Kamloops, CA 🇨🇦 Closed Airport
ICAO
CA-1002
IATA
-
Elevation
1770 ft
Region
CA-BC
Local Time
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 50.666766° N, -120.370989° E
Continent: North America
Type: Closed Airport
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The exact closure date is not publicly documented, as is common for private industrial facilities. Aviation databases began listing the heliport as 'closed' in the early 2010s. The closure was likely a gradual phasing out of its official status rather than a single-day event, likely occurring sometime between 2005 and 2015.
The closure was for operational and economic reasons. The heliport was a private facility owned and operated by BC Hydro, the provincial power utility, to support its Kamloops Substation. The decision to de-register or cease formally recognizing the heliport was likely due to a change in operational requirements. This could include the completion of a major project, a shift to using the main Kamloops Airport (CYKA) as a primary base for helicopter operations in the region, or a determination that a dedicated, registered heliport at this specific location was no longer cost-effective to maintain. It was not closed due to an accident or military conversion.
The site is the active and operational BC Hydro Kamloops Substation, located at 1165 Halston Avenue. The specific area previously designated as the heliport is now an open, multi-purpose gravel yard within the secure facility. While no formal helipad markings (such as a painted 'H' or circle) are visible on current satellite imagery, the space remains clear and is likely used for vehicle parking, material staging, and equipment storage. The area is still physically capable of accommodating a helicopter landing on an ad-hoc basis if required for BC Hydro's operational needs.
The heliport's significance was purely operational and logistical. It served as a critical support point for the maintenance and reliability of the regional power grid. When active, it handled light to medium utility helicopters (e.g., Bell 206, Airbus AS350) contracted by BC Hydro. Operations included:
- Transporting personnel, tools, and specialized equipment for maintenance and repair of the Kamloops Substation and remote transmission lines.
- Conducting aerial patrols and inspections of power lines and infrastructure, especially in difficult-to-access terrain.
- Providing rapid emergency response to power outages caused by storms, wildfires, or equipment failures.
It was an integral part of the infrastructure that ensured a stable electricity supply to Kamloops and the surrounding area.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening this site as a formal, registered heliport. BC Hydro can still land helicopters at the substation on their private property as needed without the site being officially registered in aviation publications. A formal reopening would only occur if BC Hydro's long-term operational strategy for the region changed significantly, requiring a dedicated and officially charted heliport at this specific substation, which is considered highly unlikely.