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Stranded 737 makes it out in time for CYXD closure

June 19, 2025

A “stranded” 737 A Boeing 7370-200 was an exhibit at the Alberta Aviation museum since 2005. This retired airplane was in service for Pacific Western Airlines starting 1979 and flew out of City Centre, CYXD, which closed on November 30, 2013.   In fact, the runways at CYXD were built in mind to keep the maximum performance and weight of this aircraft. The real reason the runways are the length they are is to give ample amount of runway for the airliner to be able to operate from that airport.
After Pacific Western Airlines folded it belonged to Air Canada until it was retired from service. The Alberta Aviation museum is staying at it’s current site but it was learned that the 737 would not fit in the property lines allotted to the museum, hence the plane has to be moved – if not it would have to be destroyed! It took volunteers months to make the plane airworthy and suitable for flight. Since the plane is valued at $1.6 million, it was worth it to obtain permission to move the plane.
It took volunteers just three and a half months to do something that would normally take 8 months or more. Then finally, the day before the airport was scheduled to close the airport, final checks were completed and the airplane was given permission to fly. In the afternoon of November 29, the 737 took off in afternoon light for the last time. It was a bittersweet moment for many.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLsSpE5y1Vo

Alicja Gados

Alicja Gados

I was born in Europe (Poland) and moved to Calgary as a young kid and grew up in Canada. I began graduate school in Edmonton, Alberta where I also began ground school and my private pilot’s license training at Edmonton city centre, the now closed, Blatchford field, CYXD (most operators have moved a short way west to Villeneuve). I moved to the rocky mountains, I transferred flight schools to very busy, and windy Springbank airport – CYBW near Calgary. This move was overwhelming, at best. This is a blog about my experience learning to fly, acquiring more flight experience and ratings but also about general aviation topics, news and gear reviews. I’ve discovered that flying takes a lot of studying, work and dedication, but is very rewarding! I started flying just out of graduate school, so I have struggled with paying for my lessons, and as a result, I have to take many breaks, which means that getting licensed has taken many more hours than normal. I am a commercial and multi IFR rated licensed pilot. I completed my PPL and CPL in Calgary-Springbank and multi IFR (group one) ratings in Abbotsford, BC at Chinook Helicopters. If you are learning to fly, interested in learning to fly or just interested in aviation, please join us. I trained as an economist before becoming a pilot and switching to aviation full time. I enjoy climbing, mountaineering, hiking, camping and backcountry skiing. It’s a great time to be in aviation. The industry is growing.

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