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Air
Harbour
Story
and photos by Ed Anderson
 The
inner harbour of Vancouver British Columbia -
considered one of the best deepwater ports in the
world - has also become over the past 20 years, an
important Pacific Northwest terminus for commercial
sea/float plane and helicopter activity. According
to the latest stats, the year 200O saw some 60,000
landings and take-offs in the harbour, comprising
mostly commercial and scheduled traffic carrying
thousands of passengers and cargo, ranking this the
fifth busiest airport in British
Columbia.
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.
Approximately
sixty percent of the movements are float/seaplanes
and forty percent helicopters. Although the "High
season," May through September, posts the higher
movement numbers, especially with charters, regular
passenger and cargo flights continue to coastal
communities, the Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island
through the rest of the year, including the poor
weather winter months.
"The
Vancouver air harbour is unique and
fascinating.
It ranks as 5th busiest airport in British
Columbia."
Its
own Control Tower:
As with all active flyways, rules and good conduct
are essential to safety, order and efficiency. NAV
Canada, the privatized spin off from the previous
governing authority, Transport Canada, oversees and
controls all aircraft activity about the harbour
and surrounding airspace within a box like zone of
roughly 3 square miles.
About
the Port of Vancouver
by
Ed
Anderson
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