1.2 Management
The Estevan airport is presently managed by the City's legislative and financial management services. Sunrise Aviation, owned and operated by John Erickson, is the Fixed Base Operator and responsible for the following services:
-aircraft fueling and storage
-property management
-marketing and public relations
-airport events and flight training
Champion Airpark is reponsible for maintenance of runways(snow removal, runway lighting, visual aids, and inspections), buildings(minor repairs).
1.3 Advisory Group
The Airport Liaison Committee is the advisory group giving recommendations to council regarding airport policy and expansion. This group consists of two council members, the City Administrator, the Airport Manager, and members from the following groups: the Chamber of Commerce, The Estevan Flying Club, Experimental Aircraft Association, the Rural Municipality, one Member at Large and any other user group member that council appoints to the committee. Members at the present time are:
(members will be listed soon)
1.4 Facilities
There are three buildings on the airport property; the main hangar, the T hangars and the equipment shop. The main hangar is 140 feet by 100 feet in which you will find a 100 foot by 100 foot aircraft storage area within an 80 foot by 18 foot doorway heated by radiant heat. The Maintenance Engineer's shop, also within the main hangar, is a 40 foot by 40 foot area that is heated by two overhead forced air heaters with a 40 foot by 12 foot doorway. The lobby is a 20 foot by 20 foot area with an excellent view of the runway and parking areas. On the main floor there are three offices and storage rooms that accommodate two airport related businesses. Upstairs there are three large areas where you will find the weather office, a weather observer training center and the pilot's lounge.
The T hangar building is 160 feet by 40 feet storing seven airplanes and containing two storage areas. The bi-fold electric doors are 40 feet by 12 feet suitable for small single engine aircraft.
The equipment shop is a 40 foot by 40 foot building heated by overhead radiant heat and housing the snow plow truck and power broom.
1.5 Runways
There are two paved runways allowing four approaches to our airport. The main runway is 5000 feet long and 100 feet wide running east and west with lighting that can be activated by the radio in any aircraft by clicking the microphone seven times. The secondary runway is 3000 feet by 75 feet running northwest and southeast and also has lighting. The large paved apron on the north and east side of the main hangar is joined to the runway by two paved taxi ways. The surface around the T hangars is paved making easy access for local aircraft.
1.6 Navigation Aids
The approach system is a company-approved non-precision approach system. This means the approach system is not published and suitable only to clear cloud not lower than 500 feet above ground. The Non Directional Beacon that provides the signal is located four miles east of the airport and is on the approach to runway 26. The newly-published GPS approach can be found in the Canada Air Pilot. Situated at the end of runway 26 and 08 you'll find runway end identifier lights (REILS) that assist the pilot in low cloud conditions to make visual contact with the runway threshold. Runways 08 and 26 also have precision approach path indicator lights (PAPI). These lights indicate the three degree glide slope assisting aircraft traveling at night and in Instrument Meteorological Conditions. The rotating beacon is a four light fixture situated on top of the main hanger. This indicates to pilots that Estevan is an airdrome capable of handling air traffic at night and can be seen for 60 miles. The runway lights are a low intensity system with threshold lights and lights spaced approximately 90 feet apart. These lights can be activated from any aircraft and the lights can be brought from full bright to dim by clicking the microphone button three times.
1.7 Airspace and Frequencies
The area within a 5 mile radius of the Estevan Airport is an uncontrolled airspace. Pilots planning to enter this airspace are advised to make an announcement by a radio to other aircraft when they are descending out of their flight level or five minutes away from the airdrome. This announcement is usually done on the En Route frequency 126.7 and on the Air Traffic frequency for Estevan which is 123.0. Airport advisory and flight plan announcements can be received over the frequency 123.55 which requires four clicks on the microphone button to activate the dial-up system; then normal transmissions can be made with Flight Services. When aircraft are inside the 5 mile radius of the airdrome they are required to monitor frequency 123.0 for conflicting traffic announcements. The base UNICOM System is for advisory purposes only, traffic is not controlled by an Air Traffic controller at this facility.
1.8 Services
Fuel, storage, maintenance and lounge area are available at the airport site. Car rental, food, lodging and taxi service are available from businesses within the City of Estevan which is five miles from the airport.
1.9 Existing Land Use
The airport is situated on a one mile square section of land. The areas that do not facilitate the buildings and runways are rented on a profit sharing bases. The area around the airport itself is fenced with four strands of barded wire and chain link fence at the Terminal Area. There are lots available for lease. Four lots have a 75 foot front. Five lots have a 50 foot front. Leases per year are $1000 payable to the City.
2.0 Historic Activity
Over the past twelve years the activity level for itinerant aircraft has decreased due to the sale of aircraft by our best customers. The loss was offset by local fuel purchases and increase in aircraft storage in our hanger facility. Our maintenance engineers are responsible for some of the traffic increase along with flight training being available here in Estevan.
