Behind the scenes of Toronto Billy Bishop airport

Aug 30, 2024 by mtxvp

Billy Bishop YTZ airport is uniquely situated on Toronto Island, right at woterfront of Toronto downtown. Airport has a 85 year long, storied history.

Airport is separated from the city by narrow Western Gap channel, which is about 120m wide and over 30m deep.

To get to the airport you either walk through the underground tunnel or cross the channel with a (no-cost) ferry going over every 15 minutes.

Views of the airport grounds outside of terminal

Billy Bishop airpot is home hub for Porter Airlines. This is how one of their hangars look from inside:

De Havilland Dash 8-400 airplane from outside

And it's Pratt & Whitney 150A turboprop engine close-up:

Airport also hosts an Ornge Hangar, showing off it's fleet Leonardo AW139 helicopters. Ornge is providing air ambulance service and medical transport through this and 13 other bases across Ontario.

Helicopter is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine:

Special airport emergency vehicles:

Striker ARFF vehicle with it's equipment:

XERIO TRAC VC tractor:

Maintenance vehicles:

View from the island:

Cirrus SR22T aircraft parked on the tarmac:

Amazing collaboration between Toronto Open Doors and Billy Bishop Airport in organizing this event.