Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the site of the proposed facility?
The proposed site is between Range Roads 264 and 265 and south of the Trans-Canada Highway in Wheatland County, Alberta.
How big is the site?
We have acquired approximately 1,500 acres in the area.
When do you expect to start construction?
We hope to start construction shortly after the Area Structure Plan has been amended and the sites have been re-zoned which could be as early as late 2023.
When will De Havilland Field be finished?
The full build-out of De Havilland Field will take many years and will be dependent, in part, on the growth trajectory of the company. Under a conservative scenario, we would anticipate an approximate ten-to-fifteen year construction schedule for the entire campus. However, in the short term, we would expect that the first buildings could be operational by 2025.
How many construction jobs will be created?
At this point it is difficult to say with any accuracy how many construction jobs will be created but we expect that several hundred workers will be required in 2024 to ensure the campus is built per our aircraft demand.
What will you do while De Havilland Field is being built?
De Havilland Canada currently has production facilities in Calgary that are able to produce Twin Otters and a number of DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER aircraft per year. As production needs grow, we will need to move production to De Havilland Field.
When will aircraft assembly start?
If our Area Structure Plan application and re-zoning are approved within the expected timeframe and construction goes well, we could see aircraft production begin as early as 2025.
When will the Twin Otter resume production?
We are currently undertaking a significant review of the DHC-6 Twin Otter to ensure our product is meeting market demand. We expect this review to be complete by the end of the year at which point we will be able to make a decision with respect to future Twin Otter production.
When do you expect the Dash 8-400 to resume production?
The aviation industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It appears that air travel demand is rebounding which is putting grounded aircraft back into service. Once we have completed our review of the DHC-6 Twin Otter, we will begin our Dash 8 review to determine a path to resuming production.
Are you worried about attracting employees/staff?
Like all employers, De Havilland Canada is facing stiff competition for skilled talent. We are putting in place recruitment and attraction strategies to make sure that we have the skills we need to build our aircraft and serve our customers. Currently, we are working with the government of Alberta to ensure the skills we need are being developed in educational institutions in the province.
Will the De Havilland Canada's Head Office be at De Havilland Field?
Yes. We expect that the De Havilland Canada Head Office will be located at De Havilland Field.
Will the Pacific Sky Simulator move to De Havilland Field?
No. The Twin Otter simulator that is currently located near the Calgary International Airport will remain in its current location due to the difficulty in moving the electronics and equipment contained within the simulator.
