The club held its annual COPA for Kids Day on June 1st at Chestemere Kirkby Field. In comparison to the previous eight days which can be best described as monsoon season, 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.

Nine pilots and nine support volunteers worked together to make this event possible. We had a Cessna 140 (Pat Cunningham), Cessna 170 (Mike Sweere) and Cessna 182 Gerry McDonald) as well as a Piper Cherokee 235 (Bob Kirkby) from the certified category. From the amateur category we had a Bushcaddy 164 (Glen Bishell), Zenair CH-250 (Brian Vasseur), Cavalier (Stu Simpson), RV-10 (Troy Branch) and a Kitfox (Jim Corner). Ed D’Antoni handled preregistration; Kay Clarke, Barb Roberts (Forman) and Tina Simpson ran the registration desk. Glen Clarke was loadmaster with Andy Gustafson and Ed Wawzonek acted as ground marshals while Norm Vienneau taught ground school. Peter Perry handled the photography duties.

We introduced 44 kids to the joy of flying. 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 is for kids!

Here is an email from one of the parents:

“Did they enjoy? They were blown away by the experience! I can’t tell you how overjoyed, how completely over the moon Olivia was, and what a boost this was for her spirits (Freddy loved it as well, but he can do so much more than her, her mobility is such a limitation for her- this was something she could do and thoroughly enjoy and participate just the same as all the other kids). Thank you so much for organizing the day.”