Salt Spring Island Air - Salt Spring Island British Columbia Hotel Accommodation

History of Saltspring Air

St.Clair McColl started flying as young boy with his father John McColl. John McColl came from a long line of First World War 1 fighter aces and was himself a WWII decorated Spitfire and Hurricane pilot in the Battle of Britain and D-Day. He continued to fly recreationally after the War. Mr.McColl owned several types of aircraft from the Gypsy Moth, Tri Pacer, Cessna 180, 185, Republic Seabee, and Grumman Goose.

Saint was keen to experience them all. Saintyboy, as he was known, spent all his time reaching skyward and was always first to volunteer for flight duty as a willing copilot. Saint acquired his commercial pilots license while attending the University of Guelph where he attained a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He acquired 2500 hours of experience in Northern Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. His experience took him to Ungava Bay, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Winnipeg, Lac LaCroix Quetico Park, Kenora, Kentucky and south bound throughout Florida, Bahamas, and Costa Rica. In May of 1985, St.Clair McColl moved with his family to West Coast of British Columbia, and settled on Salt Spring Island.

He formed an aircraft leasing company of Salt Spring Island Air Ltd. in 1987. For the next 16 years he worked as a coastal floatplane pilot for various companies including Harbour Air, Tofino Air, Vancouver Island Air, and Baxter Air. He explored in depth the inlets, mountain valleys and peaks of Vancouver Island, Queen Charlottes, Mainland and the Interior of British Columbia. He acquired over 14000 hours in various aircraft from Cessna 180 and 185, Dehavilland DHC-2 Beavers, DHC-3 Otters, DHC-6 Twin Otters, and Beech 18s. He was based in Ganges, Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino, Campbell River, and Prince Rupert. In June of 2003 McColl started his own 703 Commercial Air Taxi service and incorporated a scheduled service between Vancouver and the Gulf Islands to his airline.

He began to gather around him a team of dedicated employees who thrived on giving professional customer service. Saints prime directive was If its not safe were not doing it, if its not fun were not interested. His years of experience taught him what to look for in hiring pilots, dispatchers, aircraft engineers, and ground crew. Today Saltspring Air has a fleet of 3 Dehavilland DHC-2 Beavers. The company has the resources for all your travel needs from a last minute charter flight to a non stop scheduled service 3 times a day to downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport. We at Saltspring Air pride ourselves as the only airline that calls you the night before to remind you of your flight. We even help you book a connecting flight, car rental, or get your favorite pet brought safe and sound to the Islands. Our group of experienced pilots with their vast depth of the West Coast can guide you through spectacular scenery on a scenic tour or a charter to a remote location that only a seaplane can get you to. From the time you book your flight to the time you are safe and sound, back with friends and family, you are in the care of the Saltspring Air team. Come fly with the Islanders Airline.

Saint was keen to experience them all. Saintyboy, as he was known, spent all his time reaching skyward and was always first to volunteer for flight duty as a willing copilot. Saint acquired his commercial pilots license while attending the University of Guelph where he attained a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He acquired 2500 hours of experience in Northern Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. His experience took him to Ungava Bay, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Winnipeg, Lac LaCroix Quetico Park, Kenora, Kentucky and south bound throughout Florida, Bahamas, and Costa Rica. In May of 1985, St.Clair McColl moved with his family to West Coast of British Columbia, and settled on Salt Spring Island.

He formed an aircraft leasing company of Salt Spring Island Air Ltd. in 1987. For the next 16 years he worked as a coastal floatplane pilot for various companies including Harbour Air, Tofino Air, Vancouver Island Air, and Baxter Air. He explored in depth the inlets, mountain valleys and peaks of Vancouver Island, Queen Charlottes, Mainland and the Interior of British Columbia. He acquired over 14000 hours in various aircraft from Cessna 180 and 185, Dehavilland DHC-2 Beavers, DHC-3 Otters, DHC-6 Twin Otters, and Beech 18s. He was based in Ganges, Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino, Campbell River, and Prince Rupert. In June of 2003 McColl started his own 703 Commercial Air Taxi service and incorporated a scheduled service between Vancouver and the Gulf Islands to his airline.

