Saturday’s fly-in hopes to attract 100 planes to Sarnia airport

About 100 airplanes and an astronaut, are expected at Saturday’s third annual Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally Fly-in at the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport.

Airplanes are expected to begin landing at the city airport Friday afternoon and continue arriving Saturday morning for the event organized by the Canadian Owners’ and Pilots’ Association Flight 7.

The public is invited to attend from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday. Admission is free but donations will be accepted for Pathways Health Center for Children.

A shuttle will carry visitors from the parking lot at the main terminal to the event site.

“We’re hoping for 100-plus planes and hopefully more than 2,500 people,” said Mark Seibutis, one of the organizers.

Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield and other members of the Hadfield family are expected to attend.

“It’s always fun to watch kids when they get to meet him,” Seibutis said.

About 1,500 people attended last year’s fly-in and $5,000 was raised for Pathways.

“It’s amazing, the work that they do,” Seibutis said about the health center for children in Sarnia.

Along with food vendors, there will be children’s activities, a Re-max hot air balloon offering tethered rides, as well as flights offered by the Canadian Aviation Museum.

The cost of the rides is “quite reasonable,” Seibutis said.

Airplanes are expected from around Ontario “and possibly the US,” he said.

One of the attractions for airplane owners is the opportunity to support airports, Seibutis said.

Also “it’s a gathering of like-minded folks” who enjoy visiting with others and seeing different aircraft, as well as an opportunity for aviation businesses to promote their services, he said.

And it’s a chance for local residents to see their airport, Seibutis said.

The initial fly-in was held in 2021 to show support for the city-owned airport when there was concern for its future after losing Air Canada service the previous year.

City council agreed last year to subsidize airport operations for three years as efforts continue to attract a new airline.

Seibutis said he served on a city working group for the airport “and I was actually stounded at how many people had no idea the airport had other operations, besides the airline.”

A Second World War P51 Mustang based in Chatham-Kent is expected to be at Saturday’s fly-in, he said.

“We’re anticipating all kinds of antique and classic aircraft,” as well as “home-builds,” Seibutis said.

“We’re supposed to have an aircraft come from the Diamond factory in London — a brand new one,” he said. “That’s made in Ontario, which is kind of cool.”

COPA Flight 7 member John Shelley, who died in a plane crash last year, will be honored at this year’s event, Seibutis said.

On Sunday, the Sarnia Street Machines will host a “cars and coffee” event in the morning at the airport’s main terminal parking area from 9 am to noon as pilots departure.

“Come on out and see your airport,” Seibutis said.

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