Sault Ste Marie Airport

There is a very small number of tie-downs (some of which have been commandeered by a flying school) located behind the old fire hall. The only other option is to chock the plane on the apron in front of Mara-Tech. The parking charge is the same either way, and is billed by the airport by mail after your visit. There is an exit-only gate near the tie-downs so that you don't have to go through the terminal, and Mara-Tech will drive its fuel truck over to fuel your plane here.

Nav Canada uses the old terminal now. The control tower is still located in it, and in addition to offices, there's a Nav Canada pilot kiosk on the ground floor.

Fun for home *builders*, that is.

I can second Flying Celt's recommendation of the Bushplane Museum. It's downtown, near the Station Mall and the bridge to the U.S., and has a small but very nicely chosen collection of planes. They're not too crowded, and there's a lot to do, including climbing into some of them. They have a Taylor Cub that was found on Baffin Island many years after it disappeared. There's a special focus on forest fire fighting, and a good selection of kids' activities. Restoration is going on right on the museum floor, and a sign welcomes you to visit the work area, so it would probably be especially fun for home buildings.

I landed at CYAM today, and two of the (already limited) tie-down spots behind the old firehall are now reserved for Soo Aviation, the new flight school at the airport, leaving only, I think, three for transient aircraft. That means you'll almost certainly have to chock your plane on the apron near Maratech, the FBO. On the bright side, ATC was as friendly and helpful as usual.

There are a few tie-down spots for light aircraft on the far side of the old firehall. Otherwise, you can have the plane chocked on the apron near the FBO.

The only car rental companies actually at the airport are Enterprise and Budget -- the others are in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, a long way away.

The tie-downs for private aircraft are behind the old firehall, but there are only a few. You can also chock the plane on the ramp in front of the FBO. There's no landing fee for light aircraft if you buy gas, but they do charge around $13 or so/night for parking no matter where you park.

If you're a pilot, watch for the wind turbines on the hills to your right on departure from 30. I've had to refuse a right turn after departure because I wasn't climbing fast enough for obstacle clearance (a left turn towards the U.S. is much easier, if you need to head east).

There is an airport cafeteria operating again. It also sells magazines, including flying pubs.