Oshawa Executive Airport

Early years and wartime beginnings (1941-1944)

The Oshawa Executive Airport opened in June 1941 under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan as No. 20 Elementary Flying Training School, Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association (R.C.A.F.) Station Oshawa. Civilian instructors from the Oshawa, Kingston, and Brant-Norfolk flying clubs trained student flyers using Tiger Moth aircraft. This school was part of Canada's contribution to the war effort, training approximately 73,000 Canadians during World War II. The school closed in December 1944, and the airfield was handed over to the Department of Transport. The Town of Oshawa took control of the facility in 1947.

Signage for Royal Canadian Air Force Service Flying Training School

Post-war transition and municipal management (1945-1947)

After World War II, the airport served as a storage base and clearing house for the War Assets Corporation and the Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association. RCAF closed the airport in the spring of 1945, transferring its operation to the Department of Transport. During this time, the Oshawa branch of the Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association was formed, and the airport became a hub for civil aviation activities. In 1947, the City of Oshawa officially took over management of the airport.

Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Memorial Plaque, Oshawa Executive Airport

Community and commercial evolution (1948-Present)

Over the decades, the Oshawa Executive Airport has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community and the aviation industry. As a home to various commercial operations, including aircraft maintenance and restoration services. The airport became a focal point for local aviation enthusiasts, hosting Air Cadet training and community events. The airport's significance grew with the northward spread of suburbs and increased commercial activities, particularly in automobile manufacturing. The airport has continued to thrive as a vital transportation hub.

Pilot’s Air Travel Guide (First Annual Edition – 1978) Oshawa Aerodrome 

Preserving history and current operations

Today, the Oshawa Executive Airport is divided into the North and South Fields, housing various aviation services including:

• flight training
• air ambulance
• passenger charter services
• freight services
• aerial police operations, and
• aircraft maintenance

The South Field retains its historical significance with original buildings from the 1940s, now home to the Ontario Regiment R.C.A.C. Regimental Museum, which operates popular Tank Saturdays and Tank Ride Programs.

Oshawa Executive Airport remains a vital part of Oshawa’s infrastructure, blending historical legacy with modern functionality. Visit Airmen’s Park, featuring a war surplus Sabre aircraft and items commemorating the Airport's past. 

1200 Stevenson Rd. N. Airmen's Park Sports Field

The Oshawa Executive Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, voluntary flight restrictions are in place from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., limiting flights to police, medical and industrial flights and Oshawa-based aircraft returning to the airport.

Please contact the Federal Minister of Transport if you require further information or clarification on regulating the airport traffic activity. The Federal Minister of Transport, The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez can be reached by
Email: [email protected] and [email protected] 
Phone: 613-992-1301 or 905-848-8595

To report an aviation incident, please visit the Government of Canada’s website. (note: regulating airport traffic activity and noise abatement procedures may be reported under “Other”).

The airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. However, we have a voluntary policy to limit after hours flights (between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.) to police, medical and industrial emergency flights and Oshawa based aircraft returning to the airport. 

Transport Canada requires aircraft to take-off and land facing the wind for safety reasons.

• If winds are less than 5 kn, aircraft (dependent on type) will depart and arrive on Runway 30. Aircraft using Runway 30 depart over Taunton Rd, limiting noise exposure to the residential communities surrounding the airport.
• If winds are greater than 5 kn (9 km/h), the most suitable runway (dependent on aircraft type) in wind direction by heading must be used. For example, if the winds were 120° from the east at 5 kn or above, the aircraft would use Runway 12.

• Canadian Flight Academy
• Durham Flight Centre

Obstacles in the airspace around the Oshawa Executive Airport, such as temporary cranes, are a hazard to aviation safety. Therefore, it is essential to inform pilots of the locations of these obstacles and the time and date they will be in the airspace.

In addition, there are limitations to the height of these temporary obstacles under the Oshawa Executive Airport Zoning Regulations. These heights vary depending on your location. In some cases, temporary exemptions may be granted to these limitations; however, this process can take up to 60 days to complete.

Complete a Temporary Crane Permit Application now 

Processing Times: The Oshawa Executive Airport will make every effort to process the permit application for cranes below the airport zoning limitations within three business days.

If you are eligible and require an exemption to the zoning, processing your request may take up to 60 business days. Electronic submissions may also decrease the time needed to assess a submission.

For more information, please email [email protected]

Transport Canada is the regulator and they are responsible for establishing and ensuring compliance with all regulations governing airport operations, aircraft operations and the operation of the air navigation system. It is important to note that only Transport Canada can establish and enforce regulations relating to aviation such as the aircraft noise abatement regulations.

Nav Canada is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for the operation of Canada’s national air navigation system, including the operation of the Nav Canada control tower located at the Oshawa Executive Airport. In its control tower, Nav Canada is responsible for the arrival and departure of all aircraft using the Oshawa Executive Airport. This includes the selection of which runway to use in accordance with Transport Canada regulations; Nav Canada operates the tower (including runway selection) between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., 365 days a year. 

City Council has committed to operate the Airport to not less than 2033, regardless of whether Pickering Airport is built, in order to attract new investment and allow the Airport to fulfill its supporting role as an economic driver of the City and the Region.

Under the Operating and Options Agreement with the Federal government, the City has an obligation to operate the airport until 2047 or until the Pickering Airport is built. However, the City may close the airport if it becomes redundant in the future.

The agreement between T.A.A.S. and the City is from September 1, 2016 until August 31, 2026. The annual fee is approximately $990,000. T.A.A.S. provides all the staff and equipment necessary to operate the airport and does not receive a percentage or financial incentive for any fuel sales.

Currently, 100% of all land sale proceeds are retained by the City while the airport is operational and are deposited into the airport’s capital reserve account and contribute to the capital needs of the airport. Additionally, the City will not sell or lease new airport lands for flight training purposes.