Visitor to Vancouver

[RickJ]

Hi Canucks,

I'm visiting Vancouver soon from England and will be going to the museum of flight at Langley.
Are there any other aviation museums or interesting airfields in the Vancouver area ?

Also can anyone recommend good locations for photography at YVR, i'd love to get some shots of the Convairs and 727 you get there.


Cheers

Rick

[Hawkeye4077]

Langley in a good choice, nice little airport and the museum is very interesting.

Have fun!!!

Hawk

[Ralliart]

If you have a vehicle, you might also want to check out Chilliwack airport (CYCW) a little bit to the East of Langley. It's a popular stop over for general aviation with the prime attraction being the "pie" served by the airport cafe.

Also, for lunch or dinner, check out the Flying Beaver located on the river at the South side of YVR, in the same building as Harbour Air. Great spot to watch float planes takeoff & land while grabbing some food and drink.

If you have more time and are willing to drive, head North of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky highway to Squamish and Whistler. The Squamish airport isn't too busy but it's very scenic. In Whistler you could stop by Green Lake and view the floatplanes of Whistler Air. The drive up is well worth it. About 60 minutes from Vancouver to Squamish, another 45 or so to Whister.

You should find most areas around the South side of the YVR airport are decent for photography.

[RFlyer]

Oh what the heck, might as well go all-in. There's a nice little airpark right beside Boundary Bay airport called Delta Airpark. It's got a grass strip and a cafe (not sure of the hours, tho) and the Recreational Aircraft Assoc. has a clubhouse there. If you manage to get to delta airpark, then might as well head about 8 minutes up the road to Boundary Bay airport at the same time. Lots of activity there, but nothing particularly museum-like about it.

Delta Airpark is like White Waltham in mood and feel (IMO), but smaller. Used to be much bigger in the 80's but the tie-down area shrank considerably, but the runway is still the same. Lovely place for a stroll and you can even walk along the Dyke and pick some blackberries if you are in the mood.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 6&t=h&z=18

[Flyboy757]

Langley, Museum Of Flight. My opinion and not a slight against the place. Disappointed actually during and after my visit in Jun. Not worth the drive from YVR.
Planes in need of repair and care. No dispays inside...all aviation pins, planes, books, etc for sale. Reminded me of an aviation trinket shop. I donated stuff and it`s no where to be seen. In storage somewhere.
Just my opinion.

[BD8]

If you get a chance to hop the ferry over to Victoria, the British Columbia Aviation Museum is located at the Victoria airport.

Not far from the ferry terminal on that side.

Well worth it.

[MichaelP]

i'd love to get some shots of the Convairs and 727

I might suggest you tie up with RFlyer who doesn't mind sharing a flight or two and go to Abbotsford where you can photograph Convairs and DC6s... and even to take a trip to Victoria Airport where the museum is excellent.

Have a good trip.

[tiggermoth]

Langley, Museum Of Flight. My opinion and not a slight against the place. Disappointed actually during and after my visit in Jun. Not worth the drive from YVR.
Planes in need of repair and care. No dispays inside...all aviation pins, planes, books, etc for sale. Reminded me of an aviation trinket shop. I donated stuff and it`s no where to be seen. In storage somewhere.
Just my opinion.

What do you mean no display's inside? I was there 2 weeks ago (on Aug 4) and the was lots of stuff inside. Did you maybe not realize that after you go out from the gift shop there is another door (almost right at the bottom of the wheelchair ramp) that takes you into the hanger for the indoor displays. In there was an Airworthy (they flew at abbotsford airshow this year) Waco cabin biplane, tigermoth, and se5a replica. There was also a fleet canuck that is getting restored, a Lysander that is partially restored but all the framework is open so you can see the structure and "guts".
Also in there is a whole bunch of models, memorabilia, aviation artifacts and other aviation related stuff. The outdoor part is only a small part of the museum.

