Is there a more beautiful sight than a float plane coming in for a landing in crystal clear waters? And how awesome is it when the aerodrome is downtown where everyone can enjoy the daily show of planes including the many historic Norseman planes, Beavers and Otters taking off and landing in Howey Bay! From the moment I saw the nonstop buzz of planes of all types flying in and around Red Lake, I was hooked. I knew Red Lake was where I belonged...and I also knew I had to get up there and get a pilot license of my own.
Aviation has played a major role in Red Lake's history and definitely still plays a big role in the identity of the community. The freedom of float plane flying is the ultimate in adventure flying and allows one to capture the breathtaking beauty of our numerous lakes. Northwestern Ontario has approximately 100,000 bodies of water from small to one million acres in size. On these lakes are some of the highest quality wilderness resorts that vary from complete housekeeping packages to complete privacy on your own lake with no neighbors. There are so many lakes in and around Red Lake that you could spend every summer in the area and never fish the same lake!
From its early beginnings in 1926, commercial air service in the Red Lake area using Howey Bay as a float and sea plane base has been instrumental in developing the gold mines and the community. Howey Bay was indeed recognized as the busiest airport in the world during 1936 and 1937. The Red Lake Heritage Center Museum does an excellent job of featuring the Golden Age of Aviation at the museum and on their website here: Red Lake Regional Heritage Center.
If aviation thrills you like it does me and you want to get your very own pilot license, you are in luck! As of August 2014, we have our very own flight school in Red Lake. The Huron Flight Centre provides some of the highest quality training available in the market today. Whether you simply want a recreational permit, a private license or a commercial license, Jason Brent, the chief flight instructor can make your dream a reality. If you want a float rating or a commercial multi IFR program, Huron Flight School can help you achieve your goal.
"Red Lake and the Norseman were made for each other. The town was and is an end-of-the-road community, supplying many smaller communities further north with goods and services. It is located within reasonable distance of almost countless small lakes boasting excellent fish and wildlife populations. It is also home to some of Canada’s richest and most long lived gold mines and some of the most promising mineral opportunities in the country. The Norseman, with its reputation for hard work and low maintenance, was the aircraft of choice for many. Eventually people looked around and realized that there were more Noorduyn Norsemans flying there than anywhere else – and Red Lake became known as the Norseman Capital of the World."
We hope to greet you in Red Lake this summer and share with you the love of aviation and of our gorgeous Boreal Forests and thousands of lakes!
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