It sounds like a childhood fantasy – soaring through the skies in a fighter jet.
Well, here’s a chance to turn that dream into reality. Barrhead Public Library’s “The Sky is the Limit Raffle” has an unusual first prize: a flight in an L39 Albatross fighter jet.
The lucky winner will take off from Josephsburg Airport near Fort Saskatchewan and fly for about 45 minutes, probably at speeds of around 300 mph, following the route of the North Saskatchewan River.
The flight is being donated by pilot Ed McDonald, from Jetpro Aviation Technologies.
McDonald agreed to do it after being approached by Barrhead County councillor Darrell Troock.
“I knew of Ed McDonald through my brother,” said Troock. “He also did some work at our airport in Barrhead, installing a GPS unit about five years ago.
“At that time he offered a flight in our community as a fundraiser, and I suppose the offer was put on the backburner until now.”
Troock, a trustee with Yellowhead Regional Library, said McDonald would give the raffle winner the option of going on an exciting, pulse-pounding flight, complete with G-force manoeuvres, or a pleasant, sight-seeing cruise.
Before take-off there will be a briefing.
Library director Elaine Dickie was thrilled with McDonald’s donation.
She said the flight would only be offered to someone who is in good health and over 18. A waiver will need to be signed.
“There is no fixed date for the flight,” she said. “Of course, the weather will be a factor determining when it takes place.”
The second draw prize is a $250 session at Barrhead’s Spa Fixations.
Five hundred raffle tickets have been printed. They cost $20 each and can be bought at Barrhead Public Library. The draw date is June 17.
Dickie said money from the fundraiser would go towards the library’s youth programming.
Last Thursday, the library’s cap intern Veronica Dumonceau said the tickets were selling quickly.
