Above the Okanagan: The view from a unique powerglider
By Adam Proskiw
*Photo Courtesy of Adam Proskiw, Info Tel Multimedia
When diehard aircraft fans hear there’s going to be a Stemme at their airport, they make sure they are there to see it.
That’s because a Stemme powerglider is one of the most exclusive passenger aircraft available to private citizens. It seats only two and provides a flying experience unlike any other.
And a long-time Kelowna resident has one parked at the Kelowna International Airport.
Richard Visscher has lived in Kelowna for more than 30 years. As the owner of a successful engineering company, he travels often. Luckily one of his passions is flying his own airplanes. He received his private pilot’s licence in 1977 and has owned half a dozen aircraft over the years and logged thousands of hours both as a commercial and private pilot.
“I always had an affinity for flying and wanting to be in the air,” he says, standing next to a sleek, white plane which looks more like a Predator drone than a Cessna.
Full Story via Info Tel News here
Air Canada launches Canada’s only non-stop flight to Brisbane
Air Canada plans to launch Canada’s only non-stop service to Brisbane, Australia at 11:45 p.m. on June 1, when one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft departs Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
The thrice-weekly flights arrive in Brisbane at 7:15 a.m. two days later with the return trips leaving Brisbane at 10:45 a.m. and arriving in Vancouver at 7:15 p.m. the same day.
The airline’s plan is to move to daily non-stop flights between Vancouver and Brisbane later this month.
Full Story via Business in Vancouver here
Air Canada and YVR connect the West Coast to the Gold Coast
Partners launch second Australian route, joining YVR with Brisbane
Today, Air Canada and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) celebrate the inaugural flight between Vancouver and Brisbane, Australia. The new service runs three times weekly at launch, increasing to daily service in mid-June. This marks the first non-stop flight from anywhere in Canada to Brisbane.
“We’re connecting B.C. proudly to the world, one new destination at a time,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “No airport in Canada has ever had service to Brisbane; but this service has come about because of our strength as both a destination and a connecting hub, and because of our industry-beating airline rates and charges program. In this process we’ve built strong relationships with Canadian and Australian tourism partners and with Brisbane Airport, who we’ll continue to work with to make this new route successful.”
The new service will add 264 jobs to the B.C. economy, $10.4 million in wages and $18 million in Gross Domestic Product for the province. In addition, the service opens up new partnerships between businesses, universities, export customers, suppliers and investors. Brisbane is home to 2.2 million people and has a CAD$146 billion economy. Nearly CAD$1.7 billion dollars in trade passes between Australia and Canada every year.
Full Story via the Vancouver Airport Authority here
B.C. Aviation Museum lands provincial hall of fame
*Photo Courtesy of Darren Stone
For the first time, the province’s Aviation Hall of Fame will have a physical space to call home.
The B.C. Aviation Museum at Victoria International Airport expects to unveil the new space in July at its annual open house. Previously, the hall of fame existed only online at bcaviation.com.
John Lewis, president of the B.C. Aviation Museum, said the move is a win for both organizations. He said by taking on responsibility for the hall of fame, the museum adds an attraction to draw in visitors, and the hall will see more of the light of day.
“We were initially interested in setting up our own roll of honour or what have you, but we got in touch with the individual who has been running the hall of fame and he was interested in handing over responsibility to us,” said Lewis. “It has worked out very well for both parties.”
Lewis said they are working on a design, but expects there will be a display showing the history of the hall of fame’s members.
There are 24 members, representing both individuals and organizations who have built aviation in B.C.
Full story via Times Colonist here
Sip, Savour, and Fly: Okanagan Wines Fly for Free With Pacific Coastal Airlines
*Photo courtesy of Pacific Coastal Airlines – Pacific Coastal Airlines’ passenger Gaelle Madevon from Victoria shows off her complimentary wine carry box upon arrival at Kelowna International Airport (YLW). The box full of wine will fly for free under the airline’s fifty pounds of free checked baggage policy.
Pacific Coastal Airlines has come up with a novel solution to make it easier for its customers to transport their wine purchases from its new Kelowna base to Victoria, Cranbrook, and other connections in its regularly scheduled network of more than sixty-five destinations in B.C. – the portable wine box.
Beginning May 31, the airline will be handing out the new lightweight six-pack wine boxes along with discount coupons from featured wineries to customers to encourage them to check out local wineries and to remind people that it is the only airline offering fifty pounds of free checked baggage with every fare.
“I am really excited to launch these wine boxes,” says Jenelle Hynes, Pacific Coastal Airlines’ Business Development & Customer Service Manager, Okanagan Kootenay Region. “It provides an easy solution for customers coming up for wine tours while showing our support of the local wine industry.”
Full Story via Market Wired here
Vantage Airport Group to oversee redevelopment and management of LaGuardia Airport’s central terminal
Vantage Airport Group, a worldwide airport operator and developer, has announced it has commenced overseeing the US$4 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport’s central terminal (Terminal B). The project will completely rebuild the terminal and construct a central hall that will create a single, unified LaGuardia Airport.
Vantage Airport Group, with over 21 years of airport experience, will oversee construction for the project, operations and commercial development of the terminal building and central hall, transitioning management to the new building and continuing operations through to 2050.
As part of the LaGuardia Gateway Partners consortium, Vantage assumes oversight responsibility following the successful closing at the end of May of a US$2.5 billion marquee municipal bond offering for the US$4 billion project that will be completed in phases over the next six years. A significant milestone is set to be achieved in early 2020 when 100 per cent of passengers will check in at the new 35-gate central terminal.
Full Story via Skies Magazine here
Vector Aerospace to Conduct AS355 12-year inspection for Aero Asahi
Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce that it has secured a contract from Aero Asahi to perform an Airbus Helicopters AS355 F2 12-year major inspection, including wiring, refurbishment and exterior paint. This will be the latest of several AS355 refurbishments that Vector has performed for Aero Asahi over the past two years.
“We are pleased to be selected by Aero Asahi to perform further MRO work for their fleet of AS355 aircraft,” said Craig Pluim, Vice President, Sales – Rotary Wing, at Vector Aerospace. “We have extensive experience performing 12-year inspections for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 family of helicopters, and this newest contract from Aero Asahi further highlights Vector’s position as a global provider of nose-to-tail MRO services for the AS355.”
Full Story via Aviation Pros here
