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Salmon Arm Airport plays crucial role

The Shuswap Regional Airport began with a with a massive dirt-moving project in 1970.
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Air service: Some 150 to 200 people needing a higher level of care are air-lifted from the Shuswap Regional Airport every year.

The Shuswap Regional Airport began with a with a massive dirt-moving project in 1970.

And in the 33 years since the airport opened, it has taken on a critical role – something that seems to stay under the radar.

That’s something newly retired airport manager John McDermott and Salmon Arm Flying Club president Tim Auger are working to change.

“If the weather is good, you wouldn’t believe how busy the airport is,” McDermott says, noting air ambulance service, the BC Forest Service, Rapattack, Department of National Defence and tourism form the bulk of the activity, with “transient” air traffic completing the list.

While most of the air ambulances arrive from Kelowna or Kamloops, others have come from as far away as Mexico and Las Vegas.

The airport averages between 150 to 200 medevac flights per year, with three arriving within two hours recently, filling the apron area to capacity.

There would likely be more flights but weather dictates flight restrictions. The weather has to be good for night landings and in daylight, there has to be a minimum cloud ceiling of 3,000 feet.

When the weather is inclement, something that happens a lot, says Auger, ambulances have to travel by road.

Both Auger and McDermott are happy when the airport is hopping and point out the busy season has begun.

“We’re busy from the first of May to the end of October, and we’re extremely busy if we’re in the middle of fire season,” says McDermott.

“They fought the Fintry fire from here,” adds Auger, noting members of the adjacent Rapattack station use the airport’s infield for training.

Salmon Arm is an alternate for Revelstoke Airport in skiing season and National Defence also uses the airport for search and rescue training.

The biggest aircraft the airport can accommodate is a Dash 7, which can seat up to 54 passengers plus flight crew.

While surrounding topography prevents lengthening the runway, McDermott and Auger have other development possibilities on their minds.

“We need to expand taxiways, the apron and tie-down areas,” says McDermott. “Big aircraft have to stay on the pavement.”

Funding and environmental issues need to be addressed, but, in the meantime, the flight enthusiasts want to raise the profile of the airport.

“We need more people to know what’s happening,” says McDermott, with an enthusiastic nod from Auger.

To promote one of their most favourite spots in the world, the men are involved with Airport Appreciation Day, which will be hosted by the Salmon Arm Flying Club and the North Okanagan Ultra-light Association from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24.

Shuswap Emergency Preparedness will share the stage with an Emergency Preparedness Expose that showcases the vehicles and equipment used for emergency response by local agencies.

Appearances are expected from several fire departments, Shuswap SAR, Salmon Arm Road Rescue Unit, RCMP, BC Ambulance, and the newly formed Shuswap Lifeboat Society.

There will be a number of exhibitions and demonstrations, aircraft acrobatic acts, rappelling from a helicopter, aircraft water drops and mock vehicle extrications using the Jaws of Life.

Veteran air show pilot and performer John Mrazek along with his Harvard Mark IV, “Pussycat II,” will dazzle spectators with a spectacular aerial ballet.

Ron Andrew flies a Pitts Special and has an airshow routine that is noisy and exciting with lots of smoke.

Static displays of conventional,  homebuilt and ultra-light aircraft, as well as vintage cars and motorcycles will make this a must- see wings and wheels event, says Auger.

Gates open at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. Lunch service will be available beginning at 11.

Raffle tickets will also be available for sale, with the winner getting a flight for three people in the flying club’s own plane.

Other flights will be available for purchase.