Why Banff Airport Exists
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Banff, Alberta, is a scenic resort town of around 8,000 people, nestled in the Alberta Rocky Mountains.
As you drive towards the town from Calgary, you may pass one particular rectangular-shaped clearing. That clearing is actually Banff Airport - CYBA!
With many thanks to Trevor McTavish: www.trevormctav...
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SOURCES:
Banff Population:
regionaldashbo...
National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations
laws-lois.just...
Banf-Bow Valley Study:
citeseerx.ist.p... (Page 58)
Banff Airstrip Comprehensive Study: iaac-aeic.gc.c...
Air Safety Risk Assessment: iaac-aeic.gc.c...
Banff Airstrip reopening:
www.canada.ca/...
Banff Airstrip Structure Removal:
iaac-aeic.gc.c...
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Had to make a Diversionary landing at Cyba Back in 2005. Weather closed in on Springbank and i was not IFR Capable. Could have probably made it back to golden but would have been into my reserve fuel by then. Landed @banff the park warden picked me up and we had lunch together. He let me use his computer to check that the weather had cleared @ Springbank. Once it had he gave me another lift to the airfield and watched me depart.
The lad was just so happy someone finally landed on his runway.
That's so Canadian
Gosh, that was exciting.
@@whyamiwastingmytimeonthis Eh we have a history of taking care of "Emergency and Diversionary" landings th-cam.com/video/8_Ey5ph4wW8/w-d-xo.html
Wouldn't flying in the mountains be super scary if your not IFR capable? I'm not a pilot but I feel like that would be a big concern.
Parks Canada concluded grass airfields in Jasper and Banff are inappropriate for a park but dozens of ski runs, resort hotels, 4-lane highways and town structures for 15,000 people are perfectly okay.
Not to mention hundreds of mountain bikes with their squeaky squealing brakes as they tear down the mountains yelling " WHOOOO HOOOO " ...
They have been very restrictive with the ski hills in recent years too. To rebuild a hotel is also very restricted. In earlier years it was different thats why most of these structures were grandfathered in, including the second homes in a over populated, under accomoďated community.
@@ethics3 bear deterrents lol
The fraudulent idea of National parks was originally designed by the guys who's sole goal was to monopolize the Banff Hot Springs. It was such a successful, fraudulent monopoly that they decided to own as many stunning, natural areas as possible. They don't protect these places, they pave these places and charge money to visit.
a grass airfield in Banfffff would have Elk pretty much parked on it 24/7
Funny how they could state that a rarely used landing strip is a barrier to wildlife, while at the same time doubling a highway that runs along beside it. I lived in Banff and IMHO, the wildlife pretty much went where it wanted to.
I’m in lake Louise. Can confirm wildlife doesn’t give a shit
Maybe a dozen daily aircraft movements compared to easily a dozen cars and trucks a minute.
Elks everywhere
Not to mention, that if just a single plane really did crash there, that would've been many times worse for the environment. Glad common sense won over hypocrites in this case.
@@ordenmanvrn7685 Contrasted to how many car and truck crashes and derailments?
The grassy open field of the “airport” impedes animal movement, but the fenced busy highway right beside it doesn’t?!?!
There Logic LMAOO
A lot of animals stay in the forest for cover and only enter open areas if they absolutely have to. This is why so many moose, for example, get hit by cars. Once they're in the open by the road their instinct is to make a run for the forest on the other side of the road.
The general process for landing at that airport always involved buzzing the runway to scare away the grazing animals before you could actually land, so it was always apparent that it had no negative impact on animal movement. But this is Parks Canada. If they had their way they would put up a large wall on the highway and stop all traffic into the park and not allow a human to ever enter the area.
Eco mentalist logic 🙄🤷♂️
Screw the animals. I want a full service airport in Banff.
Had a friend survive a crash just after taking off from the Banff runway in the mid 80's. They took off and almost immediately crashed and caught fire. They were lucky they had crashed into the army cadet camp nearby and were pulled out of the fire by some cadets. Though severely burned, both him and the pilot survived. He is forever grateful to the cadets for risking their lives to save his and the pilot.
