Local kids got the unique opportunity to soar high over Bonnyville, and learn about the world of aviation.
On Saturday, families from around the Lakeland gathered at the Bonnyville Airport for the annual COPA for Kids day. Hosted by the local COPA 90 branch and the Bonnyville Flight Club, COPA for Kids offers free flights for children.
“COPA, which is the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, is a national body and they provide us with the insurance and give us the booklets to give to the kids,” explained Kurt Richard, president of the local flight club and captain of COPA 90. “It's something to introduce children to aviation, it's our way as a club to give back to the community and try and encourage new young aviators.”
The program has grown substantially over the 15 years its been running at the local airport. Richard estimated they had around 100 kids go for flights on Saturday (Sept. 12) – twice the turnout they saw last year.
One of the families that took advantage of the opportunity was Heather Hiron, who brought her daughter Izzy Pettifer to COPA for Kids.
“I was in cadets from the time I was 12 to 19 and it was a huge part of growing up. My mom was captain of the cadets and it was air cadets, I got to go do ground training with gliders and Cessnas so it was always something I was interested in. My daughter has that interest as well so I thought I'd be something good for her to experience,” said Hiron.
Hoping her daughter would love flying as much as she did growing up, Hiron got her wish as Pettifer already couldn't wait to get in a plane again.
“It was awesome. I've never been in a plane like that, that one was really fast,” said 10-year-old Pettifer after landing. “My favourite part was when (the pilot) turned, it felt like you were going upside down.”
Pettifer went up in the plane with her friends, sisters Chloe and Kylie Remillard. For both girls, it was their first time experiencing a bird's eye view.
“It was fun. I've never been on a plane at all, it was my first time and it was really fun,” said 10-year-old Chloe.
Kylie, 8, added, “It was fun. My favourite part was when he was going up and down and when he was turning.”
Each young first-time aviator that show up was given the opportunity to take a flight in one of five planes rotating for the day. Richard expressed that it's a way for the local club to clear up myths about aviation and hopefully attract some new faces to the join the group.
“Generally, aviation is seen as for older people. At first sight it's expected that it's an expensive thing to do but it's really no more costly than buying a sea-doo or quad or that type of hobby. At the very low end of aviation you can do it quite cost effective,” explained Richard.
Currently, there are 40 people that are involved with the local flying club. The group meets once a month to discuss happenings at the airport and operated the fuel sales. Members don't need to own an airplane, just an interest to be involved with aviation in the community. Through programs like COPA for Kids the Bonnyville flight club is hoping to bring in some new members.
“It's a great hobby and a past time so we want to encourage youth to get involved in it. We don't want to see aviation die in the community,” said Richard.
He added, “Now, we have the Lakeland Flight Services running the school here and that's a great thing to have at a community airport to try and promote aviation and new aviators.”
For more information on the COPA for Kids program, visit www.copaforkids.org.
