riggerrob 643 #1 March 7, 2006 Good news! Even though Gary Butchart retired at the end of 2005, the Victoria, BC, Canada DZ will re-open later this month. The new owners are Roy Wharton and Phil Stoker. The senior partner: Roy Wharton has operated DZs in Comox and Campbell River, BC for longer than most can remember. Phil Stoker is the junior partner and has been instructing Victoria area students for several years now. Most of Gary's old instructors and fun jumpers have already pledged their support. They recently purchased a Cessna 182 jump plane from Ontario and are ferrying it back to BC. Speaking of ferries, the new DZ will be even closer to the ferry dock. Chances are, you will see canopies in the air before your ferry boat - from Vancouver - docks. They have rented hangar space on the North end of Victoria International Airport and a farmer's field South East of the airport. The farmer still has to cut down a row of trees and clear a few other obstacles, but licensed jumpers plan to start jumping the third or fourth weekend of March 2006. Good luck boys and girls! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