Literally the exact same thing happened in 1996.
During the floods of 2013 we tried to donate our corporate helicopter to parks and Banff’s mayor. Got threatened with arrest if we attempted landing at CYBA. That was for free rescue flights. Crazy.
We ended up flying a lot for the city of Calgary as their helicopters and crews were running out of hours and crew day. Since we were multi engine we did a lot of low level scouting. Some of the best flying since 408.
....how ignorant to refuse such a gift...so glad you were so appreciated & meaningful to Calgary...I think it was just last Thursday about noon hour, I was crossing the street towards Banff Library when through the heavy cloud cover from the West, was the loud distinctive reverb of a helicopter...before I could quite hear the sound though, the brilliant beam of it's headlight was brilliant as a diamond, flashing in & out of the fog...it was quite small & slick black, like 'apocalypse now'...stunned, I dropped my shopping bags, as it flew overhead, pointing it's headlight right on me...I've known of the Banff airstrip..this was something else...
They dont have flight control towers so they were probably overloaded already.
This airstrip also was very useful when it came to the canmore floods, seen it used as emergency headquarters. I live 3 minutes away from this! It’s surreal to see it like that.
I took a Mountain Flying course with Chinook Aviation at this airport in 1967 and landed there with my Cessna 140 a few times. It is a challenging one way airstrip and frequently the wind socks at each end point in opposite directions.
Legend
I visited that strip briefly during a cross-country flight (drastically needed a bladder break! ;-) ... And like-wise - windsocks pointing at each other. The tired old PA-28-140 struggled mightily in the mid-summer heat to climb out on the subsequent takeoff. The golfers on the Banff Springs hotel course didn't have to duck - but I sure got their attention! ;-)
When I was a kid my family lived in Calgary we'd go to Banff every weekend in the 70s. Never saw a plane take off or land, but I have a memory of planes there.
I’ve made the drive from Calgary to Banff. Such natural beauty, makes you feel so insignificant next to the mountains
Thank you for this history and current status on CYBA, Alex! I learned out of Springbank and overflew Banff plenty but my last time was probably 10 years ago. It's an airfield filled with rumor and hearsay amongst pilots and it's neat to get a proper history lesson as well as a current update. Sad to hear all the buildings are now torn down but that was certain to happen - surprised it took so long actually.
My husband & I used to fly into the Banff airport in the 70s. We would walk into town and have a Brownie Conspiracy at Melissa’s Missteak, then take a cab back to the airport. Unfortunately, those days are long gone.
Parks Canada: "The use of National Parks for anything except bureaucratic uses is to be discontinued."
"We will be decommissioning this 100-year old nationally significant trail in order to pay for solar-powered lamp posts and toilets at Lake Minnewanka. We will not be taking any questions"
@@samdkerr To be fair parks canada is critically underfunded
I have vivid memories of this airstrip. Some years ago my husband and I were driving by there on our way back to Calgary. We were slowed right down in heavy traffic, almost stopped, when we happened to look over to the left and stared directly at a pilot in a small plane right at the edge of the highway and headed straight for us. He hit the edge of the highway and went right over us and crashed in the ditch on the other side, the pilot was okay. As we shakily got out of the car, a couple in a motorhome in front of us came over and the guy said: " I looked in my mirror and saw the plane and saw the car and said to my wife omg thise people aren't going to make it" . Apparently a wind gust caught the plane and left us with a good holiday anecdote!
Wow - thanks for posting this. YES - it makes a great rebuttal for another commentor who suggested that landing on the highway as a good alternative... Not usually!
That's an amazing story
Used to fly into Banff regularly when I went to flying school in Calgary in the 90’s. It was an awesome place to go, and I actually did an emergency landing there when I was trapped in the valley due to snow squalls on both ends. It was short sighted to close this amazing airport. “Impact on wildlife”?!? Really?! What about the giant highway right beside it?
