Flying club to lose home base at Ottawa airport on eve of centenary

Ottawa Flying Club's lease set to expire in 2028 as airport prepares for 'major airfield project'

For nearly 100 years, the Ottawa Flying Club's planes have soared over the city from its base at what's now the Ottawa International Airport, but its days there are numbered.

The private flying club, headquartered at the north end of the airport's vast property, is currently home to more than 100 students, about 50 members and 16 aircraft.

Its lease ends at the end of March 2028, in what would have been the club's centenary. Instead of preparing to celebrate the milestone anniversary, Ottawa Flying Club president Rod Cross says he’s worrying about his students.

"I’m concerned about what will happen to them and where they're going to go," he told CBC.

According to Cross, the flying club is holding out hope for a compromise with the airport.

"The other option is we fold," he said. "That would be a tragedy."

Ottawa Flying Club president Rod Cross says many of its graduates go on to fly for major airlines and air ambulance services. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)

Club signed 'final lease' in 2021

The airport authority told CBC in a statement that the club "exercised its contractual right to one final lease seasons" when it signed the current agreement in 2021. It expires March 31, 2028.

The statement acknowledges that the club predates commercial operations at the airport, and says the Ottawa Flying Club is believed to be the last of its kind at a major Canadian airport.

But the airport says its north field, where the 1,006-metre runway is used "exclusively for light general aviation movements," is required for a planned "major airfield project."

The statement does not offer specifics about that project.

"Through discussions with the Rockcliffe Airport, we understand that [the Ottawa Flying Club] would be a welcome addition to their general aviation community, and we have offered support to facilitate a move," the authority said.

After 100 years, Ottawa Flying Club to lose home base at Ottawa airport

But Cross says the international airport is the perfect training ground for prospective commercial pilots because students train on instrument landing systems and get comfortable communicating with NAV Canada staff — benefits the Rockcliffe Airport doesn’t offer.

"A lot of pilots at the outlying airports have never or rarely dealt with a control tower and might have difficulty following instructions or might just avoid the whole area," Cross said. "Not only do our pilots not avoid the area, we're learning in the area."

‘Sleepwalking into a pilot shortage’

Founded in 1928, the Ottawa Flying Club's headquarters have grown from a two-story clapboard house to a modern clubhouse with an aircraft hangar, full maintenance and inspection facilities, and a lounge with a view of the airport.

The flying club is a Transport Canada training unit and career college, offering private and commercial pilot training, plane rentals and sightseeing tours.

The Ottawa Flying Club was founded in 1928. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)

Cross says many graduates go on to fly for major Canadian airlines or air ambulance services such as ORNGE.

He’s concerned that clipping the wings of flight schools across the country leaves Canada "sleepwalking into a pilot shortage."

Historic flight school could fall victim to pilot shortage, lack of funding

"I don't want to make the same mistake that we have with family doctors, where it's very hard to find a family doctor across the country," Cross said. "I see the same problem with pilots in 10 years."

Justin Ball is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has also worked at the Toronto Star and holds a degree in journalism from Carleton University.