It was the perfect day to go flying and the number of smiles that could be seen by the participants of this weekend’s COPA for Kids event at the Barrhead Johnson Industrial Airport agreed.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, close to 60 young people gathered at the airport to take part in Barrhead’s first ever COPA For Kids flight.
The event’s aim, which was organized with the help of Whitecourt COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association) Flight 185, an offshoot of the Whitecourt Flying Club, is to introduce young people from the ages from 8 to 17 years old to the world of general aviation.
The day, which is free for the kids and their parents, includes a mini-ground school, static aviation displays as well as aircraft tours by the actual aircraft owners.
At the end of the day the youths are taken on a short introductory flight.
John Burrows, COPA Flight 185 president, said the Whitecourt Flying Club first started the event two years ago and it was so popular they decided to see if they could help other communities stage their own event.
“Every year we hold one a Kids For Kids Flight in Whitecourt and then try to help organize one for one the smaller communities in the area,” Burrows said. “Last year it was Mayerthorpe, this year it was Barrhead.”
Wade Evans, president of the Barrhead Flying Club, said after he took part in last year’s event in Mayerthorpe he knew he wanted to make sure young people in Barrhead had the same opportunity.
“It’s just a great event and we could not have picked a better day for it,” Evans said. “It is clear, warm sunny day with practically no wind. It is the perfect day to introduce people to flying.”
Evan said the event not only proved to be popular with the young people, but the pilots and other volunteers as well.
When Whitecourt held their COPA for Kids event in June, five pilots volunteered their airplanes. In Barrhead, the number was 13.
Although majority of the 13 aircraft that took part in the event were from Whitecourt or Barrhead, there was one pilot from Calgary who flew his Robinson R44 helicopter.
“I read about the event in the COPA newsletter and I know how much the kids appreciate the COPA for Kids events, so I thought I would come and help out,” Claude Boutin said.
Evans said because of the number of people attending and the positive feedback the flying club has received they hope to make the event a yearly event.
“You can see the excitement and the enthusiasm in everyone’s faces, how much people enjoyed the event,” Evans said. “There is not a person here, child, pilot or volunteer that does not have a big smile.”
“I have been flying most of my life,” Evans said. “Aviation is wonderful pastime and it can be a great career as well. “