Look into the Idaho Backcountry flying, where the conservationists and airmens association work together to maintain a vast network of airports in the backcountry, even building more.
yes they should remove the highway too
Both the highway and railway disrupt a major wildlife migration corridor at the junction by the airport.
re: " the conservationists and airmens association work together to maintain a vast network of airports" ... Yes! This would be the intelligent solution and include wildlife corridors for the highway, airport and railway as required! But, once the politicians get involved, common sense seems to go out the window.
During my aviation mountain training, we did a few approaches in a 172 down to about 500' AGL into CYBA. Tricky bit of flying on a hot summer day!
I actually landed there 'back in the day' in a Piper PA-28-140. The takeoff was equally "interesting!" d'oh ;-)
Nice video! I have driven by both Jasper airport and Banff airport numous times as my family goes skiing in these mountains lots, definitely a weird sight to see! Keep up the good work man.
Back in the early 80’s when I lived in Canmore. I was driving by the Banff airport, when I saw a well dressed lady standing outside her late model Mercedes. She looked very upset , I pulled over and asked if everything was ok ? She said I’m supposed to meet my husband here. At this airport I said ? Oh yes, we have a Lear jet !! I politely suggested she book a room in Banff for the night.
This was very interesting...note the lenticular cloud at the 18 second mark....thanks for posting.
The hell?! I lived in Calgary for a decade and had no idea this airstrip existed...
That's ok. I live in Vancouver since I was born (I'm 50) and had no idea Banff had their own airport.
That's why it was closed. No tourism upside. 🤷🏽♂
Alex: Postings featuring airports in Canada or anywhere is an excellent idea well done. It would be great to see more especially the smaller, rural and challenging too access. Additionally if possible inside terminals and control towers!!!. I just love airports.
Thanks excellent posting, thanks.
It's difficult to do any meaningful video from a control tower. I've visited several towers plus the Vancouver area control centre, and all visits were on a strict No Operational Data/No Screen Pictures policy. Which eliminates much of the interest in a video...
I agree on learning something about airports' history would be a nice thing to watch.
When you state that the airstrip was shortened at both ends it would've been helpful to have said why, particularly if it was to enable a highway expansion.
"Oh no, I think I'm running low on AvGas, better divert to Banff!" 😂
Had to make a precautionary landing there in May of '15 due to weather. It was great to have that option that day. Sad to see the state of it, gophers have really done a number on it, we used to fly in there regularly back in the day it was a great but you had to use great respect for the wind. Once saw the windsocks were straight out and pointing at each other.
The park ranger was waiting for us when we landed, he said his phone lit up with local greenies calling in. Did some paperwork with him, had some lunch in town and were on our way once the weather moved on.
Dude Absolutely Great Video! Loved It!
This begins to explain why they quoted me and my family some insane price, like $3000, to fly from Vancouver to Banff in 1986. Kinda glad we changed our minds!
Thanks for the update Alex, I remember in the late 90's when I was a COPA member, they were constantly going to Court over this strip...glad it's still there!
Have to laugh at the impeding wildlife part. How about that huge freeway right next to it?
If Parks Canada had the option they'd push to decommission that too. If you've ever dealt with Parks Canada you'd know that their only priority is to make sure that no development ever happens in a national park under any circumstances, and that as much existing development is removed as possible. There is never any consideration for balancing human activity. They've previously prohibited people from running on a highway bridge beside a railroad track because the runners might disturb the birds nested on the top of the bridge girders 20 feet over their heads. I'm pretty sure that if the birds can deal with the cars and the trains they won't notice a few people running!
I’ve flown out of here a handful of times in the 90’s. The scenery on those flights were amazing.
Awesome video! You should consider doing one on the Ram Falls airstrip as well :)
Very sad story.We do need a small airport there!
I flew into Banff with Cal Cavendish in his C140 in 1973...a great trip from Springbank. I also flew my Fleet Canuck thru the Crows Nest Pass in 1980 enroute from Delta Air Park to Charlottetown,PEI with the 'almost Great Canadian Air Dash with over20 other old tail draggers. Great memories thanks to your post. Many thanks.
