As most, if not all, of our members know, the annual COPA Western Convention and Trade Show is happening this weekend in Innisfail, Alberta, hosted by the Innisfail Flying Club – COPA Flight 130. COPA’s annual general meeting will also take place during the event.

The airport (CEM4), also known as the Big Bend Airport, was opened in 1941 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan as a relief airport during the Second World War in support of the nearby RCAF Penhold. It is located about 4 nm to the northwest of Innisfail, and is home to the Central Alberta Gliding & Soaring Club, Skydive Big Sky and the Innisfail Flying Club.

There is one asphalt runway (16/34) equipped for night use, and two other asphalt runways, (04/22 and 10/28).

The roughly 30-member Innisfail Flying Club, established in 1960, manages the airport on behalf of Red Deer County, owners of the facility. Earlier this year it was announced that the airport would receive a cash infusion of over $1 million for upgrades and a new terminal building, some of which are in place for this weekend’s convention.

More information can be found at the Club’s website and at Fly Innisfail.

See below for aircraft arrival procedures.