In eastern Ontario, about 70 minutes north of Belleville, lies the small town of Bancroft. Surrounded by forest covered, high hills and with many lakes in the area, you wouldn't think that, just outside of the town, lies an area long, wide and flat enough for an airport, but there is. Bancroft Community Airport (CNW3) is a combination grass and gravel strip that is 2400' long with approaches from either end made around and between high hills that surround the airport.

Bancroft itself is in eastern Ontario's cottage country and supports many smaller communities from miles around. It's a tourist Mecca during all 4 seasons but is busiest in summer. The many lakes offer fishing, boating, swimming and more with cottages, trailer parks and campgrounds available, some year round. In winter, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and ice skating offer the hearty outdoorsman plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Of course, fall colours abound between summer and winter and a drive and/or hike, with camera in hand, offers great scenes worth framing. The world renowned Algonquin Park is a short drive away as well, a very popular tourist spot, year round.

The airport lies just 2.6km to the northwest of the town, less than 5 minutes away. There are a few hangars and a flying club where anyone interested in learning to fly can come chat to members to learn more. Club president, Lynn Davis, a former airline pilot, has a wealth of experience and enjoys flying his Cessna on amphib floats in summer and the flying club owns & operates a Cessna 172G for member use.

The airport began in 1963 with the non-profit flying club formed and the airport created. The club's mission is to promote awareness in aviation and to provide vital life saving support to Bancroft and the North Hastings County region. The airport is owned & operated by the Bancroft Flying Club who offer year round operations. Services include aviation fuel.

The land was purchased by Bancroft area resident, Jack Brown, in 1962 after a previous owner defaulted on the mortgage. A group of local business men were approached by Brown and development of the airport began. In October of 1963, the airport officially opened with 46 visiting aircraft and over 2000 people, pilots and residents, attending. The day included a parachuting display and 80+ visitors paid for a sightseeing flight. The airport was a success and a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all involved.

The first graduates of the new flying school at Bancroft completed their course and obtained their license in 1964. In 1967 the Royal Canadian Air Force honoured the flying club with a display by their Canadair CT-133/T-33 Silver Star, known as the "Red Knight," flown by Flight Lieutenant Jack Waters. In 1971, the first female student at the flying club made her first solo flight after 12 hours of instruction. There have been many different events related to the airport since then and the Bancroft Flying Club continues as a successful and viable operation.

The fly-in had some 55+ aircraft visit, either for breakfast, lunch or for both. Breakfast included delicious stack of pancakes, breakfast sausages, with real, local maple syrup and a hot beverage. Breakfast was served until about 11:00am before the volunteers switched to BBQing hamburgers and sausages, with cold beverages served, for lunch. Whether you just stayed for the breakfast, just came for lunch, or you enjoyed both, you certainly ate well!

Aircraft flew in from various airports, some regionally close and others from the Ottawa area, Smith's Falls, Stirling, Peterborough and many other airports. Though the old adage of going for the "$100 hamburger" is now more like a $300 hamburger with the current price of fuel, it seems the urge to fly is stronger than the need to save your money and, it's not surprising considering we had to deal with Covid restrictions for 2+ years.

Once again, being in cottage country, with thousands of lakes throughout the region, amphibious aircraft were ever present including a stunning Cessna 170 on amphib floats as well as 3 Lake aircraft. Flying from water is many the dream of cottage owners, not just for convenience, but to save on travel time. A one hour flight from the Toronto region would be a 4+ hour drive from the big city. If you're on a lake that's large enough to support an aircraft on floats, or an aircraft that has a hull, similar to a boat, a water aircraft is the only way to go.

This week we flew into Bancroft "Jack Brown" Airport (CNW3) for both a hearty breakfast of pancakes and sausage and a lunch of burgers and/or Octoberfest sausage with a cold drink. Next week, we'll return to Bancroft to see what else made the fly-in trip, and a few vintage vehicles who's owners graced the fly-in to show off their pride and joy.