Airport owner eyes upgrades
Posted Nov 27, 2009 By John Nelson
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EMC News When aviation enthusiasts often end up purchasing their own planes, not too many of them buy an entire airport.
John Nelson
Winchester Airport owner Chris Adams poses with one of his aircraft at the Nesbitt Rd. facility. Mr. Adams says the recent global economic downturn has forced many recreational flyers to cut back on their hobby but Mr. Adams remains committed to upgrading and expanding the airport.
But that's the case for Chris Adams, who bought the Winchester Airport located on Nesbitt Rd. back in 2007.
"I kind of fell into it," says Mr. Adams, who grew up in Greely, fascinated by the many planes overhead going to and from the Ottawa airport.
He explains that he always had an interest in aviation, even serving a high school co-op placement with the Carp Flying Club. But, at age 17, Mr. Adams had enough of school and joined the army.
A knee injury forced him out of the infantry but he got his high school diploma and transferred to the air force.
Mr. Adams was posted to 410 Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, Alta., where he spent seven years as an airframe technician on the CF-18 Hornet.
While in Cold Lake, Mr. Adams obtained his private pilot's license. In 1996, he was posted to 14 Air Maintenance Squadron at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., where he maintained the CP-140 Aurora aircraft. At that time, he obtained his civilian aircraft maintenance engineer license at the Greenwood Flying Club.
His work as a pilot and aircraft mechanic has taken him all around the world including some time living in Italy, but by 2006 he was back home and looking for a property to turn into an airport.
Mr. Adams was servicing aircraft at the Winchester Airport when he learned the facility was for sale. In January 2007, he made his move.
"I actually bought an airport," he says, with a hint of amazement still in his voice.
The Winchester Airport features two runways a 2,000-foot, paved, east-west strip and a 2,500-foot, north-south runway.
The east-west runway is illuminated, making night landings possible and is open year-round.
"I do keep it winter maintained," Mr. Adams says.
He says most airport users are recreational flyers and current economic conditions have had an impact on them and the facility. The Winchester Airport was becoming well-known to recreational flyers when the economic downturn hit.
"Toys are always the first to go," he notes "This is an expensive recreation."
Mr. Adams says most of his business is aircraft maintenance the airport features three privately-owned and leased hangars.
He says there are many recreational flyers in the area and small airports in places like Iroquois, Embrun, Kars and Smiths Falls. Many come to him for maintenance.
Not letting the economic difficulties slow him down, Mr. Adams is currently eyeing improvements.
"I've been trying to build it back up," he says, explaining that he would like to add more hangars and aircraft and resurface the runway.
The Winchester Airport is a private operation, receiving no government funding, and does not charge the same fees as larger airports.
"The airport is really my passion," says Mr. Adams, who teaches an aircraft maintenance engineer program at Algonquin College and works part-time for Vintage Wings, an organization dedicated inspiring and educating Canadians about the historical significance of our aviation heritage.
For additional information regarding the Winchester Airport, visit www.winchesterairport.ca or e-mail Mr. Adams at chris@winchesterairport.ca.
