Many people mention Port Hardy as a stopping point on their way to the inside passage and Alaska but never really talk much about it. So for those planning on going through here, I thought I’d tell you about it.
The Airport: It's right on the shore line, and is well equipped with ample choices of runways for those crosswind days.
You will be talking to FSS, rather than a Class D tower on the “Mandatory Freq" (MF) ( That is the same as a CTAF in the US). That means rather than asking permission to do something, you tell them what you are doing. FSS simply lets you know if that’s a conflict with any other traffic. Easy, and they are really great people to work with up there.
Parking: East of the terminal there is a white lined “box”. Most corporate sized aircraft park there.
For light GA guys, you can park over on the gravel and grass area on the South side of the FBO shack.
It is 18” of compacted gravel with some grass on top for FOD prevention. A large cable is supplied for you to tie down to. Bring your own ropes. You can opt to pull forward another 10 feet and stay completely on the blacktop if you want to. Camping is allowed, but no campfires. Bathrooms are accessible 24/7 from the ramp side. The airport has a good fence, so no bears.
Fuel: The Esso fuel dealer is run by Pacific Coastal Airlines (PCA)( call sign is PASCO on the radio). There no radio freq that they monitor. The fueler has many other duties so if you can’t find him just walk in to the terminal and go up to the ticket counter and ask for the fuel guy. The terminal does not have a SIDA area on the ramp so it is ok for you to be there. PCA just asks that you keep back when aircraft are being loaded/prepped. More than one time I have had a ramp agent run after me saying “sir, SIR!, this way to your Goose!” and then explain that I’m going to my own plane parked over there.
This is a heck of a busy little terminal and they will get your fuel as soon as they process their passengers. Just be patient.
The terminal now has a little café open for breakfast and lunch. US or CAN cash only. Rental cars and taxi’s available
If you see any Pietons, you better Arret yourself!
Hotels: I always stay at the Airport Inn on Byng rd because it is a 7 min walk down the street and has a restaurant inside. They do have a courtesy van, but it is only a :45 second car ride away. Just walk it.
When the wx is down I can lay in my room and watch TV with the WiFi going on my iPad and when it is time to go, I just toss them my room key, head out the door and file a flt. plan during my walk. Ba-da bing, and ready to go! They have a restaurant open for lunch and dinner. The pub is closed, but they are looking for a new tenant soon. A liquor store is at the front desk.
Almost there! I see it. It's been 6 minutes. So thirsty....
You can take the gravel road next to the airport water treatment plant if you want to visit the shore line.
Down the road about 1.5 miles is the Old School Store. They have mogas, but after you rent a car, its not worth it. Just buy the avgas from Esso. A taxi ride was $20 bucks each way to town. ($40 total ) Town Taxi will come out to get you or you can rent a car. Call ahead to reserve your car, because the rental desks are not staffed at all times.
If you do go in to town for a hotel try The Glen Lion Hotel, The Quarter Deck, The North Shore Inn, or the Port Hardy Inn. There are a few more, but I wont mention them. All of these have food inside the hotel or within 100 ft away.
In town: Port Hardy is a clean town and has quite a fishing fleet. Plenty of welcome signs and water front park areas to enjoy. I’m not sure where, but there is a trail West of town that takes you to the crash site of a transport size aircraft if you care to pay your respects to the fallen. Ask a local how to get there.
How do you get a boat out of this?
Downtown Hardy
No, not back to the future
No shortage of welcome signs in good old P-Hardy
There is also a float plane dock with some of the nicest decorated fuel tanks I have ever seen.
Totem Poles flanking a bridge:
War memorial to the fallen:
:
If you happen to be at the airport at the end of the day, they wash the salt water off the planes and pump out the bilge water from the floats.
Ask real nice and I’m sure they will let you take a peak inside one. PCA has the world largest operating fleet of Grumman Goose’s ( Geese?) flying. Super cool to think that these old gals with round engines are providing an essential service as the life line to the BC coast. I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with the float captains on the best routes to the North and they really know their way around the area.
A pair of Geese ready for passengers:
Getting new rounds:
Props ready for install.
It is not unusual to see pilots putting on their Mustang survival suits before climbing in a bush plane for the trip North. I highly suggest having floats under your single engine aircraft, or fly a twin along the BC coast.
Please be safe in your travels
, I'd like to have you around, friend. Thanks for reading. Know before you go.
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