24 February 2012

New Restaurant for Saugeen Municipal Airport

By Phil Englishman, COPA Director

Now for some fantastic news at CYHS. As of 15 March 2012, Frankie’s, a great restaurant & pub in Hanover is setting up shop at the Saugeen Municipal Airport and the operation is going to be known as "Frankie’s at the Airport".

The menu will include inexpensive breakfasts and lunches. To check out Frankie’s go to their website to see what you are in store for at the airport.

In the interim great food will still be available at CYHS.

* Saugeen Municipal Airport website

Classic Air Rallye for 2012

Classic Air Rallye organizer Ben Loiselle has provided some news about the event for 2012. After the Air Rallye was cancelled for 2011 it will be back this year in a modified form.

For 2012 it will be called Capital Classic Wings & Wheels, to recognize classic car participation in the show and will be reduced from two days to one, being held on Saturday, 9 June 2012.

23 February 2012

Pontiac Airpark Looks For Farm Buyer

By André Durocher

Pontiac Airpark (PAP) is searching to find a buyer for an 80 acre farm located immediately north of the 85 acres recently acquired by PAP.

The farm includes a 3 story cement bloc house built in 1914, a hangar and a stable. The owner of the 80 acres could develop an equestrian facility for the residents of the PAP and for any other interested people. This 80 acres could be part of the bigger project including the airport, the seaplane base and … (more to come).

* Pontiac Airpark Homepage

22 February 2012

Peterborough Airport Restaurant Closed

By Nancy Hewitt, Peterborough Airport Operations Coordinator

The restaurant operators have closed the Runway 27 Café without notice, as of today, 21 February 2012.

At this time we are unable to determine how long the restaurant will be closed. The City will be assessing the situation and providing a solution as soon as possible.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

19 February 2012

Ottawa Flying Club to Hold 84th Annual Wings Dinner

The Ottawa Flying Club just sent this announcement:

The Ottawa Flying Club is very excited to announce that the keynote speaker for 2012 Wings Dinner to be held on Saturday May 5th is well seasoned and experienced pilot, Rob "Scratch" Mitchell.

Rob hails from Victoria, British Columbia and comes by his passion for aviation by way of family heritage. Whether it was hearing the harrowing tales of his grandfather flying Spitfires in WWII or watching his dad fly jets in the 70s and 80s, Rob knew he would be an aviator. Rob joined the Canadian Forces in 1989, graduating top of his pilot class in 1992, before being sent to Cold Lake, Alberta for CF-5 and CF-18 training.

After completing an operational tour at 433 (ETAC) in Bagotville, Quebec, Scratch was posted to instruct on the CF-18 Hornet at 410 Sqn back in Cold Lake. While there, he was selected as the 1999 CF-18 demonstration pilot and flew the Air Force colours proudly for the 75th anniversary of the RCAF. Immediately following his show season, Rob was selected to fly with the Snowbirds as the Number 7 pilot on the outer left wing.

In October 2006 Rob was selected to return to the Snowbirds as the Commanding Officer and Team Leader for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Scratch attended the Australian Command and Staff College in Canberra, Australia.

Following 20 fulfilling years in the Air Force, Rob recently took up a position with WestJet Airlines and is currently living in Vancouver, British Columbia. Scratch has the privilege to work with the Vintage Wings organization, where he coordinates the flight safety program and flies the Golden Hawk F-86 Sabre. As well, Scratch recently joined the illustrious ranks of the Patriots Jet Team, flying in the number 5 position. Rob has formal training in Human Factors in aviation, a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and a Masters degree in Strategy and Management. In addition to aviation, Scratch is passionate about surfing, sailing and acting. Scratch has had the honour of representing Canada at several world sailing events and is a working actor in Vancouver. Throughout his 22 years as an aviator, Rob has amassed more than 6000 hours, including 2,000 hours of high performance solo and formation jet aerobatics.

The 2012 Wings Dinner, the Ottawa Flying Club's annual celebration to mark the achievements of our student pilots in achieving their Private, Commercial, Multi, IFR and other ratings, will be held on Saturday, May 5th, 2012.

The dinner will be held at Restaurant International- the culinary school restaurant at Algonquin College.

