Gathering of Classics at Edenvale

^{Written by: Phil Lightstone
Photos courtesy of Phil Lightstone}

August 11, 2024 saw the 33rd annual Gathering of The Classics (GOTC) at Edenvale, Ont. (CNV8, www.classicaircraft.ca).  As with previous years, the event focuses on aircraft and classic cars. The organizers report that there were 60 aircraft that flew in, 396 automobiles, 2,000 attendees, 92 volunteers, and six vendors participating in the fly and drive in event.  Strong forecasted winds saw a decline in the number of participants. The Wasaga Beach Cruisers automobile club (www.wasagabeachcruisers.ca) is a strong supporter of the event, with many members in attendance.  The Cruisers was founded in 2004 with the goal of driving their cars, having fun while helping the community through fundraising.

The GOTC was first organized in the late 1980’s, with some time off during the Covid Pandemic.  The 2023 event, held on the rain date due to bad weather on the Saturday and higher winds on the Sunday, attracted 75 aircraft. The event typically sees 150 aircraft, 300 automobiles and 5,000 attendees.  The organizers get the word out with strong support from CTV Barrie’s Bob McIntyre and Casey “KC” Colby.  KC Colby was on hand during the week preceding the event conducting interviews which were aired on CTV’s news hour.  CTV’s Bob McIntyre, long time weather reporter and licensed pilot was a stronger support of the Edenvale Airport, GOTC and ECAF. Honouring Bob’s legacy, KC has become an ardent supporter of the airport and the GOTC event.

The weather brought gusting cross winds favouring runway 31. Runway 08-26 was notamed closed and was used as a taxiway. Edenvale has two runways and a taxiway, laid out in a typical RCAF pattern.  The aerodrome is uncontrolled, utilizes 122.775 MHz for Unicom and 123.175 MHz for AWOS.  During the fly in, 123.45 MHz was used for ground communications.  However, due to organizational issues, the ground volunteers were not equipped with radios during the morning’s activities. With limited ramp space, most aircraft were parked on the grass, as well as the classic automobiles. Shortly before the lunch hour a few storm cells moved in from the west coming overhead the airport, bringing rain. The rain was off and on for roughly 20 minutes, yielding to sunnier skies in the afternoon.

 

 

Larry Arnold, Chairman of the Gathering of The Classics committee reports: “We've had very positive feedback from the attendees but I'd like to leave you with the quote that we received from one of the people that did a flight in our Cornel.” An attendee reported to Larry: “experience of a lifetime for an older flying enthusiast who trained in single engine aircraft back in the 1980s but stopped short of getting a license. Never lost the passion though. Thanks to assisting staff and pilot Mitchell. What a blast."

During World War II, the RCAF at Camp Borden, needed a relief field for the air operations. In November 1939, the Department of Transportation had assessed the field at Edenvale as suitable for a relief field. The preliminary investigation had found a site on slight rolling hills, with 500 acres of cleared land and 150 acres which were lightly wooded.  The airfield was completed in late 1941 and became the home to Harvard T-6 aircraft, used as a primary trainer for British Commonwealth Training Program pilots.

After 1949 the military sold the aerodrome to the public where it found its way as a sports car racetrack in the 1950s. At the end of the 1955 racing season the owner renamed the track Stayner Speedway. The track held two USAC stock car races in 1956.

After the British Empire Motor Club (BEMC) left the racetrack in favour of a track located near Jarvis, Ont., Edenvale became unused during 1957 and 1958. In 1959, the property owner renamed it to Edenvale Raceway holding a few races that year.

In 1962 the military re-activated the site as a remote radio communications station for Base Borden. In 2003, the aerodrome was purchased by Milan Kroupa Sr, who had an aviation passion.  Milan invested into the aerodrome, modernizing the infrastructure, building new hangars and a restaurant.  Notable to the field is a Mig 15 on a pedestal which is viewable from the highway.

Edenvale is home to: 65 aircraft; Eclipse Aviation (flight school); Skydive Wasaga Beach; Canadian Air and Space Conservancy Museum (CASCM); Borden Flying Club; Civil Search and Rescue Association (CASARA); AME Services Central Aero; and the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation (ECAF).  CASCM, has both a museum and a full-scale model of the AVRO Arrow. The AVRO Arrow is a reminder of Canada’s contribution to the aerospace industry, our engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

ECAF brings together people who share an interest in historic aircraft which played an important part of Canadian aviation history.  The ECAF volunteer members work hard maintaining a library devoted to the history of aviation and help with the construction, repair, restoration, maintenance and preservation of their aircraft, a de Havilland Tiger Moth, PT-26 Cornell and Fleet Canuck. ECAF is open to the public on Saturday and offers rides in their aircraft. Pilots can obtain a tailwheel endorsement in the Fleet Canuck.  During the event, ECAF offered a show special of $299 CAD for a 20 minute flight or $399 CAD for a 40 minute flight in one of their aircraft.

The volunteers from the Great War Flying Museum traveled from Brampton, Ont. (CNC3) with their Fokker Dr.I triplane. The Fokker is a full-size replica powered by a more modern (than 1918) 1941 Warner Super Scarab seven cylinder radial 165 HP with a wooden propeller from Culver Props.  Ejler Sorensen, pilot of the Fokker reports: “the Fokker is a bit challenging to fly in high winds, but we were able to make the flight this morning before the winds picked up.”  The Great War Flying Museum was founded in 1970 by a group of Brampton Flying Club member, all of which were pilots who WWI aeroplanes in particular.  The museum has six aircraft in their fleet, a hangar and museum annex. The museum’s Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter is their only aircraft capable of carrying two people, with a rear seat for a gunner, but only members are able to fly in the Strutter due to insurance restrictions. The museum opens on the Victoria Day long weekend and closes in mid-September following their annual fly in and air display. The museum is open weekends and holidays throughout their season.  Visitors are welcome on Tuesdays and Thursdays when aircraft mechanics and members are working at the museum, normally between 11 am and 3 pm. The museum’s aircraft will be flying during Brampton’s Airport Day, on September 8, 2024.

Many GA pilots fly less than 20 hours per year.  A mission to an airshow or fly-in event, like the Gather of The Classics, is an excellent opportunity to build hours, exercise our pilot skills, make new friends and see cool aircraft (and automobiles).  Why not create or participate in a group fly out with your local COPA Flight? Aviation camaraderie is not only fun but creates lifelong friendships and memories which are priceless.