Welcome to the Canadian VFR Tour 2012 - The Northern Outposts

Nunavut (meaning "our land" in Inuit) is both the least populous and the largest in geography of the provinces and territories of Canada. One of the most remote, sparsely settled regions in the world, it has an estimated population of 33,000, mostly Inuit, spread over an area the size of Western Europe. Nunavut is also home to the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world, Alert.

Iqaluit is the capital and the largest community of Nunavut. Iqaluit is located on the south coast of Baffin Island at the head of Frobisher Bay. As of the 2006 census the population was 6,184. Prior to 1987 the community was named Frobisher Bay.
The site was founded in 1942 as an American airbase, geographically located to provide a stop-over and refueling site for short range fighter aircraft being ferried across the Atlantic to support the war effort in Europe.

Conditions are rough for people living and working in this part of the world and even rougher for the magnificent pilots that keep these northern outposts alive.  The area provides little to no navigational aids. Still today, pilots have to stick to flying VFR. Expect grim frost that makes your hydraulic oil freeze, Blizzards at a wind force of 12, which can delay your flight for days.
Also expect breathtaking landscapes, which no man has ever put his foot upon. There will be snow-covered mountains, glaciers, icebergs, and fjords. And if you are lucky, you will see northern lights.

You are close to the magnetic north pole: thus you will encounter magnetic deviations of up to 100 degrees - so always trust your eyes more than your compass!

Do not expect modern airports, as you know them from home. Due to permafrost it is hardly possible; to build concrete or even asphalt runways in this part of the world. Instead, you will meet mostly gravel strips, which are snow-covered most time of the year and often very hard to spot!

Do not forget to tie down your aircraft properly after each landing. Otherwise, it might haven been gone with the wind, when you arrive at the airport the next morning.

Enjoy the northernmost part of Canada!

Because flying in such possible dangerous areas, we highly suggest that you familiarise yourself with mountain flying by reading the tips in the yellow box below. You should be familiar before starting your trips in the mountains. Don't expect to be able to fly a direct route. You will need to avoid some obstacles.

The rules of the tour are available in the MODA Lite system. This system will provide you with the tour legs, and that is where you will be able to send your flight reports and get your tour award. Once you have completed this tour, you will receive the Division VFR Tour award.

A phonetic pronunciation of each destination is included if you are speaking with Arctic Radio.