Today is the day and the flight plan has been released.
A milestone event in aviation history is set to take place tonight as the iconic Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber embarks on its final journey to its new home at the BC Aviation Museum.
Accompanied by the renowned Canadian Forces Snowbirds, this event promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
The flight plan has been released and it will include a flyover of downtown Victoria!
On Sunday, August 11th, the Martin Mars water bomber, a symbol of Canadian aviation prowess, will be making its way to the Patricia Bay (Pat Bay), located next to the Victoria International Airport, to join the museum’s expanding BC Wildfire Aviation exhibit.
Known for its impressive 200-foot wingspan and its significant role in firefighting, the Mars will now be celebrated as a central piece of aviation history.
The aircraft is expected to land at Pat Bay around 7 p.m., weather permitting—it’ll be an event not to miss!
The Martin Mars will be escorted by all nine planes of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, offering a stunning aerial display.
Here is what you’ve all been waiting for:
These times are approximate and could vary by 30 minutes either way.
Take off time not announced
3:20 p.m. Port Alberni – Harbour Key
3:40 p.m. Comox
4:00 p.m. Campbell River
4:10 p.m. Cape Mudge
4:30 p.m. Powell River
4:50 p.m. Comox
5:00 p.m. Comox show
5:10 p.m. go south
5:40 p.m. Nanaimo rendezvous with T-33 for air to air shots
5:50 p.m. Gulf Islands
6:10 p.m. Crofton RV Snowbirds join
6:15 p.m. first pass over Pat Bay & Victoria Airport, then east coast Saanich peninsula
6:30 p.m. downtown Victoria, back along east coast to Victoria Airport
6:50 p.m. low pass over Victoria runway 32 by BC Aviation Museum, right turn over Satellite channel landing off of runway 27
7 p.m. Pat Bay landing, then Snowbirds starburst
For those eager to track the flight, real-time updates will be available on Flightradar24 using the aircraft’s registration code CFLYL. The BC Aviation Museum will also provide livestream on their Facebook.
Coulson Aviation, which has been instrumental in preparing the Mars for its final flight, expressed pride in seeing the aircraft’s journey come to fruition.
For over five decades, the Martin Mars program played a crucial role in Canadian forest firefighting.
As one of only two remaining Mars aircraft, the Hawaii Mars will become a major attraction at the BC Aviation Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into its storied past.
In its operational days, the Mars could drop more than 25,000 litres of water per run, making it the largest water bomber in the world.
