I flex into Alexandria just after 9:00 am today. It was my first visit in over 15 years. I checked NOTAMs beforehand for paradrops, and monitored the frequency from about 20 min to to confirm there wasn't any activity.
The grass runway is mowed nice and short, but the ground underneath is slightly uneven—not dangerously so, but you'll do a bit of dune-buggy-style bouncing over the undulations on landing, even at minimum speed, so keep the yoke back in your lap after landing in a nosedragger.
It was firm and dry, though, and even without a headwind to help, my 160 hp PA-28 needed only a bit over half of the 2,200 ft for landing and for takeoff (after backtracking).
The runway pavement surface is in bad shape, except for a small strip down the middle of 08/26. Use the grass surface beside each runway, which is well maintained (it was no problem for my nose-dragging PA-28).
To the east of here, along the St Lawrence River, you can see the old Highway 2, several sideroads, and even some village street grids and lots under the water. They were submerged with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, and flying over them is still an interesting (and creepy) experience.
The Air Cadets Gliding Operations have commenced for the Fall season at Smiths Falls flying Club on weekends.
When Air Cadet Glider Ops are in progress there is no inactive side of the circuit. Gliders and Tow Planes do right hand circuits and use both the main and grass Runway. The Glider “zone” extends up to 3,000 ft on the “inactive” side.
Joining the circuit from inactive side should be avoided, coordinate with Glider Ops on 122.7 if unsure. Joining the circuit straight into downwind is highly recommended.
When I was stranded here for 30 hours after a missed connection (see my previous comment), I was about to look for an airport hotel, when I remembered that it's just as fast and easy to get downtown now that the UP Train is running. I remember when downtown was an hour++ and a $75 taxi ride; now its a few bucks and a 25-minute ride on a train that runs every 15 minutes. You'd be insane to stay at the crappy airport hotels these days; you'd probably spend more time waiting for their shuttle than just riding the UP Train to civilisation.
This is a great airport for people living in/near the GTA, but it's an awful one for connections, because when it shuts down for a thunderstorm (etc), it takes hours to recover. I was connecting from Ottawa to Copenhagen, sat for a 3-hour ground hold in Ottawa, missed my connection in Toronto, stood in line for 2 hours waiting for the chronically-understaffed (and ironically-named) Air Canada courtesy counter, and had to fight hard to avoid being moved to a flight 48 hours later. When things go wrong at YYZ, they go wrong badly, and it takes the airport a long time to recover.
I visited again earlier this month, after nearly 10 years. There's a drinking water spout that's shut down, and a picnic table courtesy of the Cornwall Flying Club. It's still one of my favourite little airports to visit (so quiet). I put some photos here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MUsUKAbWL/
I'm glad to see that CNZ8 Grimsby has a new lease on life!
Since the new owners have taken over, there are many improvements and more to come!
The airport is clean and functional. The new airport manager, Gary, is delightful and accommodating.New tenants are rushing in with the knowledge that this is going to be the new area airport, after Stoney Creek CPF6 deciding to go the Storage Facility direction.
I really enjoyed flying into Grimsby Air Park today. I called up on the telephone prior to arriving no answer, left no voice mail however a kind gentlemen called me back. Told him my intentions and he was more than accommodating. Nobody was around but the place was neat and orderly. I was able to use the washroom and I felt the runway was in good shape considering I'm sure it gets very little funding if any. As Ontario Municipalities who have airports squeeze the life out of GA, it's a treat to land at an airport like Grimsby. Bravo.
For those wishing to use the aerodrome, please contact for permission: Sean Marshal 613-548-3300 or seanmarshall@ygkventures.ca . Use 123.20 for frequency. Elevation is approx 600ft ASL at west end, and higher at east end. Runway slopes significantly upward to the east. Road crosses runway so perform low pass to ensure no traffic/wildlife on runway. Location is 44.755091, -76.927413 . 08/26 . Mechanical turbulence may be experienced on approach to 08. Length 2000ft X 21ft asphalt. Cottage and hangar rental may be available. Use at own risk and only with prior permission.
The airport has always had slways had active flyers since the 50s. Application is being made to get it back in the data base for safety reasons and to promote it. Soon to be in CFS.
