by Roland Meisel, Co-Captain, COPA Flight 149
COPA Flight 149 volunteers and 122 registered aspiring aviators gathered on a hot but sunny day at Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (CNQ3) for Discover Aviation 2026 on August 15th. A pleasant breeze took the edge off the summer heat.
Discover Aviation 2026 at the NCDRA was organized by Doug Reilly and Don Haber, members of Flight #149 of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. Participation in all activities is offered at no cost to young aviators who register ahead of time on Flight 149’s website. Planes, pilots, flights, fuel and hot dogs are provided by members of COPA 149 and other volunteers, with generous support from several local businesses, as well as a free-will donation jar.
By the end of the day, COPA 149 pilots had introduced 120 young aviators to the joys of viewing a moving map of the local area from the cockpit of a small aircraft. Nine privately owned aircraft took part, including a classic 1947 Stinson, two Cessna Skyhawks, a fast Cessna Skymaster inline twin, a sleek Diamond DA-40, a short-wing 1958 Piper Tri-Pacer, a Cherokee Warrior, a Cessna 182 and a Navion. Participants returned sporting wide smiles and a keen desire to fly again. For those too young to qualify for a flight, a pedal aircraft was available for taxi practice on the smooth concrete of the hangar.
Participants enjoyed an exciting 20-minute flight over Pelham, Wainfleet, Port Colborne and Welland, the four communities that operate the airport. Along the way, they spotted local landmarks such as the Welland Canal and the shorelines of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with more distant views of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
The flyers were primarily from the local communities, although a few made the trek from farther afield to take advantage of this excellent opportunity. Ground arrangements were organized by many COPA Flight #149 members and other volunteers, who welcomed the young people and their parents/guardians, ensured that the required forms were completed prior to flying, provided pre-flight briefings, guided riders to pilots and planes, prepared certificates of flight, and offered hot dogs, snacks and drinks to returning aviators. They also fielded numerous questions from participants and parents/guardians about the airport and general aviation.
Additional pictures and further information are posted on the COPA Flight #149 website at www.copa149atcnq3.org.
