3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School

[1] Portage la Prairie has been the site of military primary flight training since World War II when it was home to No.

Following the war, the base was retained as the home of the 3 Flying Training School (3 FTS) Royal Canadian Air Force, the direct ancestor of 3 CFFTS.

[1] In 1992, CFB Portage la Prairie was closed, and the base facilities were turned over to a new civil organization, the Southport Aerospace Centre.

All previous support functions, including the provision of aircraft and their maintenance and the airport's running, were contacted out to civilian companies.

[1] Multi-engine and helicopter training was conducted by military instructors using the Beech C90A King Air and the CH-139 Jet Rangers.