The Airport in the Air Ranch community of Okotoks will be closing its doors soon, leaving local pilots looking elsewhere to take off.

CFX2 will voluntarily suspend its operations for 180 days due to violations with Transport Canada that need to come up to code, highlighting wildlife and construction as some of the hazards.

Air Ranch resident & Aviator Wes Metz says after meeting with the developers of the facility that the airport shouldn't be shut down.

"There is no significant safety issues at this airport," he says. "There's nothing out of the ordinary, the developer is overwhelmed by the safety management system. That is what has closed the airport down."

The full report by Transport Canada won't be released due to the privacy on the matter but Metz says the closing situation for pilots like himself aren't sitting easy.

"The developer and the residents up here had 12 days notice to vacate this airport, that's it. It's actually very inconvenient, I'm retired but other people work, and how are they going to move their aircraft in 12 days and make an arrangement. There's 20 aircraft going out of here so all the space is being picked up very fast."

Metz brought his frustrations to Town Council on Monday and says with their help in bringing the airport up to code and possibly take over operations could help many who frequently fly out of the airport.

"This is why I think the Town can be involved because they are familiar with safety management systems and once this airport was whipped into shape as far as safety and management goes then you're just managing it after that so it flows pretty."

Council took Metz's delegation as information.

As for what Metz plans to do if and when the airport closes, he may go to High River's airport and rent hangar space but says he's hoping it won't come to that.

The airport will suspend its operations April 18 at 6 p.m.

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