January 5, 2024
By Joe Konecny, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Aylmer Express St. Thomas Municipal Airport might not be large enough for a Boeing 747, but this former Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training base plays an important role in boosting economic growth and attracting companies like Volkswagen to Elgin County. “I don’t think we can land a 747, but we couldn’t accommodate the people coming off a plane that size either,” said St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston in a recent interview. “We’re very close to an international airport in London anyway.” “St. Thomas has an airport that can do pretty much what we need it to do,” added Mayor Preston. “Even though it’s a smaller municipality-run airport, it’s great.” For corporations like Volkswagen-Power Co, which plans to establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in St. Thomas by 2027, “it’s a tick,” remarked Mayor Preston. “Yes, we have railways. Yes, we have roads. Yes, we have an airport. If you didn’t have it, it would be something missing from somebody’s checklist.” The German car manufacturer announced on March 13, 2023 that it will set up Volkswagen’s first overseas gigafactory at a 1,500-acre industrial park in the city’s north-east end. The plant is expected to create around 3,000 jobs and about 30,000 additional positions through spinoff opportunities. “The Airport has always been a tool for attracting investment and keeping businesses here; many companies use it for their corporate travel,” explained Sean Dyke, Chief Executive Officer at the St. Thomas Economic Development Corp. “In fact, part of why we attracted one of our longest lasting industries-Gorman-Rupp Pumps Canada-to the city over six decades ago was because of our airport.” “Today it’s home to Smart Aviation Solutions doing impressive work on some remarkable planes and Zimmer Air Services-one of only a few helicopter providers around here-who are fantastic partners when we want to showcase our community from above,” Mr. Dyke continued. “It has also played a vital role in our tourism infrastructure from events like the plowing match to airshows and all those smaller gatherings along the way.” While VW executives haven’t yet used St. Thomas Municipal Airport-they’ve been relying on Toronto Pearson International Airport so far-Mayor Preston anticipates that may change as their project develops. “The private use of the airport will always depend on how many industries you have; we don’t know yet what kind of emergency cargo may need transporting because of Volkswagen-Power Co,” said Mayor Preston. “I think we’ll likely see this during factory setup with some specialized equipment.” “We’ll need to wait and see what unfolds there,” he noted. “Of course when you have such an active facility running at full speed without downtime-it makes sense that executives from companies like Magna (International), Formet (Industries), Presstran (Industries), or Timken from Ohio would find using their private jets easy.” St. Thomas Municipal Airport is located at 44989 Talbot Line, just 10 kms west of Aylmer and was founded in 1941 as an RCAF air training base under the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (BCATP). It was managed by the Department of National Defense (DND) until the late ’40s as a ‘primary relief field’ supporting No. 14 Service Flying Training School Aylmer and No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School Fingal. The property once served as a drag strip; however it was purchased from DND by St. Thomas City in 1970 while still being owned by Central Elgin today with features including wildlife woodlots covering approximately340 acres of farmland alongside39 buildings and aviation equipment. The three runways were built with lengths around2,640 feet (805 m), but in1982the main east-west runway known as ‘09/27’ was lengthened to5 ,050 ft(1 ,539 m). Two runways remain operational today while the third mainly functions as a taxiway. The most significant expense related to operations at this airport involves its three runways accordingto Mayor Preston’s comments about investments made recently; specifically, a $1.1-million non-repayable Fed Dev Ontario contribution made backin2021was designated towards enhancing operational capacity through constructing8 ,000 square metersof ramp space neededfor parking, fueling, and servicing regional aircraft. A reconstruction reserve fund has been created due increased commercialand agricultural activity levels requiringyears’ worthof contributions before sufficient funds are availabletoreconstruct any single runway successfully. “When considering thatwe(the City)employ one full-time staffmember alongwith eight part-timersatthis facility coupled with91 other personnel working outthere, it indicates some thriving enterprises operate withinour airport,”continued Mayor Preston.”We’re tryingto keep things balancedfinancially whenever possible. Airportsare similar transit systems: it’s challengingto break evenbutimagine lifewithoutone.” In2002 , St. Thomas recorded27 ,456aircraft movements ; however activityhas declinedover timeto17 ,371movementsin2003 down11 ,720by2004and12 ,575by2005. By2006only944movementswere logged. “Flight numberscan vary greatly between rural airports ,”observed Mayor Preston.”You might geta corporate jet landing solelyfor Gorman-Rupp Pumps Canadaorvisitors arrivingforgolf outingsat Redtail Golf Course.” “The original ownersof Redtail(Londonbusinessmen Chris Goodwinand John Drake)attractedpeoplefromaroundtheworldincluding Scottishactor Sean Connery,”headded. Redtailisexclusive golfcourse near Port Stanley.”We’repleasedtosupplythemwithfulltanksofaviationfuelwhiletheirpilotsrelaxattherestarea.. I fully expectaswe growindustrieslocally, moresuchactivitywillfollow.” Aircraft sizecapabilitydependsontypealongwithweightandacceleration/stoppingabilities. Thisparticularfacilitycatersaircrafthaving ALN(Aircraft Load Rating )of9. While B-737couldtechnically operatefrom St. Thomas, repeatedusecouldstressrunwayfurtherreducinglifespan. Hencebetter suitedfor Dash8-300s&Short S360swhileaccommodatingall piston/turbo propclassjetsboth small &large entirely. Thecitymanagesitspropertyviaagricultural/commercial leasesalongsidegeneralaviationagreementsaswellasfuelsales & services. Farmlandleasesfocusoncultivatingcannabis&food. Dale Arndtis current Airport Superintendent.
