These changes are happening against the backdrop of the immediate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the looming recession. “A lot of the regional and smaller airports are just hanging out by the fingernails,” he said.

Dave Frank, executive director of BC Aviation Council, struck a comparable note in his often candid assessment and critiques of government policy.

“Everybody in this room should be right pissed off at the federal government’s airport capital assistance program,” he said. “They only invest $38 million a year into small airports for the entire country, which is about one-third of what is required. And if you come from a community without scheduled passenger service, you don’t even qualify. That is totally against supporting air ambulance services, emergency response, fire suppression, tourism development, remote and Indigenous community service, economic development (and) spatial justice.”

This approach by the federal government should upset small-town mayors, he said. “What it means is that if your small airport doesn’t have scheduled passenger service, it is crumbling and it’s living off depreciation and the end of life is happening out there.”

By contrast, he praised the British Columbia Air Access Program for supporting airport enhancements. “You are an idiot if you don’t plug into that program for your airport.”

That said, Frank noted larger airports are not immune, and added it’s amazing the aviation industry made it through COVID.

“Eighty-seven per cent of its business disappeared for basically two years,” he said. “Airports have no balance sheets left. They have no cash in the bank. And yet the federal government still charges exorbitant rents … If you believe our thesis, that airports and aviation are the most powerful socio-economic development infrastructure out there, why do we nickel and dime to it death?”

Beynon and Frank made these comments during a clinic that also included presentations from Walt Judas, chief executive officer of the Tourism Association of B.C., and Rose Klukas, economic development manager for the City of Campbell River.

Judas stressed the importance of air travel for provincial tourism while Klukas identified the city’s airport as an important engine of local growth.

Audience members had heard earlier from Frank that Vancouver International Airport contributed $20.2 billion to total economic output before the pandemic. COVID-19 then led to the cancelation of a capital project worth $8 billion. “It hardly made a ripple in the news,” he said, adding the total economic output of Vancouver International Airport is twice as great as the Port of Vancouver.

But if YVR is the keystone, Frank said the importance of provincial airports and the aviation industry extends beyond scheduled passenger service. They include the aerospace industry in small communities like Powell River and centres like Kelowna, educational and flight training facilities, general aviation, corporate aviation, and air ambulance airports.

(Source: Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News, Wolf Depner)

November Hangar Hangout at Helijet (YVR)

Join us today, November 24th, 2022, from 1800-2000 hrs for our fifth in-person casual get-together. We are excited to announce that Helijet will be hosting us again for a second year. The first scheduled helicopter service in Canada was launched by Helijet in 1986 and is now perhaps the world's largest service of its type. Helijet will be displaying their helicopter and Learjet air ambulances.

BCAC's intention is to create an inclusive, friendly, and inviting environment for everyone to meet new people, socialize, and connect in the “hangar” setting we’ve all been missing.

Special thanks to Helijet for opening their hangar doors to us to hold this exciting event!

This event is free and open to all. Donations to the BCAC's growing Scholarship Fund and other Services/Programs are encouraged and graciously accepted. Tax receipts will be issued for any personal donations. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please Note: Space is limited so please register for this free event at: http://bit.ly/HH1122

Beaver aircraft stamp fails to take off with Canadian aviators

It was meant to honour the De Havilland Beaver, a Canadian aviation workhorse, but a small stamp is causing a big upheaval in Canadian aviation circles.

Canada Post unveiled the new stamp to much acclaim on Oct. 13th, 2022, as part of its Canadians in Flight series, honouring the country’s achievements in aviation. The Crown corporation even sent its chief executive to British Columbia to mark the event. Victoria-based Viking Air (De Havilland) owns the plans and tools used to build the Beaver and, crucially, spare parts. But sharp-eyed aviation historians noticed a flaw. The aircraft pictured on the stamp bears the markings N995SP – an American registration owned by Sportsman’s Air Service, based in Anchorage, Alaska.

“(The plane) originally came out of Canada. It was picked up there as a wreck,” said owner Joe Schuster, who refurbished the plane in the 1990s and still flies it more than 500 hours a year ferrying tourists, hunters, and outdoors enthusiasts to hard-to-reach destinations. “It flies slow, rarely gets over 1,000 feet elevation, and carries a big payload.”

The Beaver was the first all-metal bush plane designed and built in Canada, with 1,692 manufactured between 1947 and 1968. It still holds the record as the bestselling Canadian aircraft. More than 700 are still flying, including 14 in regular passenger service on the B.C. coast with Vancouver-based Harbour Air. READ MORE

(Source: Global News, Brett Ballah)

Elk Valley Air Cadet soars high

Local cadet, Sgt Kamryn Rawles is working to obtain a pilot’s licence

This summer 16-year-old cadet Sgt Kamryn Rawles had the opportunity to obtain a pilot’s license to fly a glider. She attended the 7-week Glider Pilot Training Course in Trenton, ON.

“There’s no way to describe the feeling of flying a glider on your own. The exhilaration you get when you think the only thing keeping you 3 thousand feet in the air is the glider and your skills” says Rawles.

Sgt Rawles has been a member of 279 Elk Valley Air Cadets for 4 years and has just started her 5th year. She has been working towards the goal of obtaining a pilot’s license by participating in weekly training and additional ground school training. Cadets can apply for courses, such as the Glider Pilot Training Course once they meet the requirements. There is a knowledge exam, interview and review of the cadets’ training and school records.

“It was overwhelming to say the least. The skills and professionalism of the instructors was phenomenal and the experience and knowledge I gained inspired me.” Says Rawles, “The days were long, both mentally and physically challenging, but the summer really seemed to fly by.” READ MORE

(Source: The Free Press, Sherri Shaw)