Vernon Skydive Company Defends Activity

Okanagan Sky Dive says it’s doing everything it can to reduce noise — without sacrificing safety.

Company owner Bret Chalmers told Vernon council, their airplanes generate noise, but meet all of Transport Canada’s requirements.

“Recent letters to the editor in our local paper have been complaining about noise. The vast majority of these letters have come from two individuals. We get the occasional phone call about this as does the airport manager and the city.”

Chalmers says the company meets 100 per cent of Transport Canada’s requirements.

“Takeoffs are performed at a reduced rpm. Flight patterns are flown to the outskirts of town whenever possible. Efforts are also being made as often as possible to rent or lease larger aircraft for higher volume days.”

Chalmers says about half of the complaints come on days when they’re not flying.

He says they seem to be getting blamed for all other aircraft in the area.

Chalmers says adventure tourism is growing — and is good for the city.

“Large groups of tourists are coming from all over the world for this. Our customers are using local hotels. They’re buying gas and food here. They’re also visiting all of the other local attractions in town.”

Chalmers adds the company employs six full time staff, who helped with over six thousand tandem. student, and recreational jumps last year.