RCAF Station Portage la Prairie originally slated to open on 28 October 1940 and was to be the Home Station of No. 14 Elementary Flying Training School. However due to construction delays of the school from moving into the nearly completed aerodrome it was decided that the school would be established at Stevenson Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From 28 October 1940 until 4 Dec 1940 the school operated out of the Winnipeg Aerodrome. Like the majority of EFTS were operated by civilian flying clubs and No. 14 EFTS was no different. Contract for the operation of this school was issued to Central ManitobaFlying Training School Limited, this company was created under a charter issued to the Winnipeg Flying Club. The school was initially tasked to start a pilot training course every month with the course slated to last 2 months. Each course was loaded with 24 students, however by the time that they commenced training, the numbers were increased to 35 students per course. Training at this school was to be conducted using twenty five RCAF provided de Havilland Tiger Moth training aircraft. The school operated until Jul 1942 when it was disbanded to allow No.7 Air Observer School, that was also stationed at the base to expand. The Station was a part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The Station was home to No.7 Air Observer School from 28 Apr 1941 to 31 March 1945. When the Air Observer School's size was increased in the Spring of 1942 No.14 EFTS was disbanded to make room. The Station was closed 31 Mar 1945. Aerodrome Data In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a variation of 11 degrees east and elevation of. Three runways were listed as follows:
Runway Name
Length
Width
Surface
8/26
Hard surfaced
12/30
Hard surfaced
1/19
Hard surfaced
Cold War (1952-92)
The post-war expansion of the RCAF resulted in RCAF Station Portage la Prairie being re-activated on 15 September 1952. No. 2 Advanced Flying School was established to train RCAF and NATO pilots. Several other flight schools followed over the succeeding decades. As a result of the unification, the station was renamed CFB Portage la Prairie in 1966. In the late 1980s, DND budget reductions lead to the contracting out of flight training to civilian agencies. As a result, CFB Portage la Prairie closed on 1 September 1992.
Post Base Closure (1992-)
It reopened as Southport Aerospace where 3CFFTS continues to conduct flight training under contract with KF Aero.
