Canada 2025, Picking up the Diamond DA40-180XLS

Monday, 30th June, I took the Skytrain to Vancouver Airport and caught Air Canada AC34 Boeing 777 to Toronto.
I had an aisle seat, and normally I'd be able to see through both sides of the aeroplane, but on this flight the window passengers had the blinds closed for the whole flight.
In Asia the blinds must be open for both takeoff and landing, this is a safety requirement.
What's wrong with these people? They are going to fly over Canada's majestic mountains, are they so disinterested in the beauty of their own country?

I bought an expensive grotty Breakfast Sandwich which seemed to only contain and egg. Back to a normal Air Canada standard.

On arrival, Toronto was grotty, low cloud and rain, would I be stuck here for a while.
Ontario has it's weather determined by the moist air producing Great Lakes.
I took the UP train to Union Station, and met up with Robert who has an 'in' with hotels, able to get special deals meaning I paid a fraction of the regular room rates. Four nights cost me $421.89c and the fifth night was $200.
The first night was spent in the Marriot Hotel, then two nights in the Double Tree,one night in the Sheraton, and the final night in the Royal York Hotel.

Tuesday, 1st July, On to the GO train to Ajax, and the 915 bus from there to Oshawa Airport (Total senior's cost; $5.10c).
The bus driver had a Class 3 Instructor Rating, but also a family, and so the bus driving job was the one that paid him a living.

After I inspected the aeroplane I had a check flight with Mark Brooks... I should have sat in it first to recall the operation of the G1000. I didn't have much trouble, but there were "oh yes, I remember" moments.
After flying around, turns, and stalls we returned to Oshawa where I went for the most gentle landing, but on a gusty day it's perhaps better to plonk it a little!
Up to that first landing all had been good... So taxy back and do a proper landing the next time. We're not perfect all of the time.

Toronto Walkabout

Now I had to wait for the deal to go through and spend a few days in Toronto.
I began this walk by going to Tom Kha Gai and Cha Manao at the Koh Lipe restaurant.

The smell of marijuana is not as prevalent in Toronto as it is in Vancouver

Brampton Airport

Thursday, 3rd July, I took the train to Kipling Station to meet up with Ben who is an old friend from our flights from Vancouver and into Colombia California (Bellanca - Champion Fly-Ins). We were both flying Bellanca Decathlons in those days.
Ben still has his Decathlon.
We took a trip out to Brampton Airport.

I spent some time explaining the operation of the le Rhone rotary engine.

Brampton to Orillia Rama

I spent the night at Ben's condo. The cat wasn't that friendly but was curious about this guest.




Enroute to Orillia we had a go at swinging the compass while using the GPS and so took 50 minutes.
Orillia has a good restaurant for lunch, I had fish and chips, and Ben had pulled pork.

After lunch Ben dropped me off at Oshawa in the Decathlon,
and I could then complete the purchase of the DA40-180XLS.

Solly from Aviation Unlimited gave me a lift to the underground station and I returned to the city.
On my return I went to Canadian Tire and bought survival supplies including bug spray against Black Flies and Mosquitos.
In Toronto there was a noisy Islamic Festival, and at the same time a pro Palestinian march on the road.

Toronto stays

I stayed in some posh places, and ate in posh hotel restaurants.
Johnny, the DA40's new owner, had flown into Vancouver from China, and was catching a flight to Toronto.
I had to wait.