155 Borden Gray GC Squadron 
This years’ Algoma Aviation Week, organized by the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation and COPA Flight 66, finished off this past weekend with some cool smiles from both adults and kids alike. A gathering of aviation enthusiasts, veterans and families; the goal of the week long event is to celebrate and honour those who served in the armed forces, to promote aviation by educating the public about general aviation and to inspire the next generation.
Despite a gloomy start to the day Saturday, skies cleared up enough to welcome hundreds of kids and their families to the MNR Hangar at the Sault Ontario Airport. A variety of aircraft and displays were featured by local area aviation related businesses, agencies as well as the Canadian Armed Forces, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Arizona Commemorative Air Force (B-17) and Minnesota Wing Commemorative Air Force (B-25).
The highlight of the day was the well anticipated COPA for Kids Aviation program. COPA for Kids is a free program that puts COPA member pilots together one-on-one with young people between 8 and 17 years of age. Participants are given the opportunity to experience what aviation is all about both on the ground with a basic ground school session and in the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.
This year seven COPA pilots made time available in their schedules to take flight with over 200 youth participants, a few who travelled from as far as London, Timmins and Sudbury. You gentlemen are amazing!!!
- SNEDDEN, Doug – Cessna 172
- LAWSON, Doug – Cessna 182
- Richards, Lloyd (Timmins) – Cessna 172
- HRAB, Michael – Zlin 242L
- CARTMAN, Jeff (Sudbury) – Cessna 182
- HILSINGER, Jim – Piper PA-34 Seneca
- CHITTENDEN, James (London) – Cirrus SR22
At the end of each flight, youth were presented with a certificate of achievement.
Congratulations to everyone who helped make this years Algoma Aviation Week a very memorable one!