Airport Overview
Qualicum Beach Airport (CAT4)
Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island near the town of Qualicum Beach, the Qualicum Beach Airport (CAT4) is a great fly-in destination. It’s a relatively quick flight from many parts of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
Local Amenities
The Final Approach is an excellent restaurant located inside the terminal building.
Access from the ramp to the terminal building is by an exterior key-coded gate a short distance from the building.
The Qualicum Beach Flying Club shares a building with the local flying school, Sealand Flight.
Bicycles are available for use on an honour system, so feel free to borrow them and go for an adventure.
An artisan bakery is located north of the airport down the road next to an elementary school a few minutes away.
Overnight camping is possible for visiting pilots, however, prior permission is required from the town of Qualicum Beach.
There is an AME on-site by the name of Pavel.
MF Area
The Qualicum Beach airport is a mandatory frequency area with a five nautical mile radius. Position reports on 122.8 should be addressed to “Qualcomm Beach Traffic”. Note that this frequency is also used in Squamish and Duncan. Pilots normally make position reports on Straights Traffic 123.2 outside the Qualicum mandatory frequency area.
See the note on the Vancouver VTA chart.
Reporting Points
On frequency, you may hear local pilots calling out positions that are NOT denoted on the VNC. These informal reporting points include:
Rathtrevor Beach: Located just outside the MF area to the east between the Nanoose Bay and Parksville area.
Little Mountain: Located inside the MF area about four nautical miles to the east Southeast of the airport.
The Ascent Hangers: Helicopter operation base, two nautical miles to the southeast of the airport near the town of Coombs.
French Creek Marina: Abeam the airport on the shoreline. An easy to spot reference for setting up the midfield arrival.
The Cranberry Fields: Located just outside the MF area to the West.
Important Notes for Pilots
Pilots new to the area are often under the mistaken impression that the island shoreline runs in a north-south direction. The orientation of the shoreline near Qualicum Beach airport is much closer to an East-West magnetic direction. This is due to local geography plus the fact that magnetic variation is about 16 degrees east in the area. The runway is oriented in an essentially East-West magnetic direction. And this distinction is extremely important when it comes to position reporting.
For example, pilots arriving from the Nanaimo area are often heard saying on the radio they are South of the airport when in fact they are East of the field.
Runway
The runway has a length of 3,564 feet with the runways numbered 29 and 11.
It’s at an elevation of 190 feet above sea level although it is sloped slightly downhill with the 29 end being only 163 feet above sea level.
Taxiways
The taxiways include:
Alpha: Which runs parallel to most of the runway.
Bravo: Which leads directly to the ramp.
Charlie: At midfield - a handy decision point for go-no-go on takeoff.
Delta: Which connects Apron 2. Note that it is not possible to use Apron 2 to get directly to the ramp from the Flying Club since it dead ends.
Echo: Which leads directly from the ramp to the hold short line for Runway 11.
Fuel
JET-A and 100 low-lead fuel are available on Apron 1, in front of the terminal building at separate pumps. West for 100 low-lead and East for JET-A.
Run-up Areas
Run-up areas commonly used are on the ramp by the terminal Apron 1 and on taxiway Delta at the junction where it splits off down to the private t-hangers. Please don’t block access to the runway.
Windsocks
There are two windsocks. They are located in the grass area between the runway and the taxiways. They are spaced at roughly equal distances from the midfield point between taxiway Charlie and the end of the runway.
Weather
There is no ATIS available at the Qualicum Beach Airport. You can check the aviation weather reports from Comox and Nanaimo and extrapolate between the two.
There is an Environment Canada public weather station located at the airport.
On the ground, Little Mountain can be used to estimate the visibility and cloud heights. Its peak is 820 feet above sea level and is located about four nautical miles Southeast of the airport.
Winter Maintenance
There is limited winter maintenance. Snow removal is normally conducted in the mornings when applicable with a surface analysis published via NOTAM.
Parking
Aircraft parking is available on Apron 1 and the grass tie down area near Apron 2. On Apron 1, a limited number of short-term day use parking spots are available on the paved ramp area between the terminal building and the fuel pumps.
For longer term parking, there are several parking spots available on the grass tie-down area.