2.1 Area Airports
There are a number of private strips close to Estevan's Airport. The towns within a 50 mile radius that have airports are: Lampman, Oxbow, Carlyle, Arcola, Weyburn, Radville, and Redvers. Controlled airports that are within 100 nautical miles are: Regina, Saskatchewan and Minot, North Dakota, USA; Williston, North Dakota, USA is also within 100 Nautical miles but is uncontrolled. Both Minot and Regina have ILS approaches for instrument traffic; at Estevan we have a non-precision NDB approach and a GPS approach on runway 08 and 26.
2.2 Climate
Estevan is not only the Energy Capital of Saskatchewan but is the sunshine capital of Canada also. Windy would be a one word description of the weather patterns, generally from the west or northwest. Estevan is a city of extremes. In the summer we can get extremely hot, in the winter is can get extremely cold, especially when you factor in the wind chill.
2.3 Search and Rescue
The Civil Aviation Search and Rescue Association was formed to train local pilots and conduct search and rescue operations should an aircraft or person become missing. Pilots, Navigators and Spotters receive training on a yearly basis to be ready when required. The RCMP and local police have been using this association to conduct search by air for missing persons. New patterns of flight for search for individuals have been developed and are improving to be more successful in attempts to find people who are missing. Flight Services also use CASARA to search for missing aircraft.
3.0 Forecasts
3.1 Purpose
Our purpose is to advise the general public and the airport committee of future requirements for our airport. We want to look at aviation demands, expansion requirements, tie down and aircraft operations.
3.2 Aviation Demands
3.2.1 Avionics
It seems aircraft owners have become more and more conscious of the need for navigation and communication equipment in the aircraft. The large airports require that a transponder with an altitude encoder be part of the aircraft's avionics package in order to enter the control zone. Global positioning systems have also become very popular and are an excellent tool for navigation. The use of headsets and intercoms also help communication for clarity of instructions given by traffic controllers. All of this technology requires trained technicians to keep this equipment operating. It is the requirement that all single engine aircraft carry an Emergency Locator Transmitter, so inspections on this equipment is required yearly. We would like to encourage an Avionics Technician to start a business at our airport here in Estevan.
3.2.2 Kit Aircraft
The cost of maintenance, especially parts for the smaller aircraft has increased. The aircraft manufacturing companies are constantly sending directives to change parts or check for problems developing as a result of wrong or poor engineering of the aircraft. The aircraft owner is responsible for the A.D.'s to comply at the owners expense. Home built aircraft have become very popular as a result. We see new technology in design that improves flight characteristics and therefore makes the aircraft more economical to own because of the cost to operate. While part of the aircraft can be constructed in a private garage, the final assembly usually must take place at the airport. Heated space is required to do this and we would like to encourage manufacturing companies of kit aircraft to locate at this airport whether it be in the home built or the ultralight category.
3.2.3 Air Frames Maintenance and Refurbishing
We would like to encourage maintenance and painting of larger aircraft here in Estevan. We are situated in the center of North America which gives us a large radius around Estevan from which to draw. Our location and size give us a good opportunity to attract businesses in the following categories:
-purchasing damaged aircraft for parts and sales new and used
-sales and maintenance of aircraft line and appraisals
-modifications for speed and engine
-painting and interior refurbishing
Costs of new aircraft have increased so fixing the old ones seems to be a good alternative.
3.3 Land Development
To attract businesses to the Estevan Airport, we would require land leases to be available for building to house the shops required. Aircraft will travel distances to get proper maintenance. We have an excellent opportunity to use the property we have to build businesses that are aviation-associated. Land is now available for lease. Call 306-634-8668.
3.4 Tie Downs
Currently we have twelve tie downs available for aircraft visiting our airport. This seems to be adequate at this time but if maintenance increases, we will require more tie downs for aircraft waiting for repairs.
3.5 Aircraft Operations
Aircraft coming to Estevan under Instrument Meteorological Conditions use our non-precision, Non Directional Beacon to conduct an approach to the Airport. Two different approaches are possible from the Non Directional Beacon; a circling approach at 500 feet minimums or straight in approach for runway 26. The NDB is for cloud clearing purposes only. The GPS approach for runway 08 and 26 was published in October of 2005 and can be found in the Canada Air Pilot.
The GPS approach system has become very popular in the aviation industry. A GPS approach at Estevan would make it possible for our airport to be published in the Canada Air Pilot which is a supplement that all pilots refer to when they are flight planning or conducting IFR approaches. This would increase airport use by itinerant IFR traffic. At present, our approach is not published so consequently pilots do not know that we have an approach plate unless they request a company approved approach which can be obtained from the airport manager. We are anticipating a GPS approach to be in place by late fall, 2003.
