Online Auction Ends Today, 4:30pm Pacific

Questions? Contact us at info@bcaviationcouncil.org

(Photo/iStock)

CILTNA Webinar Highlights Harbour Air ePlane

Join our colleagues at on June 22, 2023 at 9 am Pacific for a CILTNA hosted Webinar: “Toward Decarbonization of West Coast Sea and Air: Harbour/Escort Tugs and Commuter Airplanes”.

Canada has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Join us to learn how HaiSea Marine and Harbour Air Group are helping to make that a realization through green tugboat fleets and electrically-powered aircraft.

Erika Holtz, Engineering and Quality Manager, Harbour Air Group will discuss how in August, 2022, Canadian seaplane operator Harbour Air for the first time flew its electrically-powered De Havilland Beaver prototype aircraft on a point-to-point test flight. The eBeaver flew 45 miles in 24 minutes between Vancouver and Victoria, BC.

In its April 21 Earth Day update on its “electric journey” the airline stated that there had been many “twists and turns” as it conducted tests on its eplane. It had hoped to be carrying passengers in the next couple of years. However, supply chain issues and changes to the types of electric engines have led to several delays.

Indeed the approval process for the magni650 with its novel engine and battery technology has caused issues. Harbour Air said, “certifying the installation of components into an aircraft where no certification path exists has been difficult” and that the new technology had been “outpacing the regulators”. It is hoped that the certification of the magni650 will be granted in mid-2025, with fare-paying passengers shortly thereafter.

Harbour Air showcased their ePlane at a BCAC Youth Engagement Committee Hangar Hangout attended by over 100 registrants in late 2022. If Canada is serious about sustainability, definitely a project deserving quick review and support by the Federal and Provincial governments before competing nations pass us by.

YPK (Pitt Meadows Airport) Day

It’s back! We are thrilled to announce that we will finally be hosting our beloved AIRPORT DAY this upcoming June 24th 2023 from 11am-5pm. This event’s theme will be ‘Careers in Aviation’ with the hopes of intriguing our next generation of pilots!

We will offer the same as before with food carts, a vendor marketplace, beer gardens, music, kid zone and of course many, many airplanes and exhibits.

Mark it down in your calendar and join us in 2023 for another amazing event. We can’t wait to see you all again.

YPK is the home of an amazing number of flight schools, one of which hosted about fifty people at the last Youth Engagement Committee Hangar Hangout.

NAV CANADA Consultation re Kelowna Airspace Closes June 26th

NAV CANADA is conducting a review of the Airspace and Air Traffic Service requirements at and in the vicinity of the Kelowna, BC airport (CYLW). Airspace outside of the Kelowna control zone is congested due to a mix of IFR and VFR operations, with high speed IFR and VFR aircraft operating in proximity to slower speed VFR aircraft. Further increasing complexity are the mountainous valley, and the increasingly varied traffic mix and increasing traffic volume in and around the control zone.  

This review is examining the issues and concerns with the current operating environment and will determine the optimal airspace design to address operational requirements, maximize accessibility and provide structure, assuring safety and efficiency for all users. Further assessment will be conducted to determine if the current hours of operation are appropriate for traffic levels.

Terms of Reference for the aeronautical study can be found at the following link:

https://www.navcanada.ca/en/air-traffic/level-of-service-studies/2023-kelowna.aspx

NAV CANADA is currently undertaking stakeholder consultation as part of the Airspace and Air Traffic Service requirements review. The consultation period will remain open until June 26th, 2023. 

With many BCAC members having interests in the operating environment in the vicinity of Kelowna, we would appreciate your feedback on this study. What confliction points have you noticed?  What currently works well for you? Are there any changes to the airspace or hours of operation that would improve your ability to use the airspace?  

Should you have any questions or wish to provide input into the Aeronautical Study, you may do so by emailing studies.etudes@navcanada.ca. We look forward to receiving your input! 

Important Survey on Northern B.C. Transportation Challenges Closes June 25th

Residents in northern B.C. have a couple days left to provide their input on transportation challenges in the region.

Northern Development is encouraging community organizations and the public to provide their input on transportation challenges and opportunities in the final weeks of a survey open until June 25 at northerndevelopment.bc.ca.

The survey supports the Northern Inter-Community Transportation Study now underway and respondents will be entered into a prize draw, with one $500 Visa gift card available to the winner.

The study is focusing on how to improve inter-community transportation connections between Northern B.C. communities, as well as in rural areas not served by existing public transportation. It is looking for feedback on existing transportation options already available in Northern B.C., plus gathering input on what additional transportation priorities should be considered.

“Northern Development already provides funding to 19 different transportation services in our region, and we are eager to hear how to improve connections,” said Joel McKay, Northern Development’s chief executive officer. “We would like to learn directly from citizens and community organizations about what is working and how we can even better connect northern B.C.”

The study seeks to understand potential roles that First Nations, local governments and community organizations could play in future transportation improvements, with the goal of continuing to create a more prosperous and connected northern B.C.
 
In addition to the online survey, Northern Development staff have been holding open houses in several communities and undertaking virtual roundtables with representatives from Indigenous and local governments plus existing transportation service providers.
 
Funding to conduct the study came from the Province of BC. Information gathered through the survey, virtual roundtables and open houses will help develop a report, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure later this year. To take the survey and enter the draw, head to northerndevelopment.bc.ca.

Don't underestimate the medium and long term impact these reports have. iI is important that the aviation community ensure that the critical role air services play in Northern BC is clearly heard. The Council encourages you to find the time to participate (and win the $500 Visa card!).

(Source: Prince George Citizen, Hannah Petersen; Photo/Bob439-XPlane.org)