YLW general aviation expansion takes off

• Expansion privately funded
• Construction begins next year

After years of talks between the Kelowna Flying Club (KFC) and YLW, a privately funded, $5.5-million expansion for general aviation is happening for the first time in 20 years at the Kelowna airport.

General aviation is anything that flies outside of the airline industry or military. It’s divided into commercial and private.

“General aviation is a very good thing for Canada. Most of Canada is north of the 49th [parallel] and most of it was kind of built by general aviation,” Dave McElroy, treasurer for the Kelowna Flying Club told Kelowna10.

“For the north, you go to bush pilots. General aviation is the heart and soul of aviation in Canada, and, in fact, much of the fabric of Canada.”

Designed by Richard Visscher, a prominent KFC member and retired engineer, the project site will turn the five-and-a-half-acre plot into paved parking for private aircraft.

Visscher re-designed the site to maximize its use by increasing the number of parking spots from 54 to 88.

Forty-two will be under a roof and the remaining 46 will be available parking for resident and itinerant aircraft. The site currently has several different aircraft sitting on grass or dirt.

This project is exciting for both aviation enthusiasts and the local economy.

A recent study by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association found one-and-a-half jobs are created by every general aviation aircraft in Canada, and the industry contributes over $9-billion to the economy, nationwide.

The club confirmed in a proposal to the city this project will produce over $150-million in financial benefits to YLW, the city, and region, over the course of the 30-year lease.

McElroy said general aviation has also proved crucial to recent efforts following natural disasters.

“Even as we speak today with the tragedies going on in the lower mainland, general aviators like me are busy flying people and supplies back and forth because the roads are out,” McElroy said.

David Lindsey is also on the board of directors for the Kelowna Flying Club. He explained how general aviation, and this expansion, is important for the airline industry too.

“Where do you think commercial pilots come from? They start right here. This is ground zero,” Lindsey said.

Construction is expected to begin next year on the site adjacent to Airport Way.