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HISTORY Nanaimo (???-1976) The gliding school was based out of the Naniamo Military Camp and flew from the Nanaimo Airport at Cassidy (CYCD). Princeton (1977-1992) The school moved to Princeton (CYDC) and used civilian facilities there and the local airport. Princeton Airport was quiet and so provided little chance of conflict with other traffic. The large grass area beside the hard surface runway provided the glider landing area. The school operated from the local high school. This was originally located in the town but in 1981 a new school was built on the plateau above the town adjacent to the airport. In addition to the school, local motels were used for Staff housing. The summer of 1989 was marred by the fatal crash of an Cessna L-19 Bird Dog tow plane which killed the Commanding Officer - Major K C Schmidt. The school added the three-week Air Studies Course to the six-week Glider Pilot Training Course while at Princeton. Chilliwack (1993-1995) The school moved to Chilliwack and was hosted at CFB Chilliwack and flew from Chilliwack Airport (CYCW). The size of the base at Chilliwack provided excellent support including barracks, classrooms, and mess facilities. The airport was located 8 km away from the base. Chilliwack is a busy general aviation airport so the gliding had to integrate with more air traffic than was the case in Princeton. The move to Chilliwack of the Gliding Scholarship Course also brought the Power Scholarship Course from Cadet Training Centre Pat Bay ( Victoria ) which was being closed. The Power Scholarship Course trained at civilian flight schools at Abbotsford International Airport (CYXX) approximately 50 km away. The closure of CFB Chilliwack forced another move of the school. Comox (1996-Present) The three summer course relocated from CFB Chilliwack to CFB Comox for the summer of 1996. This was the year round home of the Pacific Region Gliding Operations and took advantage of the base infrastructure at Comox. While still operating as a military airfield the Comox Airport (CYQQ) also as some civilian traffic. STAFF Commanding Officers
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