Air passenger traffic steady at northwestern B.C. airport
Passenger traffic at the Northwest Regional Airport has remained surprisingly strong despite the completion of large-scale industrial projects, says its manager.
Passenger totals for 2015 of 239,095 were down just seven percent compared to 2014, said Carman Hendry.
And while this January’s total of 15,713 was a drop from the 17,114 passenger total for January 2015, traffic for February bounced back.
“We were down just 81 passengers, barely one per cent,” said Hendry of February 2016’s total 17,069 compared to the February 2015 total of 17,150.
“And what we’re hearing is that March was very strong,” Hendey added.
He said the non-profit society which operates the airport has been surprised that passenger numbers are holding given that large projects such as Rio Tinto Alcan’s Kitimat smelter rebuild have been winding down.
BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LAUNCHES COURSE ON DRONES
BCIT Aerospace is pleased to announce that registration is now open for their very first UAV/UAS course. The course is available online and will be startingApril 30th. This is an introductory course and no previous experience with UAVs is needed. This is the first course in what we plan will be a series of UAV-related courses.
To get more information about the course or to register, click here.
BCIT Aerospace also has a Part Time Studies course starting Saturday, May 7which runs for 10 weeks. It is Introduction to Airport and Airside Operations, which is part of the Associate Certificate program in Airport Operations. The course focuses on the airport as an essential part of the air transport system. The topics covered in the course include an overview of various airport departments, examines the regulatory requirements, and covers the operational and management services of both large and small airports. To get more information about the course or to register, click here.
BC Pilots to fly at Vimy Ridge 100thAnniversary Celebrations in France April 2017
Vimy Flight was formed four years ago by 4 retired Canadian military pilots who had acquired replica Nieuport XI World War One scout aircraft and were flying them as a hobby. While so engaged they pondered the possibility of flying over the Vimy memorial in France for the upcoming centennial celebration to honour those who fought in that conflict. Their imagination was piqued by a 1936 photo which depicted bi-planes flying over the Vimy memorial during the opening ceremony in July 1936. A plan was formulated to replicate this event during the dedication ceremony scheduled for 9 April 2017 in France.
Bi-planes over Vimy at 1936 opening 
BCAC Annual Airport’s Workshop & AGM
More than 100 senior airport, airline, aviation authority, government and related business executives will gather in Nanaimo from April 25-27 for the annual event. The theme for the three days of meetings, workshops and networking is Shaping Our Future.
“It’s important to provide opportunities for airports and related service providers to discuss current issues and build on business relationships,” says Candace McKibbon, the B.C. Aviation Council’s Executive Director.
“Industry leaders will share their innovations, knowledge and insights—all focused on advancing B.C.’s aviation sector.”
Just some of the focus areas will be:
* Maximizing revenues and funding
* Meeting increased demands for security and training
* Planning and regulatory compliance
As in previous years, speakers will share best practices and discuss holistic strategies for dealing with these topics.
Registration and More Information
BCAC Accepting Nominations for Scholarships
Anderson Family Scholarship
Deadline extended for The Anderson Family Flight Training Scholarship, awarded to a young aspiring BC pilot, aged 16-19. Nominations extended to April 15, 2016.
Deadline for all other Award and Scholarship Nominations – May 31, 2016 (*Not including the Anderson Family Flight Training Scholarship)
BC Aviation Council members recognize the financial pressures faces by students pursuing studies in aviation and aerospace, and the BCAC provides scholarships and awards for students on an annual basis.
Students actively pursuing studies in the following fields can apply for cash awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Commercial Pilot
- Aviation Maintenance
- Airport Operations
- Private Pilot
Kids will soar over Okanagan Lake this June
*Photo Credit: Kelowna Flying Club
The Kelowna Flying Club and its members of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) are reminding parents that registration for COPA for Kids is now open.
On June 4, almost 200 youth from the Okanagan will climb into a plane with a pilot and soar over the Okanagan Valley. The event is a way to show youth from the ages of eight to 17 about aircrafts and what goes into becoming a pilot.
More than 180 kids will get a close-up look at some aircraft on the ground, attend a short ground school and then will get ready for take-off.
Pacific Coastal Airlines Celebrates 10 Years of Service at Trail Regional Airport (YZZ)
Pacific Coastal Airlines is celebrating ten years of continuous service to the Trail Regional Airport on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
“We’ve really enjoyed serving the residents of the west Kootenay region over the past decade and look forward to many more to come,” says Pacific Coastal’s Vice President of Commercial Services Spencer Smith. “We’re proud to be part of the community.”
The B.C. owned and operated company operates twice daily non-stop flights between Vancouver and the Trail Regional Airport six days a week, once on Saturday and connects to more than sixty-five destinations in the province. It also offers cargo, as well as charter service across western Canada and the U.S.
Pitt Meadows to create airport advisory committee
A “decade of frustration” on the part of residents and Pitt Meadows Airport stakeholders has resulted in a recent City resolution to develop an advisory committee,” said Pitt Meadows Mayor John Becker.
“Creating this advisory committee is a reflection of the needs of our residents, through City council, to work with airport stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent way, and to give residents a voice.”
To start the process, the City is looking for interested parties to participate in an initial steering committee, to help determine ” the form and function” of the eventual advisory committee.
The steering committee is open to anyone who is interested, including Pitt Meadows City council and residents, Maple Ridge City council and residents, and airport stakeholders.
Siemens and Airbus to push electric aviation engines
*Photo Credit: Reuters
Siemens and Airbus teamed up today to develop electric and hybrid electric/combustion engines for commercial and private aircraft.
The companies said they would amass a joint development team of about 200 employees that would jointly develop prototypes for various propulsion systems with power classes ranging from a few 100 kilowatts up to 10 and more megawatts, for short, local trips with aircraft below 100 seats, helicopters or unmanned aircraft up to classic short and medium-range flights.
Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can significantly reduce fuel consumption of aircraft and reduce noise. European emissions targets aim for a 75% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050. These ambitious goals cannot be achieved by conventional technologies, the companies stated.
Student pilot survives plane crash near Salmon Arm
*Photo Credit: Shuswap Search and Rescue
The student pilot who crashed a small plane on Mt. Ida above Salmon Arm last night suffered only minor injuries and walked away from the wreckage of his aircraft.
John Schutt with Shuswap Search and Rescue says he was amazed to see the pilot walk away from what was left of his Cessna 152.
Schutt says his group got the call about the crash at about 9:30 p.m., April 1, and sent in two search and rescue teams to the site on Mt. Ida, one from above and one from below.
He says a Buffalo aircraft out of the Joint Rescue Centre in Comox flew above dropping flares to light their way.
Just after midnight, they arrived at the crash site.
“Believe it or not (the pilot) was actually alright. He had some minor injuries and he was able to walk out with our SAR team,” Schutt says.
The searchers brought the pilot down to a clearing where a waiting Cormorant rescue helicopter flew him to Kelowna General Hospital.
