Decade-long effort to install floatplane tribute to Campbell River aviation soars

Web News • 2 May 2022

Click to View 🔗 a new window (or tab) will open to an external site reporting aviation news in Canada.

Pacific Coast Airlines announces Summer 2022 Schedule

Thanks to MW

30 October 2021

Check Out our Summer 2022 Flight Schedule

Take advantage of additional flight options. Book your summer trip today.

Origin and Destination	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Weekly Flights	Highlights
Vancouver – Victoria	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x	1x	21	Improved minimum connection times between YYJ and other destinations
Vancouver – Powell River	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x	2x	26
Vancouver – Bella Coola	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	7	New daily service
Vancouver – Trail	2x	2x	2x	2x	2x	2x	1x	13
Vancouver – Williams Lake	2x	1x	2x	1x	2x	1x	1x	10
Vancouver – Comox	2x	2x	2x	2x	2x	2x	0x	20	All non-stop flights (no more stops in YBL )
Vancouver – Campbell River	3x	3x	3x	3x	3x	3x	2x	12	All non-stop flights (no more stops in YQQ)
Vancouver – Port Hardy	1x	2x	1x	2x	1x	2x	1x	10	Evening flight Sunday to Friday will operate on Saab
Vancouver – Bella Bella	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	7	New daily service – all flights will operate on Saab
Vancouver – Tofino	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	7	Flights will operate on Saab, Sunday to Friday. New Saturday service.
Victoria – Kelowna	2x	2x	1x	2x	2x	2x	0x	11
Victoria – Prince George	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	0x	6
Vancouver – Cranbrook	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	0x	6
Vancouver – Masset	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	7	New daily service – all flights will operate on Saab
Vancouver – Penticton	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	7	New daily service
Vancouver – Kamloops	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	0x	6

Book With Greater Peace of Mind.

We’re offering unlimited ticket changes for customers who purchase flights by January 31, 2022. Travel worry-free. Learn more.

For ultimate peace of mind and the ability to cancel and receive a refund to the original form of payment, we recommend booking a refundable Encore Fare.

Skip the long drive by flying out to your B.C. destination this summer

Thanks to CW

7 July 2021

Central Mountain Air is running non-stop flights from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, the Cariboo region, the Okanagan Valley, and Central B.C.

Kelowna, B.C.Central Mountain Air

Really want to make a great escape from the city but NOT looking forward to that long car ride in the hot summer heat? Opt to hop on a plane to your getaway spot instead!

Now that non-essential travel within B.C. is encouraged again, Vancouverites can book inter-provincial non-stop flights with Central Mountain Air for a quick and affordable way to get around the province this year.

Departing from the South Terminal at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), passengers can fly direct from Vancouver to Campbell River, Quesnel, Kamloops, Kelowna, and Prince George. 

Then, from Prince George, you can also fly further up Northern B.C. with routes to Fort. St. John, Fort Nelson, and Terrace.  

Campbell River, B.C. Photo: Central Mountain Air.

Here’s a quick primer of the cities that Central Mountain Air currently flies to from Vancouver.  

• On the east coast of Vancouver Island, the oceanside community of Campbell River and the Discovery Islands are renowned for its spectacular mountains, west coast woodlands, Elk Falls Provincial Park and Suspension Bridge, whale watching, and salmon fishing at Discovery Pier.
   
• Located along a pivotal mining trail of the Cariboo Gold Rush, Quesnel is home to B.C. heritage spots such as the Alexander Mackenzie hiking trail and the original 1867 Hudson’s Bay Company Trading Post in Riverfront Park.
   
• The sunny canyon city of Kamloops in B.C.’s Interior is a four-season playground with long summers for hiking, biking, and water adventures. Go kayaking on one of Kamloops’ 100+ lakes and embark on outdoor adventures at Sun Peaks Resort.
   
