Canadian Air Force pilots are set to conduct two Remembrance Day flybys across the Metro Vancouver, with one aircraft scheduled to arc over Tri-City skies.
Crew of a four-engine Aurora patrol aircraft is planning on flying over Vancouver at about 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11. A visit to Port Moody is expected at some point around 11:11 a.m., according to Port Moody mayor Rob Vagramov.
The aircraft is one of 14 Aurora CP-140s across Canada tasked as the country’s primary airborne platform to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
A statement from National Defence says the RCAF encourages Canadians to mark Remembrance Day from their homes to the greatest extent possible, while watching the aircraft in accordance with public health guidelines.
Small ceremonies with a handful of participants will be held at many cenotaphs in B.C. but public attendance is not allowed, and the president of the Kamloops Legion says the BC Command of the Royal Canadian Legion has asked all branches to remain closed Wednesday to ensure there are no large gatherings.
The RCAF says all its aircraft will pass at minimum altitudes over each community, although weather and flying conditions will affect each of the flights.
A turboprop Buffalo aircraft will also fly over Campbell River, while military helicopters will conduct flybys over Courtenay, Cumberland and Sidney on Vancouver Island.
— With files from the Canadian Press