This fabulous little airport is the vision of one man: Wally Hare. He obtained his ppl in the 1950’s and constructed the original two airstrips in 1958. It was his vision to redirect the strip to its current location. Wally’s family moved there in 1934 and he lived there almost until he died in 2013.
This area is devoid of anything to do.... landed here a year ago..... thought I would try again recently..... still nothing to do in the area.... NOTL is a WAY BETTER destination. Plus the airport looks like it belongs in the Ozarks....lol....
Was listening on a sony old table radio and had modified it with preselective tuning antenna input from a 80 meter inverted Vee at 70feet. I could hear either a modulated tone or a hetrodyne tone and copied the YWA. I looked it up on yahoo and found that it is coming from Petawawa in Canada. Cool. I then hooked up my DX-400 Shortwave digital tuning reciever and went to 515khz. and recieve the message of YWA again. It was a little weak but very easy to copy. I am located in Gladstone, Michigan in the U.P. My call letters are WB8FUW.
Took the family to visit Upper Canada village . We landed in Morrisburg . Very nice airport , excellent paved runway . The grass to the sides was kept very trim and neat and a cable was conveniently laid across the parking area making tie down very easy . A short walk ,even with a 3 year old and 6 year old brought us to the Upper Canada Village site .Picnic areas , beach , as well as a golf course are all within a very short walk as well. A shame more pilots don't know about this wonderful airport .
Ontario, Canada
Latest comments about airports in Ontario, Canada
Good runway conditions (summer 2020)
🔗 Sat, 08 Aug 2020
— @david at Alexandria Aerodrome, Canada
I flex into Alexandria just after 9:00 am today. It was my first visit in over 15 years. I checked NOTAMs beforehand for paradrops, and monitored the frequency from about 20 min to to confirm there wasn't any activity.
The grass runway is mowed nice and short, but the ground underneath is slightly uneven—not dangerously so, but you'll do a bit of dune-buggy-style bouncing over the undulations on landing, even at minimum speed, so keep the yoke back in your lap after landing in a nosedragger.
It was firm and dry, though, and even without a headwind to help, my 160 hp PA-28 needed only a bit over half of the 2,200 ft for landing and for takeoff (after backtracking).
Video of runway conditions
🔗 Tue, 04 Aug 2020
— @david at Gananoque Airport, Canada
August 2017 (I think the order is Runway 24, 12, then 36):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CSepmKq_D8
Contact info
🔗 Mon, 03 Aug 2020
— @david at Navan Bearbrook Airport, Canada
From COPA Places to Fly (updated 2017):
Thomas Smith
+1-613-835-2792
tcssmith@xplorenet.com
Birds everywhere!
🔗 Fri, 17 Jul 2020
— @bcrosby at Tobermory Airport, Canada
Lots of wildlife on the runway in July. Be prepared.
CZBA Burlington Executive Airpark weather
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at Burlington Executive, Canada
Burlington Executive Airpark weather - http://czba.ca or https://nemowx.com/czba/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-844-WXB-CZBA
AWOS frequency: 122.55MHz
CYQS St. Thomas Airport weather
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at St Thomas Municipal Airport, Canada
St. Thomas Airport weather - http://cyqs.ca or https://nemowx.com/cysq/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-844-WXB-CYQS
Branford Airport CYFD weather
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at Brantford Municipal Airport, Canada
Brantford Airport weather - http://cyfd.ca or https://nemowx.com/cyfd/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-844-WXB-CYFD
Arthur Eastfield CPC3 Airport weather
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at Arthur (Walter's Field), Canada
Arthur Airport weather - http://cpc3.ca or https://nemowx.com/cpc3/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-844-WXB-CPC3
Guelph Airpark CNC4 Airport weather
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at Guelph Airport, Canada
Guelph Airpark weather - http://cnc4.ca or https://nemowx.com/cnc4/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-844-WXB-CNC4
Brampton-Caledon CNC3 Airport weather
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at Brampton-Caledon Airport, Canada
Brampton-Caledon Airport weather - http://cnc3.ca or https://nemowx.com/cnc3/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-833-WXB-CNC3
Weather for pilots available
🔗 Wed, 04 Mar 2020
— @newacecorp at Grimsby Airpark, Canada
Grimsby Airport weather - http://cnz8.ca or https://nemowx.com/cnz8/
Up to the minute transcribed weather - toll-free: 1-844-WXB-CNZ8
YAT reception 260 KHz
🔗 Wed, 27 Nov 2019
— @KM1R at Attawapiskat Airport, Canada
11/26/2019 YAT 260 Kc 0115-0630 EDST 400 Hz offset ID-6 sec tone- ID loud signal, above any local DB. NO co-channel or adjacent channel interference. Minimal atmospherics. steady signal with very little fading. RECEIVER: Collins R390a with homebuilt VLF converter / preselector / bandpass filter. ANTENNA: Marconi "T" antenna 22m vertical, 121m horizontal
would like your postal mailing address to send a written report and pre-made confirmation card.
