Discover Aviation

After the abysmal weather in 2024 forced a delay of a week for Discover Aviation, COPA #149 volunteers and 100 registered junior aviators woke to a hot but sunny day at Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (CNQ3) for Discover Aviation 2025.     Discover Aviation 2025 at the NCDRA was organized by Doug Reilly and Don Haber, members of Flight 149 of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association.  Participation in all activities is offered to junior aviators at no cost by registering ahead of time on the website www.copa149atcneq.org.  Planes, pilots, flights, fuel and hot dogs are provided by the members of COPA 149 with generous support from several local businesses as well as a voluntary donation jar.  By the end of the day, volunteer COPA 149 pilots had introduced almost 100 young aviators to the joys of leaving terra firma behind for an exciting flight around the local area.  Seven privately-owned aircraft took part including a classic 1947 Stinson, a 1957 Piper Apache twin, a Cessna Skyhawk, a fast Cessna Skymaster inline twin, a sleek Diamond DA-40, a short-wing 1958 Piper Tri-Pacer and an executive Navion.  Although a few participants initially seemed a bit unsure of leaving the ground, they all returned sporting wide smiles and a desire to fly again.  For those too young to qualify for a flight, a pedal aircraft was available for taxi practice on the smooth concrete of the hangar. 

Participants enjoyed an exciting twenty-minute flight over Pelham, Wainfleet, Port Colborne and Welland, the four communities that operate the airport, spotting local landmarks such as the Welland Canal, the shorelines of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with more distant views of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The flyers were primarily from the local communities, although a few made the trek from farther afield to take advantage of this excellent opportunity. Ground arrangements were organized by many COPA Flight #149 volunteers who welcomed the young people with their parents/guardians, ensured that the required forms were filled out prior to flying, provided pre-flight briefings, matched riders to pilots and planes, prepared certificates of flight and offered hot dogs, snacks and drinks for returning aviators, as well as fielding numerous questions about the airport and general aviation.

 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