• Located on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is the Okanagan Valley’s largest city and is known for local vineyards and wineries, sandy beaches, surrounding provincial parks, and bustling downtown area — making it the perfect destination for urban and rural experiences.
   
• The largest city in Northern B.C, Prince George is full of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from mountain biking through pristine rainforests to fishing in the endless network of streams, lakes, and rivers. It’s also the basecamp for venturing into Northeastern B.C. and Northwestern B.C. towards Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, and Terrace.  

Fly with CMA! Photo: Central Mountain Air.

Connecting B.C. communities with ease and convenience since 1987, the independent Western Canadian airline is giving local B.C. residents a chance to go back to travelling and exploring their backyard. 

And, to further ensure that you can book your flight with confidence, Central Mountain Air has extended their COVID-19 flexible booking and cancellation policy until July 31st for travel through to November 7th, so you can have peace of mind knowing you can make changes to your flight reservation if you need to. ⁠

For more info, visit flycma.com/schedule.

Central Mountain Air Adds Campbell River to Network

Thanks to CW

(Smithers, BC, June 17th, 2021)

17 June 2021 – Central Mountain Air adds Campbell River via Vancouver and Prince George to their Summer Flight Network with 16 flights per week.    

Central Mountain Air (CMA) announced today that it will add Campbell River to its network with 16 flights per week beginning Monday, July 12, 2021, and continuing through to Saturday, November 6, 2021. Scheduled service will include 12 non-stop flights per week to/from Vancouver and 4 non-stop flights per week to/from Prince George.   

These flights will focus on adding convenient times and connections to their expanding network. “We are excited to be offering a great new option from the area to Northern B.C.” shared CMA Head of Commercial Michael Claeren, “the connections to Terrace, Fort St John, and Fort Nelson are well-timed for mid-morning arrival and mid-afternoon return”. He continued, “we are also happy to be re-entering the Campbell River to Vancouver market, after having suspended operations due to COVID-19 just over a year ago”.  

With reopening plans moving forward in both British Columbia and Alberta, CMA is optimistic about the future of air travel as restrictions ease and we continue on the road to recovery. CMA looks forward to continuing to connect communities, loved ones, workforces, and provide an essential service to the communities that need it.   

Other new routes already announced that will start on June 28 are non-stop flights from Edmonton to/from Fort St John, High Level, and Grande Prairie, as well as non-stop flights from Vancouver to/from Quesnel. 

CMA is the independent regional airline leader in British Columbia and Alberta with 29 aircraft and looks forward to more fully utilizing that fleet.  

See CMA’s full schedule at flycma.com/schedule  

About Central Mountain Air Ltd.    

Established in 1987, CMA is a Western Canadian privately owned and operated company. CMA provides scheduled flights to twelve communities, cargo to ten, and charter flights throughout British Columbia, Alberta, and Western Canada. For more information, and to learn about CMA’s enhanced COVID-19 safety procedures, visit flycma.com.

‘A stupid mistake’: Pilot safe after hard landing in Campbell River

From CTV News – link to source story

Gord Kurbis, Journalist, CTV Vancouver Island | Thursday, June 17, 2021

The crash occurred on Thursday morning in Campbell River: (CTV News)

VICTORIA — Despite 57 years of flying experience under his belt, pilot Joel Eilertsen realized you can’t be too complacent. His lesson came after the plane he was piloting made a hard landing on the ocean near Campbell River on Thursday morning.

“It was a little bit of a stupid mistake on my part and that’s all there is to it,” Eilertsen says. “As pilots, we have to admit when we make mistakes. We can’t be trying to blame anybody else for something.”

The 74-year-old runs a charter business out of Coal Harbour on the north end of Vancouver Island and was bringing his plane to Campbell River for maintenance when the mishap occurred.

He was landing in the water off of Painter’s Lodge, something he says he has done thousands of times before.

“Everybody is saying, ‘Boy, you were lucky,’ but luck is made,” he says.

