Residents of Greater Victoria can look to the skies to announce the return of the BC Aviation Museum Open House this weekend.
A number of aircraft will fly over or over the August 20 show in North Saanich, with an electric-powered de Havilland Beaver taking center stage.
The original DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engine, high-propeller aircraft designed and built by de Havilland Canada. First flown in 1948, this iconic aircraft was designed specifically for tough operations in harsh conditions and is widely touted as one of the finest bush planes ever built.
Harbor Air Seaplanes brings its all-electric Beaver to the open house. The company plans to become the world’s first zero-emissions passenger airline and is working with Redmond, Wash.-based company MagniX to pilot the new electric aircraft technology.
The BC Aviation Museum’s inventory includes 30 aircraft, models, engines, uniforms, artwork, a library, and a restoration hangar. Open house organizers are gathering other vintage planes and cars for the event. Members of the Victoria-Esquimalt Military Re-enactors Association will be on hand, and children’s activities, food trucks and more are also planned for the big day.
“This is our first open house since 2019 and our volunteers are ready to welcome back aviation enthusiasts and anyone who wants to have a good time,” said board chair Laura Lavin. .
Other aircraft on site will include a Cyclone helicopter from 443 Squadron RCAF, helicopters from Vancouver Island, a Pacific Sky Turbo Beaver, the Catalina Preservation Society Canso, a Spitfire from the Canadian Aviation Museum and aircraft of the Canadian Coast Guard, with fire trucks from the Victoria Airports Authority. also within easy reach.
Other special guests include Matt Sager and the History Channel’s Lost Car Rescue team, members of the Victoria Modelers with their remote control planes, Sidney Anglers and Panorama Recreation. Visitors can also try out a flight simulator, enjoy games and activities in the kids’ area, pose for fun photos in the photo booth, browse a book sale, eat food truck dishes and cream ice cream, and have a chance to win one of the tons of raffles and door prizes.
Admission is by donation. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1910 Norseman Rd. with additional parking at nearby Rotary Saanich Park, where a shuttle will take people to and from the museum.
Visit bcam.net for updates.
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