thanks!
Mike KM1R
Second World War hangar
🔗 Mon, 21 Oct 2019
— @david at Pendleton Airport, Canada
Photos of the British Commonwealth Air Training Programme hangar (and some WWII graffiti) here:
https://twitter.com/david_megginson/status/1186388312224944130
Use the grass runways
🔗 Mon, 21 Oct 2019
— @david at Pendleton Airport, Canada
The runway pavement surface is in bad shape, except for a small strip down the middle of 08/26. Use the grass surface beside each runway, which is well maintained (it was no problem for my nose-dragging PA-28).
Brant Aero
🔗 Thu, 19 Sep 2019
— @david at Brantford Municipal Airport, Canada
I had a good experience getting an avionics upgrade for my Piper at Brant Aero in 2017:
https://brantaero.com/
AIrcraft Spruce Canada
🔗 Thu, 19 Sep 2019
— @david at Brantford Municipal Airport, Canada
The Canadian location for the popular pilot-supply shop Aircraft Spruce is here:
https://www.aircraftspruce.ca
Flight schools operations?
🔗 Sat, 07 Sep 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Holland Landing Airpark, Canada
Are there any fixed wing flight school or instructors operating out of this airport (namelyfor PPL)?
Hunting Fishing Outfitter
🔗 Fri, 30 Aug 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at L'escapade, Canada
Very nice folks run this place
DC-3 (BT-67 conversion) landing at Rockcliffe
🔗 Tue, 27 Aug 2019
— @david at Ottawa / Rockcliffe Airport, Canada
I took this video today: https://youtu.be/nPqeOn62x9M
The lost villages
🔗 Tue, 27 Aug 2019
— @david at Iroquois Airport, Canada
To the east of here, along the St Lawrence River, you can see the old Highway 2, several sideroads, and even some village street grids and lots under the water. They were submerged with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, and flying over them is still an interesting (and creepy) experience.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_Villages
Procedures: summer glider ops for air cadets
🔗 Mon, 19 Aug 2019
— @david at Smiths Falls-Montague (Russ Beach) Airport, Canada
[copied from Facebook]
The Air Cadets Gliding Operations have commenced for the Fall season at Smiths Falls flying Club on weekends.
When Air Cadet Glider Ops are in progress there is no inactive side of the circuit. Gliders and Tow Planes do right hand circuits and use both the main and grass Runway. The Glider “zone” extends up to 3,000 ft on the “inactive” side.
Joining the circuit from inactive side should be avoided, coordinate with Glider Ops on 122.7 if unsure. Joining the circuit straight into downwind is highly recommended.
Phillip Johnson
Smiths Falls Flying Club
Don't
🔗 Wed, 07 Aug 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Belleville Airport, Canada
Just don't. They're throwing everyone out. It will probably close.
Noise abuse
🔗 Tue, 06 Aug 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Baldwin Airport, Canada
The constant flying over Sutton must stop, very loud aircraft and it all day long.
I am contacting T/C and lodging a complaint!
Stop flying over the homes in Sutton
🔗 Sat, 03 Aug 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Baldwin Airport, Canada
There is one plane that continually flies over the homes in Sutton. Please stop, you are a complete nuisance.
