Discover Aviation

COPA #149 volunteers and 122 registered aspiring aviators gathered on a hot but sunny day at Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (CNQ3) for Discover Aviation 2026.   A pleasant breeze took the edge off the summer heat.  Discover Aviation 2026 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 young aviators at no cost by registering ahead of time on the website www.copa149atcnq3.org.  Planes, pilots, flights, fuel and hot dogs are provided by the members of COPA 149 and other volunteers with generous support from several local businesses as well as a free will donation jar.  By the end of the day, COPA 149 pilots had introduced 120 young aviators to the joys of viewing a moving map of the local area from the cockpit of a small aircraft.  Nine privately-owned aircraft took part including a classic 1947 Stinson, two Cessna Skyhawks, a fast Cessna Skymaster inline twin, a sleek Diamond DA-40, a short-wing 1958 Piper Tri-Pacer, a Cherokee Warrior, a Cessna 182 and a Navion.  Participants returned sporting wide smiles and a keen 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 members and other 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, guided 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 from both participants and parents/guardians about the airport and general aviation.

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