By Joe Konecny, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Aylmer Express St. Thomas Municipal Airport might not be large enough for a Boeing 747, but this former Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training base plays an important role in boosting economic growth and attracting companies like Volkswagen to Elgin County. “I don’t think we can land a 747, but we couldn’t accommodate the people coming off a plane that size either,” said St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston in a recent interview. “We’re very close to an international airport in London anyway.” “St. Thomas has an airport that can do pretty much what we need it to do,” added Mayor Preston. “Even though it’s a smaller municipality-run airport, it’s great.” For corporations like Volkswagen-Power Co, which plans to establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in St. Thomas by 2027, “it’s a tick,” remarked Mayor Preston. “Yes, we have railways. Yes, we have roads. Yes, we have an airport. If you didn’t have it, it would be something missing from somebody’s checklist.” The German car manufacturer announced on March 13, 2023 that it will set up Volkswagen’s first overseas gigafactory at a 1,500-acre industrial park in the city’s north-east end. The plant is expected to create around 3,000 jobs and about 30,000 additional positions through spinoff opportunities. “The Airport has always been a tool for attracting investment and keeping businesses here; many companies use it for their corporate travel,” explained Sean Dyke, Chief Executive Officer at the St. Thomas Economic Development Corp. “In fact, part of why we attracted one of our longest lasting industries-Gorman-Rupp Pumps Canada-to the city over six decades ago was because of our airport.” “Today it’s home to Smart Aviation Solutions doing impressive work on some remarkable planes and Zimmer Air Services-one of only a few helicopter providers around here-who are fantastic partners when we want to showcase our community from above,” Mr. Dyke continued. “It has also played a vital role in our tourism infrastructure from events like the plowing match to airshows and all those smaller gatherings along the way.” While VW executives haven’t yet used St. Thomas Municipal Airport-they’ve been relying on Toronto Pearson International Airport so far-Mayor Preston anticipates that may change as their project develops. “The private use of the airport will always depend on how many industries you have; we don’t know yet what kind of emergency cargo may need transporting because of Volkswagen-Power Co,” said Mayor Preston. “I think we’ll likely see this during factory setup with some specialized equipment.” “We’ll need to wait and see what unfolds there,” he noted. “Of course when you have such an active facility running at full speed without downtime-it makes sense that executives from companies like Magna (International), Formet (Industries), Presstran (Industries), or Timken from Ohio would find using their private jets easy.” St. Thomas Municipal Airport is located at 44989 Talbot Line, just 10 kms west of Aylmer and was founded in 1941 as an RCAF air training base under the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (BCATP). It was managed by the Department of National Defense (DND) until the late ’40s as a ‘primary relief field’ supporting No. 14 Service Flying Training School Aylmer and No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School Fingal. The property once served as a drag strip; however it was purchased from DND by St. Thomas City in 1970 while still being owned by Central Elgin today with features including wildlife woodlots covering approximately340 acres of farmland alongside39 buildings and aviation equipment. The three runways were built with lengths around2,640 feet (805 m), but in1982the main east-west runway known as ‘09/27’ was lengthened to5 ,050 ft(1 ,539 m). Two runways remain operational today while the third mainly functions as a taxiway. The most significant expense related to operations at this airport involves its three runways accordingto Mayor Preston’s comments about investments made recently; specifically, a $1.1-million non-repayable Fed Dev Ontario contribution made