VANDERHOOF – Vanderhoof Airport will be receiving a grant of $21,225 to fund upgrades under the B.C. Air Access program announced Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad.
The funding will upgrade the existing GPS navigation system at the airport to a more sophisticated version that will allow aircraft equipped with appropriate GPS technology to make an approach to the airport as low as 250 feet above ground level before requiring visual rules, enabling access in lower visibility conditions.
“Investing in Vanderhoof airport is a win for business and a win for our community as a whole.” said Rustad. “Better navigational technology makes our airport safer and more accessible”.
“With this funding the District of Vanderhoof will install a more sophisticated form of satellite-based navigation at the Vanderhoof Airport” said Mayor Gerry Thiessen. “This gives us the lowest possible approach limits for an airport like Vanderhoof. Aircraft will be able to use the airport in virtually all weather conditions. This will improve access to our airport for services like medevac.”
Through the B.C. Air Access Program, the government cost shares with public airports on development projects. These types of projects will allow airports to improve safety, accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, and further support the continuing growth of local and provincial economies.
The government is investing $24 million over three years for the B.C. Air Access Program. The program also encourages funding partnerships with the federal government, local and regional governments and agencies, and the private sector. Last year, the program provided just over $6 million towards improvements at ten regional airports across the province.
B.C. on the Move is government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. Over the next three years, the B.C. government will invest almost $2.7 billion in transportation improvements.