School (EFTS) was established at High River on 28 June 1941 after having moved from RCAF Station Lethbridge because of wind problems at Lethbridge. Training was provided by civilian instructors from the Calgary Aero Club. De Havilland Tiger Moths were the first aircraft used. They were later replaced by Fairchild Cornells. An unprepared emergency and practice landing field, also known as a relief landing field, was located on the then dry lakebed of nearby Frank Lake. More than 4000 pilots were trained at No. 5 EFTS. The school closed on 15 December 1944. Aerodrome In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 23 degrees E and elevation of . The field was listed as "Irregular all-way turf field" and had three runways listed as follows: Relief landing field - Frank Lake In approximately 1942 the relief aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 23 degrees E and elevation of . The field was listed as "Dry Lake Bed" and was located at Frank Lake, east of High River, and was marked as a square measuring: N-S - E-W - Closure to present The High River aerodrome closed in December 1944. The site is no longer a functioning airport and is used for private commercial purposes. It should not be confused with the present High River Airport, which is in a different location. References Hatch, F.J. Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan 1939–1945. Ottawa: Canadian Department of National Defence, 1983. . Retrieved 2010-04-26. Milberry, Larry (General Editor). Sixty Years - The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924 - 1984. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984. . Roberts, Leslie. There Shall Be Wings. Toronto: Clark, Irwin and Co. Ltd., 1959. No ISBN. Fencelines and Furrows Historical Book Society. Fencelines and Furrows. First Edition, 1969. No ISBN. Retrieved 2018-07-10 Bruce Forsyth's Canadian Military History Page - Abandoned Bases (Alberta): No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School Retrieved 2014-05-23 Smith, D. Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Aerial Reconnaissance in the Canadian Rockies During the 1920s. Western Division, Canadian Association of Geographers. Western Geography 7 (1997) Retrieved 2016-04-07 The High River Air Station and No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School Retrieved 2016-04-07 A Proposal to Commemorate RCAF Station High River Retrieved 2019-06-04 External links Air station description from bombercommandmuseum.ca High River Canadian Forces bases in Canada (closed) High River High River High River 1921 establishments in Alberta