UP train to downtown is great
🔗 Wed, 31 Jul 2019
— @david at Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Canada
When I was stranded here for 30 hours after a missed connection (see my previous comment), I was about to look for an airport hotel, when I remembered that it's just as fast and easy to get downtown now that the UP Train is running. I remember when downtown was an hour++ and a $75 taxi ride; now its a few bucks and a 25-minute ride on a train that runs every 15 minutes. You'd be insane to stay at the crappy airport hotels these days; you'd probably spend more time waiting for their shuttle than just riding the UP Train to civilisation.
Don't transfer here
🔗 Wed, 31 Jul 2019
— @david at Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Canada
This is a great airport for people living in/near the GTA, but it's an awful one for connections, because when it shuts down for a thunderstorm (etc), it takes hours to recover. I was connecting from Ottawa to Copenhagen, sat for a 3-hour ground hold in Ottawa, missed my connection in Toronto, stood in line for 2 hours waiting for the chronically-understaffed (and ironically-named) Air Canada courtesy counter, and had to fight hard to avoid being moved to a flight 48 hours later. When things go wrong at YYZ, they go wrong badly, and it takes the airport a long time to recover.
No drinking water, but very nice
🔗 Wed, 31 Jul 2019
— @david at Morrisburg Airport, Canada
I visited again earlier this month, after nearly 10 years. There's a drinking water spout that's shut down, and a picnic table courtesy of the Cornwall Flying Club. It's still one of my favourite little airports to visit (so quiet). I put some photos here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MUsUKAbWL/
Tundra ultralight
🔗 Sat, 27 Jul 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Gananoque Airport, Canada
Hello, is there an Tundra ultralight, 2 seats tandem (Laron Aviation Technologies) ?
Thank you,
School 2019
🔗 Fri, 26 Jul 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, Canada
I admire this website - its so usefull and helpfull.
The Phoenix from the ashes
🔗 Thu, 25 Jul 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Grimsby Airpark, Canada
I'm glad to see that CNZ8 Grimsby has a new lease on life!
Since the new owners have taken over, there are many improvements and more to come!
The airport is clean and functional. The new airport manager, Gary, is delightful and accommodating.New tenants are rushing in with the knowledge that this is going to be the new area airport, after Stoney Creek CPF6 deciding to go the Storage Facility direction.
133
🔗 Mon, 22 Jul 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, Canada
nice
DO NOT LAND HERE
🔗 Sat, 13 Jul 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Woodstock Private Airstrip, Canada
Owner is not a nice person and is very protective of property
flew in today
🔗 Sun, 07 Jul 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Grimsby Airpark, Canada
I really enjoyed flying into Grimsby Air Park today. I called up on the telephone prior to arriving no answer, left no voice mail however a kind gentlemen called me back. Told him my intentions and he was more than accommodating. Nobody was around but the place was neat and orderly. I was able to use the washroom and I felt the runway was in good shape considering I'm sure it gets very little funding if any. As Ontario Municipalities who have airports squeeze the life out of GA, it's a treat to land at an airport like Grimsby. Bravo.
Not allowing landings
🔗 Tue, 18 Jun 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Belleville Airport, Canada
Just spoke with owner and at present they are not permitting planes to land.
PPR Required - new owners
🔗 Wed, 05 Jun 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Baker's Valley Aerodrome, Canada
For those wishing to use the aerodrome, please contact for permission: Sean Marshal 613-548-3300 or seanmarshall@ygkventures.ca . Use 123.20 for frequency. Elevation is approx 600ft ASL at west end, and higher at east end. Runway slopes significantly upward to the east. Road crosses runway so perform low pass to ensure no traffic/wildlife on runway. Location is 44.755091, -76.927413 . 08/26 . Mechanical turbulence may be experienced on approach to 08. Length 2000ft X 21ft asphalt. Cottage and hangar rental may be available. Use at own risk and only with prior permission.
Espanola West soon to be in CFS
🔗 Sat, 25 May 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Espanola (West) Airport, Canada
The airport has always had slways had active flyers since the 50s. Application is being made to get it back in the data base for safety reasons and to promote it. Soon to be in CFS.
Better places to go by far......