4.0 Space Leases, Storage and Fuel Prices
4.0.1 Lease Rates
The monthly lease rate is $162.00 per month plus GST and $20.00 per month RM taxes. We have seven T hangers that are presently occupied but there is space available in our 100 foot by 100 foot main hanger building at the same rate.
4.0.2 Storage Rates
Overnight storage is available in the main hangar with or without heat and rates are as follows:
-Single Engine Aircraft - no heat $25 - with heat $50 per night
-Twin Engine Aircraft - no heat $50 - with heat $100 per night
-Jet Engine Aircraft - no heat $150 - with Heat $200 per night
4.0.3 Fuel Prices
-100 Low lead aviation gas is $1.30 per liter plus GST
-Jet A-1 fuel is $ 1.20 cents per liter plus GST
5.0 Businesses On the Estevan Airport
5.0.2 Aviation Weather
The weather offices operates 24 hours a day in Estevan with four weather observers on staff. Hourly and special observations are recorded and sent on to the meteorological office in Winnipeg.
5.0.4 Sunrise Aviation
Flight Training is an important aspect to keep airports operating. Without new pilots and aircraft being purchased an airport would not continue. Sunrise Aviation is capable of training pilots from the advanced ultralight category up to multi-engine IFR ratings. This means pilots could potentially train to become co-pilots for corporate or commercial companies. Sunrise provides a Cessna 172 for training and also a Cirrus2 Elite Flight Simulator for Advanced Instrument Training.
6.0 Recreational Organizations
6.0.1 The Estevan Flying Club
There is no flying club at present. Those interested in starting a flying club are invited to contact the airport at 306-634-8668.
6.0.2 The Estevan Skydive Club
This club has operated in the area for 5 years and have trained some 500 students in the first jump course. Three student training weekends are planned for the summer and progressive jumps are planned for the remaining weekends and evenings weather permitting. The Skydive Club is affiliated with the Saskatchewan Parachute Association. To book skydrive lessons or a tandem jump, call the airport at 306-634-8668.
7.0 Economical Development
7.0.1 The Airport's Role in Economical Developement in the Community
Communities in Canada have found that their airport plays in important role in their economic development. Many communities have found that companies have increased development because their corporate staff have been able to access the area by aircraft. Estevan is no exception; oil, mining, farming and local businesses have realized the role the airport plays to operate their businesses more smoothly.
The oil industry use the Airport frequently when flying in executives from head office in Calgary or Edmonton, also transporting specialized crews to oil sites requiring special work, and flying core samples to labs in Alberta so that results can be sent back to the drilling rigs which helps decrease waiting time for further instructions. Many oil companies have their own private aircraft and are finding an Airport in the community to be very important asset.
The mining companies also require specialized services, so again the airport is important to bring people to the area to minimize downtime on equipment that is expensive to have not operating. Many of these specialized service people are from U.S. side so Customs clearance is an important consideration. Our local mining employees find it convenient to board a chartered aircraft to visit manufacturing plants and attend meetings in the larger centers. The airport played very important role while the draglines were being constructed near the old airport site. Two drag lines have been constructed in Estevan and the airport played an important role bringing parts and personnel in by aircraft.
The farming community benefits from the airport in other ways. In the years when insecticides and herbicides are required immediately, spray planes are hired to apply these chemicals in panic situations or when fields are too wet to apply sprays with ground sprayers. Farmers have also found the airport very handy when parts are required immediately for their implements and implement dealers have used aircraft to deliver parts to decrease downtime.
Local businesses have found that each time an aircraft lands at Estevan, the pilots and passengers require hotel rooms, meals, car rental, and taxi service. Each time an aircraft lands in Estevan; anywhere from 500 to 5000 dollars will be spent in the community. Aircraft fly into Estevan for Customs clearance or fuel and we find these people will continue to use Estevan as a stopping point because all of these services are available for them. Many American aircraft fly through Estevan en route to Alaska during the summer months.
Air ambulance service is also available from Estevan because of our airport. We have accommodated Medivac services to and from this airport making patients accessible in emergencies and when roads are in poor condition.
7.0.2 Airport Revenue
The Estevan Airport realizes revenue from hangar rents and leases, and landing fees from commercially operated multi-engine aircraft. This revenue is turned back into the airport operations and is used for maintenance and staff wages. The airport has its own snow removal equipment which allows minimal down time and is cost effective. The plow truck gets the job done quickly and leaves a good surface for larger and faster aircraft. Revenues can be enhanced through promotion in flight magazines and through promotion of flight training, sky diving and other airport activities that provide fuel use and more hangar storage. Customs clearance is a great asset to our airport, this encourages U.S. aircraft to use Estevan as their Port of Entry.