Swift Current Airport (IATA: YYN, ICAO: CYYN) is located 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) east of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Swift Current Airport began as a crude aerodrome in the 1930s, part of Canada's national "100-mile interval" aerodrome system. Shortly after the outbreak of WWII, a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) base was established to train Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots on intermediate aircraft. The base was named "#39 Service Flying Training School" and operated until late 1944. The base was 1 of more than 100 similar facilities constructed across Canada during WWII, a major infrastructure project (even by today's standards) that provided jobs for communities still reeling from the Great Depression.
Some of the infrastructure from the WWII training base remains today. The airfield layout, that is the runways and taxiways, retains virtually the same configuration as it did originally. One of the seven original WWII hangar remains today. The building is structurally sound and has been granted a "municipal heritage site" designation. The owner is completing some restorative work to the exterior. Another notable object from WWII is the large concrete structure at the east end of the apron - it was referred to as "25-yard firing range". A few other original buildings remain, such as the water pump house, workshop, storage buildings. Some buildings have been re-purposed within the City.
Following the end of WWII, the airport was operated by the Department of Transport (now Transport Canada) until the late 1990s. At that time, the federal government implemented the National Airports Policy which transitioned ownership of medium-sized airports to local municipalities. The airport had scheduled passenger services in the 1950s and 60s provided by Trans-Canada Airways (now Air Canada). Over the years, the airport has served as a base for corporate aircraft, government aircraft, military aircraft, agricultural aircraft, private aircraft, flight training, aircraft maintenance and refueling.
Swift Current Airport has the following services: cardlock fuel pumps (accepting VISA, American Express and MasterCard) dispensing 100LL gasoline and Jet A-1 turbine fuel, 24-hour pilot's lounge with WiFi and washrooms, aircraft maintenance company (Craft Aviation), parking and tie-downs.
Video Swift Current Airport
References
Maps Swift Current Airport
External links
- Swift Current Airport
- Page about this airport on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory
- South West Flying Club - COPA Flight 107
- Past three hours METARs, SPECI and current TAFs for Swift Current Airport from Nav Canada as available.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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