Port Alberni - Sproat Lake Tanker Base
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ICAO Code | / |
Last Validated | Oct 2013 |
City | Port Alberni, B.C. |
Position | 49°17'24"N 124°56'42"W |
Runway(s) | (water, helispot) |
Elevation | 103 ft |
General
This small airtanker base on Vancouver Island was home to the world's largest operational flying boats, the huge piston-powered Martin Mars. Unfortunately, the operation has been shut down at the end of August 2013, mainly due to lack of funds. Below description is therefore not valid anymore.
During the fire season the pair will be ready in the lake for action when called upon. Usually, it takes a lot of luck or perserverance to see them in action. Outside the season the Mars receive maintanance on the shore. By the end of 2006, TimberWest (the company owning Mars operator 'Flying Tankers') announced they were for sale. To the relief of many, the buyer was found in Coulson Aircrane, based at Port Alberni. For the time, the Mars are saved and remain operational from Sproat Lake.
Layout
Shown on the map is the northern fork of vast Sproat Lake and the base lies on its northern shore, surrounded by forest and a few homes. A dead-end road leads to the hangar and office with the maintenance and launch ramp behind them. There is also a helispot (code CBT9) and a pier for the boats.
Getting There
To drive here, take the Pacific Rim Highway (road number 4) that starts at Parksville, north of Nanaimo. The base lies just past the entrance to Sproat Lake Provincial Park, some 11km from Port Alberni. The very scenic drive takes about one hour from Parksville.
Around the Airport

'Hawaii Mars' at her mooring point at the tanker base, seen from the base ramp, spot 1. (Aad van der Voet)

'Philippine Mars' ready to be slowly let down into the lake after seasonal maintenance. Photo shot from the base boat pier by Erik Sleutelberg.
Frequencies
123.000 | Port Alberni Traffic |
164.190 | Air to ground |
Based Operators
Coulson Flying Tankers | JRM-3, S-76 |
Other Airfields
Alberni Valley Regional   subscribers only | |
Comox   subscribers only | |
Kamloops   subscribers only | |
Kelowna   subscribers only | |
Port Alberni - Sproat Lake Tanker Base | |
Qualicum Beach   subscribers only | |
Vancouver - Harbour SPB & Heliport | |
Vancouver Intl   subscribers only | |
Victoria Intl (Patricia Bay) |