The year was 1918 and, while the Great War was nearing its end in Europe, the Royal Air Force had other, more domestic issues on its plate.

In August and September of that year, it flew four experimental round-trip mail flights using Curtiss JN-4 Canuck aircraft out of what is now known as the Rockcliffe airport site. These flights were the first in a long and proud history of aviation activity at Rockcliffe, now home to the Rockcliffe Flying Club.

Originally incorporated in 1954, the Rockcliffe Flying Club lasted just two years. In 1961, however, a dedicated group of senior Air Force officers revived the idea of a flying club. On August 28th, 1961, the Department of Transport licensed the RFC to both conducts a Department of Transport Flying Training Course for club members and provide aircraft to club members for recreational flying.

Today, more than 350 members enjoy the camaraderie, fun, and excitement of the Ottawa-area flying club where we offer everything from aircraft rentals, pilot supplies and fuel sales to tie-down services, maintenance, and sightseeing.

And yes, we still offer training courses. The Rockcliffe Flying Club is a Transport Canada approved Flight Training School. Our ground and air instruction syllabus include training towards the Recreational Pilot Permit and Private Pilot Licenses, the Night Rating, VFR OTT as well as the Instrument Ratings. We also offer training for the Commercial Pilot License, the Instructor Rating as well as the Aerobatic Certificate. The size of our school ensures that a flight training program can be tailored to meet the requirements of the individual student. We also offer a variety of other services, such as sightseeing, aircraft rentals, pilot supplies, fuel sales, tiedown, and maintenance.

Whether you are finally fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, you are looking for a career flying commercial aircraft or you just need to fill ‘er up before you’re on your way, Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Flying Club is exactly where you want to be.

Why not give us a call at 613 746 4425 or stop in and say hello? We are conveniently located right beside the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.

The Rockcliffe Flying Club is co-located with the Canada Aviation Museum at the Ottawa-Rockcliffe Airport. Access is available via Airport-Marina Road, off the Sir George-Etienne Cartier Parkway (previously known as the Rockcliffe Parkway.) Here is a sketch of the roads leading to the Rockcliffe Airport, the Canada Aviation Museum and the Rockcliffe Flying Club.

From Downtown, follow Sussex Drive and the Sir George-Etienne Cartier Parkway until you reach the aviation museum. Continue past the museum 1/2 KM. The airport will be on your left: turn left on to Airport road. Follow to the end for RFC.

From Route 417 Take St-Laurent Blvd North to Montréal Rd. Turn Right on Montréal Road, to Airport Parkway (less than 1KM). Turn Left onto Airport Parkway. At the intersection for Museum, turn right to take the Sir George-Etienne Cartier Parkway towards Orleans (East). The airport will be on your left: turn left on to Airport road. Follow to the end for RFC.