| Innisfail Aerodrome | |
| Nativename: | Big Bend Airport |
| Tc: | CEM4 |
| Type: | Public |
| Operator: | Red Deer County |
| Location: | Red Deer County, near Innisfail, Alberta |
| Timezone: | MST |
| Summer: | MDT |
| Elevation-F: | 3,017 |
| Coordinates: | 52.0786°N -114.0275°W |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada Alberta |
| Pushpin Label: | CEM4 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Alberta |
| R1-Number: | 04/22 |
| R1-Length-F: | 3,025 |
| R1-Surface: | Asphalt |
| R2-Number: | 10/28 |
| R2-Length-F: | 3,025 |
| R2-Surface: | Asphalt |
| R3-Number: | 16/34 |
| R3-Length-F: | 3,025 |
| R3-Surface: | Asphalt |
| Footnotes: | Source: Canada Flight Supplement |
Innisfail Aerodrome (Big Bend Airport[1]) is located beside Alberta Highway 54, 3.9NM northwest of Innisfail, Alberta, Canada.
The aerodrome, managed by the Innisfail Flying Club since 1986,[2] offers one asphalt runway (16/34) equipped with night landing lights. The two other runway surfaces (04/22 & 10/28), used during World War II, are in rough condition. There are several hangars at the aerodrome and room for more development. It is host to many activities year-round, including a glider club, the Innisfail Flying Club and a skydiving training facility.
The aerodrome was opened in 1941 as a relief landing field for the Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Under the direction of General Robert Murray its primary purpose was a training facility for the No. 36 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) located at RCAF Station Penhold.
In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 52.0833°N -116°W with a Var. 24.5 degrees E and elevation of 2975feet. Three runways were listed as follows:[3]
| Runway name | Length | Width | Surface | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/22 | 3025feet | 100feet | Hard surfaced | |
| 16/34 | 3025feet | 100feet | Hard surfaced | |
| 10/28 | 3025feet | 100feet | Hard surfaced |
The Innisfail Flying Club holds monthly meetings on the third Thursday of every month. The current club President is Shane Cockreill.
The Central Alberta Gliding & Soaring Club is active, and operates gliders at Innisfail on weekends during the summer.[4]
Alberta Skydive Central offers experienced tandem and IAD instructors.[5]