Toronto/Downsview Airport

Downsview Airport (IATA:YZD, ICAO:CYZD) is located in Toronto, Ontario and is exclusively used as a testing facility by Bombardier Aeropsace since 1994.

History

Downsview is a former military base (CFB Downsview) inside the city of Toronto, Ontario. The 2 Wing Reserves based at the airport was disbanded after the base's closure in 1994.

Other units at the base:

• 436 (Transport) Squadron
• 14 Wing Headquarters – renamed 2 Tactical Aviation Wing and No. 14 Movement Control Detachment
• Defence Research Medical Laboratories – renamed the Defence Research Establishment Toronto and later Defence and Civil Institute for Environmental Medicine
• Canadian Forces Aircrew Selection Centre – formerly Aircrew Selection Unit
• 400 Tactical and Training Helicopter Squadron (400 T & THS)
• Army Toronto District Headquarters – later as 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
• Central Militia Area Headquarters
• Air Transport Command
• No 1 Mobile Support Equipment Maintenance Depot
• 400 Auxiliary Squadron
• 411 (Fighter) Squadron
• 411 "County of York" (Fighter) Squadron
• 411 Squadron
• 411 Squadron (Auxiliary)
• 411 "County of York" Air Reserve Squadron
• 411 Tactical Aviation Squadron
• 411 Tactical Helicopter Squadron

Besides being a military base, the airport served as the test site for many of the most famous planes produced by De Havilland Canada (now part of Bombardier), including the Beaver, the Twin Otter, and the Dash 8. The airport is available to pilots only with prior permission.

The site was used for the 1984 Papal visit by the late Pope John Paul II, 2002 World Youth Day and 2003 SARS concert.

Tenants

• Bombardier Aerospace
• Toronto Aerospace Museum – formerly de Havilland Canada facility
• Parc Downsview Park – Government of Canada
• Denison Armories – Canadian Armed Forces
• Land Forces Central HQ – Canadian Forces
• Garrison Support Unit Toronto -renamed Area Support Unit Toronto
• Tree City
• The Hanger Sports Complex
• The Toronto Wildlife
• 32 CBG HQ
• 2 Intelligence Company
• 2 Field Engineer Regiment
• 25 (Toronto) Service Battalion
• The Governor General's Horse Guards

Airport Data

• Coordinates: N4344.6 W07927.9
• Elevation: 652 m
• Runway (15/33): 7,000 ft

References

• Toronto Aerospace Museum
• Airport and FBO Info – Downsview Airport
• Parc Downsview Park
• http://jfchalifoux.com/squadrons_410_to_419.htm 410 to 419 Squadrons]
• Military History Page

See Also

• List of airports in the Greater Toronto Area