COPA Flight 149 Hosts Discover Aviation at CNQ3 | Canadian Owners & Pilots Association

22 août, 2025

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Discover Aviation at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport

^{By: Roland Meisel, Co-Captain, COPA 149}

After the abysmal weather in 2024 forced a one-week delay for Discover Aviation, COPA Flight 149 volunteers and 100 registered junior aviators woke to a hot but sunny day at Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (CNQ3) for Discover Aviation 2025.

The event was organized by Doug Reilly and Don Haber, members of Flight 149 of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. Participation in all activities was offered to junior aviators at no cost by registering ahead of time on the website www.copa149atcneq.org. Planes, pilots, flights, fuel, and hot dogs were provided by the members of COPA 149 with generous support from several local businesses as well as a voluntary donation jar.

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By the end of the day, volunteer COPA 149 pilots had introduced almost 100 young aviators to the joys of leaving terra firma behind for an exciting flight around the local area. Seven privately owned aircraft took part, including a classic 1947 Stinson, a 1957 Piper Apache twin, a Cessna Skyhawk, a fast Cessna Skymaster inline twin, a sleek Diamond DA-40, a short-wing 1958 Piper Tri-Pacer, and an executive Navion. Although a few participants initially seemed unsure about leaving the ground, they all returned sporting wide smiles and a 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 twenty-minute flight over Pelham, Wainfleet, Port Colborne, and Welland, the four communities that operate the airport.

They spotted local landmarks such as the Welland Canal, the shorelines of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and even distant views of Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo.

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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 volunteers, who welcomed the young people with their parents/guardians, ensured the required forms were filled out prior to flying, provided pre-flight briefings, matched riders to pilots and planes, prepared certificates of flight, and offered hot dogs, snacks, and drinks for returning aviators—as well as fielding numerous questions about the airport and general aviation.

Additional pictures and further information were posted on the COPA Flight 149 website at www.copa149atcnq3.org.