iN VIDEO: Too close for comfort: Helicopter hovers near homes in Kamloops

A Kamloops woman is left with more questions than answers after she filmed a helicopter flying a bit too close for comfort in the Juniper Ridge neighbourhood.

In her video, Lynne Lynch captured the helicopter creeping close to homes in Juniper West on Nov. 8 before it turned around and flew down the ridge.

She was walking her dog at Juniper West Park when she heard the rumbling of a helicopter approach. The sound of a helicopter flying nearby was common while the Juniper interface fire continued to smoulder, but as winter approaches, B.C. Wildfire choppers aren't around anymore.

"I saw it come close and thought it has to go up. That's when I grabbed my camera and started filming, and it was right at the windows," Lynch said.

Transport Canada regulates the operation of aircraft in Canada, under which helicopters cannot fly lower than 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle and 500 feet horizontally.

However, there are exceptions to that rule like in saving human life, police operations and for aerial photography. The distance and altitude from obstacles must be far enough away that the risk to people or property is minimized.

Logos on the helicopter are difficult to make out in the video and iNFOnews.ca has reached out to Transport Canada for comment.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

More Articles