December '09

NEW HANGARS:

In October the erection of three new individually owned hangars started at CYVV ... construction has now been completed and all three are in use!

COPA PRESENTATIONS:
On October 13 I traveled to Collingwood Airport (NY3) for two special presentations ...

the first to accept a donation on behalf of COPA (for the Freedom to Fly Fund) from RAA Chapter 4904 president Keith Weston.

This particular RAA Chapter was founded at Collingwood Airport in 1985 and currently holds a membership of around 40 - a diverse mix of homebuilders, certified owners, ultralite and classic owners. They meet the first Tuesday of every month, and host an annual BBQ/Corn Roast and Christmas Banquet. Several of this Chapter's members belong to COPA as well, so it was an easy decision for them to donate to COPA's Freedom to Fly Fund. To Keith and Chapter 4904, Thank You for your generous donation, it is very much appreciated!

The second presentation was to honor a good friend of Aviation: Lee-Anne Lehman.

Lee-Anne was born and raised on the family farm about one mile east of Tiverton/seven miles north of Kincardine. She and her husband Rick, along with their two children Anna & David, later settled in Wasaga Beach, which is close to the Collingwood Airport.

About ten-and-a-half years ago, Lee-Anne started working for Sim Train Aviation Ltd. as Office Manager for the Collingwood Airport. When North 44 took over the contract to manage NY3, Lee-Anne continued her duties,

which included operating the Unicom and looking after all the inside work involved in running a successful airport. She was also a valuable part of many airport functions, (such as the Platinum Triangle Poker Run, the 99's Poker Run, the Collingwood Classic Aircraft Foundation, and of course Fly-Ins) - doing all that she could to help promote these events and making sure Collingwood Airport participated in them 100%.

Earlier this year, their kids grown and moving on with their own lives, Lee-Anne and Rick decided to renovate the family farm and move back to Tiverton. Many of us were saddened to hear of her plans to leave Collingwood - after all, she has been a welcoming face there for many years - but wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Shortly after announcing her "retirement", Lee-Anne was nominated for a 2009 COPA Appreciation Award, and declared a recipient at COPA's annual Convention in July. As Lee-Anne was unable to attend the convention, there was a small celebration held at the Collingwood Airport in her honor on October 13.

Lee-Anne, from everyone in the aviation community - we pass along our appreciation, thanks and gratitude for everything you have done for us in the past 10 years - you have certainly went above and beyond the call of duty and we will truly miss you!

PLATINUM TRIANGLE POKER RUN:
The final tally is in for this year's Run. While overall participation (hands sold) was down, a total of $500.00 was donated by host Wingham Airport to the Wingham Air Cadet Squadron. Thanks to everyone who participated!!

Since the Platinum Poker Run started, its main focus was to promote aviation in South Western Ontario. Pilots needed to visit at least 3 airports other than their home base (assuming that one 'card' was obtained at their home base, and the last 'card' at the host terminus), which in turn promoted fellowship amongst the pilots and had the possibility of gas/food revenue for the airport. Unfortunately, after the first few years, the interest of both airport staff and participants in the Run has declined, to the point where the steering committee has had to sit down and take a close look at the future of the event. Participation has declined over 45% in the past 4 years. From hand sales of over 1000, this year only 548 were purchased. Many ideas of how we could build up the Run to its full potential were approached (including partnering up with the Air Cadets), with little success.
Therefore, it was the unanimous decision of the steering committee that the Platinum Triangle Poker Run will not be held in 2010, due to lack of interest. Our sympathies to those who look forward to joining us in the event each year, and a HUGE thanks to everyone who has taken part in the event over the years; the players, the fliers, the participating airports, the volunteers who kept things running smoothly, and all of our sponsors.

On Behalf of COPA Flight #68,
Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous 2010, with plenty of soft winds and blue skies!
Harold Fry
COPA Flight #68
Wiarton, CYVV