— By Gus and Clara Corujo

The Upright Aviation Academy on Saturday, August 5, opened its doors in Burlington, Ontario, to the aviation community and the general public for its first open house. A significant number of visitors had the opportunity to tour the new 8,000-square-foot facility, view its fleet of aircraft, engage in conversations with pilots, and meet Milton Mayor Gord Krantz.

Krantz joined Upright Aviation Academy founder Geoff Armstrong in welcoming the visitors during the opening ceremonies. The event included a ceremonial cake-cutting and an inspiring speech.

Upright Aviation Academy is a Transport Canada-certified flight school and pilot training facility located at Burlington Airport (CZBA) in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. What began as an idea 10 years ago came to life in 2019 with a simple mission: To enhance pilot training and safety.

The academy utilizes the Extra 300L and the Super Decathlon (8KCAB) for its operations and training. The company focuses on upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT), aerobatic flight training and exhilarating thrill rides.

— By Phil Lightstone

The KRCM Giant Scale Rally 2023 “Size Does Matter” event was another success for the 35th straight year. The Kingston Radio Control Modelers (KRCM) received its SOC from Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) and was able host the Kingston Giant Scale Rally on August 19 and 20, 2023, at the KRCM flying field near Kingston, Ontario.

To facilitate the event, KRCM offered online registration for R/C pilots. Online registration was closed on Wednesday with 71 pilots and 200 giant scale model aircraft registered. With the popularity of the event, camping space and parking was at a premium. Modelers travelled from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, the United States and other faraway locations to attend the event. Many KRCM members not only volunteered but also flew their giant scale model aircraft. There were 65 pilots, 81 model aircraft and approximately 125 guests in attendance.

For flyers, the cost of the weekend is $20. There is no cost for spectators and volunteers. The weekend event featured on-site camping, a dinner on Saturday night ($25 per ticket), a live local band on Saturday night as well as fun flying during Saturday and Sunday. During the day, volunteers were busy with cooking breakfast and lunch, featuring their famous Egg McRolly’s (a tip of the hat to long-time KRCM member Rolly Siemonsen). Commemorative t-shirts were available for purchase during the event.

With the loss by MAAC of Transport Canada’s exemption to CARs Section IX, American R/C enthusiasts were accommodated at the KRCM flying field by joining MAAC with a 90-day temporary membership; write (and pass) Transport Canada’s RPS exam; and obtaining a Transport Canada Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC). The KRCM provided the necessary links to Transport Canada’s website to help guide the foreign RC pilot through their Canadian regulatory obligations.

Andre Robillard, Tony Davis and I (members of COPA Flight 44 and the Buttonville Flying Club) travelled to the event on Saturday from Toronto. With the use of the Kingston Flying Club’s courtesy car, we were able to travel to the KRCM’s flying field, located just north of Odessa ON (about a 20 minute drive north west of Kingston). Tony Davis reports: “the pilots were extremely talented and the level of detail to scale was incredible. These guys take their hobby seriously and really talented pilots.”

Saturday saw high winds at Kingston (CYGK was reporting winds at 290 degrees 10 gusting 15 knots). The winds at the KRCM flying field, for most of the day, was a healthy cross wind on the pristine grass model aircraft aerodrome. For radio controlled model aircraft, the gusts, cross winds combined with trees on two sides of the field and the pit area (MAAC and KRCM safety rules preclude flying models over or behind the pit area), the conditions were challenging for all but the most competent aviators. But these conditions did not deter many of the attendees from flying. Owen Penk flew his scale P51 Mustang (inclusive retractable landing gear), which was a hit with the crowd.

Sadly, the P51 was damaged during a “hot” landing, because of going off the end of the field. Owen was able to repair the landing gear and flew the aircraft later that evening. Brian Perkins flew his Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c World War 1 single engine two seat biplane used for reconnaissance, light bomber, night fighter, training and coastal patrol aircraft. Brian flew the B.E.2c on Saturday, but the inherent design of the aircraft makes it a “hairy” flier in high gusty crosswinds. While Brian flew the B.E.2c without incident, it was not a comfortable flight for the modeler, risking thousands of hours invested into the building of this scale model. On Sunday afternoon, a Carbon Cub giant scale model went into the trees at the east end of the field and was damaged.

Saturday night dinner was catered by a local Kingston business with a meal consisting of chicken and pork souvlaki skewers, baked potato, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, cake for dessert and coffee, tea or pop to drink. Jay Kingston, Kingston Giant Scale Rally Event Coordinator reports: “Everyone was very satisfied with the meal and I didn’t hear any complaints”.

