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A fully
equipped control tower sits aloft the 29th floor of
the Granville Square office complex from which
tower staff have an excellent and commanding view
of the entire harbour, English Bay, and the
majestic 'North Shore' mountains. An impressive
panorama, especially in good weather, from which to
conduct the business of air operations. Not at all
hard to take. The "Navcan" high-seaters might just
be the envy of the northwest, if not the entire
west coast, since as word has it, no other port
enjoys the benefit of a 'sky' high control tower,
in such splendid surroundings.
Canada's
Helicopter-based airline:
Visual Flight Rules are the norm for arrivals and
departures of the fixed wing and the helicopter
flyers. Helijet
Airways,
however, also operates its fleet of Sikorskys on
I.F.R. which gives them night and fool weather
capability. In any even the tower people must be
ever vigilant for hazards and the unexpected during
their hours of operation - 7 a.m. to twilight.
Sometimes quite a challenge, I am told, given the
spectrum of water vessel traffic and additional air
activities within the "Burrard Inlet' zone. In this
regard traffic from the international, regional and
local airports likewise share the delta airspace
which contributes to frequent overflights - almost
34,000 last year - made up of commercial ,
recreational, vehicular traffic reporters, movie
and aerial photo-ops, banner tows, sightseeing
tours occasional fire tankers and periodic military
visitors that all add variety to a full days work.
All told, plenty of reasons for 'regulars' to keep
the eyes sharp, ears on and attention to altitude,
particularly for those incoming.
Where to
watch the action: As
a spectator, one doesn't have to be partial to
airplanes to admire the subtle beauty of a float
plane inbound to settle safely in friendly water.
Or on the outbound to feel the sounds of a Pratt
'n' Whitney under full power hitting the '"step"
and "throat" positions just right to be gracefully
lifted airborne. There is indeed something wondrous
about it all, whether you be a watcher or simply a
passerby. Viewing from any of the great vantage
points around the Canada Place/ Pan Pacific Hotel
complex and cruise ship facility, locals and
tourists alike can easily kick back, relax and
enjoy the sights and sounds of the harbour -
especially so on warm sunny days. The west or 'Coal
Harbour' side which includes the float/terminal
docks is the more active or staging area for the
colourful pontoon workhorses led by the venerable
and seemingly indispensable DeHavilland Canada
DHC-2 Beaver.
Canada's
Beaver aircraft:
This rugged 450 H.P. nine cylinder 'half-ton flying
pickup truck" was developed and originally 1,631 of
the PandW Wasp Jr. Beavers, wheeled and float
versions, civilian and military, were rolled off
the production lines between 1948 and 1969. Today,
of the remaining airworthy Beavers, word is that
two-thirds of them operate somewhere between
Seattle, Washington and Nome, Alaska. Cessna
180/185 Skywagons are also harbour regulars as are
the sleek and reliable DHC-6 Twin Otters and the
single DHC-3 turbo Otters. Amphibians such as the
Grumman Goose are seldom seen since there is no
particular dock or ramp facility for them on the
waterfront. This is somewhat unfortunate but who
knows what the future will bring, what with all the
building activity happening along the Vancouver
shores of Burrard Inlet.
A
diversified operation:
To the east side of the Canada Place pier and
adjacent to the Sea Bus terminus (a ferry system
that connects into commuter rail) is a waterfront
heliport and up the foreshore a bit are the
passenger and cargo terminals of Helijet
International Inc. Although the large float ramp
primarily serves Helijet's regular scheduled
Sikorsky fleet, the heliport also is frequently
used by "choppers" of all types from sightseeing
tours, corporations, government, the military
search and rescue, air ambulance, and perhaps some
tourists on occasion. A busy place regardless, to
the extent that this floating heliport is the
busiest in Canada. And no shortage of interested
onlookers - tourists, lunchers, excited wide-eyed
kids, shutter-bugs, aviation buffs and the just
curious. Even a static Sea King parked on the stern
of a visiting Navy Frigate receives its share of
attention.
The
Vancouver air harbour is unique and fascinating.
But like all busy places, the end of a warm summers
day often brings a welcome, peaceful calm to these
inlet waters, disturbed only by the distant hum of
a round engine, emanating from the silhouette of a
Beaver Floatplane heading out over the lights on
Lions Gate Bridge, before fading into a brilliant
west coast sunset. Pretty hard to beat, even in
Hawaii.
Continued:
About
the Port of Vancouver
by
Ed
Anderson
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