Ice Pilots ONT - or the Fly-Out Lunch in Lindsey (CNF4)

It was Avery's suggestion last week that members fly out for a meal in Lindsey - and he got a pretty good take-up on it. Four aircraft (GPOO, GNEU, GTBD, FEAN) and 9 aircrew made the trip, which was good fun, in excellent, but frigid conditions. The food at the airport restaurant, as you can see, was well worth the effort. Add a 20 knot headwind into the equation and you'll see on the accompanying video (click here) that the outbound journey was quite a bit slower than the one made homeward.

Great fun - and a template for future Winter outings... Suggestions for the next destination, anyone ?

Another pilot joins the licensed ranks...

Jay had a beautiful day today for his Recreational Pilot's Flight Test. Clear blue skies and winds of less than 10 knots made for a really enjoyable experience for everyone concerned. Many congratulations on a great job - and to Matt too, who chalks up another training success for the Club.

Cross Dressing ?

So, what's Matt up to ? Is this the latest in survival equipment ? Actually, the answer is much simpler - sort of. A friend and hunting buddy has dropped his snowmobile through the ice on a lake up-country. Matt is planning to do some water work to recover the vehicle.

Is this your camera, Sir ?

So, the question occasionally arises, what would happen if you left your camera unattended around the Club? I guess the accompanying picture answers the question. Matt just couldn't resist leaving Avery some mementoes, when he saw the camera sitting in the lounge. The only question now is, "should we use this shot for Jay's official picture, when he passes his Recreational Licence Flight Test tomorrow ?"

Oshkosh Countdown underway... 218 days to go..

In case there's anyone out there who hasn't heard yet, there are several Club members heading for the Experimental Aircraft Association's Airventure in Oshkosh next Summer. I guess the initiative came from Avery, who attended in 2009. He inspired Mike and James to make the decision to fly in for the 2010 event. Then, Darren and Ken indicated interest, and when Dave heard about the trip, he signed up too. The more the merrier. There are side trips planned, perhaps, to Sporty's Pilot Shop and the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. These would be made either on the way to, or the on the way home from, the main event. Keep an eye on the blog for more news.

By the way, highlights of Airventure in 2010 will include the 75th anniversary of the DC-3 or Dakota, with a mass attendance of these remarkable aircraft, and a similar celebration of the Piper Cherokee, which clocks up 50 years as one of the World's most popular aircraft designs.

Time to spare, go by air - FALSE...

No names will be mentioned, but one of our members put the lie to the old saw about 'time to spare..' this week. Having spent nearly three frustrating hours waiting for VIA to show up with a delayed train, he called the Club and said, "do you have an aircraft free..? "

And the result, a much quicker trip to Toronto with just the same convenience as rail services provide - delivery right downtown, but on time and after a much more pleasurable experience.

Hats off to the Club for making this possible - and kudos to the enterprising member who came up with the idea...

Perhaps it will catch on...

if you want a hint about who the member was, check out this video - beautifully shot and edited by Sushee...

Matt gets another student onto the Night Flight...

Matt's annual tally of successful students this year continues to click up, even in the closing days of 2009. Last night, Mike completed the requirements for Night Rating with a solo cross country trip to Smiths Falls (CYSH); a more interesting experience than the 14 circuits completed the night before. With a number of other newer members interested in gaining their Night Ratings, the coming year should start well for Matt too.

Talk on Canada's last VC...

Don MacNeil will speak about Lt Robert Hampton Gray VC at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Rockcliffe, Ottawa on December 30th at 1 pm. Gray was decorated for his heroic actions during attacks on a Japanese warship in Onagawa Wan, Japan, in August, 1945. His plane, hit by anti-aircraft fire, was downed and his body was never recovered.

Don MacNeil will describe the career and many daring exploits of this gallant Canadian aviator, a member of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. There is a possibility that a light bus might be hired to transport Club members, if there is sufficient interest. Please mail me to indicate any support for this idea.