Editor:
In my view the planned expansion of the Sechelt airport is entirely unnecessary. Sechelt has an airport adequately serving the needs of light aircraft from its 2,400-foot paved runway.
I understand that Mayor Henderson has made representations to WestJet Encore for that airline to operate its Dash 8 aircraft into Sechelt. This is a “pie in the sky” supposition. Where does he think they will fly? Vancouver? This is ridiculous! With a flight of only 40 miles and into YVR with its pricey landing and terminal charges for the flight the passenger fare would be out of sight.
Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast have long been served by seaplane service. Today both Harbour Air and Tofino Air offer a reliable, safe and professional service to both Vancouver Harbour and YVR, and they are able to operate with far lower weather minimums than aircraft operating from the Sechelt airport due to the nature of its terrain and its altitude.
Even with an expanded runway, a control tower and an instrument landing system in place, it is unlikely that aircraft would be able to descend in cloud lower than 1,000 feet, whereas float aircraft are able to safely operate to half of that.
Guest speaker Barry La Pointe, CEO of Kelowna Flightcraft, at the recent open house event, made the statement that there is money to be made at airports — and that is true. But remember that he established his very successful airline at Kelowna in the 1970s when Kelowna was known as the Interior capital of B.C.
Chris Weicht, Wilson Creek
