Edenvale Aerodrome is a former BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Program) base used as a satellite field to CFB Borden by the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Though the airport was in disrepair for several years, it was purchased by owner, Milan Kroupa, who has since spent millions upgrading the airport property, improving the grounds and has built, and is building, more hangars.

The airport is also home to the Canadian Air & Space Museum (CASM), originally founded at former CFB Downsview in the old de Havilland of Canada hangars. Unfortunately, the museum was unceremoniously kicked out in favour of making the property, in fact the entire grounds, an entertainment facility. For several years the collection of aircraft and assorted aviation artifacts were displaced and/or sold off.

Step in the owner of Edenvale Aerodrome, offering the museum a home, and now the CASM has begun the rebuilding of their museum at the airport. The airport also hosts the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation (ECAF) who operate a few flying aircraft including a Fairchild/Fleet Cornell, a de Havilland Tiger Moth and a Fleet Model 80 Canuck. Flights are available in all three of these vintage aircraft so you can go for a tour of the beautiful area surrounding Edenvale Aerodrome.

Every August the airport hosts one of the largest fly-in events in Canada known as the Gathering of Classics Fly-in. In a good year the fly-in may see 100 - 200 or more aircraft, as long as the weather cooperates. However, as we all know, the weather is fickle and doesn't always get the memo that it should be bright and sunny, a few clouds, light winds and no inclement weather. This year saw some poor weather building to the north and northwest which kept many pilots from making the trip to Edenvale, as too the stiff crosswind that was apparent throughout the day.

Despite that, the fly-in did see some 55+ aircraft make the trip and visit the fly-in for the day. For those who made the flight, or the drive in, they had the opportunity to browse the aircraft parking area, visit the assorted vendors and enjoy the large selection of classic cars that are all part of the event. They could also visit the CASM and take in the beauty that was the Avro CF-105 Arrow full scale replica, a spectacular aircraft designed by Avro Canada in the mid 1950s. We won't get into the heated debate about why the Arrow was canceled, despite showing superb flying capabilities, but the aircraft was canceled by the Canadian government of the day with all aircraft ordered cut up for scrap and anything to do with the Avro Arrow program, destroyed.

Fortunately, there were several brave people, employees of Avro Canada, who smuggled all manor of items out of the plants, including blueprints. Much of what they saved was used to build the full scale replica Avro Arrow that is now housed at Edenvale. If you visit the museum you can walk around this stunning "model" and take in the size and absolute beauty of this futuristic interceptor, designed and built in the late 1950s. Five Avro Arrows had been completed and flown, meeting and surpassing expectations of the aircraft, all without the Orenda Iroquois engine that was specifically designed and built for the Arrow. To this day, it is a huge sore point with many Canadian aviation enthusiasts that the Arrow and everything to do with the aircraft, were to be destroyed.

During the day, there were some common aircraft as well as some different, rare or uncommon aircraft that flew in for the event. Regardless of what pilots flew in for the day, most tested their piloting skills fighting the sometimes gusty, left crosswind on landing as well as take off. Those who were lucky enough to land when the crosswinds were light, had an easier time than those who had to deal with a gusty breeze. Despite that, there were no incidents or accidents and an enjoyable day was had by all.

One of the more unusual aircraft that flew in was the sleek and speedy Shark 600. This lightweight glass-fibre & carbonfibre, epoxy aircraft also incorporates foam, with a honeycomb core. It was designed to fit into the European ultralight and American LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) categories, weighing in at 600kg (1322lbs) gross weight. It sports a tricycle, retractable undercarriage with a steerable nosewheel and hydraulic disc brakes. The engine is a 912ULS "flat-four" Rotax offering 100hp and has a variable pitch, composite propeller. This 2 seat aircraft will move you along at a cruise speed of 250-270kmh (155 - 168mph) with a stall speed of 64kmh (40mph) with full flaps. It's very sporty looking and certainly turns some heads.

Edenvale Aerodrome features two runways, 13/31 which is 4000' x 100', paved and has lighting with AWOS 123.175. The second runway is 08/26 which is 2764' x 80', paved. There is also GPS approaches for runways 13/31. Available at the airport is 100LL, JetA1A fuels as well as mo-gas 91 octane through an attendant free, 24/7 station accepting all debit and major credit cards. Though the airport had a very nice restaurant, it closed a few years ago but there's a new restaurant in the works for the airport that, hopefully, will open soon.

The airport is just a few miles east of the town of Stayner in the township of Clearview. It's also a short drive west of the city of Barrie, situated on Lake Simcoe. There are a couple of very popular ski resorts for winter enjoyment and tobogganing and cross country skiing as well as other winter sports you can enjoy. In summer, you'll find antique and collectibles stores, museums, gift and general merchandise stores, grocery stores, liquor and beer stores, all manner of restaurants, gas and grocery stores, among pretty much any other type of facility you'd need when visiting the area as well as a large assortment of accommodations. Everything you need within about 15 - 20 minutes of the Aerodrome. The aerodrome is also close to the famous and fabulous Wasaga Beach located on Georgian Bay. The city of Collingwood is also close by with the beautiful Blue Mountain Resort available for a luxurious holiday.

Another rather unique and interesting aircraft that flew in was a self propelled sailplane known as the AliSport Silent 2 Electro. This self launching "motorglider" is powered by an electric nose-mounted motor, referred to as a "front electric sustainer." It has a 13.3m (43'.6") wingspan with flaperons, retractable monowheel gear, with the option for either fixed or steerable tailwheel and faired wingtip wheels on each wing. All electrics are powered by 2 lithium polymer batteries housed within the fuselage near the aircraft centre of gravity. It also sports a nose-mounted, foldable propeller to reduce drag. It is a single seat aircraft with a stall speed of 65kmh (40mph), a VNe of 220kmh (140mph), a g-limit of +5.3g/-2.65G and a maximum glide ratio of 40:1. However, it also comes with a hefty price point of $138,000 USD.

This week we had a look at some of the aircraft that visited the fly-in, learned a little about the aerodrome, the CASM and the local area. Next week we'll return to Edenvale Aerodrome to have a look at more of the aircraft that flew in for the event so come back and enjoy more aircraft from the day.