The wild and the wonderful

I yearned to view the falls up close once more. I had last seen them during my first flight in a helicopter—a celebratory sightseeing tour I took after graduating from college. My son had never experienced their majesty.

I was soon planning my second flight over Niagara Falls, but this time I would be pilot in command. Flying to Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) would be easy enough, but two details on the U.S. and Canadian sectional charts required more research. To circle the falls, you must fly in both U.S. and Canadian airspace—the international border runs along the midpoint of the Niagara River. And CYR 518, a Pac-Man-shaped section of restricted airspace, sits atop the Canadian side of the falls.

I learned there is a special notice, not mentioned on the charts, that describes in detail how to fly the “Scenic Falls Route” in a GA aircraft: Part 93—Special Air Traffic Rules; Subpart E—Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Niagara Falls, New York. The route looked simple: fly at or above 3,500 feet msl at 130 knots or slower in a clockwise racetrack pattern oriented northeast-southwest while monitoring and reporting intentions on frequency 122.05 MHz.

What about flying into Canadian airspace? If you’re not landing in Canada, there is no need to contact the Canada Border Services Agency or U.S. Customs and Border Protection or file an eAPIS flight plan, but you do need to be at least a private pilot with a valid third class medical certificate to fly in Canadian airspace. The notice recommends contacting Buffalo Approach for flight following to and from the area. Homework done, let’s fly.

Tony and I flew into IAG and took an Uber to Niagara Falls State Park to first see the falls from ground level. The thundering roar of Horseshoe Falls was impressive, and the cool mist produced by the 188-foot freefall of water felt extremely refreshing on the hot summer day. We walked to Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls to take in every angle of this natural spectacle. In the park, however, one’s sense of overall scale is limited. We were excited to take it all in from above.

Back at the airport, we reviewed the special air traffic rules before calling ground. There were numerous helicopters taking off to give scenic tours in the restricted airspace below 3,500 feet, but there appeared to be very few aircraft above 3,500 feet.

It surprised me, then, that the controller tried three times to ascertain my understanding of the rules. “Are you aware of the special air traffic rules over the falls?” he inquired. “Affirmative,” I answered. “There are special procedures for flying over the falls, are you sure you understand them?” he said. “Yes, I read the rules, is there something else I should know?” I asked. He proceeded to read all the rules to me over the radio and asked if I still wanted to fly the route. I said yes and it made me realize not all pilots are aware of the rules, read the rules, and follow the rules. If you do all three and remain vigilant, you’ll be fine.

The controller gave me a squawk code and instructed me to fly a heading of 240 degrees until at or above 3,500 feet msl and then turn right to join the racetrack pattern. For all the prep work and cautions, entering the “Scenic Falls Route” was easy.

I slowed the airplane to 70 knots to savor the tremendous view. The falls are just as impressive from this perspective. The sheer volume of water pouring over several falls at once is mind boggling. We could see the tourists lined up along the falls’ cliffs and appreciate their awe. We tracked the progress of tour boats creeping as near the falls’ downpouring water as they dared before retreating to safety—their adventurous passengers happily drenched. We admired the quaint American Niagara Falls downtown, seemingly unchanged since Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse built their famous hydro-electric power plant in 1895 on the banks of the river and were impressed by the tall hotels and casinos rising from the Canadian Niagara Falls downtown.

After a few orbits we departed the “Scenic Falls Route” and called Buffalo Approach, fully satisfied in taking advantage of our freedom to fly, the views we were able to see, and the memories we were able to make.

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