Canadian Aviation Regulations)
The 29 elementary maintenance tasks permitted under CARs Standard 625 Appendix A — tire replacement, spark plug cleaning, filter changes, and more — that owners can perform on small privately operated aircraft.
Navigating the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
A comprehensive guide to CARs Parts V and VI — maintenance requirements and logbook entries for privately-owned piston aircraft, including approved schedules, out-of-phase items, and Maintenance Release rules.
Chili Bash – May 10th
Save the date — annual Chili Bash tradition on May 10th. Bring friends and family.
Presentation from our April 7th meeting with Nav Canada's Mark Maramieri
Summary of NavCanada's Mark Maramieri's presentation on FIR NOTAM requirements for sightseeing/orbiting the CN Tower, including the prior-permission-request procedure and timing recommendations.
Flying a Toronto Round-robin. How to navigate the Aurora East VFR route?
This video was meant to be a sort of demonstrating / reassurance deal for those who are afraid or intimidated to fly this route around Toronto.
Around the world, Around the corner
The global scope of World War II — how the conflict reached every corner of the planet, from the Aleutians to the River Plate.
One small step for a man, one giant leap for homebuilding — Part 1
The Stits SA-3 Playboy at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum carries a most interesting story dating back more than 60 years.
T'was the night before Christmas for the chapter!
A festive aviation-themed reimagining of the classic holiday poem — Santa pilots a Rutan-built sleigh powered by eight Rotax Reindeer.
"Flight Line" — Rt. Capt. Kent Smerdon's book
Retired Captain Kent Smerdon presented his book "Flight Line" to the chapter — anecdotes from a career flying everything from dignitaries to nuclear weapons.
How to build a Boeing 737 in 18 hours?
Boeing produces over 40 B-737 airplanes per month — about one every 18 hours. A 3½-minute video shows the entire production line.
Experimental Accident Rate Lowest Ever
The rate of fatal accidents in experimental amateur-built aircraft dropped to the lowest level ever recorded — 2.63 fatal accidents per 100,000 hours, down from 3.6.
The Toronto RAA — a 62 year-old story
In 1956 a group of flying enthusiasts met at the Brampton Aeroclub and decided to start the Toronto and Region Branch of the Recreational Aircraft Association of Canada.