Long Beach Tofino Vancouver Island

One of my most favorite day trips is to fly to Long Beach. For one to drive to Long Beach from Abbotsford would be a full day trip. However one can fly there in a small plane in about an hour and a half.

Tofino airport was constructed for the war and is situated right between Tofino and Ucluelet. It is located within walking distance of the beach. One can park their plane right beside the fence which has a man gate leading to the adjoining camp ground. There is mini golf, full golf coarse and a restaurant.

Leaving from Chilliwack, where I used to keep my plane, would be the start of the adventure flying along the North Shore Mountain range. We also had a great view of Vancouver city as well as flying directly over the infamous Stanly Park. Crossing the ocean to Vancouver island one would enjoy the ships, small islands, as well as the picturesque shore lines. Arriving at Vancouver Island one must cross the Island which is very mountainous with it's own unique beauty.

I like to go there in time for a late lunch at the restaurant and then walk through the campground and then through a field which then crosses the highway into a provincial park. This park consists of mature forest and has walk ways consisting of wooden walks and stairs all the way down to the beach. There is one tree along the way that I estimate is at least 40' in circumference. A leasurly walk from the restaurant to the beach takes about 30 min.

The sandy beach is never crowded and one can walk for miles if desired. I would love to just sit back against a log and watch the sun set. The only problem with that is that Tofino airport is not equipped with lighting, therefore making it illegal to depart after dark.

On one such trip I was taking a family of three to enjoy the sights. Upon touchdown I blew a main gear tire. I managed to pull as far to the side of the runway as possible. I notified Nannimo and requested a notam be posted for pilots not to use that runway. Tofino airport has three runways so that shouldn't be a problem. Although some pilots didn't follow proceedure and landed anyway. I later overheard, at the restaurant, talk of some idiot who parks in the middle of the runway. I just smiled to myself. Like I would choose to walk 1 mile up the runway as apposed to taxiing with the airplane. How quick some are to judge. A simple observation would have clearly indicated a crippled plane.

I sent the family on ahead to enjoy the sights and I began a search for help. Fortunately I was able to contact the airport care taker, through a worker at the local weather station, who happened to be an aircraft mechanic, as well as the local paramedic and firefighter volunteer. You know it's a small town when.............He came to my rescue and managed to find a near new tire that would fit and I helped him install it on my plane. In the meantime the family got lost and , after walking runways for about an hour, returned to the plane just as we were finishing up. So we piled in and taxied to the restaurant. I apologized profusely but they were really good about it and just considered it as part of their adventure.

Going home I like to leave as late as possible without requiring lighting. Flying South along the coast line provides sights unseen on the way in. It is also dark by the time one flys over Victoria which also gives a new perspective. Crossing the ocean one gets a great view of all the lights from the main cities and towns. From one location one can pick out Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, PitMeadows, Langley, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Bellingham, and Linden.

That makes for one full day. However one that is well worth the adventure. I've done it about 7 times in the last two years and never tire of it.