Float plane pilot calls riverside sculpture in downtown Fort McMurray a flight hazard

A pilot is worried an art monumentbeing installed nearthe Snye River in downtown Fort McMurray will be a hazard for float planes.

"[Many]aircraft accidents occur at or just after take-off," says Paul Hunt, whooperates the Fort McMurrayWater Aerodrome.

Two planes are based at the aerodrome, which uses theSnyeRiver as a runway, but others fly in and out for repairs.

Huntisworried the sculpture, which will be installed in the fall,will pose a hazard to float planes during emergencies.

"If you lose your power after take-off and with a 23-foot structure right in your flight path, you probably won't get away from that."

Plane vs public art: Fort McMurray float plane pilot fights for safety

6 years ago

Duration 1:34

A pilot is worried an art monument being installed near the Snye River in downtown Fort McMurray will be a hazard for float planes."[Many] aircraft accidents occur at or just after take-off," says Peter Hunt, who operates the Fort McMurray Water Aerodrome.

The two-storey sculpture,called Reflections on the River,is beinginstalled on thecauseway that takes motorists to the city's recreational centre,MacDonald Island Park.

"The road is roughly 50 feet higher than the water," Hunt said. "To put a 23-foot statue on top of it right in the dead centre of the flight way, it does introduce a safety concern and I don't want to be responsible for someone losing their life."

With the Athabasca and Snyerivers as aback drop, the$375,000 sculpturefeatures a person paddling a canoe on top of a curved piece of steel.

Hunt said he has advocated for a better location for the sculpture for years. The municipality said the site was selected after several surveys and public meetings dating back to 2015.

Hunt has suggested clearing trees nexttothe monument, but the municipality won't commit to doing that.

AdamHardiman, spokesperson for the municipality,said a number of site visits and consultations with Transport Canada andNavCanadadetermined the location is a safe spot for the installation.

"We take our marching orders fromNavCanadaand Transport Canada and we have full approval from thosegovernmentbodies,"Hardimansaid.

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