Castlegar - Valemount

VFR Tour #1

Castlegar to Valemount British Columbia, Canada approximate total distance 260 miles divided into 3 separate legs.

Recommended aircraft Cessna 208 Float with Steve Small's air file The advantages of using the float plane on this flight will become apparent, the location is excellent for practicing water landings and takeoffs although any small single or twin prop will suffice on this flight.

Altitude 2,500' providing you follow the lakes and rivers.

Depart Castlegar at the end of Rwy 15 you will see the river to the west. Follow it a couple of miles then proceed north on Lower Arrow Lake (Columbia River). At the north end of the lake follow the river a few miles and you will connect to the Upper Arrow Lake (same river) to Nakusp.

Castlegar Airport Photos	Castlegar was named after Castlegar in Galloway, Ireland located in what is called the Kootenay Mountains of SE British Columbia.
Leg #2 Nakusp (CAQ5) - Revelstoke (CYVR) Distance (approx.) 55 miles Depart Nakusp and follow the Upper Arrow Lake north for a distance of about 55 miles to Revelstoke.
Lower Arrow Lake	Revelstoke Airport Data http://www.helicanada.com/aircraft.html The flight is continues north along the Columbia River watershed bound by the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains. Revelstoke is located in the Columbia Mountains where the Columbia River is formed. With a population of about 9,000 Revelstoke largely relies on tourism and logging for its economic stability.
	The village of Nakusp is set on the shores of the Upper Arrow Lake in the Kootenay Mountains. A small community of about 1,700 with a 3,500' strip. Nakusp Airport
Leg #3 Revelstoke (CYVR) - Valemount (CAH4) Distance (approx.) 125 miles Depart Revelstoke and again follow the Columbia River north to Valemount. About 10 miles north of Revelstoke you will pass the Revelstoke Dam and an elevation change occurs. You may continue to fly at 2,500' providing you follow the rivers and lakes. Revelstoke Three mountain chains surround Valemount: Rocky Mountains, Cariboo and Monashee. Plenty of space to spend a lifetime exploring, especially if you crunch your favorite aircraft on the side of one of these. With a population of about 1,500 Valemount is a quiet community nestled in the middle of one of the prettiest spots in Canada and home to Yellowhead Helicopters.
Valemount Airport CF rescue team from Comox hard at work. Say, I wonder what aircraft this could be.