Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
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Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
Does anyone know if something is planned at Buttonville before they close up forever this fall?
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
If I hear of one, I'll be there....
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
Wow, I can't believe Buttonville is closing up for good this fall. It's like the end of an era, right? As of now, I haven't heard of any farewell event specifically, but I sure hope they host something memorable to send off the place in style.
You know, if they decide to do something grand, I'd highly recommend they check out Beverly Hills Event Production. These folks are pros when it comes to making events unforgettable. I mean, they've got everything from custom lighting to concert-grade sound systems. It's all about setting the mood and creating a one-of-a-kind experience. Imagine a night with aerial acrobatics or an outdoor concert—the possibilities are limitless!
You know, if they decide to do something grand, I'd highly recommend they check out Beverly Hills Event Production. These folks are pros when it comes to making events unforgettable. I mean, they've got everything from custom lighting to concert-grade sound systems. It's all about setting the mood and creating a one-of-a-kind experience. Imagine a night with aerial acrobatics or an outdoor concert—the possibilities are limitless!
Last edited by Dinanywor on Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
Well... From my asking around... apparently not. I was speaking with an AMO client there today. The word is that as of the 15th of this month, the airport is no longer certified as such, and between the 15th and the 30th, the airport will be being decommissioned as an airport. After the 30th, zero operations.
It's been a couple of months since I have been there, and I have no plans to be there [again, I guess...]. As I think about it, it won't do me any good to see one of the formative airports of my flying career wound down to nothing - I've already said goodby to King City, Maple, Markham, and Pottageville aerodromes.
So.... Who has memories of better times of their flying at Buttonville?
My mom had told me that in her youth, she would bicycle there occasionally, and pay for a flying lesson in a Cub. That was great, as she inspired my love of aviation.
My first time landing there would have been in 1975, in 150 C-GGND, from Pottageville, with my friend (who owned that 150 for many years). During my training in Brampton in the next years, I would fly to Buttonville, just because I knew it, and it was a nice short cross country flight. In the early '80's, I was invited to be the right seat pilot in a corporate Aztec which was based there, which was replaced by a Cheyenne II. I did that flying for a few years, and really enjoyed it. There was a "private" approach which enabled a very confident VFR arrival when the weather was less than perfect. As I rejoined single engined flying after that, Buttonville was a frequent destination, for lunch, or a parts run to Leggat's. As I could afford it, I took some helicopter lessons there. Thinking back, I used to land the helicopter in the big, empty, field just to the east of Woodbine - that was a time ago! For decades I came and went from Buttonville, it was a foundation airport for my flying. In later years, while taking helicopter training in Holland Landing, I'd fly down to Buttonville. It was weird flying the helicopter in, as there was no expectation of conforming to a circuit, just cleared direct to Toronto Helicopters pad - my muscle memory wanted to fly the circuit!. As I think about it, though I have driven down a couple of times since, my last landing in there was in May, when I stopped in in the diesel Beaver. I'll miss the perfect fit of a nice sized airport, which I knew like the back of my hand.....
It's been a couple of months since I have been there, and I have no plans to be there [again, I guess...]. As I think about it, it won't do me any good to see one of the formative airports of my flying career wound down to nothing - I've already said goodby to King City, Maple, Markham, and Pottageville aerodromes.
So.... Who has memories of better times of their flying at Buttonville?
My mom had told me that in her youth, she would bicycle there occasionally, and pay for a flying lesson in a Cub. That was great, as she inspired my love of aviation.
My first time landing there would have been in 1975, in 150 C-GGND, from Pottageville, with my friend (who owned that 150 for many years). During my training in Brampton in the next years, I would fly to Buttonville, just because I knew it, and it was a nice short cross country flight. In the early '80's, I was invited to be the right seat pilot in a corporate Aztec which was based there, which was replaced by a Cheyenne II. I did that flying for a few years, and really enjoyed it. There was a "private" approach which enabled a very confident VFR arrival when the weather was less than perfect. As I rejoined single engined flying after that, Buttonville was a frequent destination, for lunch, or a parts run to Leggat's. As I could afford it, I took some helicopter lessons there. Thinking back, I used to land the helicopter in the big, empty, field just to the east of Woodbine - that was a time ago! For decades I came and went from Buttonville, it was a foundation airport for my flying. In later years, while taking helicopter training in Holland Landing, I'd fly down to Buttonville. It was weird flying the helicopter in, as there was no expectation of conforming to a circuit, just cleared direct to Toronto Helicopters pad - my muscle memory wanted to fly the circuit!. As I think about it, though I have driven down a couple of times since, my last landing in there was in May, when I stopped in in the diesel Beaver. I'll miss the perfect fit of a nice sized airport, which I knew like the back of my hand.....
