Tale of the Tails
As a British Columbia-based company, we owe our existence to the people and the many communities we serve. We wanted our brand to reflect that, but when the subject of plane tail artwork came up we found it difficult to sum up all that is B.C. in a single image. When the artist asked us to choose from one of the several icons, we just smiled and said “We’ll take ‘em all”, so each of our tails has a unique story to tell.
Raven & Whale and Eagle & Wolf
In partnership with East Vancouver Indigenous artist from Heiltsuk Nation, KC Hall, we created tail art for our C-GPCN SAAB 340B aircraft. Having a deep connection with our beautiful province, we take honour in representing communities of British Columbia. This tail art depicts a raven and a whale on one side, and an eagle and a wolf on the other. All of them symbolize the four crests of the Heiltsuk Nation.
To learn more about KC’s work, check out our blog.
The Miner
Our C-FPCU, the mighty SAAB, proudly tells the tale of a miner on its tail. Historically and economically, mining has a deep connection to British Columbia. As one of Canada’s most resource-rich regions, BC is known for producing copper, gold, silver, and more. Especially in the mid-1800s, gold rushes in the Interior and Northern regions fuelled the province’s early growth, with miners playing a defining role in shaping its economy and communities.
With the addition of Quesnel to our network, the gold panning city, we continue to share BC’s mining heritage. To learn more about Quesnel, check out our blog.
Skier and Snowboarder
The tail story behind our SAAB C-FPCZ celebrates two of British Columbia’s most beloved winter activities. On one side of the plane, you’ll find a skier; on the other, a snowboarder. From the coastal mountains to the Rockies, BC is home to some of the best ski destinations in North America.
Our newest destination, Cranbrook, lies in the heart of the Kootenay region, framed by the majestic Rocky and Purcell Mountains. It’s an excellent place for winter adventures like skiing, snowboarding, and more. To learn about our service to Cranbrook, visit our blog.
Tree Logging
Our C-FPCV, the trailblazing Beechcraft 1900C, carries with it the rich history of tree logging in British Columbia. In the early 1900s, logging became one of the province’s leading industries alongside mining and fishing. Beyond creating tens of thousands of jobs, it helped build BC’s roads, towns, ports, and power systems. Thanks to its coastal location, BC could easily ship lumber overseas, fueling a major economic boom. Today, logging continues to provide economic value and employment, but with a stronger focus on sustainability, Indigenous stewardship, climate action, and conservation.
Woodland Caribou
Our Woodland Caribou, often mistaken for reindeer, are actually close cousins of the domesticated “reindeer” found in Europe. In British Columbia, these caribou are most commonly found in the northern and interior regions, where vast forests and mountain landscapes create the perfect habitat.
The caribou featured on our C-FWZK Beechcraft holds deep cultural significance for many Indigenous communities across the province, traditionally supporting livelihood, knowledge, and identity. It also represents an important part of Canada’s northern biodiversity as the only large mammal uniquely adapted to deep snow and extreme winter conditions.
As a proud British Columbian airline, this tail design celebrates our province as home to remarkable caribou populations, unique to the region and found in very few places around the world!
Oscar, The Grizzly Bear
This is Oscar, everyone’s beloved grizzly bear, featured on the tail of our C-GPCO Beechcraft 1900.
In British Columbia, bears hold deep ecological, conservation, and cultural significance. As an umbrella species, grizzly bears help keep ecosystems balanced by regulating prey populations and influencing the behaviour of other wildlife. Because of this, they are central to conservation efforts across the province. Culturally, the grizzly bear symbolizes strength, leadership, and protection for many Indigenous Nations and is often featured in oral histories, carvings, ceremonies, and other cultural expressions.
In our province, grizzly bears are guardians of the ecosystem, powerful cultural figures, and enduring symbols of pride.
Fly-fishing
The tail of our C-GPCR Beechcraft 1900 tells the story of fly fishing in British Columbia.
Fly fishing holds a special place in the province. It is not about volume, but about connection, skill, and conservation. The practice encourages anglers to slow down, immerse themselves in the landscape, and better understand fish behaviour and ecosystems.
British Columbia is internationally known for fly fishing, thanks to its iconic rivers and salmon populations. Rooted in respect for Indigenous waters, catch and release is central to fly fishing, supporting river protection and salmon conservation. It is a high-value, low-impact form of tourism that benefits both local and remote communities.