Eilertsen wasn’t injured in the incident and says he was wearing a shoulder belt and flotation device when his plane hit the water. He says two boats came to his assistance right away.

“I was just coming in and I wasn’t paying attention. The aircraft was level and the airspeed had dropped off and I was about 20 feet off the water,” he says.

The nose hit and busted the spreader bar and the aircraft was then leaning to one side.

Asked what his initial thoughts were when the plane was going down, Eilertsen says he thought “Oh boy, this is going to hurt,” he says.

Mike Miller witnessed the mishap from his home near the lodge.

“I was just typing on my computer and looking out the window and boom,” Miller says. “The nose went in, I ran in and got my wife and called 911.”

He says it took a while before the pilot appeared out of the aircraft.

He says the first to arrive on the scene was a water taxi, perhaps two to three minutes after the plane came down, and then the coast guard.

Millers says the sun shining in the eyes of the pilot may have been a factor in the crash.

The 1967 De Havilland Turbo Beaver was towed by a coast guard vessel to the Sealand Aviation facility in Campbell River and is already undergoing repairs. 

VIDEO: Just interviewed the pilot from this morning’s aviation incident in Campbell River. Pilot says he didn’t the sandbar but made a hard landing from about 20 feet to the water. He’s got years of experience and is quite the character. Full story tonight on @CTVNewsVI pic.twitter.com/OEZVhuDorI— Gord Kurbis (@CTVNewsGord) June 17, 2021

Port Hardy Airport named as a finalist for construction awards

From North Island Gazette – link to source story

BLACK PRESS MEDIA STAFF | Apr. 27, 2021

The Port Hardy Airport looks in fantastic shape after extensive renovations. (Tyson Whitney – North Island Gazette)

The Port Hardy Airport has been named as a finalist for the 14th annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards.

The awards will be announced May 7. For the second straight year, the event will be virtual through a Zoom presentation.

Commercial, industrial and revenue-producing projects, including renovations, from the Malahat all the way to Port Hardy are up for these awards, and must have been completed between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

“We are very pleasantly surprised and absolutely thrilled by the number of nominations and finalists this year,” says Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner, which coordinates the event. “We knew construction continued at a very strong pace last year, but didn’t think we’d get more than the 43 we had the previous year.”

Nomination deadline was March 31.

Finalists are:

Campbell River (7) – Campbell River Airport, BC Transit, Crestview Townhomes, Campbell River Golf Club, Linda’s Place, NEO Apartment Residences and Southpoint.

Chemainus (2) – The Cottages, Vancouver Island Regional Library.

Courtenay (4) – Cubes, Enclave Residences, JRP Solutions, Parkside.

Cowichan Valley (1) – BC Transit.

Duncan (1) – The Aria.

Ladysmith (1) – Ladysmith Thrift Store.

Nanaimo (20) – Nanaimo Association for Community Living, Nanaimo Airport, Aspengrove School, Caledonian Clinic, Dodd’s Furniture, Minute Men Storage, Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society at 77 Mill Street, Nanaimo Innovation Academy Classroom, North Grove Apartments, Oakwood, Quality Inn, Riverstone Place, SPCA Barn, The Met, The Virage, VI Granite & Quartz, Village Centre, Village on Third Phase 2, VIMHS Rosehill, Wendy’s.

Nanoose (1) – Fairwinds Landing.

Parksville (3) – CRU Building, Gateway Apartments, Sandscapes Apartments.

Port Alberni (1) – CHIMS Guest House.

Port Hardy (1) – Port Hardy Airport.

Qualicum Beach (1) – Qualicum Beach Airport.

Tofino (2) – Hotel Zed, Surf Grove Campground.

There will also be a Judges’ Choice Award for the best overall entry. Last year’s winner were the Tourism Tofino buildings in Tofino. The event was held in September last year due to the pandemic, with winners announced via Zoom.

A select team of independent judges from the real estate industry have adjudicated the 2020 entries.