Aviation Museums
- BC Aviation Museum (Sydney, BC)
- Comox Air Force Museum (Comox, BC)
Jump to other Aviation Related Links
- See the main page on Air Tankers & Water Bombers right here ….. more
- See the main page on Airports & Base Camps right here ….. more
- See the main page on Aviation Museums right here ….. more
- See the main page on Aviation Training right here ….. more
- See the main page on Bush Planes right here ….. more
- See the main page on Cargo & Transport Aircraft right here ….. more
- See the main page on Helicopters right here ….. more
- See the main page on Military Aircraft right here ….. more
BC Aviation Museum
BC Aviation Museum (in the Sidney/North Saanich area near Victoria) celebrates over a century of British Columbia aviation history with a focus on civilian, commercial, bush flying, and some military aircraft. It features around 40 full-sized aircraft, artifacts, engines, models, photos, and interactive elements (e.g., cockpit access in some aircraft).
It’s located on the grounds of Victoria International Airport (YYJ), so visitors can watch modern planes taking off/landing. Recent highlights include the Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber.
- Location/Address: 1910 Norseman Road, North Saanich, BC V8L 5V5 (near Sidney, about 25–30 minutes from downtown Victoria).
- Contact: Phone 250-655-3300
- Hours: Daily 10am to 4pm (closed Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day).
- Admission: Adults ~$20 + GST; Seniors/Youth (13-18) ~$16; Children (6-12) ~$8.50; Under 5 free;
Aircraft/Special Displays:
Highlights include the Martin JRM-3 Hawaii Mars (water bomber), Vickers Viscount 757 (turboprop airliner, walk-through possible), Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, Grumman S-2 Tracker, various bush planes (e.g., Noorduyn Norseman), early aircraft replicas (e.g., Gibson Twin Plane, Hoffar H-1), and more spanning pre-WWI to modern eras. Features flight deck tours (e.g., Saturdays for Mars when available), interactive exhibits, and artifacts.
Nearby Attractions & Lunch:
Sidney by the Sea (waterfront, shops, Sidney Museum), Butchart Gardens (short drive), local wineries, and Victoria attractions. Restaurants nearby include Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe (airplane-themed, right by the museum), options at the airport, or in Sidney (e.g., waterfront grills, Thai, pubs). Great for combining with a day trip to the North Saanich Peninsula.
If you’re traveling to/from Sydney for BC Ferries, then plan to see the museum right after you get off the ferry or just before you get on to leave.
Photos from the BC Aviation Museum!
The photos don’t really do it justice, go to the museum!
Jump to other Aviation Related Links
- See the main page on Air Tankers & Water Bombers right here ….. more
- See the main page on Airports & Base Camps right here ….. more
- See the main page on Aviation Museums right here ….. more
- See the main page on Aviation Training right here ….. more
- See the main page on Bush Planes right here ….. more
- See the main page on Cargo & Transport Aircraft right here ….. more
- See the main page on Helicopters right here ….. more
- See the main page on Military Aircraft right here ….. more
Comox Air Force Museum
Comox Air Force Museum (also known as the Comox Air Force Museum and associated with the Heritage Air Park) is a military aviation museum focused on the history and heritage of 19 Wing Comox (CFB Comox), Royal Canadian Air Force operations, and West Coast military aviation in Canada. It opened to the public in 1987 and is part of the RCAF Museum Enterprise.
The site includes indoor galleries with artifacts, photos, uniforms, medals, and exhibits (including WWI-era material), plus an outdoor Heritage Air Park about 600m away featuring aircraft that operated from the base. The heritage airpark is especially good!
- Location/Address: Main entrance to 19 Wing Comox, 1630 Military Row (or Ryan Road East and Military Row), Lazo/Comox, BC V0R 2K0 (Vancouver Island, Comox Valley).
- Contact: Phone 250-339-8162
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm (closed Mondays). Heritage Air Park is accessible during similar times, weather permitting (best April–September).
- Admission: By donation.
Aircraft/Displays:
The Heritage Air Park features aircraft that flew with 19 Wing, including CF-100 Canuck, CF-101 Voodoo, CP-107 Argus, CP-121 Tracker, CT-133 Silver Star, De Havilland Vampire (with a dedicated pavilion), Douglas Dakota, Piasecki H-21, and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King. Indoor exhibits cover base history, search-and-rescue, Snowbirds, and more.
Self-guided visits; allow 1+ hour for inside & an additional 1+ hour for the outside display.
Nearby Attractions & Lunch:
The Comox Valley offers beaches (e.g., Goose Spit Park, Filberg Park), wineries (e.g., 40 Knots), nature parks, and downtown Courtenay/Comox for shopping and dining. Popular restaurants include Locals Restaurant at the Old House (seafood/grill), Atlas Cafe, and various pubs or food trucks near the harbour.
Other sites:
Mount Washington (skiing/hiking), Miracle Beach Provincial Park. Air Force Beach! Comox is right beside Courtenay.
Photos from the Comox Air Force Museum!
Photos from the Outdoor Air Park in Comox!
Apologies for some of the crappy photos, it was raining off and on that day and I just use an old cellphone for photos, go to the museum & also go to the “Outdoor Air Park“!
Both museums are excellent!
Jump to other Aviation Related Links
- See the main page on Air Tankers & Water Bombers right here ….. more
- See the main page on Airports & Base Camps right here ….. more
- See the main page on Aviation Museums right here ….. more
- See the main page on Aviation Training right here ….. more
- See the main page on Bush Planes right here ….. more
- See the main page on Cargo & Transport Aircraft right here ….. more
- See the main page on Helicopters right here ….. more
- See the main page on Military Aircraft right here ….. more
Stop in! Check out the nearest Aviation Museum!