I land here in MS Flight Sim all the time. Great approach lol.
Well, when Parks Canada rips up or buries the four lane Trans Canada highway; then I might see a case for closing the airport. Compared to some 500 km of highways in the mountain parks the two airports are 1/250th of the wildlife migration barrier compared to the highways.
Great comment ...... don't forget about the railway tracks within spitting distance as well :)
So you guys would be ok to be driven to the next hospital instead of taking a helicopter. Or that Search and Rescue teams drive in instead of flying in?
@ Sabine
Honestly.. from that location driving is probably quicker.
I love when people think aerial medevac is quick. I can assure you, it’s not!
Well the highway and railway have to go through somewhere...
When a man stopped and landed at the airport for a piss, and got like a 5k fine. True story
well that was incredible, I always wondered what was up with it. learned a bunch today. I am honestly surprised knowing Banff's tourism setting that they didn't try and re-create it as a tourist lodge with the old hangers or structures. Since it is tuff to expand in the town site, they still love to make money. This also then leads into the reno's done at the station, entrance and surrounding areas, that part of Banff still has rich history even if you could'nt fly in, but still have lunch at an old building.
buildings means it impacts wildlife... and means they would need much more infrastructure in the way of parking at least, and would greatly impact the wildlife corridor at the base of the mountain (which is a nearly sheer cliff)
@@wolphin732 Ummmm.. The " wildlife" could have walked "past" the buildings
@
Adam Webster
The highway and railway literally impact wildlife.
That place would be an awesome FBO and destination. I would fly there from USA and go skiing.
Instead of a "PROPer" menu they could just serve "plane" food...
I've flown in and out of this airport at least a dozen times (as a passenger) , it was used at least weekly in the nice weather back in the seventies,
I personally was only flown in and out on CH-47 Chinook helicopters (In employment of the Army Training Camp that was located across the road.)
But there are stories that more than once C-130 Hercules have landed there, and that's the reason the strip had never been reduced to less than 3000 feet
I honestly don't know if that's true, you know old Army stories :)
Another note right by the front windsock used to be a full baseball diamond (softball), I played there for our team dozens of times :)
One last note and I just checked this one it's true, despite the conditions and wind shear etc, there has never been an aircraft accident reported at the airport.
Now how in the actual fuck would a C-130 land on that strip. There ain’t no way
Hi Mike, there was an accident at that field that I can personally recall that happened in 1981. Plane skidded off the end of the runway and across the Trans Canada Highway, stopping in the ditch on the SW side of the highway. Occupants were injured, but survived. A few years after that, a family of 4 from the USA took off rom the airport and crashed a few minutes later in Healy Creek. The two parents did not survive, the two young daughters did survive, giving substance to a survival story of heroism on the part of the youngest daughter that made international headlines at the time. Having lived in Banff since 1971, I've never heard of a C-130 landing here.
@@Ash-um8er A stone stock C-130 can land on an aircraft carrier with NO hook ... so it could technically land at Banff, weather or not that happened is of course another story.
@@MountainParameters Maybe they kept it quiet? Or too old it's not included? It's not recorded on the online database
@@MikeBaxterABC Skiing with a friend today who was part of the Parks infrastructure that generated a lot of the paperwork for that closure. He said there have been a number of incidents. He cited a well know prominent local that crashed his Cessna on the field, and also a Beechcraft around 1992 that was trying an eastbound takeoff (all the locals knew that was not a normal takeoff vector) and ended up going through the fence of the Cadet Camp and was a total write-off. So it is indeed odd that the database is not showing a few recorded incidents.
Back in the 50s and early 60s I would pass the airport whenever camping in the Parks. It was always fascinating to pass the airport and see an number of small planes on the field.
Thanks Alex. Lots of effort went into this video, research, fly by, Sulpher, driving. Excellent story with unbiased facts. I have heard the windsocks don’t always show the same wind direction there. Why two socks I wonder?
