The Philippine Mars will fly from Sproat Lake for the final time this morning, Dec. 11, 2024.

Coulson Aviation posted on its social media platforms that today is departure day, around 9:30 a.m. if all goes well with pre-flight preparations.

"Today marks the start of an historic journey for the Philippine Mars. Departing from its long-time home at Sproat Lake in Port Alberni around 9:30 a.m....the iconic aircraft will take to the skies one last time if we have cooperative weather," a company spokesperson posted on Instagram and Facebook.

The flight path will include a fly-by Harbour Quay for a final goodbye to Port Alberni before heading south toward San Francisco where they will go through customs. The plane will then head to San Diego, California for "special events" before it heads inland toward Tucson, Arizona to an undisclosed final water destination. Once there, it will be disassembled at its factory production joints and transported to Pima Air and Space Museum, its final home "where its legacy will live on for generations to come."

The entire trip is dependent on weather that will allow the aircraft to fly by visual flight rules.

For coverage of the final flight, check back at www.albernivalleynews.com.