Port Alberni Airport: Does It Exist?

Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Alberni Valley Regional Airport (CBS8), which is located 11 km (6.8 mi) northwest of the city. The airport has a 4,000 ft (1,200 m) runway and is home to tenants including Coulson Aircrane, Canadian Aero Technologies, Alberni Valley Flying Club, and Vancouver Island Helicopters. The closest major airports to Port Alberni are Nanaimo Airport (98 km away) and Canadian Forces Base Comox (114 km away). Other nearby airports include Vancouver International Airport (174 km away) and Victoria International Airport (212 km away).

Port Alberni Airport is located 11km northwest of the city

Port Alberni Airport, officially known as Alberni Valley Regional/Port Alberni Airport, is located 11km (6.8 miles) northwest of the city of Port Alberni. The airport is home to several tenants, including Coulson Aircrane, Canadian Aero Technologies, Alberni Valley Flying Club, and Vancouver Island Helicopters. It features a 4,000-foot runway, with an additional 2,500 feet of taxiways and an apron.

The airport is situated in the Alberni Valley, a scenic region known for its deep-water port and aviation history. The valley is surrounded by deep lakes, endless forests, and snow-capped mountains, making it a visually stunning location for aviation. The region has a long history of water bombers, heli-logging, fly-fishing, and business travel.

The Alberni Valley Regional Airport first opened in September 1993, and it has since undergone significant development. The runway was extended to 5,000 feet through major investment and funding from local taxpayers. This development has attracted key tenants and clubs, such as Coulson Aviation, which has its manufacturing and headquarters at the airport for its next-generation aerial firefighting operations.

Port Alberni Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the West Coast of Vancouver Island and nearby destinations such as Ucluelet, Tofino, and Pacific Rim National Park. The city of Port Alberni is easily accessible from the airport via the Island Highway system and Highway 4, also known as the Alberni Highway or Pacific Rim Highway.

The airport has a 4000ft runway and 2500ft of taxiways and apron

Port Alberni, British Columbia, is served by the Alberni Valley Regional Airport (AVRA), also known as Port Alberni Airport (CBS8). The airport is located 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) northwest of the city.

The airport has a 4,000-foot (1,200-metre) runway, with an additional 2,500 feet (760 metres) of taxiways and apron space. This length of runway is considered long for a regional airport, and it was made possible through major investments and funding from local taxpayers.

The Port Alberni Airport is home to several key tenants, including Coulson Aircrane (Coulson Aviation), Canadian Aero Technologies, Alberni Valley Flying Club, and Vancouver Island Helicopters. The aviation companies based here take advantage of the region's deep lakes, endless forests, and snow-capped mountains. Activities include water bombing, heli-logging, fly-fishing, and business travel.

The airport also serves as a base camp for a BC provincial forest fire suppression crew, reflecting the region's forestry industry. Recreational flying is also popular at the airport, with sailplanes frequently seen soaring along the Beaufort Range.

Coulson Aviation has manufacturing and headquarters at the airport

Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Alberni Valley Regional Airport. Coulson Aviation, an aerial firefighting company, is headquartered in Port Alberni. The company is led by Wayne Coulson, who has been involved in the research and development, quality control, operation, and inspections of the company's equipment. His hands-on approach, along with his son Britton Coulson's involvement in the aviation division, has propelled Coulson Aviation to the forefront of the industry.

Coulson Aviation's headquarters are located at 4890 Cherry Creek Road, Port Alberni. The company has been in the aviation business for over 36 years and has accumulated more than 160,000 safe flight hours. They operate a diverse fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including helicopters and planes.

Coulson Aviation specializes in helicopter aviation services, providing turnkey solutions to its clients. Their services include helicopter logging, forest fire suppression, power-line construction, and airliner passenger and transport operations. The company's fleet is highly mobile and supported by mobile fuel tankers and aircraft maintenance service vehicles with qualified technicians.