Migration is a subjective observation. The elk mostly occupy any meadow they can find in the Sunshine. They graze and sleep in my front yard in Canmore. No migrating, just hanging out eating all year long except rut.
The stock control fencing along the hiway pretty much assures no migration here. There is a choke point at the base of Cascade Falls where you probably parked.
Seasonal opening might make sense.
Great story!
Two wind socks due to the MOUNTAIN on the north side. If the wind is from the north/N.W., it' goes around both sides and meets in the middle (where there is a LOT of turbulence). So, it's not unusual to see each wind sock blowing in an OPPOSITE direction. A VERY tricky (but CRUCIAL) airstrip.
I live pretty close to here, I'm from Calgary and it is very gorgeous and I sometimes go to banff.
Lot of information on this airstrip! Thx Alex.
I remember riding (racing) horses down the airstrip, when I lived there- trying to avoid those same gopher holes!
Awesome Banff. I went here in Sep 2019. Amazing place!
I grew up there...sheer Heaven!
Hmmm given the state of it the hwy looks almost more tempting. And covers most of the route with emergency “merging” options.
Try that between Thursday and Monday when the throngs of Calgarians are on leave. 😆
Used to use this all the time to fly for lunch in Invermere 15ish years ago when I was a kid. My dad's friend owned a cesna and took us out all the time.
It is like travel insurance- you hope you will never need it, but if the occasion happens where you do, then it will be a life saver, so Parks Canada- just remember that.
Thanks, this filled in some bits of the history that I didn't learn in the decade that I lived in Calgary.
So apparently, a flat, open, 1/2 mile long grass field impedes the movement of wildlife; but a 4 lane, 4645 mile long highway doesn't.
Then on top of that, they go on to say "Numerous Gopher Holes and wildlife on runway"...
So it impedes the movement of wildlife, while also harboring wildlife, wow. 🤯
That may be the biggest big brain argument I have ever heard in my life.
No wonder it takes 500 years for stuff to get done in this country
Thank you. I've driven by there countless times after hearing them intending to close it, but always seeing it remain there.
I remember exploring this airstrip in 1995 as a cadet. There was an autogyro parked there. First time I'd ever seen one up close.
Credit to you for making a 7-1/2 minute video about a grass runway in the Canadian Rockies interesting enough for me to watch the whole thing (barely).
I used to live in Banff alberta it's quite simple why there is an airport in Banff because of natural state of that area is why so many people are attracted to come to Banff alberta also its quite isolated especially in the winter months and road conditions can be dangerous at times
Technically it isn't Banff, Alberta. Banff and Jasper are National Parks which exclude them from provincial association. They do have a political affiliation for political purposes, ie. provincial and municipal elections, but aside from that are National Parks and not part of Alberta.
Neat. Thanks for this tale!
Interesting video, it would be great to see similar video about the Jasper airport.
Why?? If it is already there for diversionary purposes, why not just use it. You still have to maintain it, why not let people use it?
I'm a trail guide at the Banff trail riding company, and a past air cadet of 604 Moose in Calgary. Really often, I get asked about the air strip in town here and I'm super glad you posted this up, I've got a lot more now to mention whenever I take guests out for rides! Thx
Ever see Bigfoot?
Really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Check out the Ram River air strip.
That was a fun one to land at. More fun than Banff. Yes I have landed at both…many moons ago.
Red Deer Forestry is incredible, too!
Take a tent and stay the night.
LOVE living 45 minutes from the Alberta Rockies. ILL NEVER LEAVE.
Can you do a video on why most airports in Canada begin their 3 letter call signs with Y i.e Windsor YQG, Toronto YYZ, Montreal YUL, Edmonton YEG, Calgary YYC, and Vancouver YVR?
I think it’s Y for Yes, we have a radio!
@@gerardacronin334 Cool
Historically, “Y” airports had weather stations, while others did not.
Thanks
There are a few Canadian airports that start with Z. Bathurst, NB and Faro, YK are those that I can remember
Didn’t even know it existed lol
ya cause the massive road next to it doesn't effect the wild life
I did my flight training out of Kelowna and have done VFR flights along the route you mentioned, going as far as Golden.
