Just outside of the small village of Westport, Ontario is Rideau Lakes Airstrip (CRL2). If not for the sign at the road, you'd never know there was an airstrip there, nestled in behind trees and a few homes along the road. It's quiet. It's private. It's a jewel of an airstrip.

There aren't many aircraft on the field, only 3 permanent aircraft at present. During the summer, that number increases on and off throughout the good weather as people fly up to the area to spend time at their cottages, campsites or other places they may happen to holiday at. With roughly 3200' of runway, mostly grass with a small patch that's a mix of gravel and dirt, it's certainly long enough for most general aviation aircraft. There are tall trees at one end, but they're easily cleared. At the other end it's mostly open as you climb out over Upper Rideau Lake.

Rideau Lakes Flying Club (rlfc.ca) and COPA Flight 69 host 3 fly-ins at the airport during the year The first one is typically held in the spring but was, unfortunately, canceled this year due to inclement weather. The second, this particular fly-in, is an ultralight aircraft focused event but all aircraft are welcome, regardless of type. The third is held in early October and is known as their Pig & Pie Fall Fly-in and that will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The sausages are delicious and the pies are out of this world. That is a fly-in you don't want to miss!

The Rideau Lakes area is a popular year round tourist destination. In the village of Westport there are some wonderful shops you can visit including gift shops that carry a vast array of goods for the home, cottage, boat and even the hangar. There's a bakery that offers up delicious baked goods from cookies to butter tarts, cinnamon rolls and more. There are a few restaurants, a bank, The Beer Store, Westport Brewing Company and Shereurmann Vineyard and Winery. For accommodation you'll find The Cove Inn and The Victorian Luxury Suites. If you're into history there's the Westport Carriage Museum. Every Saturday morning you'll find a great little farmer's/vendor's market that offers shoppers anything from homemade jewelry to baked goods, candles, art, carpentry and real, Canadian maple syrup and more.

Though the fly-in was ultralight focused, other aircraft and their owners made the trip. Unfortunately, the threat of poor weather in early afternoon put pilots off which was unfortunate as the weather cooperated through to mid to late afternoon. Despite the weather threat, there were 8 aircraft that flew in for a meal of hamburgers and/or hotdogs, potato salad, chips and a dessert of cookies or cake along with a cold beverage, or a hot coffee. All this for a donation to the flying club.

There were also some visitors that drove in from the area including a couple who arrived in their gorgeous old Nash. Though the fly-in only had 8 aircraft visit, most of which had only the pilot, the flying club folks sold 48 hamburgers but only a single taker on the hotdogs! Despite that, they managed to take in over $500 including a very generous $50 donation. After expenses, any monies raised goes towards upkeep of the flying club and airstrip.

Throughout the day there were discussions taking place amongst pilots and visitors and pilots and pilots. Some visitors expressed an interest in becoming members, possibly adding to the current flying club membership of 20 members, 10 of which are COPA Flight 69 members as well. The airstrip currently only has 4 single aircraft hangars and one double hangar. Airfield fees are $600/year whether your aircraft is hangared or in tiedowns. For those who fly-in for the summer, there's a $50/month tiedown fee. Anything less than a month they simply ask for a donation to the flying club. You can't beat these prices and you won't find a better place to keep your aeroplane!

Future plans for the airstrip include the possibility of an ultralight school as they see the building and flying of ultralight aircraft in Canada as a growing interest. With general aviation in Canada being pushed to possible eventual extinction, thanks to ridiculous government rules and restrictions, and the price of aviation fuel, with 100LL eventually being phased out in Canada, many are looking at alternatives from flying aircraft with mo-gas, preferably without ethanol, and even electrically powered aircraft, many are looking into ultralight flying as an affordable alternative.

The flying club is also considering running Drone Operator Certification courses as the operation of drones in Canada is very restrictive. The flying club has also partnered with 1000 Islands Helicopters to operate sightseeing flights from the airport on Canada Day (July 1st). This year, those flights saw 70-80 rides throughout the day. It's a great way to get locals and tourists to experience flying and, hopefully, generate interest in those people who may be experiencing flight for the first time in becoming future pilots.

Unfortunately, there were 2 aircraft that had started out to the fly-in but never made it. They were two ultralight Challenger aircraft who were flying down from the Carlton Place area when one experienced engine failure. Fortunately, both aircraft were equipped with floats and the aircraft with the engine issue managed to safely put down on Big Rideau Lake with the second Challenger putting down and assisting the first aircraft in getting to shore. Thankfully, there were no injuries and that's what's important!

In Canada, there are two types of Ultralight aircraft that can be flown by an occupant holding a PPU (Pilot Permit Ultralight) or another valid Transport Canada license. There is the BULA (Basic Ultralight Aircraft) which has a maximum gross weight of 1200lbs and a maximum stall speed of 45mph. It is restricted to a single occupant (pilot), regardless of number of seats except where one occupant is an instructor and the other a student pilot or where both occupants are licensed pilots. The AULA (Advanced Ultralight Aircraft) has a maximum gross weight of 1232lbs and a maximum stall speed of 45mph but passengers MAY be carried if both occupants are pilots or the PIC (Pilot in Command) is an instructor or the pilot has acquired a passenger carrying qualification but ONLY in an AULA aircraft. The US Ultralight is different in that no formal training or license is required and the aircraft is restricted to a maximum of a single seat, is only used for recreational or sport flying, if powered, has a maximum gross weight of 254lbs (155lbs if not powered) and does not exceed 63mph (full power, level flight) and a stall speed not to exceed 28mph. In the USA, an "advanced ultralight" is generally placed in the LSA (Light Sport Category).

The town of Westport, as well as the surrounding area, and the folks at the Rideau Lakes Flying Club are friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic folks. Whether you come for a fly-in or you travel to the area and visit the shops, camp locally or stay in an inn or B&B, you'll enjoy every minute of your visit. You can go boating, canoeing, hiking and swimming in summer or enjoy year round good weather sports and/or cold weather sports, depending on the season. There's always something to do, something to enjoy, somewhere to walk, or hike, and somewhere to eat. Come for the day. Stay for the summer!