As for needing repair, it is a small museum run largely by volunteers. Like any small museums they do not have the financial backing to make every display/aircraft perfect. Most of the repair/restorations are done by volunteers. If you want to see them fixed up better, head on over and lend a hand. (I would if I didn't live so far away).

My opinion....Langley Museum is MORE than worth the 8 bucks to get in.

[Flyboy757]

Tigermoth,

You are correct..I did not see that door thus did not see that portion of the museum.
Thank you.

[Old Dog Flying]

And a sizable number of my RCAF model aircraft collection is in the main display area...the big white cabinet in the corner.
I would be happy to give you the personal tour
Barney

[Flyboy757]

No Thanks OLD DOG.......not worth the 6 hr drive just to see the museum. If I`m in the area at some time in the future then I will take the time to look at your collection

[MichaelP]

not worth the 6 hr drive

You haven't seen Barney's models have you...
They are worth a six hour drive he does a fantastic job.

[Flyboy757]

Let me see ...6hrs in a car to visit the lower mainland...which I just moved from...or 20 min to Shuswap Lk and a relaxing day on the boat in +30 wx ...hhhmmmmmm

[amraam]

As for part of your original question...good spotting guide for CYVR can be found here:

http://www.contrailsphotography.com/spottingyvr.html

Brgds,
amraam

[Panama Jack]

OK-- whilst not in Vancouver proper, a must do if you are even remotely interested in aviation and in Vancouver, is to cross the border to the US and visit these to destinations:

Museum of flight, at Boeing Field just south of Seattle's City Center:
http://www.museumofflight.org/

Boeing Factory Tour Center, in Everett, Washington (to the North of Seattle)-- see where they make the 747, 767, 777 and even probably see the 787:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/tours/index.html

Be sure to fill up the car BEFORE crossing the border back into Canada.

[flystraightin]

Go to BFI to see the Museum of Flight, a 707 Air Force One, and a Concord.
Go to RNT and PAE for the Boeing flight lines.

Well worth the line at the Peace Arch.

[Old Dog Flying]

And all of you have neglected to mention Paul Allen's Collection at Paine Field along with the Museum of flight's Restoration Centre. We toured both a few weeks ago and WOW!

During the Arlington Fly-in, Bud Granley flying the Bf109E was hotly pursued by a Hawker Hurricane Mk XII...both belonging to Paul Allen.

[RickJ]

Thanks for all the replies guys, should give me a few places to visit.
All i've got to do now is get permission from the missus

Are scanners legal in Canada, would the police take a dim view if i used one at YVR ?


Another question- not about aviation though - where can you get real ale in downtown Vancouver ?

Cheers

Rick

[amraam]

Air band scanners are perfectly legal in Canada.

amraam

[albertdesalvo]

Don't forget your umbrella. You'll need it.

[MichaelP]

where can you get real ale in downtown Vancouver ?

Must be a member of CAMRA!

There are several local breweries in the Vancouver area... There's good beer to be found if a little on the chilly side!

[iflyforpie]

where can you get real ale in downtown Vancouver ?

Must be a member of CAMRA!

There are several local breweries in the Vancouver area... There's good beer to be found if a little on the chilly side!

It does depend on the drink, but a Porter Stout has to be cellar temperature (55-63F).

[RickJ]

You should find most areas around the South side of the YVR airport are decent for photography.

I've just found out that YVR have just opened a new viewing area.
Is it any good for photography ?
I'll probably be arriving by Skytrain so is it very easy to get to the south side from the viewing area ?

Cheers

Rick

[RFlyer]

Another question- not about aviation though - where can you get real ale in downtown Vancouver ?

Cheers

Rick

Corner of 17th and Cambie there's a very good pub, but specializes mostly in Belgian ales. They take it very seriously though. Stella's is the name.

[RickJ]

Another question- not about aviation though - where can you get real ale in downtown Vancouver ?

Cheers

Rick

Corner of 17th and Cambie there's a very good pub, but specializes mostly in Belgian ales. They take it very seriously though. Stella's is the name.

Is Dix BBQ & Brewery near BC Place any good, looks like they do cask ales ?

Rick