backin2021was designated towards enhancing operational capacity through constructing8 ,000 square metersof ramp space neededfor parking, fueling, and servicing regional aircraft. A reconstruction reserve fund has been created due increased commercialand agricultural activity levels requiringyears’ worthof contributions before sufficient funds are availabletoreconstruct any single runway successfully. “When considering thatwe(the City)employ one full-time staffmember alongwith eight part-timersatthis facility coupled with91 other personnel working outthere, it indicates some thriving enterprises operate withinour airport,”continued Mayor Preston.”We’re tryingto keep things balancedfinancially whenever possible. Airportsare similar transit systems: it’s challengingto break evenbutimagine lifewithoutone.” In2002 , St. Thomas recorded27 ,456aircraft movements ; however activityhas declinedover timeto17 ,371movementsin2003 down11 ,720by2004and12 ,575by2005. By2006only944movementswere logged. “Flight numberscan vary greatly between rural airports ,”observed Mayor Preston.”You might geta corporate jet landing solelyfor Gorman-Rupp Pumps Canadaorvisitors arrivingforgolf outingsat Redtail Golf Course.” “The original ownersof Redtail(Londonbusinessmen Chris Goodwinand John Drake)attractedpeoplefromaroundtheworldincluding Scottishactor Sean Connery,”headded. Redtailisexclusive golfcourse near Port Stanley.”We’repleasedtosupplythemwithfulltanksofaviationfuelwhiletheirpilotsrelaxattherestarea.. I fully expectaswe growindustrieslocally, moresuchactivitywillfollow.” Aircraft sizecapabilitydependsontypealongwithweightandacceleration/stoppingabilities. Thisparticularfacilitycatersaircrafthaving ALN(Aircraft Load Rating )of9. While B-737couldtechnically operatefrom St. Thomas, repeatedusecouldstressrunwayfurtherreducinglifespan. Hencebetter suitedfor Dash8-300s&Short S360swhileaccommodatingall piston/turbo propclassjetsboth small &large entirely. Thecitymanagesitspropertyviaagricultural/commercial leasesalongsidegeneralaviationagreementsaswellasfuelsales & services. Farmlandleasesfocusoncultivatingcannabis&food. Dale Arndtis current Airport Superintendent.
Asfixed-base operatorcertifiedby Transport Canada, thisparticularsitehandlespassengersfuels, de-icing groundhandling, towingparking, hospitality, pilotserviceswhilemanagingcorporatecommercialmilitarysearch&rescue medicalflights togetherwithairshowsplowingmatches. St. T h o m aas Airporthosts Great Lakes International Airshow-a two-day eventbringingclassicmodernplanes across North America.
The airportisclassifiedanentrypointby Nav Canada staffedby Canada Border Services Agency(CBSA)onacall-outbasisfrom London International Airport. “Currently thereareno clearplansregardingremainingland”said Mayor Preston.”We’removingforwardbuildingtrainingcentre. Attachmentsattachedmainstructureincludeofficebuildingtrainingcenter..” “Previouscouncilfive-eightyearsbackconsideredutilizingthispropertyindustrialpurposes tooandstillbelievethere’spotentialhere”, hesaid.”Unfortunately(landoverseen Central Elgindoesnotofferusownershipopportunities ). Wecouldchargeleasefeeshowever taxesbenefitingmunicipalityinstead. Certainlyno pressureexistsforexpansion”..Businessespresentlyoperatingwithinthisfacility encompass Purple Hill Aircraftprovidingmaintenance/salesassistanceforsmallaircraft; St. Thom as Flight Centreofferingpersonalizedflighttrainingservices;&Zimmer Helicoptersdelivering aerialcrop-sprayingchartermaintenanceoptionsavailable!
Smaart AMS specializeslargeaircraftrepairservicesfocusingprimarilyheavy-maintenance De Havilland Productslike Dash8, Q400&Canadianregionaljet CRJseries200-1000. Smart AMSi r craf t predominantly owned Canadianleasingcompanies whichsendabroadthenreturnfinal assessmentsbeforeoverhaulsale/re-leasing processcompleted!
Thisparticularlocationfunctions363daysannuallyclosing Christmas Day New Year’s Dayyet lacks scheduledflightsthusonly charteredservices provideddaily!..
No specific air trafficcontrol existscurrentlywithin Municipal Facilitiesso Unicomserviceprovidedbytrainedradiooperatorsoffersadvisoryarrivals/departuresbutresponsibilitymaintainingseparationsafety restsentirelyuponpilots involved!
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