I didn’t know this airport existed.
In 1972 & 1973 I ran Trans-Continental "Air Dashes" for antique & classic aircraft across North America. As most had no radios & ranges of ~150 miles, it would have been impossible for most (myself included) to fly from Airdrie to Golden. And - without Banff - even those with a bit longer range would have NO alternate airstrip to land on if the weather turns bad (which it does - frequently - in the mountains). It is NOT easy to fly in or out of this strip (due to its high altitude & frequent heavy turbulence), but it has unquestionably saved numerous Pilot's lives over the decades (not to mention their Passengers...).
Note: Imagine they decided to close the ONLY service station where you could re-fuel during a drive through the mountains. Overnight, all passenger cars would be unable to make the trip and Canadians would be unable to drive coast-to-coast across our own country. Does that strike you as fair? Now I realize most people think ALL Pilots must be rich, but most light aircraft Pilots are anything but. We do without a lot of the basics most people take for granted - just so we can own & fly our planes over this BIG country.
BTW: We have NEVER paid more than $10K for ANY of the planes we've flown over the past 55 years (and most were under $5K!)
Pretty cool looking lenticular cloud at 0:18
Took the Alaska Highway back in the mid-90's, there were little airstrips like this all over the place. Who even knows how many of them are even really "official", or just flattened out spaces for local flyers and emergency use.
must be some hellacious mountain waves in a strong winds blowing across the mountains
Landed there in ‘97 part of mountain training with Mount Royal College. With ole Nigel Bain. Nearly took a gear leg off for a badger hole I think it was. Don’t go in there with strong winds. Wind shear/bang/ouch
Been to banf almost every year and never noticed that was even there till now....
The scary thing is you can buy a airplane ticket in the USofA with the destination of Banff; they fail to the patrons that you will be relegated to a bus to get there from Calgary rather than getting to fly to YBA.
Just what I wondered the first time I saw, thanks for sharing 👍
Did anybody else notice that Newspaper article mentioned that Banff had played a football match against Manchester United?
Times have changed indeed!
Great video love all of yours!
Thanks for the information on Banff's' runway. I was always curious about it. Do you plan on doing similar vids about Springbank and old McCall field as well?
Just discovered you and your channel and I'm hooked... as a Calgarian it's so awesome to know we have someone like you in our backyard. Well done videos and very informative!!!
Hello from January 2023. Glad you made this one and glad I saw it! A friend is involved in saving the airfield at Tenterfield in Australia. It is in active use with several hangars but a senior person in the local council decided to sell it to pay off debts. Their reasoning was faulty yet it actually went to tender. The incident has had good consequences however with many people now aware of both the uses/need for the airfield and also the poor management of the people who tried to sell it.
It's a rockin' rnuway! Glad it's there. Only the knarly pilots need apply! ACTUALLY, telling the pax we may or MAY NOT get in there based on weather and runway condition, and WHEN we can't, CALGARY is our clear alternative is the preferred professional pilot approach. But when the stars and planets align, it is a GLORIOUS approach (then get the hell out of dodge, reposition and tell them the safest place to depart from is the MAJOR airport) is both prudent and safe.
Very interesting info, thank you Alex!!
Strangely insteresting. I’ve been to Banff but never seen the airport but its very cool that there is one
I clearly remember driving past it and only went to banff twice
Army Helicopters used to land there when the army cadet camp was across the road
*-> **5:00** Yeah, but NOT the 2 intersecting Twin Lane divided Highways, complete with Cloverleaf. NOR "the fencing" -> **2:57** Oh and NOT the nearby secondary Road JUST the little used, grass runway "airport" and its' few outbuildings.*
Thank you for such an interesting video!
I flew part time for Chinook Flying Service Instructing and Charters from 1959 through the 1960’s and remembered the fun weekend picnic fly-ins that we had to BA. BBQ’s and food was mandatory. Some would do competition spot-landings, while others would pay for an airplane and instructor and fly the mountain ridges getting experience at mountain flying and short field landings.
