Achi news desk-
A “disruption of aviation activity” involving small planes, large planes and even drones is expected in the skies over Mississauga’s Pearson Airport today as people scramble to get the best possible view of the near-total solar eclipse.
The only flights being set up on Monday are those conducted by Pearson’s wildlife management team and his crew of around 25 raptors who help preserve the five runways and airspace at the largest airport and Canada’s busiest clear and safe from smaller birds.
In several posts on social media Monday morning, NAV Canada issued a notice that the skies will be busier in the GTA today. The agency is responsible for air traffic control at Pearson and across the country.
“Today marks Canada’s first total eclipse in 45 years and will be a landmark event for many Canadians,” NAV Canada officials said in a post to X (formerly Twitter). “NAV Canada is prepared for today’s flurry of aviation activity and we are treating today as an all-hazards approach.”
The all hazard approach means that the agency is prepared for any crisis or disaster that may occur at a given time.
“We expect that more recreational pilots will follow the eclipse in the sky and commercial flights will require travel within the path of totality,” NAV Canada said in another post Monday morning to X. “To all who want experience the eclipse from Air Canada, we will support you to the best of our ability.”
Agency officials also noted that they are prepared for an increase in requests today for remotely piloted aircraft systems, or drones, to take to the air.
“We are preparing for the possible influx of RPAS flight requests. If you plan to view the eclipse with a drone, file your application (with NAV Canada).
Beyond the extra planes and drones in the air today, Pearson Airport officials say it will be mostly business as usual when it comes to airport operations.
Pearson Airport Duty Manager Jake Keating (left) says for the most part it will be business as usual at the airport in terms of airport operations.
Pearson Duty Manager Jake Keating said in a video posted to X that last week’s stormy weather has had more of an impact on airport operations than today’s solar eclipse will.
“The biggest change for us will be the lighting on the airport in the middle of the day; that’s not really typical, but that’s probably the biggest impact we’re going to see,” he said, adding that planes will normally take off and land throughout the day and at night.
Keating had advice for travelers planning to fly out of Pearson on Monday.
For one, he suggested leaving early to get to the airport because “the 400 series highway will be busy with mass migration to the Niagara region.”
And once they’re on board their flights and in the air, travelers should take the same advice as everyone else – use proper, safe sunglasses to watch the eclipse from the plane, Keating urged.
Pearson officials added that they will post videos of the eclipse taken from the airport’s control tower to social media this afternoon.
A team of about 25 birds of prey help keep aircraft at Pearson safe from smaller birds that strike planes.
Officials at the airport also gave information about what to expect, perhaps, from Pearson’s large animal population on Monday. Large wooded areas and the Etobicoke Creek are part of the huge property on which the airport is located and home to many creatures and bird species.
“What happens to wildlife at the airport during an eclipse? This is what we know,” said airport officials in a post to X. “During the darkness of an eclipse, we know that animal behavior can be different from its original patterns.
“Understandably, they display patterns that are typically seen during their nighttime routines. Wildlife may also be more active just before and immediately after the eclipse; we may hear wildlife calling out more often, and we may see nocturnal wildlife during the day. Our team will not be flying our birds during the eclipse and will be on the lookout for unusual bird activity that occurs before, after and during the eclipse.”
Airport officials also noted that they would “take advantage of this rare moment to document any interesting and unusual wildlife behavior” for educational purposes.
“Interestingly, it also happens to be mating season, which may provide insight into how birds returning from wintering down south will respond to the celestial phenomenon.”
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