aviationGETTIN’ information for localTHERE destinations Destination: Port Alberni (CBS8 – Regional)

Why Go?

There are several good reasons to fly up to Port Alberni. The challenge is that the airport is 11km from town which means, for most of those good reasons, you’ll have to arrange some sort of transportation to town. The exception is if you’re headed to Port Alberni to go gliding with the Island Soaring Centre or the Alberni Valley Soaring Association. The flight itself can be spectacular, espe- cially if you come up the cen- Alberni famous is that it’s the Shortly after passing Qualicum tre of . Just home of Coulson Flying Tank- you’ll see a mountain pass on remember - the central island ers, operators of the Martin your left side. Head towards the route is a mountain flight and Mars water bombers. pass and as you approach it if you’re flying a Club airplane you’ll see you’re flying between you’ll need to have the Moun- Getting There Horne Lake (to the north) and tain Flying Course. Cameron Lake (to the south), I’ve mentioned that there are essentially following the Alberni The airport is a small but nicely two routes you can take to get Highway. There are a couple of maintained building with wash- to Port Alberni. I’m going to things to watch for as you ap- rooms available. If you want to concentrate on the “main” one proach the pass: get to town or the many tourist as it is by far the most popular venues in the region you’ll need way to get there. The easiest • On a good weather day there to call a cab from town or be way to get to Port Alberni is to can be a lot of traffic in this picked up. “fly to Qualicum, turn left, fly area. Start announcing your past Horne Lake and land.” position and intentions on the Located in the Alberni Valley Alberni MF (123.0 MHz at time area are several lakes, a couple I’ll let you work out the details of writing) before you get to the of vineyards and of course the of the flight plan but essen- pass. Town of Port Alberni. From an tially you’ll fly up island until you (image from archive.copanational.org) aviation view, what makes Port pass airport.

www.flyvfc.com • You’ll need to be at about • As mentioned above, Alberni • It’s not unusual to see cloud 4500 ft. to cross the pass. Re- Regional is a popular gliding sitting over the pass between member to ensure your altitude spot. You may find the runway Horne and Cameron Lakes. is appropriate for your direction is temporarily unavailable be- Resist the urge to try and of flight. cause of glider ops. (Another sneak under it to get into Port good reason for giving plenty of Alberni; it may be possible BUT • As you cross the pass and notice of your intention to land.) you really want to be sure of approach Alberni continue to the weather on the other side. announce your intentions and • You may find it a bit bumpy if Heading to Qualicum for a bowl keep an eye open for gliders you’re flying close to the ridge to of soup is a much better plan. – on a nice day they’re every- the east of the airport. where. Important Links • Alberni Valley Regional Air- After you cross the pass and the port NOTAMS are listed under & Contacts valley starts to open up, stay . DO check the NOTA- Coulson Flying Tankers: to the north (traffic permitting) MS as occasionally the airport www.martinmars.com/index.htm and you’ll see the airport. Fol- is closed because of special low the Uncontrolled Aerodrome events like drag racing. Vancouver Island Soaring Centre: procedures to overfly the field, visc.wqs.ca/ join the circuit and land. When Weather you’re overflying the field be Alberni Valley Soaring Assoc.: aware that, unlike some uncon- There’s no METAR / TAF for www.avsa.ca trolled airports that keep both Port Alberni so you have to rely downwind legs on one side of on the GFA and reports from Alberni Flying Club: the runway, both runways at other airports for weather infor- alberniflyingclub.blogspot.ca/ Port Alberni are a standard left mation. Comox is the closest hand circuit, which means the airport with a METAR / TAF so downwind leg will be on either it’s a good start; you can also side of the runway, depending look at to get an idea of on the wind. what weather may be inbound. Port Alberni does have a weath- After landing, taxi to the terminal er cam that will give you a good building area to park. idea of current conditions. Other local weather factors to be Local Knowledge aware of include:

Flying up to Port Alberni really • Port Alberni is in a valley at isn’t complicated however there the end of an ocean inlet so be are a few things to be aware watchful of weather coming up of that you may not find in the the inlet. CFS: • It can get quite hot in Port • The windsock is near the cen- Alberni so be prepared for tre of the runway, not at either turbulence and density altitude end, so if you overfly the centre calculations of the airport you won’t see the windsock.

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