By Tony Swain
At it again
The Airspace Review enthusiasts are at it again. The current Waltzing Matilda
around Bay Tower only just got etched in our brains! Now, yet again, we are
invited to arm wrestle the problem at the All New Nav Canada Air Space Review. I
sicked our Bruce on em. Bruce, being Delta’s Committee Secretary, is pretty
sharp. He reports from the first presentation that there was lots of talk about
extending Boundary Tower’s grip a further three miles east to The Trestle. This
popular check in point is to be replaced by Serpentine, which is apparently in
almost the same place. Mind you, this by itself doesn’t change much as far as
Delta’s concerned, as we operate in a special cut-out zone below a thousand
feet. We shall see.
This has worked well for us these past 15 years or so. However, even a minor
change, such as ATF to MF would cause great distress to many of our users. A
major concern for some is Nav Can’s desire to impose a Mode C requirement on the
airspace. This stuff is rampant. There’s to be another meeting sometime, but
I’ve not received word on it yet. We must stay actively involved if we are to
retain our special piece of the upside down pie.
BC PARKS CO
The BC Floatplane Association/COPA Flight 72 has been e-mailing about urging
members to obtain a copy of the preliminary report of the BC Parks user review
work book results that everybody was asked to submit this summer. All sorts of
ideas have apparently surfaced, such as the hoary old User Pay, funding,
staffing and the like. I thought these parks were ours? Just asking.
A copy of this draft report can be had online at www.praxis.ca/recpanel or email
recpanel@praxis.ca, or phone 1-877-822-1284 and ask for one to be mailed.
According to BCFA President, Brenda Matas, the trick here is that your valuable
comments are to be in by Oct 15 2002, which was three weeks ago. The review
panel is going to act on the results of this fine report, on the basis of inputs
received from Province wide none government organizations at the big meeting in
mid August, to which the BC floatplane Association don’t recall being invited.
It’s a funny world, ain’t it? So call, email or www ‘em anyway, and huff and
puff with stuff about being left out of their loop.
GOODBYE EVERGREEN
One of the most popular annual rendezvous in the Pacific North West is the NW
Antique Aircraft Club’s fly-in at Evergreen, Wa, ever since anyone can remember.
But apparently no more. The very last fly-in was held last month before this
venerable old grass roots airport is turned over to development. A number of our
friends flew down for the farewell event. Long time ago I flew down in whatever
airplanes that came to hand... Druine Turbi, English Tiger Moth, old Bessy
whatever. I was overawed by the variety of old flying machines on hand. Classic
Waco biplanes, Travelairs, Stearman mailplanes, Bird Biplane, whatever. I
remember they let Mary and I sleep in the tiny clubhouse, and how romantic that
was. The rows of old planes looming in the moonlight. Neil Rose pulled back a
rickety hangar door, and there was a real Hurricane patiently recovering from
terminal decay. A loop and roll ride in a rumbling old Waco Straight Wing. Like
doing acrobatics in a cathedral! So majestic. Sigh... Where will all the old
birds go? Long time passing.
PENHOLD RE RECALLED
Got a poignant email from France after our NATO Reunion at the COPA Convention
at Red Deer this summer.
Bonjour Tony... Very nice news from an “Old ‘53 Acting Pilot Officer. I left
Penhold in 1953 for Portage. Maybe you were an Arrival Cadet? Anyway we flew the
same aircrafts. Michel told me a few words how you was and you stay a real
airman. My flying career ended in 1990 for medical purpose. During 22 years of
civilian aeronautique and in charge a private Aero-Club in order to maintain
flight of 3 old Stampe SV4, and later one Maurane Saulnier 733. Very
disappointed to have been ejected by ridiculous French rules, it was just a
mater of regulations. I stoped definately all flying practice.
Please send mail from time to time to be a real pleasure. After 55 years of
aeronautique, aviation is always in my mind... Recevez mes Meilleures Amities
Aeronautiques pour vous et votre femme... Rene Dessoude (My English is not up to
date) ...Rene was French Air Force, and on the junior course to us at Penhold,
in 1953. So, for private pilots, it’s the same the whole world over!
DELTA CORN ROAST
The crop was so good this year that the women held an ad hoc corn roast at Delta
in mid September. They never asked anyone, just told us it was happening. Of
course we guys had a bunch of phoning around to do, and 80 or 90 people turned
up, by car, plane and motorbikes. You had to bring your own meat, veggie and
desert. But they cooked up 22 dozen cobs. ...It was delicious! The planes that
turned up were great.
Rob Salter is a regular customer at our pumps with his one of a kind in Canada
Avion Pierre Robin, with it’s Continental Tiara engine. The forward opening
canopy is unusual and is worth a look.
The (F)Red Baron arrived in his Renegade, Scott Jackson brought his new RV-6,
all painted up pseudo military, a mint Cessna Bird Dog, but the great favourite
was Don Allan’s 1936? Stinson Gullwing “Mother Goose”, who was a Delta resident
in the old days. We must do it again.
