History

This is a bit of the back story about why we decided to put in an airfield…

After purchasing a Cessna 150 in the fall of 2011 we were facing the issue of, where do we store it for the winter months in south western Ontario? Out side tie down was not an option because of the amount of snow we can receive. Our other concern was having it close to home for convenience. We own property large enough to accommodate a small strip and has a building that we could convert into a hanger so why not! So planing work begins. After choosing a location prep work begins.

Location
Location
A grader was used to prepare the surface for seeding.
A grader was used to prepare the surface for seeding.
Grass starting to fill in
Grass starting to fill in
Grass filled in nicely
Grass filled in nicely

The next challenge is to convert this old cattle barn into a hanger.

Cattle Barn
Cattle Barn
Posts to be removed
Posts to be removed

For our Cessna 150 the roof support posts need to be removed, and corner posts need to be strengthened to support the roof. Next we installed a forty foot I beam to give a door opening of 40 foot wide by 11 foot high.

Roof support beam
Roof support beam
Installing Beam
Installing Beam
Beam in place
Beam in place

With beam installed it is now time to build up and level the entrance to the hanger.

We brought in 11 loads of stone to level the approach to hanger
We brought in 11 loads of stone to level the approach to hanger
Next we installed filter cloth and then leveled with 8” of clay top soil
Next we installed filter cloth and then leveled with 8” of clay top soil

Now we were ready to plant grass relax and wait for it to grow!

Grass coming up nicely as we relax
Grass coming up nicely as we relax
Hanger completed with grass approach
Hanger completed with grass approach