Discover Aviation


 2024-08-24



The day dawns bright and clear.

The Day Dawns Bright and Clear

Discover Aviation


Originally scheduled for the weekend of August 17th, abysmal weather including rain showers and thunderstorms made flying impossible on both days.  However, saturday August 24 2024 dawned clear and sunny for the COPA 149 Discover Aviation Day at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport.  Five pilots flew 84 eager young aviators in their private aircraft at no cost to the participants.  Each flight lasted about 20 minutes and gave the passengers unparalleled views of local attractions such as the Welland Canal, the Lake Erie and Ontario shorelines, their own neighbourhoods and distant views of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Buffalo.  Funding for this event was provided by members of COPA 149.  Piloting services and ground support were provided by volunteers.

The pictures posted below are in reduced resolution.  If you are a participant and would like a higher resolution copy of your picture, please drop us an email at copa149atcnq3@gmail.com identifying yourself and which picture you would like.  To download an image, right-click on the image and select "Save Picture As".  The pictures are protected by copyright belonging to the individual photographers, and may not be used for commercial purposes without permission.

Find out more about the Discover Aviation Program:  COPA 149 Discover Aviation Day

Pre-registered participants check in.

Planes are ready for eager flyers.

All aviators receive a ground briefing.

Loading the first flight of the day in a Diamond DA-40.

Aircraft lined up to receive participants.

Visitors too young to fly have a chance at some taxi practice.

Eagerly awaiting the boarding call.

Eagerly awaiting the boarding call.

Seat belt check.

Excitement builds as engine start nears.

Airborne!

Airborne!

Photo Op for the news media.

Photo Op for the news media.

Media reporter interviews volunteers.

Media reporter interviews volunteers.

Ready to taxi.

Ready to taxi.

Cessna 182 on the climbout.

Cessna 182 on the climbout.

Pilot and Copilot

Pilot and Copilot

Trying out a STOL aircraft.

Trying out a STOL aircraft.

This should be fun.

Taxi regulations for junior aviators.

Taxi regulations for junior aviators.

Ready to taxi.

Last flight of the day.

Ray Larson has hot dogs ready for returning flyers. Courtesy Pelham Today/R. Hutton

Ray Larson has hot dogs ready for returning flyers. Courtesy Pelham Today/R. Hutton

Al Kaminsky conducts Ground School. Courtesy Pelham Today/R. Hutton

The Diamond DA-40 ready for a rest.

Thank-you COPA 149 members and pilots!

Aviator Gallery

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Flight 026 Courtesy Pelham Today/R. Hutton

The following photographs are courtesy of Larry Foster.