NEIL’S FLYING MACHINES...
33 years ago when I arrived at Delta the resident hero was Neil Holmes who
zoomed about most days in his fabulous Bucker Jungmeister, which he built
himself from proper plans. It was marvellous, that plane. When he pulled it out,
people crowded around just for a look. The cockpit was a mysterious pit with
high coamings, quite unlike the open and spacious American cockpit style.
His daughter Donna tells me that her mother called the Jungmeister “The Devil”,
so compelling were it’s delights.
The aerobatic practice area was just off the east end of the field in those
days, over the Oyster plant on 112 Street. We could show off our aerobatic
prowess within easy sight of the coffee Shop patio. Neil made that little
Jungmeister dance. His friend Dave Rahm had a black one, and he would come by
once in a while and give us a show.
Neil was an old trouper, and in the early Days at Delta, when still the Diston
Farm, Neil barnstormed with a Stearman he actually kept in the Barn. From time
to time his stable contained a miniature Jungmeister, a Mooney Mite, a Chipmunk,
and a Nancheng. He appeared crotchety to some, but in the coffee shop, the group
at his table regularly erupted with laughter.
After some engine problems, the Bucker was sold, and vanished. The local
aficionados mourned the Yellow Devils passing, and told and retold “remember
when” stories.
Last year, the Jungmeister appeared unexpectedly in the Delta parking lot. Some
guy had bought it cheap at an auction in Alberta. It had apparently spent some
years at the Reynolds Museum, then it hung from the ceiling of a Hard Rock Cafe,
from where it ended up in the auction.
There was no engine, and it looked in pretty good shape. The new owner hoped to
find someone to put it back flying for cheap. ...Then he left. No one knows who
or where. The picture here appeared on the notice board last week. Neil was our
legend... Way to go. We’ll not forget.
HOWSE AFFAIR
Big Jerry called me and said I was to phone around and alert the gang there was
to be a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party at Joe and Alice Howse’s place
near Duncan. We were to sneak in before one p.m. on Saturday, and we would be
whisked away to his hangar. Joe is the very effective president of CARMA, the
Canadian Association of Recreational Military Aircraft owners... a.k.a. the
Warbirders. Mary and I made the big effort, regardless of the fine weather, left
a flight note with Bruce the Reliable, and flew in to Duncan forthwith, below
2500 feet, transponder beeping frenziedly. Bay Tower showed mild surprise that I
advised, idented, and everything, as we skirted their zone.
The approach to Duncan, a 15 hundred foot strip, is interesting for a two and a
half ton plane with special fader brakes. There’s a slight hump in the runway,
and if you Boing! Skip! ...the ground drops away at the same rate as you sink.
Creating moderate pucker factor in the front cockpit, and, apparently, major the
same in the rear.
The big round engine seemed bigger than usual, and I had to weave back and forth
to see the end of the runway. This needs to be seen, as there is a modest drop
off of about 50 feet immediately at the end. This could bend something if not
properly negotiated. A semi ground loop did the trick. Taxiing around a sort of
mountain highway to the parking area was a enlightening experience.
Once settled, we found it was gone one, and no Howse wagon appeared, so local
pilot Lorne said he’d been there, and would take us in his truck. We
investigated numerous farms enroute, and Lorne was getting desperate. A lady
“I’m not from around here!” set us straight, and we were soon hidden in the
hangar with the rest. Apparently the Howse strip is easy to find by air. The
Howse C-170 and NanCheng were parked nearby. A pig sizzled on a spit, a salmon
smoked over a grill, and there was lots of local wine, which I couldn’t drink.
Ginger Ale is a good substitute in extremis.
The Vicair Gang arrived in a white 172, a Trojan gave us a bit of a fly by. The
Crowes arrived in style via beautiful green CJ-6A Nancheng. The Howses were
astounded, and it was a great social event. After food, speeches and all, Mary
and I had to leave, as evening was fast arriving.
Easy drive to the gate, to find it LOCKED! What a panic. It’s a good quarter
mile uphill to the airport. Frantic cell calls to Dad for the combination. But
eventually, the small group of shut-outs scrambled to the top of the hill. We
were soon away, and arrived home to Delta, to find the faithfull Bruce waiting,
to close our Flight Note, just as he was beginning to worry. Great day!
The next day, Bessy and the Longstaff Spitfire flew the Battle of Britain
Flypast over the Grand Old Gentlemen of Air Force vets on parade in Stanley
Park. We go in after a very impressive pass by a Canadian Forces Aurora. A very
satisfying weekend.
DELTA YOUNG EAGLES...
COPA Flight 5 holds it’s first Young Eagles Day this Saturday, and Captain Al
fielder tells me they have 56 kids pre-registered for the event. This new COPA
flight meet in the Boundary Bay Flying Club’s Delta clubrooms the first
Wednesday of every month. The modest membership are providing a solid base for
the group to grow. This Young Eagles Day should attract new interest. Flight
Captain Al Fielder’s contact number is 604 540 6435.
See you next month... Fly Safe
