The Vermilion Airport Advisory Committee Expresses Extreme Gratitude

From left, Town Councillors Robert Pulyk, Kirby Whitlock, Robert Snow, Kevin Martin, Joshua Rayment, Vermilion Airport Advisory Committee Chairperson Geoff Hancock, Vermilion Rotary Club member Erwin Warkentin, and Vermilion Airport Advisory Committee Representative Darcy Baleneski. Photo submitted

On Tuesday, August 12, members of the Vermilion Airport Advisory Committee presented the Town of Vermilion with a cheque to cover the invoice to JetPro Aviation for the installation of a new GPS Approach at the Vermilion Airport. Although the Town owns the airport, the Advisory Committee initiated the GPS Approach project as a way to increase the safety, useability and long-term viability of the airport.

Committee Chair Geoff Hancock explained that the project was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Vermilion Rotary Club, local businesses, and private donors. “We are extremely grateful to the community for stepping forward to help us make this happen. The Rotary Club chose the GPS Approach project as the signature recipient from their annual garage sale and contributed $7,500. Combined with additional donations, we were able to raise the full $16,750 needed to pay for engineering, installation, and the first year of maintenance.”

The new GPS Approach officially became active at the Vermilion Airport (CYVG) on April 17 of this year. Unlike traditional ground-based navigational systems that require costly towers, antennas, and transmitters, the GPS Approach relies on satellite navigation. It allows pilots equipped with the proper avionics to land safely in poor weather conditions or at night, providing precise altitude and lateral guidance right down to the runway.

“This system has already proven its worth,” Hancock shared. “A couple of weeks ago, a medevac aircraft was able to land in poor weather conditions that would have prevented it from getting in otherwise. In the past, weather has often prevented much-needed services, but with the new GPS Approach, weather is not as debilitating. That flight got the patient out and into the help they needed.” We also had another pilot running short on fuel who was able to land because of this new approach. It has life-saving value, and we knew it would.”

The project was initiated after JetPro Aviation, an Edmonton-based engineering firm, assessed the airport’s feasibility for a GPS Approach. Despite concerns about the grain elevator located near the runway, JetPro confirmed the system could be installed. “They were amazing to work with,” Hancock said. “At first, I told them I had no funding in place, I was just asking if it was possible. But they came out, did the engineering, and told us they’d worry about funding later. That really helped get the ball rolling.”

While the Advisory Committee is thrilled to see the GPS Approach operational, Hancock emphasized that there will be ongoing costs to maintain the system. Certification and safety checks rotate on a cycle, with yearly costs averaging around $4,000 and a larger $9,000 cost every third year when the system must be re-certified by flight testing. “We hope now that it’s in place, the Town will recognize the benefit and step in to support the ongoing costs,” Hancock said.

For Hancock and the Committee, the success of this project comes down to community effort. “We can’t thank the Rotary Club, Reflection Funeral Home, Hancraft Aero, RE/MAX Prairie Realty, Alberta Grains, Knights Spraying, Lakeside Pharmacy, 1218238 AB Ltd (Mel & Steven Tovell), Jan and Martin Gordon, Anoymous Local Resident, Gloria and Leo deJong, Doreen McRobert and Myles Miller, and Janine Lange. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible. The Vermilion Airport is a critical piece of infrastructure—it supports medevac flights, corporate traffic, and provides safety for pilots and passengers. This project has already shown its value to the community, and we’re so very grateful for the support we’ve received.”