🔗 Sun, 07 Apr 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Grimsby Airpark, Canada
Agreed way better places to go...... thought about storing my plane here.... but no security.... runway in bad shape.... PASS!
Frequency missing, please add
🔗 Sun, 31 Mar 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Orillia-RAMA Regional Airport, Canada
xxxxx, yyyy,"CNJ4","UNIC","ATF/UNICOM",122.8
Wally Hare’s Vision
🔗 Mon, 25 Feb 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Holland Landing Airpark, Canada
This fabulous little airport is the vision of one man: Wally Hare. He obtained his ppl in the 1950’s and constructed the original two airstrips in 1958. It was his vision to redirect the strip to its current location. Wally’s family moved there in 1934 and he lived there almost until he died in 2013.
Road crosses runway
🔗 Tue, 22 Jan 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Baker's Valley Aerodrome, Canada
Do a low pass to alert car traffic crossing runway on hill at east end
Interested
🔗 Wed, 16 Jan 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Hagersville Airport (No. 16 SFTS), Canada
Hello!
Would like to find anyone who had a relative who flew out of Hagersville airport during the wwll. My father was one of them. He was a flight trainer.
New owners won't change this airpark
🔗 Thu, 03 Jan 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Grimsby Airpark, Canada
This area is devoid of anything to do.... landed here a year ago..... thought I would try again recently..... still nothing to do in the area.... NOTL is a WAY BETTER destination. Plus the airport looks like it belongs in the Ozarks....lol....
STOLPORT FBO AT BILLY BISHOP TORONTO CITY AIRPORT
🔗 Thu, 13 Dec 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Canada
STOLPORT FBO, Located Apron 1 - North East Corner provides now FUEL
Really close to the ferry and terminal
Beacon YWA-------
🔗 Wed, 28 Nov 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Petawawa Airport, Canada
Was listening on a sony old table radio and had modified it with preselective tuning antenna input from a 80 meter inverted Vee at 70feet. I could hear either a modulated tone or a hetrodyne tone and copied the YWA. I looked it up on yahoo and found that it is coming from Petawawa in Canada. Cool. I then hooked up my DX-400 Shortwave digital tuning reciever and went to 515khz. and recieve the message of YWA again. It was a little weak but very easy to copy. I am located in Gladstone, Michigan in the U.P. My call letters are WB8FUW.
What year did Baldwin Open?
🔗 Thu, 30 Aug 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Baldwin Airport, Canada
What year did Baldwin Airport open 1958?
Amazing
🔗 Tue, 21 Aug 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Morrisburg Airport, Canada
Took the family to visit Upper Canada village . We landed in Morrisburg . Very nice airport , excellent paved runway . The grass to the sides was kept very trim and neat and a cable was conveniently laid across the parking area making tie down very easy . A short walk ,even with a 3 year old and 6 year old brought us to the Upper Canada Village site .Picnic areas , beach , as well as a golf course are all within a very short walk as well. A shame more pilots don't know about this wonderful airport .
Private Jet and Helicopter Charter
🔗 Wed, 25 Jul 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Canada
This is one of the bases for Novajet Aviation Group. Diverse fleet of executive private jets, turbo-props and helicopters.
Nice facility
🔗 Sat, 14 Jul 2018
— @rstan at Dwight Airport, Canada
I recently landed at Dwight with my C340.
I was very surprised at the high terrain and trees at the approach end of 27 and 02.
The grass is not smooth but tufts of grass separated by dirt. Still very safe but noisy .
Be careful at the approach END of 27 as it is sandy and soft. I got stuck but very helpful workers towed me out.
Beautiful countryside and very cooperative enterprise Car Rental in Huntsville.
(no subject)
🔗 Mon, 21 May 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Belleville Airport, Canada
Belleville Aerodrome CNU4 is not closed and is still owned and operated by David Byrd under the existing PPR.
RUNWAY NUMBERS
🔗 Sat, 05 May 2018
— Anonymous Flyer at Toronto/Oshawa Executive Airport, Canada
This is my home base and the runways numbered 4 and 22 are in fact 5 and 23. Can you make the necessary corrections please?. Thank you.
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