Comox Valley Airport and Canadian Forces Bases (YQQ/CYQQ) is a small shared commercial-military airfield west of Vancouver on Victoria Island. The airfield was opened in 1941 by the Royal Air Force and is nowadays home to commercial flights and a RCAF military air base. So spotting at Comox can be hit or miss: you’ll get your commercial subjects on a regular basis (i.e., Pacific Coastal, Westjet, and Air Canada Express). Other than that, the military spotting at YQQ is more intriguing, but can be really worth it as YQQ is for example one of two air bases in Canada that are home to the RCAF CP140s (Canadian version of the P3). Additionally, the characteristic yellow RCAF Kingfisher (Casa 295s) are based here as well.

Generally, if military is going to fly, they’ll go up around 09:00(ish). There are rarely afternoon flights/missions out of Comox outside of May, which are the RCAF Snowbirds and RCAF F-18 Demo training time. However, military stuff can obviously also arrive in the afternoon like C130s from other RCAF bases.

Written by A. Hackenberger and Cody McVie. Last Update: September 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
12/30	3048m / 10000ft
18/36	1524m / 5000ft
Terminals
T1	There is one small terminal in the west handling all flight operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is not recommended at YQQ as you can mostly work without a ladder and thereby also avoid attracting attention.
Car/Public Transport	A car is useful for spotting around YQQ as public transport is not that widely spread here. Plus, times between movements can be quite long!
Drinks/Food	There is not much around the spots themselves, but you will find plenty stuff towards Comox itsself.
Hotels	There are no specific spotterhotels around the airfield.
Season	Summer has better weather and the light is more useful
Security	Remember, that YQQ is an ACTIVE RCAF air base! Always keep a low profile, stay away from the fence as long as possible, keep your ID with you, cooperate with authorities such as MP once being approached and keep to the following few rules: 1. Never photograph from property marked as DND (specifically the Golf Course road): you will get an MP visit, you will have your photos deleted (best case) and it will not be fun. Airport terminal parking lots may fall under this as well (spot #3), but generally there aren’t any issues if you just photograph the commercial ramp, but some spotters have been asked to leave by the management. 2. Never photograph things on the military ramps or the hangars. While they may be visible from public land it is incredibly frowned upon and a genuine national security risk. 3. Comox Airport is an active surveillance and QRA base: avoid sharing specific times of patrol and fighter aircraft photos is a good practice and ensures spotting doesn’t become frowned upon here.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 12 is in use most of the time.

	Spot #1 – Kye Bay Rd Switchback – 30 Movements + 12 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located on the airport’s southeastern flank. Coming from the terminal, take Knight Rd till you reach the airport’s southeastern end, turn onto Kyle Bay Rd on drive towards you reach a little dirt area roughly next to the touchdown zone. Then just simply locate yourself here…
WHAT	Great spot for runway 30 landings and takeoffs, and runway 12 takeoffs. Runway 12 landings normally exit prior to when they would reach this spot.
TIME	From sunrise till early noon.
MISC.	There are some low points in the fence that you can shoot over by standing back or otherwise try to shoot through the fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

YQQ-Spot1

YQQ-Spot1

YQQ-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Point Holmes – 30 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at Point Holmes at the coastline east of the airfield. The point is located at Lazo Rd, offers plenty parking options and great views onto aircraft arriving on runway 30.
WHAT	From here you can spot aircraft arriving on runway 30.
TIME	From early afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	There is nothing around here. Take everything with you.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

YQQ-Spot2

YQQ-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Terminal Carpark – Apron
WHERE	This spot is located at the northeastern corner of the airport’s carpark west of the terminal and apron. Just enter the carpark, make your way to the marked spot and enjoy the view.
WHAT	Great view for commercial airline operations at the terminal and the apron in front. When larger military aircraft visit (i.e., RCAF CC-150 and CC-330, and GAF A340), they’ll park on this apron and can be viewed from this spot.
TIME	This spot is good from noon till sunset roughly.
MISC.	Heat haze could be an issue on warm days or if APUs are running. Anything you need can be found in the nearby terminal here. You will be shooting through a fence here.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm

YQQ-Spot3

YQQ-Spot3

Comox-Museum

Comox-Museum

Comox-Museum

Comox-Museum

Comox-Museum

Comox-Museum