Stéphane Leclair

Airlines are increasingly using alternate certified MTOWs to reduce weight-based fees, adjusting aircraft weight variants to match seasonal or route needs. While fully compliant, these shifts can significantly reduce airport landing-fee revenue and add administrative complexity. As more carriers adopt MTOW optimization, airports must account for variable certified weights in forecasting and fee-structure planning.

More aircraft are flying under rotating or obscured identifiers through services like DCM and ForeFlight privacy controls. These tools limit traceability and can break registry-based workflows, making it harder for airports to connect movements to the correct operator and maintain reliable billing. Airport should understand how these services work and their impact to operations and billing.

The RCAF has received its first two CT-102B Astra II aircraft under the Future Aircrew Training program, marking a major step in modernizing Canada’s pilot training. With upgraded avionics and new training systems, the Astra II begins a new era for aircrew development at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.