He began to gather around him a team of dedicated employees who thrived on giving professional customer service. Saints prime directive was If its not safe were not doing it, if its not fun were not interested. His years of experience taught him what to look for in hiring pilots, dispatchers, aircraft engineers, and ground crew. Today Saltspring Air has a fleet of 3 Dehavilland DHC-2 Beavers. The company has the resources for all your travel needs from a last minute charter flight to a non stop scheduled service 3 times a day to downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport. We at Saltspring Air pride ourselves as the only airline that calls you the night before to remind you of your flight. We even help you book a connecting flight, car rental, or get your favorite pet brought safe and sound to the Islands. Our group of experienced pilots with their vast depth of the West Coast can guide you through spectacular scenery on a scenic tour or a charter to a remote location that only a seaplane can get you to. From the time you book your flight to the time you are safe and sound, back with friends and family, you are in the care of the Saltspring Air team. Come fly with the Islanders Airline.

Aircraft

Saltpring Air started out with a 3 passenger Cessna 185 floatplane. The company soon grew to need a 6 passenger Dehavilland DHC-2 Beaver. The Beaver is the penultimate float plane. Designed in 1947 with a 20 year production series, there has been no aircraft since that has been able to replace the aircraft. The Canadian design was one of the top 10 engineering feats of the 20 century, right up there with putting a man on the moon. The desirability of the aircraft and its timeless design has endured the preservation of the aircraft and its modifications throughout the last 60 years. Many of the 1600 remaining beavers are in better shape today than when they first came off the assembly lines. The powerful Pratt and Whitney Junior Wasp radial engine again is a timeless power plant that delivers more horsepower per pound than any other piston driven aircraft engine to date. The engine delivers 450 horsepower. The wing span is 48 feet. The gross weight is 5090, with some Beavers having a payload in excess of 1500 lbs. The cruise speed is approximately 110 miles per hour and the aircraft can be safely and comfortably flown as slow as 60 miles per hour. Combined with a high lift wing with a STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) design the Beaver is able to safely maneuver in just about any configuration from wheels, skis, and floats at very slow airspeeds. This was the perfect tool to develop the north part of America and Canada. The ability to transport up to 6 passengers and their gear, through the harsh unpredictable weather and deposit them safely into very short and constricted landing strips proved immensely valuable. The production ran for 20 years and produced 1623 Beavers. The fact that the majority are still flying to day 60 years later is a testimonial of their astounding achievement, performance and durability.

Saltspring Air offers a professional non stop service from Ganges to Vancouver International Airport as well as to Downtown Vancouver 3 times daily. We also service Maple Bay on Vancouver Island, Thetis Island, Port Washington and Bedwell Harbour of the Pender Island Group, Miners Bay on Mayne Island, and Montague Harbour on Galiano Island. Whether you are an island commuter, a summer cottage resident or visiting Poets Cove or Hastings House we can provide that transportation link to your destination. We not only provide you with a safe, affordable and fast alternative to a ferry ride we give you an aerial scenic tour to boot.

Charter Service

Saltspring Air has the ability to move up to 18 passengers at a time to just about any destination you have in mind as long as there is water to land on. If you are traveling with a large group or need to be somewhere at a specific time then maybe a charter is better for you. It certainly wins hands down to a car or ferry!

Scenic Tours

Saltspring Air has a wide range of tours to offer. Saint has learned from years of experience just where to take you. He loves to see the awe struck wonder in his passengers eyes as he gives them a glimpse of his world. He can start off with the simplest 20 minute sightseeing tour around the Island and environs. This gives the viewer a birds eye view of the Islands many faceted jewels. From secluded beaches, tranquil lakes, pastoral farm fields, up to the dramatic topography of Mount Maxwells 2500ft peak. Other tours can whisk the passengers off to their own secluded beach for a picnic, or a waterfront arrival to the world famous Butchart Gardens. For the adventurous ecotourist he can offer the exhilarating sights of alpine lakes and glaciers, Princess Louisa Chatterbox waterfalls, or a killer whale safari. When flying by air one is limited only by ones imagination.

Saltspring Air has the means to get you where you need to go when you need to get there, safely and professionally. We are proud to serve you like no other airline. Saltspring Air is the way to go!