Port Alberni, British Columbia – December 14, 2024: Coulson Aviation announced that the Philippine Mars aircraft is scheduled to depart from Sproat Lake in Port Alberni, BC, Sunday, December 15, at 10:00 AM PST, weather permitting. As one of only two remaining Martin JRM Mars flying boats, the Philippine Mars is making its final journey to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, where it will be preserved for future generations.
The Philippine Mars will begin its trip with a flyby at Harbour Quay in Port Alberni before continuing to Victoria, BC. If weather and schedules permit, it will conduct a symbolic flyby alongside its sister aircraft, the Hawaii Mars. The Hawaii Mars was recently donated to the BC Aviation Museum in Sidney, BC.
“Having both of the Martin Mars historically preserved in these museums is our way of honoring the role these aircraft have played in both aviation and firefighting history,” said Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Group.
The aircraft’s route includes a stop in San Francisco, Calif., for customs clearance and to comply with the requirement to stop before sunset. The Martin JRM Mars aircraft, once based in nearby Alameda, Calif., will anchor for two days in the Alameda Lagoon, where it was originally operated by the U.S. Navy. From there, it will fly along the coast to San Diego, participating in scheduled events and video documentation. Its planned water landing will occur near the Coronado Bridge, with a touchdown close to the USS Midway Museum, where it will anchor in San Diego Bay overnight. The aircraft’s journey will conclude in Arizona, where it will be disassembled at its factory production joints and transported to the Pima Air and Space Museum. The final flight of the Philippine Mars is being led by Captains Peter Killin and Todd Davis.
In partnership with Coulson Aviation, SKYTRAC will be providing the flight tracking data and software required to publicly track this aircraft’s journey as it begins its final relocation. A SKYTRAC unit will transmit the aircraft’s location and display the data in its flight tracking software for the public to view.
Simply visit:
https://apps6.trootrax.com/web/
User: Merry
Pass: XMAS
Please be aware that the sign-in credentials are case-sensitive. To live track the aircraft, right-click on the C-FLYK asset on the left and select the “Track Asset” option from the list that appears.
“We are excited to be involved with this milestone journey for Coulson Aviation and its Philippine Mars aircraft,” said Mandi Skinner, Regional Business Manager at SKYTRAC. “As a long-time partner with Coulson Aviation, SKYTRAC is proud to provide the flight tracking and satellite solutions Coulson Aviation requires.”
SKYTRAC has been Coulson Aviation’s primary supplier of flight-tracking software and hardware for its fleet. Please note that public tracking of the aircraft will cease upon its entry into Arizona to ensure the safety of the crew and aircraft as it approaches its undisclosed landing site.
About Coulson Aviation
Throughout the company’s 60+ years, the mission has remained the same: to protect the world from forest fires. Our organizational capabilities allow our team to provide simultaneous aerial support across numerous continents. As a leading supplier to county, state, and federal governments worldwide, Coulson has focused its next-generation multi-mission fleet on sustainable, in-production aircraft. Working in partnership with OEMs and leveraging the latest technology allows Coulson to provide superior all-hazard response aircraft. Learn more about us by visiting: coulsonaviation.com.
About SKYTRAC Systems Ltd.
SKYTRAC, an aerospace leader in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications and intelligent connectivity, provides innovative technology solutions to some of the world’s largest organizations. SKYTRAC’s work helps aerial firefighters save our forests, allows search and rescue teams to navigate dangerous environments, provides coast guards and militaries with mission-critical capabilities, and helps empower humanitarian missions worldwide. SKYTRAC’s technologies can be found on fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and uncrewed aerial vehicles, as well as in operational control centers on all seven continents. From custom software and hardware development through to STC generation, SKYTRAC offers OEMs, operators, and systems integrators end-to-end products and services. Today, SKYTRAC serves over 800 customers on over 900 airframes and is a leading provider of satellite, cellular, and mission management services for nearly all aerospace sectors. For more information, please visit www.SKYTRAC.ca.
