RCAF trainer aircraft stops in Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) trainer aircraft stopped at the North Peace Regional Airport on Friday, February 23rd.

Managing director Stacy Smith says it was a CT-155 Hawk stopping on the way up to Whitehorse.

According to the RCAF, the CT-155 Hawk is used to train pilots in front-line fighter aircraft. 

The CT-155 Hawk has since left the local airport.

Smith says the airport near Fort St. John is a common stop for aircraft on the way up north.

According to the managing director, they’ll stop for fuel, and sometimes the pilot will come into the airport for lunch.

February 23rd also marks National Aviation Day for Canada.

“It was on February 23, 1909, that the Silver Dart took flight over Bras d’Or Lakes in Baddeck, Nova Scotia,” said the Canadian Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez.

“That first powered flight changed travel in Canada forever—air travel became a reality, and an industry was born.”