The Calgary Recreational and Ultralight Flying Club, COPA Flight 114, held its annual COPA for Kids Day on October 2 at Chestermere Kirkby Field. The weather was clear with very light, sometimes nonexistent winds and virtually no turbulence. It was perfect for a young aviator’s very first flight.

Seven pilots and seventeen support staff worked together to make this event possible. We had a Cessna 140, 170, Piper Cherokee 235, and an Aeronca Champ. From the amateur category, we had a Christavia, Bushcaddy, and an RV10.

The kids were full of enthusiasm and excitement, and the parents were pleased and grateful. They’ll never forget this day. It was as much fun for the volunteers as it was for the kids!

Here are a few emails from the parents:

“What a fabulous start to our Sunday morning. Please pass along my thanks to ALL of the volunteers for such a positive educational day. I didn’t have the car to the highway, and Rory was already talking about ‘next year’ and doing it again.”

“Thank you very much!! They had the time of their lives and couldn’t be happier. We all enjoyed it very much!! The picture is beautiful, thank you one more time, and I hope this is the first but not the last time they have the chance to enjoy flying as they did yesterday.”

“Thank you very much, Carl, for such an awesome service you and your colleagues offer our kids!! This was a great thrill for them that they are telling all their buddies about … over and over!”

In the end, a grand total of 32 kids were introduced to the joys of flying.