Skyvan Aircraft Coming To Comox

Comox residents may hear a Skyvan aircraft flying overhead, and see parachutists jumping regularly between April 2 – May 19.

Comox residents may hear a Skyvan aircraft flying overhead, and see parachutists jumping regularly between April 2 – May 19.

The aircraft involved will be contracted in support of the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue.

Including both students and qualified Search and Rescue techs from across the country, approximately 50 personnel will participate in the training, conducting both static line and freefall jumps with and without equipment to various drop zones in the area. For the students, this is just one phase of the intensive 11-month training course.

All measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to those living near the training areas. While welcome to observe and photograph parachute operations, residents are asked to not to approach the drop zones.

Search and Rescue technicians are highly trained specialists who provide advanced pre-hospital medical care and rescue for aviators, mariners and others in distress in remote or hard-to-reach areas. The techs specialize in land and maritime rescue techniques, including land, arctic and sea survival, confined area parachuting, rescue diving, mountain, and helicopter rescue.