Burns Lake Flying Club
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Here is the latest news from the Burns Lake Flying Club ... 3rd Annual Airport Day Fly-In will be June 25th and 26th, 2005 at Baker Airport. Burns Lake Flying Club Newsletter May 2005 With the spring flying season here and the summer fast approaching, I suppose its time for an update on the aviation happenings in and around CYPZ. There is no shortage of news, and all of it good. Improvements, additions, future projects and plans are everywhere. We now have an automated weather reporting system up and running. It reports time, winds, temperature, dewpoint and altimeter setting. Dubbed “The Tin Man” because of its computer generated mechanical voice it has proved virtually trouble free and extremely accurate. It can be accessed both by telephone at 698-7732 or on frequency 122.95 from the aircraft. If you listen closely you can detect a note of glee in the voice whenever it has the opportunity to report gusting 90 degree crosswinds. As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in flying schools. The Airport Society has received a boatload of money in the form of a Government Grant. It is a “specific purpose” grant and is the result of some very effective work of both Pauline and Tom. The money will be used to re-pave and extend the maneuvering area, install and pave two new taxiways and join them to the button of runway 11. Work will begin on May 2nd with the ripping up of the old apron and until the project is completed pilots will have to decide whether they want to operate on gravel or park at the tanker base. A small inconvenience to suffer for the benefit of the end result. The guy that said “You fly an airplane with your head, not your hands and feet” has never landed at CYPZ on a windy day. A whole new dimension to local aviation is in the works. It seems that Mac Blackwell has decided to bring flying within the financial reach of everyone. He has decided to operate an ultralight training school. Not one to do things half-heartedly he has also taken on a Challenger dealership. Imagine, in the near future you will be able to obtain your ultralight license, buy or rent your wings and have dealer service – the whole nine yards and all right here in Burns Lake. This is some of the best news we’ve had in a long time and should spark a tremendous amount of interest. What with the cost of a PPL running in the 8 to 10 thousand dollar range and the financial burden of owning and operating a certified bird, spiraling Ultralights have become the fastest growing segment of civil aviation with the Challenger series of aircraft being one of, if not, the most popular kites around. For a lot less than the cost of a used pick-up truck you can now be airborne year round. These things come with wheels, skis, floats and even cabin heat for those gorgeous winter days. Call Mac, I’m sure he’ll be glad to fill you in. Walkaround: What you wish you’d have done when that clunking sound starts. I hope you didn’t miss the booth at the Trade Show this year. The Airport Society, Flying Club and CASARA teamed up to let the public know what’s been happening. The Society had an opportunity to strut a little over the grant, the weather station and all their other accomplishments and as a bonus, sold a bunch of lights. The Flying Club got their message out and in the process even sold a few hats, pins and t-shirts. CASARA let their presence be known and managed to sign up a gang of new volunteers. Feedback from anyone who stopped by was overwhelmingly positive and extremely encouraging. This effort went a long way to educating the public to the community benefits of all the time, work and money expended over the past couple of years. A big thanks to everyone involved. There is a fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness”. Ask any pilot’s wife. The local branch of CASARA has rapidly become a major force within the Northwest Region. We have in excess of 25 volunteer members and 8 aircraft available for use. This makes us by far the most active and best-equipped location in the north. The exercises have turned out to be productive, educational and, most of all, fun. The most recent SAREX, held on April 30th, saw 4 aircraft flying a total of 15 hours with pilots, navigators and spotters either maintaining, obtaining or working towards certification. The next kick at the can will be on May 14th and this one should be interesting. It will be a joint satellite search exercise involving Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Smithers and Terrace and will be coordinated out of Smithers. There is a possibility that we will be asked to provide planes and crews to other areas. We’re always looking for new volunteers. Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? Another Airport Day Fly-In is in the works. This year it will be held on June 25th & 26th and the planning has already begun. There will be a full slate of events with some interesting new stuff that should make for an entertaining couple of days. As always there is a tremendous amount of work involved and anyone willing to help will be welcomed with open arms. The club meetings are where it all happens and where you should be. Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers. I haven’t heard any noise about the planned Fly-Out. Either everyone is too busy or the whole idea just got put on the back burner. Is the Savannah ever going to be completed? Is there any truth to the rumour that an aerobatic whiz-bang is the next addition to the line? Did someone really buy the Kitfox? Will Hans ever quit tinkering, engineering, changing and improving that Luscombe? Is the 401 a sign of good things to come? Will Darcy, Steve and Laura ever get ticketed? Stay tuned for more. The J3 Cub is the safest plane in the world. It can just barely kill you. Gone flying