Sunday saw more favorable winds at the KRCM’s flying field, with more modellers flying their giant scale model aircraft than on Saturday. High gusty winds, with a large crosswind component can be challenging for lightweight model aircraft and requires exceptional skill to ensure that the aircraft is not damaged due to a bad landing. As a R/C model aircraft instructor, I would let students know that at some point, they will “re-kit” their models, unless they hang them up. Crashing and fixing are just part of the hobby. Fortunately, there were very few model aircraft crashes during the weekend.

Save the date for the 36th annual KRCM Giant Scale Rally 2023 “Size Does Matter” event to be held on August 17 and 18, 2024. The event offers great food, cool model aircraft, excellent comradery and social events. To really experience the event, you might consider camping at the flying field for the weekend. You won’t be disappointed with the experience.

— By Gus and Clara Corujo

Renowned as Canada’s largest Classic Aircraft and Classic Car event, the 32nd annual Edenvale Gathering of the Classics, hosted by the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation (ECAF), originally planned for Saturday, August 12, shifted to its rain day on Sunday, August 13.

The event truly lived up to its reputation this year as Canada’s largest classic aircraft and classic car gathering. A captivating array of biplanes, Second World War trainers, homebuilt aircraft, helicopters, vintage automobiles, motorcycles, classic aircraft, military vehicles, as well as helicopter and airplane rides, enchanted the attendees.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association from Tillsonburg, Ontario, proudly showcased two of its remarkable aircraft. Meanwhile, the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation’s expansive collection of aviation memorabilia was on display, connecting with those who share an abiding interest in the aircraft of yesteryears.

The festivities were enriched by an array of food vendors, diverse displays, engaging children’s activities, and much more – all thoughtfully orchestrated to entertain attendees of all ages. Moreover, the Canadian Air and Space Conservancy exhibited the AVRO Arrow replica, adding to the charm of the occasion and ensuring a memorable experience for all who attended.

— By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Sasktoday.ca (Image: Wikipedia, 

Melfort’s airport, based in northeast Saskatchewan, will receive improvements to its runway and lights this summer.

Lydia Steffen, Director of Public Works for the City of Melfort said the funding the city received was through the Community Airport Partnership Grant, which is a cost sharing agreement between the city and the province.

“This year, the full amount has been allocated for maintenance through crack filling of the taxiway and runway to extend its service life. The last time the taxiway — or runway — was paved was in 1998. Filling cracks helps prevent rain and moisture from flowing through the pavement and causing erosion or failure. By doing this, the rate of deterioration of the pavement is significantly slowed,” said Steffen.

Currently the Miller Field Airport has 15 hangars. Private planes and aerial applicators make up most movements to and from the airport, which exceeds 2,500 annually. Additional movements are made by Air Ambulance who had 41 missions to the airport in 2022, according to the City of Melfort.

The airport is used by both residents and local business owners for general aviation, but also by various industries like aerial applicators, Air Ambulance, and occasionally STARS. “Approximately 15 other communities rely on our community airport for air transportation services,” said Steffen.

“Any repairs to lighting at the airport are usually a part of routine maintenance, like replacing burned out lights etc. During the winter we had some minor damage which occurred during snow removal.”

This year, 154 children attended the COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association) 182 event from all over the province. Bruce Schell from COPA 182 said attendees are usually mostly from the Northeast, but this year there were also children from the communities of Prince Albert, Saskatoon and as far as North Battleford.

“Our Local COPA 182 flying club organizes this event every year and has been for approximately 15 years,” Steffen said.

Schell said it is because of everyone’s passion for flying that this event is so successful. “Pilots, their families, their friends, the City’s Public Works crew and local organizations all work together to make it a success. There is a lot of planning that goes into the event. This year eight pilots volunteered their time and airplanes, with approximately 40 other volunteers helping with duties like ground transportation, registration, and the food booth.”

A seminar called “Rust Remover” was arranged by COPA 182 for new or experienced pilots looking to improve their aviation knowledge and to satisfy accreditation. Various experienced speakers present on topics from weather and flight planning, dealing with or declaring emergencies, stabilized approaches etc. This seminar is reviewed and approved by Transport Canada and therefore attending the event fulfills the 24-month recency requirement for pilots as per the Canadian Aviation Regulation Standards.