Canada (Calgary area) flying — need advice

[AndreiC]

Hello fellow Mooniacs,

In about two weeks I need to fly to Banff, AB for work; staying there for a week. My initial thought was to fly my M20E; total time enroute seemed to be the same as flying commercially to Calgary and then taking the 2 hour shuttle; and so was the cost (counting fuel only, but at least that…)

I only started today to plan it more carefully, and things appear much more complicated. The Banff airport (CYBA, 3000ft grass strip) appears to be meant to be used for emergencies only — not sure yet what that means. And stopping in Calgary is not an option, as they charge around CAD 175 per night for staying there. At the moment my best option seems to fly to KGPI (Glacier Park) and rent a car from there, to do the remaining 5.5 hours drive to Banff; or to fly commercially. 

Do any of you guys have any experience with CYBA or the surrounding airports?

Thanks. 

[FoxMike]

I am not going to be much help but years ago I flew a 206 into Banff and camped for several days.  For a 206 the strip was ok but I do not remember it being kept in condition for your type of operation.  I understand your desire to get close to Banff but unless you get some more current information I would search for another airport. 

[Aerodon]

Springbank CYBW is a good option.  Not sure if customs is available.  My recommendation is to clear customs at the easiest place to the border.   Both directions.

CBP are less than understanding about headwinds, ATC delays, diversions etc.  

Looking at your route, Regina CYQR looks like a good customs airport.  Not as busy as Winnipeg, more or less on your route.  If they are open all day, less of an issue if you miss your arrival time.

Aerodon

 

 

 

 

 

[AndreiC]

Thanks, @Aerodon, this is very helpful. I’ll have to check now how much they charge me at Springbanks for a tie down for 5 nights. 

[4cornerflyer]

I flew into Calgary Springbank a few years ago to visit Banff and Jasper parks. This is a general aviation airport with good services for transients. It is a Customs airport of entry. There is no reason to land short of there. The FBO Springbank Aero can arrange for rental car drop off. It was an easy drive to Banff. I don't remember what the fees were, but it wasn't anything shocking. Fuel prices are in liters, so who knows what I paid. I can't think of any reason to go into Calgary Intl.

https://springbank.aero/contact/

Jon

Edited August 11 by 4cornerflyer

[Slick Nick]

CYBW is my home airport. It's the closest one to Banff. Banff is maintained but for emergency use only, since it's inside the national park. You can park and tie down at Springbank, rent a car, and be in Banff within an hour.

[Ryan ORL]

We stopped at Springbank to visit Banff on the way to Alaska.  They arranged a rental car for me… was a very easy experience.  I think it was like $40CAD a night and they took some off for buying fuel, which wasn’t terribly overpriced.  These prices are pretty typical in my experience for Canadian FBOs at busy airports, if maybe on the lower end.  It’s only about an hour drive to Banff from there, but it’s closer than from Calgary anyway.