A seaplane could be a familiar sight at the Andrew S. Brandt Marina at Sarnia Bay this year.
Huron Flight Services is asking Sarnia council for permission on Monday to operate an aircraft there that is capable of taking off and landing on the water for training purposes.
Mayor Mike Bradley supports the request.
"There used to be a plane in the bay and it was a neat part of being on the waterfront," said Bradley. "To see the plane come out of Sarnia Bay Marina, maneuver around and take off and then come back and land and go back into the marina, the public loved it. They loved watching it and it just made the waterfront more exciting."
If approved, there is an option to renew the agreement annually.
"If we want an active waterfront, and that's what that big report that we just adopted over the next ten to 15 years is all about, active people orientated activities that people will enjoy, then that's one of those things."
The seaplane would begin operations in mid-April and only operate during daylight hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
It is expected there would be about six take offs and landings per day, with other training south of the city along the river or north of the city in the lake.
"It brings people into the community that normally would not be here, that are coming in for the training. I think that's a good thing too. The hours of use do not really impact negatively on those many people that live along the waterfront now. So, again, I think it's exciting on many different levels."
Chief Flight Instructor Jason Brent said the aircraft they would be using is a Piper J-3 cub. It has two seats and an 80 horsepower engine that requires little room for take off and landing.
Brent said use of the seaplane would allow them to train their professional aviation college students for bush pilot positions throughout Northern Canada and abroad.
Historically the Huron Flight Centre, now known as Huron Flight Services, operated a seaplane at Sarnia Bay from 2001 to 2008.