Page 14 - October 3 2016
P. 14
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 14 MONDAY OCTOBER 3, 2016 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 PAGE 33
Edson Pilot Conrad Bachand gives some ground instruction to youth before they get a chance to go flying during the COPA For Kids Aviation
Program that was held in Edson on September 24. photo Deanna Mitchener
Kids take flight at aviation event
by Deanna Mitchener The program has become very successful with over 10,000 junior
aviators flying since the start. This was due to the efforts of COPA pilot
Members of both the Edson and Whitecourt Flying Clubs gathered on members and volunteers across Canada making it possible for these
September 24 at the Edson Airport to co-host the Canadian Owners Pilots youngsters to fly. Local pilots volunteer their time and aircraft just to see
Association (COPA) for kids aviation program on . the smiles and the excitement it brings to those that are flying for their very
The event was held at the Edson Airport from 9 a.m. to as long as it took first time.
to have all the youngsters have a turn flying. The event was open and free "Local volunteers come out to support the event by helping take
to any kids between the ages of 8 and 17. registration, arrange, and cook for the barbeque. Many great volunteers and
Conrad Bachand, who has been a member of the Edson Flying Club for sponsors deserve recognition with things they do for our youth in this
26 years, was orientating kids about airplanes and answering any questions community," said Bachand.
during the aviation program.
First they were given some ground instruction then split into small
groups to go on a short flight with a pilot.
Kids had an opportunity to go up in one of five planes or a helicopter
giving each a chance to experience firsthand what it's like to become a pilot
one day.
Afterwards there was a free barbeque with drinks, hot dogs, burgers, and
donuts. They had some draws to win a variety of gifts.
"Same as any other industry you need to get the kids involved so they
can experience it and decide if it's something they want to do. Today
everything is free for the kids. They just needed to show up," said A great big
Bachand.
"This is the first year that Edson Flying Club has done this in THANK YOU
conjunction with Whitecourt Flying Club. We have a great turn out and the
kids seem pretty excited to be going flying," said Bachand. to all
"The Canadian Owners Pilots Association (COPA) for kids program is a
free of charge aviation program for putting member pilots together one-on- Edson Flying Club and
one with young people to show them what aviation is all about. This gives
them the experience of being in the cockpit of an aircraft while in flight," COPA FOR KIDS
said Bachand.
supporters/volunteers.
Dandy Oil Products Ltd.
Diana’s Pets & Trophies
Edson Honda
Freedom Powersports
Kinette Club of Edson
Kinsmen Club
McDonalds
Mountainside Sales & Rentals Ltd.
Northern Metalic
Perpetual Energy
Repsol
Alison Nielsen (Whitecourt), Kerriann Desautels (Edson), Sheryl
Dubois (Edson), and Nancy Tailleur Hill (Edson) volunteering their time Thompson Hill Energy Rentals
to get kids registered for the COPA oor KIds Aviation Program that was Tim Hortons
held in Edson on September 24. photo Deanna Mitchener
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 14 MONDAY OCTOBER 3, 2016 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 PAGE 33
Edson Pilot Conrad Bachand gives some ground instruction to youth before they get a chance to go flying during the COPA For Kids Aviation
Program that was held in Edson on September 24. photo Deanna Mitchener
Kids take flight at aviation event
by Deanna Mitchener The program has become very successful with over 10,000 junior
aviators flying since the start. This was due to the efforts of COPA pilot
Members of both the Edson and Whitecourt Flying Clubs gathered on members and volunteers across Canada making it possible for these
September 24 at the Edson Airport to co-host the Canadian Owners Pilots youngsters to fly. Local pilots volunteer their time and aircraft just to see
Association (COPA) for kids aviation program on . the smiles and the excitement it brings to those that are flying for their very
The event was held at the Edson Airport from 9 a.m. to as long as it took first time.
to have all the youngsters have a turn flying. The event was open and free "Local volunteers come out to support the event by helping take
to any kids between the ages of 8 and 17. registration, arrange, and cook for the barbeque. Many great volunteers and
Conrad Bachand, who has been a member of the Edson Flying Club for sponsors deserve recognition with things they do for our youth in this
26 years, was orientating kids about airplanes and answering any questions community," said Bachand.
during the aviation program.
First they were given some ground instruction then split into small
groups to go on a short flight with a pilot.
Kids had an opportunity to go up in one of five planes or a helicopter
giving each a chance to experience firsthand what it's like to become a pilot
one day.
Afterwards there was a free barbeque with drinks, hot dogs, burgers, and
donuts. They had some draws to win a variety of gifts.
"Same as any other industry you need to get the kids involved so they
can experience it and decide if it's something they want to do. Today
everything is free for the kids. They just needed to show up," said A great big
Bachand.
"This is the first year that Edson Flying Club has done this in THANK YOU
conjunction with Whitecourt Flying Club. We have a great turn out and the
kids seem pretty excited to be going flying," said Bachand. to all
"The Canadian Owners Pilots Association (COPA) for kids program is a
free of charge aviation program for putting member pilots together one-on- Edson Flying Club and
one with young people to show them what aviation is all about. This gives
them the experience of being in the cockpit of an aircraft while in flight," COPA FOR KIDS
said Bachand.
supporters/volunteers.
Dandy Oil Products Ltd.
Diana’s Pets & Trophies
Edson Honda
Freedom Powersports
Kinette Club of Edson
Kinsmen Club
McDonalds
Mountainside Sales & Rentals Ltd.
Northern Metalic
Perpetual Energy
Repsol
Alison Nielsen (Whitecourt), Kerriann Desautels (Edson), Sheryl
Dubois (Edson), and Nancy Tailleur Hill (Edson) volunteering their time Thompson Hill Energy Rentals
to get kids registered for the COPA oor KIds Aviation Program that was Tim Hortons
held in Edson on September 24. photo Deanna Mitchener
