Alberni Airport snowbase 20cm.

[paragonheli]

The Port Alberni airport is still snowcovered three weeks after the last snowfall. I haven't seen any bulletins, but pass it on that with all the fog on the west coast recently, Port Alberni is not a good option for an alternate without skis!

[Panama Jack]

Somehow, your report does not surprise me. Last summer there was no NOTAM published regarding the long-planned 3-day closure of the aerodrome for the Thunder in the Valley Drag Races until hours before (bleachers had already been set up along the edges of the runway). The main windsock was damaged for weeks (giving false wind indications) until some local pilots took it upon themselves to straighten it out.

The present Management of the airport does a poor, almost negligent, job in running it. I imagine that this leaves it potentially exposed to all sorts of legal threats.

[2R]

Someone phone Kim Campbell .
They got that airport funded right after she became Prime Minister .
The old grass strip where they had the BC games parachuting was more fun

[SeptRepair]

Welcome to Port Alberni. Please set your watches back 20 years. The local goverment has no clue about what it take to operate an airport. I called the regional office today to inquire why the snow hasnt been removed. The person who was "in charge" has quit and they have yet to find a replacement. I asked when we would expect to see snow removal and they did not have an answer for me. I then asked if they have notified ( correct me if im wrong) Nav Canada that the Airport is closed till further notice. The silent long pause on the other end summed up the incompetence nicely. So like the original poster has indicated, dont try landing here unless your ski equipped! Any one who works for Transport Canada and knows who should be notified of the airports uselessness please pass this information on. What would even be better is a phone call to the regional office responsible for the airport and explain to them the implications of their inactions. The number is 250-720-2700.

[lilfssister]

IIRC there is a 48 hour (before the event) max limit for publishing a NOTAM for temporary changes to servicability/availability.

[Panama Jack]

Sounds fine, but the NOTAM went up after men and equipment were working on the edges of the runway, putting up bleachers etc. Not the way the aeronautical system is designed to work.

[privateer]

For a Airport that collects landing fees and has a Published Instrument approach that is a piss poor job of managing. I would put more pressure on the town to keep up the maintenance at the field and take a course or something with Transport Canada on Airport management.

[SeptRepair]

Huh? They do not collect landing fees here.

[privateer]

The District of Alberni does at least for Tofino...

[SeptRepair]

I never knew Tofino had landing fees. I think that is one of the reasons for such piss poor attention. We have a regional district that is responsible for two airports.

[WJ700]

What approach does Port Alberni have? I used to be in to the airport regularly in the mid nineties and I only remember it being VFR arrivals. Now I'm just there in the town all the time to drink my father in law's beer -and I really wish they had an air service to avoid that damn ferry.

[200hr Wonder]

KD Air out of South Terminal YVR offers "air" service to Port Alberni. Though you fly to Qualicum Beach and then get driven into town. This makes sense though as the drive time is about 45min from Qualicum Beach aiport and about 30min from the Port Alberni airport which has such a bad time with fog even if there is an approach they would still miss just about every morning and evening from spring to fall and forget about winter.

http://www.kdair.com/

[SeptRepair]

200 wonder pretty much summed it up. To answer WJ700's question the approach is a RNAV(gnss) type? Im not a pilot and really have no clue how to read the charts although I am making a feable attempt of understanding what is in front of me.

[square]

That really is appalling management

[200hr Wonder]

As an aside I dug out an old CAP I had from 2004 and the RNAV (GPS) A approach has circling minimums of 3900' which is 3653 AAE... AKA no freaking point.

[BGH]

Would this help.From current cap 2.Last time I was in Alberni the pumps didn't even look to be measuring the avgas properly.

[SeptRepair]

Yes thats the one I was looking at. I seen the 3900 foot reference and thought that might be the minimums, then I thought whats the hell is the point of calling that an instrument approach. We have discussed it amongst our selves around the valley what the chances of getting a WAAS GPS approved approach would be, then we seen the hassle Nanaimo is going through, and as well, when we cant even budget a fricken plow for snow removal I dont hold out much hope.

[C-FKLY]

Last time I was in Alberni the pumps didn't even look to be measuring the avgas properly.

Well, at least something positive can come out from poor management. Look ma, I just filled up the plane for $19.95!

And I especially like the "Verify runway unobstructed" comment on the approach plate, seeing how good of a shape they keep their airport in.

[Panama Jack]

The RNAV A Approach in Port Alberni is truly an embarassment due to it's high minimums, which make it in effect a VFR approach and completely useless during most times of the year; effectively closing the airport and doing nothing to enhance aviation safety. Of course there is terrain surrounding the airport however I cannot see how they cannot make minimums considerably lower and still provide for a very safe successful missed approach. Anybody care to enlighten me?

[BGH]

Dan the pumps were under reading,making it very expensive to buy fuel there so I didn't.

As for the approach minimums,my understanding is that you have a local altimeter setting & to be able to safely leave as well as get in so that's why the higher numbers.

Daryl

[200hr Wonder]

Uh shuttle?

[Panama Jack]

Sorry Daryl,

You mean that the minimums are so high because there is no local altimeter setting available for Port Alberni?

I am curious if anybody could tell me what the lowest minimums for a GPS approach without WAAS can be, provided a local altimeter setting is available. Cheers.

[MrWings]

Dan the pumps were under reading,making it very expensive to buy fuel there so I didn't.

I do believe that is an offence under the Weights and Measures Act.

[sakism]

I am curious if anybody could tell me what the lowest minimums for a GPS approach without WAAS can be, provided a local altimeter setting is available. Cheers.

Don't remember exact numbers, but many in Nunavut are in the 300' - 400' range.