If my memory serves me correctly most aircraft back then that used BA did not require prior permission. Some just contacted Parks Canada to make them aware they were using it with the date and time.
There was a military building in the clearing to the NE end of the runway. I believe it was also used for the Cadets summer camp.
Once or twice a year the military flew their C47 in to BA which I expect was with military Brass for the cadet program and to give the cadets airplane rides in the Dak.
As this was a well used valley route for civilian aircraft flying from the west coast to Calgary and return, there were many that went overdue in this area. The military also used the C47 for spotters for mock search exercises. They would land at BA and feed the spotters lunch at the cadets mess-hall, whether it was a practice or an actual search.
Back then there was a pay telephone between the highway and runway for aircraft that had to land due weather, to phone Air Radio (now known as FSS) to close or extend their flight plan.
BA was one of the few grass airports that was maintained, so many aircraft owners would fly to BA to get their first experience landing on something else beside asphalt.
My career was ATC. Many times there were passengers getting off Airlines and Private Company aircraft from elsewhere. After landing they would immediately board either a company, or charter a light twin with a destination to a fancy hotel in BA for their holidays. The aircraft would return to pick them up weeks later, then back to Calgary and they would depart on Airlines or a Co aircraft back to the USA.
There were times before a fence around the airport was built that Elk would graze on and around the runway. which gave the pilot an excuse to do a low and over to try to scatter them.
They were the good old days.
JH
It wasn’t the freeway impeding wildlife, it was the grass strip. Yep.
You need an area such as that to stage out of for forest fires, not only for a number of Helicopters but fixed wing tankers if necessary. For instance we used Sherman Meadows south of Grande Prairie for fires in the mountains. And yes the animals will still go were ever they want.
I went there to climb a couple years ago, there is still a hanger and wheels for airplanes
Beautiful area indeed
You should talk to my Surviving Uncle Robert, he used to fly out of there with his by plain
I've seen planes at the jasper one. Its still in working order
There is also the Arkayla airport CKY8 between Springbank and Banff near Ghost Lake.
Excellent presentation Alex, those views make me wanna do some GA flying out west some time wow
That used to be one of the best spot to see elk
I have landed there a few times in the nineties. There is no way that would ever be a good location for scheduled commercial service, environmental reasons not included. If the windsocks (one at each end of the strip) are still there you can frequently see them pointing at each other. That’s what happens when you put an airstrip at the junction of two (argualbably three) valleys not to mention the turbulence right down to the deck…you often had to carry an extra 5 or 10 knots just to account for stalls related to the sudden changes in wind direction. Even when it was fenced there were often animals on the strip.
True that. It was nice for local pilots though.
I lived in Calgary and was taking my instrument rating (never completed) at Calgary International when Sheila Copps, the cabinet minister responsible, closed the airport.
The 1996 study was badly flawed - deliberately so, I suspect. There was a fenced off buffalo paddock at one end of the strip, and an army cadet training camp at the other. Instead of considering the impacts of these separately, the government "scientists" lumped all three of them together and concluded that - taken as a single unit - they indeed constituted an obstruction to wildlife travel. They never gave any consideration to the possibility that if they removed the buffalo paddock and the army training camp, the grass airstrip constituted no more of an impediment than any flat grassy field.
There were several pilots living in Banff who owned and operated privately-owned GA aircraft from that airfield. Many of them were volunteers with CASARA (Civil Aviation Search and Rescue Association), and were an invaluable resource for any search and rescue operations in the vicinity. These pilots were forced to move their planes to Springbank or Golden, or get rid of them entirely, which most of them did
.
Really awesome! It would be on my bucket list to fly a plane into Banff Airport!
I live in Banff, Scotland.
I’m sick of seeing this place every time I try to google a local business.
Went to banff years ago and have since wondered how to fly as close as possible to banff instead of the long drive. That airport could be a beautiful FBO being so close to a major tourist destination.
The funny thing is that I just flew from Kelowna to Calgary