Princeton B.C.

[kiloindiapapa]

I got a job offer in Princeton B.C. non aviation related. My question is if anyone has been to the airport or has flown around there or the Similkameen valley. If I go I want to fly my 172 there. Anyone know what its like there?

[iflyforpie]

The airport runway is rough. Bring tie downs. A bit of a hike into town. Can be breezy. Nothing at the airport other than a weather office. No fuel when I was there last time but I heard rumours they might install pumps.

As for the area it is quite rough, rolling terrain. Low VFR routes:

-You can follow HWY 3 SE to Keromeos down the Similkameen in a narrowish valley.

-Follow the old Princeton-Summerland hwy and KVR NE up and over the Plateau and down Trout Creek to Summerland.

-Take HWY 3 SW to Allison Pass, but the terrain rises fairly steeply, takes you to a narrow valley in Manning Park, and usually gets blocked with upslope fog around Hope Slide.

Follow the old KVR grade NW to Coalmont, Tulemeen, and go up to Meritt.

7000 ft will get you pretty much any direction direct out of Princeton.

[Wilbur]

Where are you coming from?

The airport is on a bench above the town. The winds can be a little exciting in the summer afternoons with the wind socks at either end pointing straight out at each other, and the one in the middle straight out at 90 degrees. Haven't been there in a few years, but there were no services on the field. You've got about a 10-15 minute walk into town if you go straight across the field toward the high school from the apron. They may or may not currently have a taxi in town.

[kiloindiapapa]

Id be coming from North central saskatchewan.

[iflyforpie]

Your biggest challenge will be crossing the numerous mountain ranges in eastern BC in order to get there.

[kiloindiapapa]

Maybe I should carify abit, my general question was mostly meaning that i would live there and wanted to see what aviation life would be like in the new environment for me. Yes, getting the plane there will be a challange. Thank you for your resonses so far. I enjoy alot of good flying weather and terrain here and want to get a feeling on how big of a change it would be.

[iflyforpie]

I would recommend getting some mountain training if you don't have any. Southern Skies Aviation out of Penticton offers an excellent course that caters to private owners and they have extensive knowledge of the area around Princeton.

Cool things to see and do around Princeton are:

The Hedley open pit mine east of Princeton just north of the Similkameen (fun to fly through).

The Cathedral Lakes SE of Princeton near the US border.

Fly into Quilchena up by Merritt for breakfast when the weather is good.

[kiloindiapapa]

Thanks for all the input. Now what about the plane. 145 hp continental in it. Is this going to be ok, to be in the mountains with?

[Highsea]

Thanks for all the input. Now what about the plane. 145 hp continental in it. Is this going to be ok, to be in the mountains with?

My father in-law has the same engine in his 172 and been fight around there for years. the big thing is to remember "it's just a 172"

[iflyforpie]

No amount of power can compensate for bad decisions.

But 145 HP is more than adequate for a cautious pilot.

[oldncold]

things to remember re the rocks.

1/your 145 carborated machine needs a little more umphh may i suggest a 180hp pen yan at the next overhaul or trade for a hawk xp with 195 and fuel injection.

2/ know your performance charts cold (inside and out) it can get to +40 c in july early august . this was one of the reason the dnd moved the pacific region gliding school back in the day from there back to the coast. That and very few off airport landing sites.

3. remember the metar and gfa and the agl and asl difference where if you make mistake between the asl and msl. it has been permanent to many along that route.

4) finally as a kid who learned to fly in the rocks and left for the flatlands
patience is a must for mountain flying vfr.

[Wilbur]

The runway is 4000', but is at 2300 asl and as was said, it gets hot in that valley during the summer. Mid July to late Aug, it will average in the mid 30's every afternoon. Three mountain valleys converge at Princeton, thunderstorms are a common occurence in the late afternoons during the summer, and heavy sink is common off the end of 21 where you find the Tulameen river. Up and down drafts often exceed 1000'/min in the area. It would not be unusual to find yourself sinking below airport elevation and having to follow the Tulameen for a while before being able to climb out.

All that said, there is absolutely no problem flying a 172 out of that airport. During the summer, just avoid the afternoons as a general rule. There are lots of places to go that are within 30-60 minutes. Get a mountain check/course from a school with an experienced mountain flyer - not a 400 hour class 4. Don't attempt flying in any sort of marginal wx until your are well familiar with the local geography, routes, and wx. The hillsides have claimed more than a few pilots.

[pilotidentity]

Princeton is a great place to live if you like fishing, hunting, off roading/motorbiking, etc. Beautiful spot.

I second everything Wilbur said. I also agree the valley route from Summerland is better than going via Keromeos if unfamiliar with the area.

The 172 will be fine there if not taken out in high winds or unstable afternoons. Tie it down. You are lucky as you will feel like have your own airport. No end of new things to see in all directions. Heard they have fuel there now. Better double check.

Early mornings are the best. The crazy winds pick up in the afternoon. You can set your watch by the 3pm thunderstorms for some periods in the summer. Watch out for Density Altitude as it really heats up. A little trap that can be set in Princeton is after takeoff you find yourself not climbing too well so you head up one of the many valleys quite low and soon find it blocked by a heavy shower and you don't have much room to turn around.

The Hope Princeton highway is a graveyard for small aircraft. Better to wait for good weather and go over the rocks if going to the coast.

If you don't have much mountain time you could pick a nice high pressure and go over the rocks all the way to Princeton from Springbank or Lethbridge or Edmonton leaving early in the am. If the upper winds are not too strong then it should be a smooth ride. For fuel Kelowna can be a fairly tame spot wind wise compared to Penticton or Kamloops.

[human garbage]

The airport runway is rough. Bring tie downs. A bit of a hike into town. Can be breezy. Nothing at the airport other than a weather office. No fuel when I was there last time but I heard rumours they might install pumps.

I'm pretty sure they did install pumps. I seem to remember a new above ground tank when I was there late last year. I don't have a CFS at hand to double check, but I'm pretty sure it is YDC I'm thinking of...

[kiloindiapapa]

What kind of hunting is there around that area?

[randallg]

I'm pretty sure they did install pumps. I seem to remember a new above ground tank when I was there late last year. I don't have a CFS at hand to double check, but I'm pretty sure it is YDC I'm thinking of...

Current CFS says 100LL and JA available. If you have Google Earth with Panoramio enabled, someone has posted pics of the fuel pumps and new terminal building.

[pilotidentity]

KIP,

Hunting is very popular during the fall months with the area being noted for the record-size mule deer also moose, elk, black bear, grouse. There are MANY logging roads that go in all directions to take you to interesting destinations.

[Wilbur]

Just pay attention for the rattle snakes and black widow spiders.