As the only aerial firefighting company operating both fixed-wing aircraft and Type 1 helicopters simultaneously worldwide, Coulson Aviation is a leader in its field. Their fleet includes custom-designed Hercules C-130s, Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, Boeing Chinook CH-47 helitankers, Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 helitankers, and custom-converted Boeing 737 FireLiners equipped with proprietary RADS-XXL technology.

Coulson Aviation has established night firefighting operations in Australia and California and holds one patent. Their innovative approach to firefighting, combined with their proprietary technology and experienced attack crews, positions them as a key player in the global fight against wildfires.

The airport is served by local helicopter and flying clubs

Port Alberni is served by a local airport, the Alberni Valley Regional Airport (CBS8), which is located 11 km (6.8 mi) northwest of the city. The airport has a 4,000 ft (1,200 m) runway with an additional 2,500 ft (760 m) of taxiways and apron. The airport is home to several key tenants, including Coulson Aircrane, Canadian Aero Technologies, and Vancouver Island Helicopters. The Alberni Valley Flying Club is also based at the airport, offering recreational flying and scenic and instructional flights in sailplanes. The Vancouver Island Soaring Centre and the Alberni Valley Soaring Association are also present at the airport, providing further opportunities for aviation enthusiasts.

The Alberni Valley Regional Airport opened in September 1993 and has since become an important hub for aviation on Vancouver Island. The region's taxpayers have contributed significantly to the airport's development, funding the construction of a long, 5,000-foot runway. This has allowed the airport to accommodate a range of aircraft, from water bombers and helicopters used in heli-logging to fly-in fishing and business travel. The airport is situated in a scenic area, surrounded by deep lakes, endless forests, and snow-capped mountains, making it a popular choice for recreational flying and sightseeing.

In addition to the local airport, there are several nearby major airports that serve Port Alberni. These include Nanaimo Airport (YCD), located 98 km from the city, and Canadian Forces Base Comox (YQQ), situated 114 km away. Other options include the Campbell River Airport (YBL), a distance of 140 km, and the Powell River Airport (YPW), which is 150 km from Port Alberni. For those travelling by seaplane, the Vancouver Harbour Water Airport (CXH) is also an option, located 161 km from the city.

While Port Alberni is served by several airports, it is worth noting that the city and its surrounding areas have a rich history and cultural significance. The Port Alberni area has been populated by the Tseshaht First Nation, Hupacasath First Nation, and the Nuu-chah-nulth people for thousands of years. Many place names in the region, such as Somass, Kitsuksis, Pacheena, and Nootka, have their origins in the Nuu-chah-nulth language. Ancient petroglyph carvings can be found at Sproat Lake, which is also known for its boating and helicopter access to Della Falls, the 16th tallest waterfall in Canada.

The closest major airports are in Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo

Port Alberni does have an airport, known as the Alberni Valley Regional Airport or Port Alberni Airport (CBS8). It is located 11 km (6.8 mi) northwest of the city and has a 4,000 ft (1,200 m) runway with an additional 2,500 ft (760 m) of taxiways and an apron. The airport is home to tenants including Coulson Aircrane, Canadian Aero Technologies, Alberni Valley Flying Club, and Vancouver Island Helicopters.

While Port Alberni does have its own airport, the closest major airports are in Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo. From Vancouver International Airport (YVR), it is approximately 174 km to Port Alberni. The Victoria Inner Harbour Airport (YWH) is 198 km away, and the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is 212 km away. Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is the closest of these three options, located 98 km from the center of Port Alberni.

If you are looking for the most direct route to Port Alberni, flying into Cassidy Airport (YCD) in Nanaimo and renting a car is a good option, as it is only about a 90-minute drive away. Another option is to fly into Vancouver and then take a floatplane to Nanaimo, which is a relatively inexpensive and scenic option. From there, it is about a 45-minute drive to Port Alberni.

If you are flying your own plane into Canada, Victoria is the closest port of entry. You will need to file an international flight plan and have a passport or enhanced driver's license to return to the USA.

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