De Havilland Canada is building De Havilland Field, a massive 1,500-acre integrated aerospace campus located 11 kilometers west of Strathmore in Wheatland County. The project officially broke ground on May 15, 2026, and will feature aircraft assembly lines, a runway, maintenance bays, and a business park expected to support 3,000 jobs.Project DetailsLocation: Wheatland County, about 11 km west of Strathmore along Highway 1Size: Approximately 1,500 to 1,559 acres of purpose-built industrial landTimeline: Broke ground in May 2026; initial building openings are targeted for spring 2028Key Operations: Final assembly for the DHC-515 Firefighter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, and Dash 8-400 aircraftCampus FeaturesDedicated flight-test runway (1,411 meters)Aircraft parts and aerostructures manufacturing facilitiesMaintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) baysResearch, development, and training academyCommercial amenities, office towers, and an aviation museum. The construction and rollout of De Havilland Field are expected to generate 3,000 permanent operational jobs and thousands of temporary construction roles. Because the facility broke ground in mid-2026 and operations are transitioning toward a 2028 opening, hiring is active for initial project leadership, site preparation, and current Calgary-area operations.Immediate and Upcoming Career StreamsIndustrial & Project Leadership: De Havilland is actively hiring roles like Project Manager, De Havilland Field and Program Directors to manage equipment procurement, facility layout, and the construction timeline.Skilled Trades & Construction: Local heavy equipment operators, concrete laborers, electricians, and ironworkers are required through site contractors for ongoing grading and facility build-outs.Manufacturing & Technical Assembly: Hiring has accelerated for Aircraft Assemblers ($37.50–$40.00/hr), Avionics Technicians, and Mechanical Systems Technicians ($37.50–$44.00/hr). These positions are initially based at existing Calgary facilities and will eventually transition to the main campus.Aviation Services: Positions for flight test support, airfield operations, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) crews will open as the runway nears completion.Local Training & Workforce SupportTo prepare the local workforce in Strathmore and Wheatland County, the Alberta provincial government has invested $5 million into specialized training initiatives. This funding directly backs programs via the Elevate Aviation Learning Centre to fast-track training for high-demand careers like aircraft maintenance, drone operations, and ground crew logistics.Current operational openings can be tracked through the official De Havilland Canada Careers Portal. Phase 1: Foundations, Logistics, & Supply Chain (2026–2028)Following the official groundbreaking, Phase 1 focuses on grading the 1,559-acre site and establishing De Havilland's core logistical infrastructure.Manufacturing Hub: Building the initial aircraft parts and aerostructures manufacturing plants.Global Logistics: Constructing a massive global parts distribution center to support existing fleets worldwide.Airfield Core: Ground preparation and initial grading for the northern segment of the campus's aerodrome.Target: Initial buildings are scheduled to open and become operational by spring 2028.Phase 2: Final Assembly & Flight Testing (Late 2020s)Phase 2 transitions the campus from a component supplier to a complete, active aircraft manufacturing plant.Final Assembly Lines (FAL): Constructing the primary assembly bays for the DHC-515 Firefighter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, and Dash 8-400 fleets.Airfield Completion: Laying down the full 1,411-meter paved runway, enabling aircraft to undergo testing, certification, and direct client fly-away deliveries straight from the site.Overlap System: To maintain momentum, Phase 1 facilities will be fully operational and staffed while Phase 2 heavy construction occurs around them.Phase 3: Commercial Clustering & Long-Term Growth (Targeted Entry 2030s)The final master-planned phase integrates the wider aerospace sector into Wheatland County.Aviation Business Park: Developing commercial office towers, supplier warehouses, and engineering research hubs to attract aerospace contractors.Full Ecosystem Buildout: Completing long-term infrastructure, including full stormwater management systems and advanced training academies.Comprehensive Campus: The final outcome transforms the site into a fully unified industrial community expected to sustain 3,000 permanent jobs.