Visiting pilots using transient aircraft parking areas overnight are encouraged to make a donation in the receptacle provided at approximately ten dollars per town of Qualicum Beach bylaw 457.05.
Lighting
Qualicum has ARCAL type K lighting. It can be interacted with on 122.8.
Click the microphone 7 times within 5 seconds to turn it on HIGH.
Click 5 more times for MEDIUM, or 3 times for a LOW.
Night Operations
Only pilots familiar with local terrain should use this Aerodrome at night.
Night operations are prohibited when the PAPI system is out of service.
At night, the circuit altitude increases to 1,400 feet above sea level.
Night operations are restricted between 10 pm and 6 am local time. Medevac only or prior permission is required during this time period.
Arrival
Aircraft arriving from the Lower Mainland or Sunshine Coast should note that the shortest over-water crossing is to go from the middle of Lasqueti Island to French Creek. This path will keep you well away from the CYR 107 as denoted on the VNC. Due to the proximity of the airport to the shoreline, there’s often a haze layer that makes spotting the field difficult. The French Creek Marina can be used as a handy visual reference point.
Pilots arriving from Campbell River can simply follow the shoreline along the coast being mindful of the Comox Zone and the Courtney Air Park. Requesting flight following on 123.7 with Comox Terminal is highly recommended.
Pilots arriving from Nanaimo need to avoid the NOTAM Area around Skydive Vancouver Island’s Drop Zone. This area is approximately 7 nautical miles to the East Southeast of the aerodrome along the highway between Nanoose Bay and Parksville. It is marked on the VNC with a parachute symbol.
Pilots arriving from Port Alberni will typically start monitoring the Qualicum frequency 122.8 around the Horne Lake area. This narrow Valley Crossing Point in the Beaufort mountain range is often congested.
Noise Abatement
Consult the CFS procedures and see the diagram for noise abatement procedures. Avoid overflight of noise sensitive areas at less than one thousand feet above ground level. Right hand circuits are required for Runway 11 as per CARs 602.96. It is recommended that pilots descend to circuit altitude on the upwind side of the airport over the water by French Creek Marina. Then cross the aerodrome at midfield before turning downwind. This approach makes wind socks inspections easy.
Please refer to the Transport Canada publication, VFR Circuit Procedures At Uncontrolled Aerodromes, or other relevant documents for additional information. PDF Here.
The Town of Qualicum Beach has implemented a “Fly CAT4 - Good Neighbour Program” for additional noise abatement. Please see the town website for more information about the airport and the noise abatement programs.
Traffic
Commercial operators often take a straight-in approach to Runway 29 when arriving from an easterly direction. IFR traffic on the RNAV GNSS approach will be coming at an angle to the normal VFR flight path.
Skydive is also an important operator to listen for on the radio as they are often returning to the airport in a rapid descent from high altitudes. These descents often take place over the water in the area between French Creek Marina and Lasqueti Island. Several helicopter companies operate in the area.
Ascent Helicopters has a base two nautical miles to the southeast of the airport. This is fairly close to the base turn for Runway 11. If they are lifting off while you are in the circuit, make sure you listen carefully to their intentions and make regular position reports.
Landmarks in the Circuit
Helpful landmarks in the circuit include the following:
The Qualcomm Beach water tower: Useful for aligning your base and final turns for Runway 11.
The teal roof of Oceanside Elementary School: A good reference for aligning your base leg to Runway 29.
The Island Highway: Handy for approximating the downwind leg, although note that it is at an angle to the runway.
Approach to Runway 29
The approach to Runway 29 is notorious for downdrafts due to a ravine that crosses perpendicular to your path on short final. More often than not, you will lose some altitude as you cross over it. Mechanical turbulence and wind-shear are common in this area, as are birds off the end of the runway.
Approach to Runway 11
The approach to Runway 11 passes over a dog park, a sloping grassy bank, and a paved road just beyond the end of the runway. Differential heating of these surfaces can lead to turbulent air on short final.
Practice Areas
Several practice areas are used by Sealand Flight for training. A couple of these are located west of the airport over the water, as well as inland by Horne Lake. Also, they will often practice to the southeast over the Englishman River.
Have a safe flight!