OK, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Fortunately, it was later. Yup, Ol’ Man Winter finally reared his ugly head! With temperatures in the -20°C to -30°C range, most of us have been waiting out the deep freeze for some warmer temperatures. However, there were some impressive group flights this month, including a gaggle of 21 aircraft descending on Linden last weekend!
The Linden airstrip has been the subject line of many e-mails this month. For those of you who are not familiar with Linden, this small town about 50 miles northeast of Calgary has been maintaining a grass strip for a number of years now. The strip is located just meters from three local restaurants, and the Calgary flying community has taken advantage of this fact for numerous breakfast runs over the years. The grass strip itself is oriented 34/16 and is about 3000’ with a small ramp at the south end. The runway terminates at the main road and has a formidable set of power lines on the opposite side of the road. Although they are marked, it still requires the attention of the pilot while landing 34. One interesting fact is that the airport is not listed in the CFS, so all this activity has spread through word of mouth.
Last year, members of the CUFC and the Calgary Flying Club (CFC) arranged a Young Eagles day in Linden and were able to fly a large number of local kids despite less-than-perfect weather conditions. This effort was extremely well received, and the good hospitality we had always received in town became even greater.
Bob Kirkby had the opportunity to talk with one of the Linden town representatives on a recent breakfast run, which prompted him to send the following e-mail:
While having pie in Linden on Saturday, Dennis Penner, a local businessman, approached me to discuss the power line. Bill Beaton had previously discussed with him the possibility of burying the power line at the south end of the airstrip. The YE day that Bill organized for them last year made a big impression.
Since Bill spoke with him, a small group of local business people, including the Country Cousins Restaurant owner, have done some research and received a quote from ATCO on burying the line. They are now ready to bring it to council for approval. He asked if he could get a few letters or emails of support from the pilots who frequent the airstrip.
He explained that they want to move the airstrip (make a new one) a few hundred feet east in order not to be in line with some development that might take place on the south side of the road, opposite the current runway location. Then they would bury the power line at that point (on the east side of the trees). They said they would leave a taxiway to the existing ramp.
After all of this is completed, they want to register the airstrip.
I offered to round up some support for him. For your reference, I have attached a letter I emailed to him yesterday, which he says is exactly what he wants. He would like more from the other pilots with their personal views on the advantages of burying the power line and making a new airstrip.
Dennis also mentioned they might run an action in the spring to help raise money for this project. I told him to make sure to let us know about it, and we will be there to spend some money.
Let’s let the people of Linden know how much we appreciate their airstrip and how much we love to visit their town and buy their food.
Send an email to Dennis giving him support on this project in your own words. The council meeting is on November 26th, so make sure you do it before then.
Dennis runs the Lin-View real estate agency in Linden. His email address is: linview@linview.ca
As a result, a number of CUFC and CFC pilots have stepped up to the plate with $100 pledges to help support the effort of upgrading the field. It’s extremely encouraging to see such a positive response to the flying community from the general public, especially when none of the local taxpayers own or operate aircraft out of the strip! Feel free to pledge what you can to the effort if you feel there is value in the airstrip.
We’ll be sure to keep you informed of the situation in Linden as details become available.
As most of you are aware, I’m attending the AME course at SAIT’s Art Smith Aero Center on the east side of Calgary International Airport. This facility is one of the best such facilities in Canada and is very well equipped. The engine shops are loaded with piston and turbine engines of all types. The helicopter shop includes several piston and turbine helicopters. The fixed-wing fleet includes homebuilts, floatplanes, light and medium twins, and a Boeing 737.
This week, I approached the school administration about getting a tour of this state-of-the-art facility. We have arranged for the January 10th meeting to be held there to be followed by a full tour of the building and its many shops. More details are included on the cover page.
I wish a Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Calgary Recreational Flying Club YYC 