RCAF Station De Winton
Encyclopedia
RCAF Station De Winton was a World War II
air training station located south of Calgary
, and east of De Winton, Alberta
, Canada
. The station was built by the Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF) for use by the Royal Air Force
(RAF), who established No. 31 Elementary Flying Training School (31 EFTS). Like other RAF stations in Canada, it was subject to RCAF administrative and operational control.
The aerodrome was completed in 1940 and No. 31 EFTS began operating in June 1941. In 1942, the school formally became part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
. It was a civilian operation with instructors from the Toronto Flying Club who originally instructed at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton
, Ontario
. Aircraft flown at De Winton include Stearmans, Tiger Moths
, and Cornells,
De Winton was closed in September 1944 and is now the privately-operated De Winton/South Calgary Airport
.
Although the runways and some concrete structures from the airbase remain, the airfield is no longer active for fixed wing use. Some helicopter training, such as auto-rotation and hover practice, is still performed at the airfield, but all flights originate from other airports. Two of the runways are in disrepair and overgrown with grass, while the third runway and tarmac only partially maintained for use as an automotive driver training area.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
air training station located south of Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, and east of De Winton, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The station was built by the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(RCAF) for use by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF), who established No. 31 Elementary Flying Training School (31 EFTS). Like other RAF stations in Canada, it was subject to RCAF administrative and operational control.
The aerodrome was completed in 1940 and No. 31 EFTS began operating in June 1941. In 1942, the school formally became part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
. It was a civilian operation with instructors from the Toronto Flying Club who originally instructed at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Aircraft flown at De Winton include Stearmans, Tiger Moths
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
, and Cornells,
De Winton was closed in September 1944 and is now the privately-operated De Winton/South Calgary Airport
De Winton/South Calgary Airport
De Winton/South Calgary Airport, , is located east of De Winton, Alberta, Canada.During World War II the aerodrome was known as RCAF Station De Winton, and hosted a Royal Air Force elementary flying training school which eventually became part of the British Commonwealth Air Training...
.
Although the runways and some concrete structures from the airbase remain, the airfield is no longer active for fixed wing use. Some helicopter training, such as auto-rotation and hover practice, is still performed at the airfield, but all flights originate from other airports. Two of the runways are in disrepair and overgrown with grass, while the third runway and tarmac only partially maintained for use as an automotive driver training area.