July Jump for AIQ officially commemorated...

This morning a montage of pictures from the fund-raising parachute jump made in July by Anne-Marie and others was installed in the Club. It joins a variety of displays highlighting the Club's 80th Anniversary and brings a welcome splash of colour to the wall, just inside the front door.

Flying Club well represented at Bush Pilot Talk...

Felicity McKendry is shown having her copy of Gene Manion's book, "Flying on the Edge" signed by the author after an excellent talk he gave to a meeting of the Wolfe Island Historical Society. The talk, which lasted just over an hour, gave some amazing insights into the practical, and political, challenges faced by those who provided aviation services to an impoverished Newfoundland from the early 1960s on. Manion, originally a Wolfe Islander, moved to Newfoundland in 1960 after 7 years as a pilot with the RCAF, flying the CF-100. Despite daunting conditions and significant business rivalries, he went on, over several decades, to build the most successful aviation service company around, with more than a dozen aircraft, including a four-engined transport and a number of contracted helicopters. Members of the Club present, besides Felicity, included James Baldwin and Mike Hill. Anyone wishing to pick up a copy of Gene Manion's excellent book can find details, including ordering information, here.

Want your aviation news in video...?

If you have some time on your hands (study for exams got too much for you, perhaps?) this website features aviation news in video. Despite the relentless injection of short advertising clips, the content is varied and frequently exciting. An article on the Granleys, who have two generations in Canadian military flying, including Snowbird work, features a lot of display footage. Enjoy !

Forgotten Luxury of an Historic Airliner..

Many thanks to Al Baldry for information about this historic aircraft's restoration. Eighty years on, Vintage Aircraft (a Division of the EAA) has produced an article (click here to read it) about the Boeing 40C pictured above (US Reg N5339. No year of manufacture is given, but the restoration article indicates that the aircraft went down in October 1928. A hint of the pleasures of early airline travel can be gained from this picture of the interior luxury (note, the pilot sat in an open cockpit!).

And the crowning glory, for those on broadband, the restorers delightful video about the project - with FLYING footage...!

The home website of the marvellous Pemberton family, who have many more historic aircraft in their hangars, can be reached by clicking here. What a great job they are doing...

Practical Nostalgia...

So, you've always had that desire to own and fly a Spitfire, but worries about being able to keep it serviced have kept you from making the final move.. Now, there's no need to worry. Click this link to order the Haynes Spitfire Workshop Manual. You know you want to.

Matt scores a hat trick - Congratulations to our three intrepid aviators..

Many congratulations to the three pilots who successfully tackled their Flight Tests this weekend. Kaitlyn, Scott and Steve all did their instructors, and the Club, proud. It will make for a memorable weekend for all concerned. Hopefully, the achievement will pave the way for much more active flying within the Club, although at least one successful pilot is due to leave Kingston shortly. Although we're missing Kaitlyn's picture (it's traditional that we conduct at least one flight test in the gathering darkness eh, Glenn?) we do have pictures of two very happy pilots and a proud instructor. We'll catch up with Kaitlyn's picture before long.

Bush Flying Talk announced...

This coming Wednesday, at 7 pm, Gene Manion, a bush pilot with many tales to tell of flying in Newfoundland, where he ran the largest private air services operation after a career in the Air Force, will discuss his adventures and his recently released book, "Flying on the Edge". The talk will take place in the United Church Hall, which is on Victoria Street. Do note that the Wolfe Island Ferry is now running to its Winter Dock - taking the 6 o'clock boat is recommended.

Always a pleasant surprise at Corporate Aircraft..

When you're lucky enough to make fairly regular trips to Oshawa with Club aircraft for servicing, it's always interesting to see what's sitting in the hangar of our AMO, Corporate Aircraft Restorations. Today, the team were working on various aircraft, all of them immensely important to their owners. But, the aeroplane that stood out amongst the others was at the back of the hangar, close to the office complex. A beautiful, camouflage-painted Hawker Hurricane is in for some work from the collection of historic aircraft owned by Ed Russell. The aircraft, a Mark XII, was originally built in 1942 There are some great pictures of it in the open air on Airliners.Net. Enjoy!

Jim makes it a double today...

Jim was the second pilot to place himself in the hands of an examiner today. Getting into the air only after the cloud began to descend and the winds were a little stronger, he faced all the same challenges as Phillip - and maybe a few more besides. The great news is that he met all the required standards to achieve a pass and clear the Flight Test hurdle; something for all of us to celebrate at Thanksgiving.

Another Pilot joins the ranks...

Phillip completed the long journey to full certification this morning by successfully tacking the formal Flight Test. Conditions were very good, with high, broken clouds ensuring that there was no glare, and winds light enough to be almost negligible. All those conditions combined to ensure that Phillip was over the test hurdle by 1:30 pm. Congratulations on a great performance.

Book me in for the Flight Test - the Written is behind me..

It's not clear that Scott actually said that this morning after he cracked the Transport Canada written exam, but I'm sure that it's what he was feeling. Most people believe that the most daunting aspect of gaining certification is successfully passing the four written papers. With that behind him, Scott is ready to tackle the pure delight of the Flight Test.

Piper Tri-Pacer pops in for breakfast..

This locally owned Piper Tri-Pacer, based on Wolfe Island, was the first aircraft to make it into CYGK for our Fly-In Breakfast, taking advantage of a short break in the rain showers and occasional thunderstorms that marked the first hour or so of the event.

Ultralight Eagle..

This Challenger Ultralight from the Kingston Ultralight Club was one of the aircraft to brave the elements and make it into Kingston for our Fly-In Breakfast on October 4th. It sported a very well executed Eagle paint job, which the pilot remarked had, 'come with the airplane'.

Unusual Aircraft at the Fly-In

Perhaps the most unusual aircraft to fly in for the Club's breakfast last weekend was a Velocity, which made it down from Arnprior. Certainly deserving of the description 'complex aircraft', this type features a pusher engine, canard foreplanes, swept wings and retractable undercarriage. As the name and appearance strongly suggest, this is a fast aircraft, with sustained cruise speeds in excess of 175 Knots. To really see this aircraft type to best advantage, watch this video compiled at Air Venture's Velocity Cook-Out.

Historic Jet visits Kingston

The weekend of October 4th was an important one for the Club. As part of the Fly-In Breakfast organized to celebrate our 80th Anniversary - in the 100th Anniversary Year of powered flight in Canada - we were honoured to have the F-86 Sabre Jet currently flying in the famous colours of the Golden Hawks aerobatic team join us in Kingston.

The accompanying photographs are just a few of the dozens dedicated to capturing the presence of this wonderful example of a flying historic aircraft.