Atlin Airport

Atlin began its contact with aviation in 1928 with the landing of a Ryan B-1 Brougham of the Yukon Airways and Exploration Co. Ltd. - not on the water, but on the ice of Atlin Lake.  A series of subsequent arrivals over that winter convinced the citizens of Atlin of the need to develop a land airfield nearby.  In the summer of 1929, community volunteers constructed a 1,800 dirt strip to the east of the town site. 

In the 1930s Atlin become something of a hub for prospecting, exploration and mining activity.  Aircraft on skis, floats and wheels came and went, bringing the adventures and stories that accompanied the pioneering days of aviation in the north.  The early days of bush flying in pursuit of resources claimed many of the primitive aircraft used to transport prospectors and equipment. 

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In October 1930, “Paddy” Burke was flying some miners in a Junkers F-13 belonging to the Air Land Manufacturing Co. of Vancouver.  Bad weather forced a landing on the Laird River and the aircraft was damaged in subsequent attempts to take off. 

A huge search effort was mounted by several aircraft, including the Bellanca CH-300 shown here.  The two miners, near starvation, were finally recovered in early December but “Paddy” Burke had died due to a pre-existing medical condition.

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Burke’s body was recovered and buried in Atlin.  The aircraft he had flown was recovered the following February and returned to service.  It is shown here with another Bellance PM-300, one of the rescue aircraft.

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The summer of 1932 saw the arrival of no less than five Eastman E-2 flying boats using Atlin as their base camp to support a gold mining venture.  The Eastman E-2 Sea Rover shown here on the ice at Atlin is warming its engine in preparation for flight.  When the mining venture failed, most of the aircraft departed, leaving James Eastman—the builder of the flying boats—in Atlin, with one airplane, to continue his search for gold until he died in 1945.  Other local legends included Frank Barr (who left Atlin in 1937) and Herman Peterson, who started the successful Peterson Airways (later Coast Range Airways) in Atlin in 1950.

In August 1953, a search was mounted for Peterson when he failed to arrive at his destination, Stewart, BC.  He walked into Telegraph Creek three days later, but not before RCAF Norseman GB-M met its end after a search mission trying to land in blustery conditions behind Atlin’s First Island.  Fortunately, no one was killed but the aircraft was a write-off.

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.During World War II, the airport runway was realigned and lengthened.  Until 1951, Atlin could only be reached by air and the community continued to rely on air connections for many years after.  This Southern Airways DC3 is shown at Atlin in June 1981.

The Atlin airstrip (Peterson Field--CYSQ) is now owned and operated by the Atlin District Airport Association.  It offers a 3,950 foot gravel runway, basic services and is currently classified as a port of entry by Nav Canada.

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As well, the town continues to be served by the Atlin Water Aerodrome (CAD6), just off the town site.  This PA23 on floats is shown taking off beside First Island in 2000.

 

 

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