Having organized a successful group fly-out to Invermere, BC on Saturday, March 19th Stu Simpson receive some regretful comments from several members who wished they had been able to go along but couldn’t. Noting their disappointment and enthusiasm Stu sent out an email the following Thursday suggesting another group fly-out to Golden, BC for Saturday, March 27th. The uptake was amazing and Friday evening another email arrived stating the trip was a go with 9+ aircraft expected to participate.

The weather Saturday morning turned out to be great, but not perfect, for mountain flying. A 15kt wind from the NW across the mountain tops was expected to product some bumps in the valleys with a few up and down drafts, but nothing too threatening. I was going to take my Cherokee on the adventure but Carl Forman offered me a ride in his RV9 so I opted for that. I’ve flown through the mountains a hundred times but never in the right seat so I was looking forward to having the time to gaze at the terrific scenery and experience flight in the RV9.

At approximately 1100 Saturday 12 aircraft started out for Golden. Here is the roster: From Chestermere-Kirkby Field: Barry Davis in his Zenair 600, Carl Forman and myself in Carl’s RV-9, Randy and Susan Fehr in their Cherokee 180, Stu Simpson in his Cavalier, Arnim Haase in his Zenair 250 From High River: Troy Branch and family in their RV-10, Doug Eaglesham and Brent Crowhurst in Doug’s Mooney, Guy Bourgoeis and Nick Mason in Guy’s RV-7A From Carstairs-Bishell: Glen Bishell in his Bush Caddy, Bashar Hussien and a friend in Bashar’s CH-750 From Indus: Pieter Terblanche and Kevin Cline in Pieter’s Rans S-10 From Airdrie: Gerry MacDonald and Barry Wood in their Cessna 182

We had a great cross section of aircraft types as well as representation from five different recreational air fields in the area. Carl and I were the first to arrive at Golden and over the next hour we watched as others arrived, one by one. This was Arnim’s first mountain flight so Stu hung back with him for moral support and they arrived last.

Upon arrival Stu had messages on his phone that Glen and Bashar had turned around at Banff having encountered uncomfortable sink rates in the downdrafts coming through the Minnewanka gap. Shortly after he received another message that Pieter had turned around near Exshaw for similar reasons. These were good choices. One should not continue into conditions one is uncomfortable flying in. As a guideline, if I’m flying the valleys I set a limit for myself of 20kt winds at 9000ft. Anything over that means flying in the valleys will be very bumpy with lots of up and down drafts.

After all had arrived we walked a mile and a half into town and found a nice place for a leisurely lunch. Guy Bourgeois and Nick Mason didn’t have enough time for lunch so they left for home as we started our trek into town. Lunch and the company were great but the walk back to the airport burned enough calories that I was hungry again!

One by one we departed Golden around 3:45 and had a bumpy ride back with 15-20kt winds from the NW. Depending on which valley we were in winds varied from a quartering tailwind to a quartering headwind. The flight was good and of course the scenery was spectacular. Carl and I arrived home about 5:00pm.

This had been a great day of fun flying and comradery. I think everyone had a great time and is looking forward to the next group fly-out. Thank you Stu for organizing this little air adventure.