As well as the awarding of the Wings for those who have achieved their private license since May 2011 to the time of this year's dinner, various licenses and ratings, and other awards, the evening will include our guest speaker, Rob "Scratch" Mitchell. Cocktails will be available at 6:00 P.M., and Supper will be served at 7:00 P.M.... there will be a cash bar.

* The event's page on Facebook
* OFC website

17 February 2012

Pontiac Airpark Expands

By André Durocher

Pontiac Airpark (PAP) is expanding!

PAP just bought a 85 acres of residential land located immediately north of the PAP project and north of the River Road. This land will help improve the PAP project.

* Pontiac Airpark Homepage

12 February 2012

The Ottawa Flying Club Restructures

From the Ottawa Flying Club

By R. Adam Martin, M.Sc., Interim President, on behalf of the OFC Board of Directors

A Message for the Board of Directors - OFC Management Transition

In order to improve operations and the financial position of the Ottawa Flying Club, the position of Chief Executive Officer has been eliminated and we have returned to a management structure lead by a General Manager and Chief Flight Instructor. The objective of this change is to create a secure environment offering the best possible customer experience through improved responsiveness and effectively satisfying the needs of our customers as students, licensed pilots or contractors of flight training.

The new management structure contributes to our objectives by reducing administrative overhead, streamlining communication, and increasing the use of member volunteers. As a result, more resources will be available for investment on facilities and equipment, as well as providing for contingencies.

Mark Champagne, who has extensive previous experience in this position at the OFC, has accepted the position of General Manager. John Porter continues in the position of Chief Flight Instructor assisted by Andrew Simpson, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor. With experienced staff filling these positions, we are confident that this management transition will be accomplished with no disruption in flight training and operations.

09 February 2012

Invitation to meet COPA Directors

by Patrick Gilligan, Vice President, Operations, Canadian Owners and Pilots Association

Invitation to meet COPA Directors from across Canada March 23rd at 6:30 PM

COPA Flight members are invited to come and meet the COPA Directors from across Canada. The venue is the Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre in Ste-Anne de Bellevue Montreal West Island on Friday, March 23rd starting at 6:30 PM.

03 February 2012

Things Are Looking Up At Diamond Aircraft

Since Diamond's buyout by Medrar Financial Group of Dubai the company has been on a more even financial footing. This has has all kinds of benefits, like inspiring customers to buy planes. Diamond just put out this press release on a big order for up to 26 DA40s.

Diamond Aircraft and Flight Training Adelaide announce DA40 fleet order

Diamond Aircraft and Flight Training Adelaide announce DA40 fleet order Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) has contracted with Diamond Aircraft, in conjunction with their Australian distributor Hawker Pacific, for the purchase of up to 26 DA40 aircraft, to be based at Parafield, Australia. The first four of eight 2012 deliveries will be made midyear, with options for 18 additional aircraft scheduled for 2013 and 2014 delivery. The single engine Garmin G1000 equipped DA40s replace FTA's aging single engine Socata TB10s and Grob 115s and will complement their seven DA42 L360 aircraft.

"We chose the DA40 because it was the best fit for our strategic acquisition and upgrade program. It offers the technology we desire, simplicity of operation and maintenance and is underpinned by a strong aircraft manufacturer in Diamond Aircraft Industries Canada, who are ably supported by their partner Hawker Pacific in Australia," said Pine Pienaar, CEO of FTA. "We train cadets to become professional pilots for our partner airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Qantas, QantasLink, JAL Express and J-Air. Our airline partners demand competent and technology savvy pilots, regardless of whether we are training to a conventional training syllabus or for the Multi-Crew Pilots licence. The modern low-drag DA40 with its full glass cockpit provides the perfect introduction for cadets and is an easy transition to our DA42 twins. We have been very satisfied with Diamond's after sales support and this is an important element of our decision."

"We're delighted that FTA has selected the DA40 to modernize their substantial single engine fleet," said Peter Maurer, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. "With its modern glass cockpit, superb handling, fuel efficient airframe, demonstrated reliability in high utilization flight training and proven best safety record, the DA40 is ideal for professional flight training and best complements the fleet of DA42 twins that FTA has been operating since 2007. The local parts and service support offered by Hawker Pacific, our distributor for Australia and New Zealand, undoubtedly enhanced our bid and we are grateful to Hawker Pacific for their great work in securing this significant order."