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
I’ll always remember landing there in a midsize business jet, as a new FO. What a rush. Great little airport, friendly staff at the FBO. Flew in one last time early July this year before I moved onto a new job.
Shame to see the place go just to become a shopping mall. Sucks to be a student pilot in the GTA these days. The drive to any school is super long besides the island and even then, you gotta go downtown every time.
Shame to see the place go just to become a shopping mall. Sucks to be a student pilot in the GTA these days. The drive to any school is super long besides the island and even then, you gotta go downtown every time.
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
This article says they are starting to tear up some of the runways this week but there are still aircraft there? WTF? Will owners be pulling their wings off to truck them out? Are the remaining ones owned by an estate? I wonder how accurate that statement is. Anyone live around Buttonville? How has the transition gone for owners? I am in North West Ontario and not too familiar with the airports in Southern Ontario.
https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/but ... 3879612C4Y
https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/but ... 3879612C4Y
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
When I discussed this last week with a service provider at Buttonville, the answer was that it took time (two weeks or so) between "closing" the airport (in the certified airport sense) and the runways actually not being usable. Things like removing runway lights, and other infrastructure. My understanding (having specifically asked) was that after November 30, trucking out would be the only way for an airplane to leave. The two week fuzzy time would be a sort of at your own risk type situation for departures (I suppose with zero permission for arrivals).This article says they are starting to tear up some of the runways this week but there are still aircraft there?
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Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
Fondly recall a cool, clear night takeoff, shorter runway 21, immediately over the 404 and the city lights, turn left, 2000, follow the DVP corridor to the CN tower………..
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
Very fond memories of Buttonville. I got my PPL at Toronto Airways back in the last century.
I'm in Alberta now but knowing it would probably my last chance, I did make a special stop at CYKZ last time I flew out east.
I'm in Alberta now but knowing it would probably my last chance, I did make a special stop at CYKZ last time I flew out east.
Re: Is Buttonville Holding a Farewell Event?
A memory about Buttonville....
In the 80's, a fellow kept his 182 at our private strip at Pottageville. He was an older pilot, and our group kinda kept an eye out for him, as though he was very nice, his flying skills were not ideal. He generally stayed safe by avoiding difficult situations. My home at the time overlooked the aerodrome, so I could see who was coming and going. He had been gone for the day, and the sun was setting. I kept an ear out for a 182. An hour or so later, I heard the 182 approach. We had ARCAL lights, but it was a 1600 x 40 foot runway, so you had to be on your game to land there at night.
He approached, fast and high. not a hope of getting down and stopped.... he went around, and again, and again, each approach less good than the last - it was getting scary to watch. Then, he [wisely] departed in a beeline in the direction of Buttonville. I phoned the tower, and explained that he was probably headed their way, and was probably rather rattled, go easy on him. "Okay, understood.". I phoned back a half hour later, to ask if he had landed safely.... " Well... He landed and parked.". "He just flew straight in, no radio call whatever, landed, taxied off, parked and walked away from the plane.". Tower was obviously a little hurt that he had not made radio contact, and obtained the appropriate clearances. 'Can't blame them, but I had made them aware of his probable approach...
We never discussed the event with him, just went along courteously. But I didn't see him fly much after that either....
In the 80's, a fellow kept his 182 at our private strip at Pottageville. He was an older pilot, and our group kinda kept an eye out for him, as though he was very nice, his flying skills were not ideal. He generally stayed safe by avoiding difficult situations. My home at the time overlooked the aerodrome, so I could see who was coming and going. He had been gone for the day, and the sun was setting. I kept an ear out for a 182. An hour or so later, I heard the 182 approach. We had ARCAL lights, but it was a 1600 x 40 foot runway, so you had to be on your game to land there at night.
He approached, fast and high. not a hope of getting down and stopped.... he went around, and again, and again, each approach less good than the last - it was getting scary to watch. Then, he [wisely] departed in a beeline in the direction of Buttonville. I phoned the tower, and explained that he was probably headed their way, and was probably rather rattled, go easy on him. "Okay, understood.". I phoned back a half hour later, to ask if he had landed safely.... " Well... He landed and parked.". "He just flew straight in, no radio call whatever, landed, taxied off, parked and walked away from the plane.". Tower was obviously a little hurt that he had not made radio contact, and obtained the appropriate clearances. 'Can't blame them, but I had made them aware of his probable approach...
We never discussed the event with him, just went along courteously. But I didn't see him fly much after that either....
