By David Wiwchar

Philippine prepares again for final flight

Feb 6, 2025 | 10:42 AM

It’s all-systems go as the Coulson Flying Tanker crew prepares the Philippine Mars for it’s final flight.

The Mighty Martin Mars flew over Port Alberni yesterday afternoon as part of its final preparations to fly south according to Wayne Coulson.

“We’ve had a few starts and stops so they’re just running the engines in again, everything’s been tuned up and after two years of planning work we’re getting prepared to move that aircraft to its new home,” he said.

Coulson said they’ll decide later today if the weather is good enough for the planned flight to San Francisco before further flights to San Diego and Arizona.

“We’re looking at most likely stopping in San Francisco so that’s kind of the weather down the coast so we’re watching weather in Victoria, Seattle, Portland, and down to Northern California,” he said. “That’s that’s kind of the window that we need to have a clear run at, so that’s what we’re mindful of and making sure we have good weather to move it.”

Guilty

Man avoids jail for punching woman at Nanaimo SOGI protest

1h ago

all-candidates forum

Forums pitting Nanaimo-Ladysmith candidates head-to-head prior to election day

2h ago

invasive species

'The end is in sight:' volunteers clear huge amount of English ivy from small island off Nanoose

4h ago

This will be the third attempt to deliver the plane to the Pima Air and Space Museum after the plane was forced to turn back twice due to engine problems.