The Arnprior/South Renfrew Municipal Airport (CNP3) is located at the western edge of the Ottawa Valley region, about 50 minutes from the capital city of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The airport has a main runway with a length of 3937' x 75' and a cross runway with a length of 2360' x 60'. There is also a seaplane base for amphibious aircraft operations, including 100LL and includes 4 permanent slips for resident aircraft. The airport boasts 47 hangars from single aircraft hangars to large, multi-aircraft facilities. There are roughly 60 permanently hangared/based aircraft at the airport.

The airport held their first fly-in since before Covid hit and it was a successful event. Breakfast was offered up at $15 a plate that consisted of pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast sausages, baked beans, toast and a beverage of orange juice, water, tea and/or coffee. The volunteers served up more than 510 meals, including those of the numerous volunteers, including the Precision Aviation aircraft marshalling crew.

Vintage Wings of Canada keeps several of their "yellow wings" at the airport including both de Havilland of Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk x 2, a Fleet Finch and a Fleet (Fairchild) Cornell. Two of the Vintage Wings pilots flew one of the Chipmunks and the Cornell over the town of Arnprior, culminating with a few formation passes over the airport. The plan was to do passenger sightseeing flights however, due to a stiff crosswind, they decided it was at aircraft limits so they elected to hold off on the flights for another day.

Among the numerous aircraft that flew in for the event was an ORNGE Air Ambulance Leonardo AW139 helicopter. These helicopters operate throughout the province of Ontario, flying to accident scenes, fires and other mishaps where seriously injured or ill patients require faster transport to medical facilities and services. The crews of these life saving aircraft, as well as their fixed wing aircraft and ambulances, are an invaluable service for all the people of Ontario. A second helo, this one from Helicopter Transport Services, flew in from Carp Airport. This modified Bell 214ST is one of several helicopters that HTS operates in roles in aerial fire suppression, air ambulance service, aerial services within the oil industry, aerial construction & heavy lift ops, forestry & mining, the motion picture industry, news gathering and executive transport utilising at least a dozen different types of helicopters.

There are quite a variety of aircraft based at Arnprior from taildraggers, tricycle, amphibious and one turbo prop aircraft used by the parachute school. A pretty Globe Swift, long time aircraft of the late Colonel Fern Villeneuve, was pushed out of the Vintage Wings of Canada hangar in order for the VWC volunteers to get the yellow wings aircraft out. Across from the VWC hangar was a very nice looking Zenair CH 300.

The Speedy Whitman Tailwind was designed by Sylvester J. "Steve" Whitman who was a well known race plane designer and pilot. In 1953 Whitman designed an aircraft called the "Flying Carpet" which was later renamed as the "Tailwind." It was the first aircraft to appear under the United States FAA experimental category, certified to carry a passenger. There have been in excess of 350 of the type built. Depending on engine, the Tailwind has a maximum speed of 200mph with a range of 600 miles, a climb rate of 900ft/min and a service ceiling of 16,000'.

The Bushcaddy is a 1994 Canadian designed aircraft built to fly either as an ultralight (Canadian AULA - Advanced Ultralight Aircraft) or LSA (US Light Sport Aircraft category). The "R" was for Rotax and the 80 represents the engine horsepower (80hp). The aircraft can be purchased in kit form or as a complete, ready to fly aircraft and is still in production today. Engine options include the Rotax 912UL, 912ULS or the turbocharged 914. With the Rotax 912ULS the cruise is 105mph, stall speed of 34mph, a service ceiling of 16,000' and a climb rate of 800 ft/min.

Though not the busiest fly-in with only 30 aircraft, the turn out wasn't bad considering the hazy, smoky skies, the crosswind and the potential for midday inclement weather. The fly-in will only get better and larger from here and will attract more aircraft as time goes on. The airport is suitable for many different types of general aviation aircraft and, with the added attraction of the seaplane base, it offers a little more versatility to those pilots who don't operate their aircraft with full amphib floats.

The seaplane base, known as South Renfrew Municipal Waterdrome (CNB5), is located just south, southeast of the airport and operates from Lake Madawaska. As mentioned, 100LL fuel is available at the seaplane base and they have plans to install transient seaplane parking. The airport is also set up to facilitate the removal of seaplanes from the water using a trailer at the dock. With the town of Arnprior a short walk or cab ride from the airport, stopping for a day visit offers the traveler a variety of restaurant options and some shopping.

This week we stopped by the Arnprior/South Renfrew Municipal Airport to visit their first fly-in since before the pandemic. Next week we'll return to Arnprior for more about the event and aircraft that made the trip as well as some of the history of the airport.