Centralia Airport (YCE)

Centralia/James T. Field Memorial Aerodrome operates within the historic infrastructure of former RCAF Station Centralia, utilizing preserved World War II-era hangars and facilities that once trained over 3,000 pilots under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan from 1942-1967. The facility positioned at 824 feet elevation near Exeter, Ontario, maintains several of the original five massive hangars designed to accommodate 100+ aircraft, now repurposed for civilian aviation including Goderich Aircraft Maintenance operations and general aviation services. While the terminal area provides basic passenger amenities rather than commercial airline facilities, the aerodrome's historic buildings serve diverse aviation businesses within the 1,400-acre Huron Industrial Park that evolved from this distinguished military training base.

The airport infrastructure features two intersecting asphalt runways with the primary runway 10/28 extending 5,013 feet by 100 feet wide capable of accommodating business jets and larger general aviation aircraft, while the secondary runway 16/34 measures 4,392 feet by 150 feet but remains closed from November through March due to winter maintenance priorities. Operating hours run Monday through Friday from 1300-2130 UTC (8 AM-4:30 PM local) with after-hours services available via 226-378-7422, managed by New United Goderich Inc. Anderson Aviation Services provides on-site maintenance, charter, and aircraft completion services utilizing the preserved military-era maintenance facilities, while fuel services support both recreational and business aviation operations throughout southwestern Ontario.

Strategically significant as one of Canada's largest WWII pilot training centers that later housed the RCAF's Instrument Flying School, School of Flying Control, and Personnel Selection Unit during the Cold War era, the aerodrome now serves civilian aviation while preserving its military heritage through a 1992 memorial cairn commemorating thousands of aircrew trained here. The facility's transformation from military base to civilian airport maintains operational continuity through preserved infrastructure including control tower foundations, workshops converted to modern maintenance facilities, and administrative buildings now housing aviation businesses. Located 30 minutes from London and 20 minutes from Grand Bend's recreational areas, the aerodrome provides an uncongested alternative for private aviation, flight training schools continuing the site's educational legacy, and business aircraft operations benefiting from the substantial runway infrastructure originally designed for military training operations.