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FRTrillium Aviators Founder Retires
By Phil Lightstone
In 2019, Ivan Kristensen came back from a Florida vacation with the idea to organize retired pilots around common goals: flyouts; and food. Starting with a few friends, Trillium Aviators was founded flying to airports in southwestern Ontario. The aviators would gather an airport on Wednesday mornings, bringing lawn chairs and lunch. Their first flyout was to Owen Sound Billy Bishop Regional Airport (CYOS) on May 16, 2019. To date, Trillium Aviators has had 58 flyouts. Over the past five years Ivan’s email list of interested pilots has grown to over 325 names. In fact, COPA flying club presidents would send Ivan’s email out to their club membership lists. No doubt Ivan’s email easily reached over 1,000 pilots in Ontario.
Earlier in 2024, Ivan announced that he would be stepping down as the Trillium Aviators’ organizer. May 30th saw a flyout to Kincardine ON (CYKM) with 40 aircraft in attendance. The flyout was hosted by COPA Flight 172 and the airport management lead by Steven Rouse (Airport Manager). Coffee and donuts were supplied in the morning, as well as discounted fuel ($2.50 CAD taxes included). Lauren Morris, owner and operator of the on-site food truck, Cheesy Monkii (cheesymonkii@gmail.com) offered a Flight Crew special for the event. Fried pork cutlet on a pretzel bun with battered banana peppers, cheese and garlic aioli, french fries piled high and a soft drink all for $15.00 (plus tax). The Kincardine Airport is located on the shores of Lake Huron, is part of the Bruce Peninsula and is exceptionally scenic. The airport has a 4,085’ (13/31) and 2,083’ asphalt (05/23) runways.
David Little led the dedicated ramp crew to assist with aircraft parking and fuelling. Aircraft were parked on a grass apron with the ramp completely full. I arrived at 10:00 EST, quickly refuelled and with the help of Ivan and the ramp volunteers, moved the Commander 114b into the corner of the ramp. During the morning, the line up for fuel was three or four aircraft deep. But David and his crew helped pilots refuel their aircraft using Kincardine’s self service fuelling system. The system worked flawlessly, allowing aircraft to be refuelled and moved to parking as quickly as possible.
Just before lunch, the pilots were gathered around Ivan’s VANS RV 14 aircraft, where he was presented with a plaque commemorating Ivan’s contribution to organizing Trillium Aviators over the past five years. Kincardine’s volunteered historian Stanley Pickles, presented Ivan with a book documenting the history of Kincardine, signed by the pilot’s attending the event. The idea for the book began with COPA Flight 172 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kincardine Airport. Stanley had been taking photographs for the past 30 years and in collaboration with the local newspaper and the Bruce County Museum, the book was written and published. Ivan was completely caught off guard, by the recognition for his tireless efforts.
With an eye to safety, Ivan’s event email reports: “as always fly safe and be courteous as you merge with other airplanes into what could be a busy circuit. Keep a listening watch at least 10nm back and make you first call about 5nm back and and then as appropriate when entering the circuit. Keep the air to air chatter to a minimum. Don't forget to check NOTAM's”. Ivan reports: “This will be a great fly-out so C'mon out and join in the fun”.
During the presentation, Ivan introduced his successors, Perry Burford and David Carswell. Perry and David own and fly VANS Aircraft RV-7 aircraft and have been members of the Trillium Aviators for the past several years. Having received several requires for weekend flyouts from pilots who are unable to make the weekday events, Perry and David are expanding the flyouts to the weekends. Their first weekend flyout is to the Stratford Municipal Airport (CYSA), in conjunction with COPA Flight 69, on June 2, 2024. COPA Flight 69 pancake breakfast included pancakes, local maple syrup, pea-meal bacon, hot and cold refreshments and great companionship.
Their next event is an overnight flyout on June 14-15, 2024 to Goderich Airport (CYGD), in conjunction with COPA Flight 45. Friday June 15 will see the return of the Lancaster bomber to Goderich after over 50 years. The RCAF retired FM 213 to Goderich in 1964 where it was displayed by the Royal Canadian Legion as a war memorial until 1977 when it was acquired by the Canadian Warplane Museum. This special event is being spearheaded by the Goderich Legion Branch 109 with the participation of COPA Flight 45. For full event details, checkout www.goderichlegion.ca/the-lancaster/. The Lancaster is expected to arrive on June 14 at 10 am and depart at 2 pm on June 15. COPA Flight 45 is requesting that aviators arrive by 9:15 am to ensure aircraft parking. COPA Flight 45 will have coffee and a BBQ lunch at their clubhouse.
Over the past five years, Trillium Aviators has conducted 58 flyouts, contributing to supporting COPA Flights’ and other flying clubs’ activities with their respective airport managers, airport authorities, municipalities, local politicians and area residents. This grassroots group, under Ivan’s leadership has gone a long way to promote the benefits of General Aviation, while highlighting the benefits to the community of municipal airports. Again, supporting General Aviation’s freedom to fly. To be added to the Trillium Aviators’ email list, simply email Perry at burfordperry9@gmail.com.
