Airplane traffic was busier than normal over Chatham-Kent Saturday as area pilots gave of their time and talents to introduce young people the thrill of flying.
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Well over 100 children, many taking their first flight, took off from the Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport participating in the Discover Aviation program aimed to spark an interest in the aviation profession.
The participating pilots are members of the COPA 203 (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association), who donate their time and cover their fuel costs to provide the free flights, said president Gordon Haslam.
One of the 10 pilots who provided flights, Haslam said some of the kids hop in the plane excited to get in the air, while some can be a little apprehensive at first.
“But, they’re all the same when they get done, they’re all excited,” he added.
Charles Blondeel, 9, of Blenheim had some nerves before going on the flight, piloted by Haslam in his six-seat Piper Aztec, but settled in soon after takeoff.
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Calling the flight “excellent,” Charles said the takeoff was “pretty smooth.”
He also enjoyed the view.
“You could see everywhere.”
Seeing Chatham-Kent from the air, Charles was surprised to see “just how big the greenhouses really are.”
Dax Orton, 10, of Chatham, who also flew with Haslam, loves flying, but not necessarily for the thrill.
“I find it very calming, because it’s not really loud and you just have silence and all that,” he said.
Dax likes the takeoff “cause you get less bumps.”
Saturday was the first flight Josephine Matteis has been on since she was a baby.
“It was really fun,” said the nine-year-old Chatham girl. “I loved it.”
Josephine described the takeoff being “very fast” and when it came to the view, she was impressed with seeing Walmart and the Blenheim water tower.
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Sebastien Hughes, 12, of Lighthouse Cove, took his first flight in a homebuilt Vans RV-7 piloted by Perry Burford of Windsor.
“It was very fun,” Sebastien said, adding his favorite part was being able to take the controls to flying the plane for a short time.
He admitted to being a little nervous, but that disappeared after the takeoff.
Sebastien also described the view as being beautiful.
Burford enjoys introducing kids to flying and believes it is important to foster an interest in aviation with young people.
“The reason why we’re here is we’re all getting older and we’ve got to pass the torch on to the younger generation,” he said.
Burford said it is hoped through programs like Discover Aviation, young people might consider a career in aviation, which has many options, including serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, being a commercial or bush pilot, working in fire suppression or doing medial flights.
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A large contingent with the 294 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron volunteers with Discover Aviation every year and has benefited with a boost in membership.
Warrant Officer First Class Jeremiah Larocque said this type of event sparks an interest in flying with kids, who ask a lot of questions.
“When they hear that there are air cadets in Chatham, we see them (come out),” he added.
Larocque said 20 new cadets have joined the local squadron so far this year.
Noting the squadron experienced a decline during COVID-19 restrictions, he said the number is rising with more than 50 cadets in the local program.
Larocque said cadets, which is open to boys and girls age 12 to 18, teaches young people about leadership and aviation.
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He added as young people progress through the cadet program they can earn their pilot’s license.
Larocque said anyone interested in the cadets can find the squadron on Instagram or Facebook. He added they can also come to the Monday meetings from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at the Col. EM Ansell Armory on Bloomfield Road in Chatham.
Haslam said it has been a great partnership having the air cadets help with Discover Aviation, including escorting the kids to and from planes.
He is pleased to see kids taking an interest in air cadets after experiencing Discover Aviation.
“That’s why we do this we want kids to get interested in a career in aviation,” Haslam said.
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