Vancouver (Vancouver Film Studios) Heliport

Vancouver, CA 🇨🇦 Closed Airport

ICAO

CA-1042

IATA

-

Elevation

50 ft

Region

CA-BC

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 49.260877° N, -123.028082° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: CFS9

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

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Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 25, 2025
Closure Date

The exact closure date is not publicly documented. Aviation databases list the heliport as permanently closed, but the specific date of decommissioning is unknown. The closure likely occurred sometime in the 2000s or early 2010s as digital aviation records became more comprehensive.

Reason for Closure

While no official reason has been published, the closure of a private, specialized heliport like this is typically due to a combination of factors. The most likely reasons include:
1. **Economic Factors**: The high cost of maintenance, certification, and insurance for a heliport may have outweighed its benefits for the studio.
2. **Regulatory Burden**: Operating a heliport in a dense, light-industrial urban area like Burnaby involves navigating complex zoning regulations and potential noise complaints, which can be costly and time-consuming.
3. **Changing Operational Needs**: The necessity for a private heliport may have diminished. Key personnel can use nearby public facilities like the Vancouver Harbour Heliport (CBC7), and the advent of advanced drone technology has significantly reduced the need for helicopters for many aerial cinematography shots.

Current Status

The site of the former heliport is now fully integrated into the operations of the Vancouver Film Studios at 3880 Henning Drive, Burnaby. The physical location of the helipad, whether it was on a rooftop or a paved ground-level area, has been repurposed for other studio needs such as equipment and material storage, vehicle parking, or as part of an outdoor 'backlot' set. The entire property continues to operate as a major, active film and television production studio.

Historical Significance

CA-1042 was a private heliport located on the property of the Vancouver Film Studios (VFS), one of North America's largest film production facilities outside of Los Angeles. Its sole purpose was to support the film and television industry. When active, it was used for:
- **Executive/Talent Transport**: Flying high-profile actors, directors, and producers directly to and from the studio, avoiding ground traffic.
- **Aerial Filming**: Serving as a convenient, on-site base of operations for helicopters used in aerial cinematography for productions based at VFS.
Its significance was purely logistical, providing a level of convenience and efficiency for major productions. It was a private (PPR - Prior Permission Required) facility and was never open to the public.

Reopening Prospects

There are no known plans, proposals, or any indication of prospects for reopening the heliport. The factors that likely led to its closure (cost, regulations, alternative options) remain valid. The studio continues to operate successfully without the on-site facility, making its reopening highly improbable.

Nearby Airports

Harbour (Public) Heliport
CBC7
Vancouver, CA
Heliport Scheduled Service
~6 km away
Vancouver / Burnaby (Global BC) Heliport
CGL6
Burnaby, CA
Heliport
~7 km away
Burnaby (Terminal) Heliport
CA-0396
Vancouver, CA
Closed Airport
~7 km away
Vancouver General Hospital Heliport
CBK4
Vancouver, CA
Heliport
~7 km away
Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome
CXH • CYHC
Vancouver, CA
Seaplane Base Scheduled Service
~7 km away
Vancouver (Children & Women's Health Centre) Heliport
CAK7
Vancouver, CA
Heliport
~7 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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