aviation

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III participates in exercise Amalgam Dart July 6, 2022 out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. On Feb. 15, NORAD aircrafts will be flying off the coasts of B.C. and Washington for an air defence exercise. (Credit: Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy/ NORAD)

NORAD running air defence exercise off coast of B.C.

Exercise not related to unidentified objects shot down over North America recently, force says

 

An aircraft is silhouetted against the moon in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The number of commercial pilot licences issued in Canada annually has declined by more than 80 per cent since 2019, even as aviation experts warn of an ever-growing labour shortage that threatens to disrupt Canada’s airline industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Michael Probst

Number of commercial pilot licences issued in Canada has collapsed since 2019

The number of commercial pilot licences issued in Canada has declined by…

 

Ted Eeftink of Ucluelet gazes out the window of Angel Flight pilot Bruce Burley’s Cessna C210) on the way to Boundary Bay Airport and cancer treatment in Vancouver. (PHOTO COURTESY BRUCE BURLEY)

Angels take flight over British Columbia coastline for 2,000 sick people

Angel Flight BC has made more than 2,000 special flights for patients needing medical treatment

 

TEAAM Aeromedical President Miles Randell demonstrates how to load and unload patients from a helicopter in Campbell River on Nov. 4, 2021. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror

Newly-launched Island-based air rescue team has few equivalents in North America

Rapid response to emergencies in hard-to-reach Vancouver Island, North Coast locations

TEAAM Aeromedical President Miles Randell demonstrates how to load and unload patients from a helicopter in Campbell River on Nov. 4, 2021. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror
The Pitt Meadows Airport’s new terminal building. (The News files)

Plane clips fence, tears off front wheel in hard landing at Pitt Meadows Airport

TSB to investigate near-crash

The Pitt Meadows Airport’s new terminal building. (The News files)
The Porter family are flying around the world in a single-engine aircraft and aim to raise $1 million for SOS Children’s Villages. Left to right: Michelle Porter, Christopher Porter, Sydney Porter, Samantha Porter, Ian Porter. (Courtesy of Ian Porter)

B.C. family of 5 set to fly around the world over the next year – and raise $1M for charity

The Porters plan to take 14 months to see 50-plus countries and support SOS Children’s Villages

The Porter family are flying around the world in a single-engine aircraft and aim to raise $1 million for SOS Children’s Villages. Left to right: Michelle Porter, Christopher Porter, Sydney Porter, Samantha Porter, Ian Porter. (Courtesy of Ian Porter)
The de Havilland Beaver waits at 14th Ave. and Highway 19 Monday, April 25 to be set on a pedestal as part of a 10-year Campbellton Neighbourhood Association project to create a tribute to the city's aviation history. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Vancouver Island city installs tribute to floatplane industry

Beaver floatplane was the Workhorse of the North and a common sight in Island seaplane bases

  • Apr 26, 2022
The de Havilland Beaver waits at 14th Ave. and Highway 19 Monday, April 25 to be set on a pedestal as part of a 10-year Campbellton Neighbourhood Association project to create a tribute to the city's aviation history. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Brent Fedirchuk, right, receives the 2016 Wayne Demoskoff Volunteer of the Year award from sponsor Peter Mugleston of the Best Western Barclay Plus Hotel at the Funtastic Alberni/ Okee Dokee Slopitch tournament. (PHOTO COURTESY FUNTASTIC ALBERNI)

Vancouver Island helicopter pilot mourned after fatal crash

Brent Fedirchuk, from Port Alberni, died April 6 in a helicopter crash north of Sayward

Brent Fedirchuk, right, receives the 2016 Wayne Demoskoff Volunteer of the Year award from sponsor Peter Mugleston of the Best Western Barclay Plus Hotel at the Funtastic Alberni/ Okee Dokee Slopitch tournament. (PHOTO COURTESY FUNTASTIC ALBERNI)
Jessica James, who grew up in Nimpo Lake, B.C., is the star aviator in History’s upcoming reality show Lost Car Rescue, filmed in the Peace River area. (Jeff Topham photo)

