Young Eagles Did Its Magic

Linden. A rural, agricultural-based community 45 miles northeast of Calgary. Home to some 630 of Alberta’s finest citizens. Home to an unregistered, grass airstrip for the past 10 years. The well-kept secret location for home-cooked meals and pie to die for. Site of a cooperative Young Eagles event on October 14, 2006.

Electricity filled the air to replace the cold, jet-stream winds that had canceled the YE event the week before. Parents and Young Eagles began assembling by 8 AM as firefighters from the Linden Volunteer Fire/Rescue and COPA Flight volunteers worked feverishly to prepare the site. The apron was secured by stakes and tape. A registration tent and processing desk were put into place and powered up by the fire truck generator. Distance pylons were placed on the airstrip. The electricity continued to build as the official hour for commencement approached. Much planning had gone into creating as safe, organized, and fun a day as possible. All that was about to go out the window!

Morning fog was holding the majority of the volunteer pilots from leaving their home airports for Linden. The 06:30 weather call left it to the discretion of the pilots to make their way to the event as soon as was safely practical. By 08:30, over 120 vibrating Young Eagles and parents had assembled in front of the registration tent, anxiously awaiting their chance to take flight. Three aircraft, able to carry five passengers, had made it to the apron for the planned pilots’ briefing. It was going to be a long day!

The expectant crowd continued to grow as a capable and energetic team processed registrations and printed YE certificates. The Young Eagles’ energy was engaged in the first of two ground schools, held in the nearby senior citizens’ lodge. The decision was made to launch the planes we had. By 09:45, a C-180, a Rans S-12, and a Bush Caddy were airborne for a 20-minute circuit. The YE participants were understanding yet frustrated by the likelihood of more time getting between them and their introduction to light aircraft.

The weather gods took pity. Over the next two hours, five Cessna 182s, three C-170/172/177s, a Decathlon, a Piper Archer, a Beech Musketeer, and several advanced ultralights and amateur-built planes took up the cause. At the peak, 15 aircraft capable of carrying 32 passengers were making it through the prearranged route. The members of COPA Flight 14 (Calgary), COPA Flight 114 (CUFC), COPA Flight 134 (Airdrie), and flyers from adjacent aerodromes had come through. Not a single wanting youth flyer was left without a flight of a lifetime. A few older eagles and otherwise committed youth would have to wait until next time. Seven aircraft from the Calgary Ultralight Flying Club (COPA Flight 114) stopped in for breakfast and lent their support to the regional cooperation. Local remote-controlled aircraft operators helped take the kids’ minds off their waits with a welcomed sideshow.

By 2 PM, the teardown was complete, and 110 Young Eagles were proudly sporting their certificates. The deserving Linden Fire and COPA volunteers were headed to the local restaurant, the Country Cousins, for a bite to eat and fellowship. Within the hour, the supply of pie and buffet fixings had been severely depleted. Already the legends were being spun.

This was the little airstrip that “could” at a town with a big heart for aviation. A 2500-foot grass strip, extracted from farmland and guarded by power lines on the threshold of runway 34-16, had its challenges. A perfect place to hone your attention and skills for performance take-offs over obstacles and soft field techniques. The apron, complete with wind sock, is a mere 100 steps to Main Street and the warmth of the local citizens. A gem to be experienced. Check it out at N51.35 W113.30, just 10 NM north of Beiseker (CFV2).

This event was a model example of cooperation between COPA Flights and local organizations. The result was a level of participation and excitement well beyond what any of the organizers expected when the event was conceived over coffee in the Country Cousins restaurant one day in August. Hats off to the volunteers of Linden Fire/Rescue for promoting the event and for their active duty in every aspect of delivering a safe and memorable day. There must also be a tip of the wings to the volunteer pilots who modeled the safe operation of their aircraft, showed impeccable radio work and procedures at a busy uncontrolled aerodrome, and displayed airmanship that all of general aviation would be proud of. Their flying brought the excitement to reality. Many volunteer ground staff and sponsors also facilitated the planning and execution of the event. In total, 37 volunteers were active leading up to and conducting the aviation day Linden will not soon forget.

Within 24 hours, the official photographs were published to the internet for download by participating families. See http://www.pbase.com/pjo/ye_linden for the permanent photo record. 110 new entries will be made in the EAA’s world’s largest logbook in Oshkosh. Everyone grew from the experience and many new bonds were formed. Youths’ eyes were opened to possibilities. The skies over Linden will continue to welcome the approach of aviators and even the occasional whine of revving propellers. Young Eagles did its magic.

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to my Co-Chair, Michael Ratzlaff, and all the volunteers brought to bear by the Linden Fire/Rescue squad. Without this crew, we could not have pulled off this day. Thanks also for creating the excitement and imagination of the over 100 Young Eagles from Linden and area that showed up to fly.

To the planes and pilots who overcame the morning weather to make this event happen, a salute and a barrel roll are in order!

Of course, we also did have sponsors that helped facilitate the event. Local Linden businesses, Microsoft Canada, Artisan Aviation, and the Calgary Flying Club are but a few.

Also, thanks to Chad Conrad, COPA Flight 14 Captain, for sharing his YE experiences and documents. Richard Wiskar, thanks for mustering the troops in Airdrie.

Thanks to John Thorpe for pulling together the ground school and Ian Miller for manning the registration desk.

Congratulations to all on jobs well done! Thanks for allowing me to light the fuse (and run like hell!).

Safe journeys and blue skies.