The annual Fly-in Breakfast gives members of the public a chance for a close-up view of some great airplanes. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Pilots and drivers alike have been invited to hang out at the local hangars this weekend, with the South Okanagan Flying Club hosting their annual fly-in breakfast at the Oliver Airport on Saturday morning.
Local flying enthusiasts are inviting everyone from the community to drop in by car or (preferably) by plane, and celebrate the region’s heavy hand in aviation with a hardy breakfast.
“When a group of pilots together, they tend to be very social,” said local aviator Bill Guthrie. “Every pilot seems to have an interesting story about something that happened in the air.”
And with the hefty sum of pilots comes a large display of aircraft, which will include warbirds as well as homemade and civilian aircraft.
“There’s a lot of stories being told and lots of talk about planes – these are people who are obviously interested in flying,” he said. “We like the exchange of ideas and experiences, and we get into all sorts of subjects. Pilots are very social and they try to be welcoming. If you came down to the airport one day just to talk airplanes, somebody’s going to talk to you. And that’s how it would go at most of the clubs.”
Last year, Guthrie stopped at many small airports across North America during a tour of the continent last year, “And every small airport, people just bend over backwards to help you. It’s very generous community. Not necessarily with money, but time, consideration and care.”
Whether pilots be new to the game or accredited as flying aces, everybody aviator is equal in the South Okanagan, he said.
“It’s a social club and you have a real mix of people, from old time pilots to high time highly qualified pilots.”
To give the next generation of pilots a head start, Guthrie said members of the local chapter of COPA take a day out of every year to share the amazement of flight with children.
“To inspire younger people to learn to fly, once a year at all the chapters, the pilots and owners donate their airplanes to take kids for rides free of charge.”
Guthrie said a recent investment made in the airport, with the municipal government covering half the costs, shows that the Town of Oliver recognizes the importance of the airport, as the community is much more accessible because of it.
For pilots who will be making the trip to the fly-in breakfast from Kelowna, it requires just a 15 minute commute. Vancouver aviators are looking at over an hour, the trip from Trail takes about 45 minutes, and pilots from Calgary will be in the air for about two-and-a-half hours.
“But the comment times depend on how fast your airplane is,” he said. “People will fly in, have their breakfast and fly home.”
Breakfast runs from 8 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 20, and will include bacon, eggs and pancakes. “Club members do the cooking and there’s a small fee of $10 to cover the costs.”
DAN WALTON
Oliver Chronicle