Chilcotin pilot flying high in new History series set in B.C.’s Peace Country

Jessica James brings small town charm to television project, Lost Car Rescue

Jessica James, who grew up in Nimpo Lake, B.C., is the star aviator in History’s upcoming reality show Lost Car Rescue, filmed in the Peace River area. (Jeff Topham photo)
Swoop Airlines is set to service the Comox Valley Airport in June 2022. (Contributed)

Second low-cost carrier set to land at Comox Valley Airport

Swoop Airlines arriving at YQQ in June 2022

Swoop Airlines is set to service the Comox Valley Airport in June 2022. (Contributed)
Kim Lysak, assistant chief flight instructor with Aurora Aviation Academy flies over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. flight school expanding amid a global pilot shortage

COVID has decimated the industry but Aurora Aviation sees opportunity on the horizon

Kim Lysak, assistant chief flight instructor with Aurora Aviation Academy flies over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
(Submitted photo)

Aviation Day at the Parksville Museum on July 17

Event to be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., admission by donation

(Submitted photo)
Gerald Pash and Terry Milne flank the central pillar of the monument recognizing Lieut. Robert Hampton Gray now standing outside the North Saanich’s BC Aviation Museum following its installation Tuesday. The two men were among those who fundraised $100,000 for the monument. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

New monument honours B.C.’s final fallen World War II hero

Victoria Cross winner Lieut. Robert Gray shot down off Japan, now saluted outside BC Aviation Museum

Gerald Pash and Terry Milne flank the central pillar of the monument recognizing Lieut. Robert Hampton Gray now standing outside the North Saanich’s BC Aviation Museum following its installation Tuesday. The two men were among those who fundraised $100,000 for the monument. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A CH-149 Cormorant military search and rescue helicopter flies down the runway at 19 Wing Comox in March 2020. (PHOTO COURTESY MIKE KAEHLER, RCAF HISTORIAN)

Airforce search and rescue helicopter drops in at Cameron Lake for training

Distinctive yellow CH-149 Cormorant turns heads after using Island lake for impromptu hoist

A CH-149 Cormorant military search and rescue helicopter flies down the runway at 19 Wing Comox in March 2020. (PHOTO COURTESY MIKE KAEHLER, RCAF HISTORIAN)
Former Snowbird leader mourns jet crash victim

Former Snowbird leader mourns jet crash victim

B.C.’s George Miller predicts this could – but he hopes it doesn’t – spell the demise of his old team

Former Snowbird leader mourns jet crash victim
Canadian Forces Snowbirds planes are seen in the background as people place hearts and signs on the fence surrounding the airport in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, May 17, 2020. One member of the Canadian Armed Forces has died and another is injured after a Snowbird plane crashed in a residential area of Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday while on a cross-country tour meant to impart hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. pilots organize memorial flight to honour Snowbirds after fatal crash

Flight will honour Capt. Jennifer Casey who was killed in the crash

Canadian Forces Snowbirds planes are seen in the background as people place hearts and signs on the fence surrounding the airport in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, May 17, 2020. One member of the Canadian Armed Forces has died and another is injured after a Snowbird plane crashed in a residential area of Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday while on a cross-country tour meant to impart hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Captain Jenn Casey, from Halifax, NS, has been identified as the fatality in the Snowbirds crash in Kamloops. Photo via http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/

UPDATE: One dead in Canadian Forces Snowbirds plane crash in Kamloops

Second person on board has serious but not life threatening injuries

Captain Jenn Casey, from Halifax, NS, has been identified as the fatality in the Snowbirds crash in Kamloops. Photo via http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/
A Helijet helicopter. (Black Press Media files)

Man charged after allegedly breaking into Vancouver helicopter base, threatening staff

Police said the suspect ‘allegedly threatened to kill the employees’

A Helijet helicopter. (Black Press Media files)