Alliston Airport

Alliston Airfield sits on the eastern edge of the town of Alliston, Ontario, a single asphalt runway airstrip serving general aviation and recreational flyers in Simcoe County. Located roughly 60 kilometres north of Toronto, the field is surrounded by flat, fertile farmland – primarily corn and potato fields – that give the approach a distinct agricultural character. The airfield has no scheduled commercial flights; instead, its users are private pilots, flight school students, and occasional light cargo operators. The well-maintained 1,524-metre runway (runway 15/33) is the main attraction: smooth, clean, and free of the congestion that defines larger airports. It is a place where flying still feels like flying – straightforward, unpretentious, and deeply connected to the landscape.

Getting There

Alliston Airfield lies about 10 kilometres southeast of downtown Alliston. Driving from Toronto, take Highway 400 north to exit 50 (Simcoe Road 90 – County Road 90). Head west on County Road 90 for about 12 kilometres, then turn left onto 20th Sideroad. The airfield entrance is on your right after 2 kilometres, clearly marked with a small sign. Alternatively, from Barrie, take Highway 400 south to exit 54 (County Road 89) and proceed west for about 20 kilometres, then turn left onto 6th Line and continue to 20th Sideroad. The drive from Toronto takes around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic; from Barrie, about 30 minutes.

Public transport to the airfield is limited. The nearest bus stop is in Alliston town centre, served by Grey County Transit and Simpson’s Bus Lines from Barrie and Toronto. From there, a taxi is the only practical option – call Alliston Taxi (+1-705-435-5555) in advance, as they are not always waiting at the field. Rideshare services like Uber do not operate reliably in this area. For private pilots arriving by car, the airfield has a small gravel parking lot near the terminal building, free of charge.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Alliston Airfield is as basic as general aviation facilities get – a single-story building with a waiting area, a counter, and washrooms. There are no jet bridges, no security checkpoints, and no food concessions. Upon arrival, pilots and passengers enter through a glass door into a room furnished with a few plastic chairs and a table. The counter serves as the point for flight planning, parking fees, and fuel requests (self-service 100LL avgas is available 24/7 via credit card, but the cardlock machine can be finicky – have a backup payment method).

The atmosphere is quiet and utilitarian. On a weekday morning, you might find a lone pilot reviewing charts or a student preflighting a Cessna 172. The staff – typically one or two people during operating hours – are knowledgeable local pilots who can provide weather briefings and local advice. There is no café, so bring your own snacks and water. Restrooms are clean but basic. The terminal operates on a honour system for after-hours use, with a mailbox for cash payments.

Departing passengers will find no baggage carousels or check-in counters. Everything is done on foot: walk from the parking lot to your aircraft, preflight, and taxi. The field has no air traffic control tower; pilots communicate on a common traffic advisory frequency (122.8 MHz). The simplicity is the point – you are in and out with minimal fuss.

Alliston Airfield and Alliston

Alliston, Ontario, is a town of about 20,000 people in the heart of Simcoe County, known for two things: potatoes and Honda. The region’s sandy loam soil produces some of Canada’s best potatoes, and the annual Alliston Potato Festival (held in August) draws visitors for parades, music, and – of course – fried potatoes. But the larger economic engine is Honda of Canada Manufacturing, whose massive assembly plant just west of town builds the Civic and CR-V for the North American market. The factory employs thousands and gives Alliston a stable, working-class character.

Beyond the town, the surrounding area offers natural attractions that make the airfield a worthwhile destination for pilots. The Nottawasaga River runs through Alliston, popular for canoeing and fishing. The nearby Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority maintains several hiking trails, including the 10-kilometre Nottawasaga Bluffs Loop, which offers views of the river valley. For winter recreation, ski hills like Blue Mountain (45 minutes west) and Snow Valley (30 minutes north) are within easy flying range. And Wasaga Beach – the world’s longest freshwater beach – is about 20 minutes north by road.

What makes Alliston Airfield particularly appealing to visiting pilots is its location. It sits at the edge of the scenic fields of central Ontario, with no major airspace restrictions, making it ideal for a weekend fly-in breakfast at the nearby Nottawasaga Inn (a 10-minute taxi ride). The field also serves as a base for flight schools because of its uncongested pattern and reliable weather – summer afternoons bring scattered cumulus, but severe weather is rare. For pilots coming from the south, the approach over cornfields in late summer, with the blue of Georgian Bay to the north, is a genuine pleasure.

The town itself is not a tourist magnet, but it has honest, practical amenities. You’ll find a Walmart, a Canadian Tire, and several fast-food options on the main drag (Victoria Street). For a real taste of the region, try the breakfast at the Alliston Family Restaurant on the main street – it’s been serving locals for decades. The airfield’s quiet, unhurried character reflects the town: nothing flashy, but things work as intended.

Practical Information

Alliston Airfield is not open 24 hours a day. Operating hours are typically Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (call to confirm as seasons may vary). The field is closed Sundays and major holidays. Contact the airport manager at +1-705-434-8600 for fuel availability and parking rates. There is no official website; information is best obtained by phone.

Key practical tips:

• Fuel is self-service 100LL, payable by credit card at the pump. However, the card reader occasionally fails, so carry cash as a backup.
• Parking for aircraft and cars is free for short stays, but overnight parking for aircraft requires a fee (approximately $10–15 per night). Clear it with the manager.
• The nearest food and services are in Alliston town, a 10-minute drive. If you arrive hungry, taxi to the town centre.
• For weather information, check the nearest METAR from CFB Borden (CYBN) or Toronto Pearson (CYYZ). The field does not have an automated weather station.
• The runway is not lit – land only during daylight hours unless you have night flying capability (the field does have pilot-activated lighting, but confirm before night approaches).

One concrete piece of advice: if you plan to fly in for a weekend, call ahead at least a day before to confirm the fuel pump is working and the field is open. There is no fuel truck; if the self-service pump is down, you will have no way to refuel. Better safe than stranded among the cornfields.