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Long ago ME 109 pilot, Franz Stigler at the Billy Bishop Legion, Vancouver, Remembrance Day, with Tony and Mary Swain. Photo courtesy Jim Berladyn |
The arguments are over, this really is the new Millennium. We wish you all
uncomplicated flying!
Not being party animals, Mary and I will have watched all the worldly
celebrations on the telly in our comfy chairs by our blazing imitation fire.
This was not always the case, and my first Canadian New Year’s Eve was
highlighted by cavorting over Grimli in bitter cold weather with Silver Star
21061. The log says I diligently practised Lesson Plans Nine, 12, 13, 22, and 25
for an hour thirty, but the memory is dim. Seems to me that 12 and 13 were
takeoff and landing, 25 was aerobatics, but Nine and 22 elude me. Must have been
getting in, and getting out?
After all, in 1953, the T-Bird was a sophisticated, noisy, gas gobbling jet. The
bee’s knees for young Air
Force Tigers coming up 19! And New Year’s was a blast.
THE LAST GREY GOOSE
Caught the last Grey Goose bus to Winnipeg for the festivities. Weather was
a bit clement, 40 below in 30 knot blowing snow, the usual stuff. It was only 60
odd miles. We were rugged those days.
The bus droned on through the Manitoban winter, a cosy cocoon of humanity
floating through the Stygian gloom. Nothing out there. A dim light would float
by every 10 minutes or so, it’s glow streaked by driven snow. Our driver drove
IFR, silhouetted majestically in the glimmer of his panel, oozing quiet
confidence as we dozed.
Until we ran off the road! No big deal. Wheels were spun back and forth. No go.
The driver switched off and disappeared into the night with a shovel, whilst we
snoozed all snug inside. Time passed. The doors hissed open, and he announced he
would be a while, as he needed to install some chains, whatever they were. (I
was an English person, remember) Then he would dig some more, put down some
sand, or whatever Winnipegian drivers do.
Meanwhile the heaters soothed our souls. ‘Till, ages later, he returned, climbed
in, hit the starter, the lights dimmed and the heaters moaned to a stop. The
nice warm electric heaters had flatted the batteries. After a
suitable pause, he was very polite.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST
Would the passengers like to get out and push? How can a folk refuse? Simply
push a Grey Goose bus, in the black of night in a blinding snowstorm, in your
New Year glad rags. Done it? Thought not.
There were maybe 30 people on the bus. No one wanted to miss the joyous
countdown to 1954 in Winnipeg, or be found as frozen meat sometime in January,
so everyone got out.
Even some women and children first. We poo-ooshed, and we poo-oooshed, feet
scrabbling at the snow, and finally made it onto the road, it wasn’t a deep
ditch. But we still had a dead bus. Sorry, but could we give another little push
to start it, with a bit of speed?
Those days, pushing cars to start was a bit of a pastime, so we huffed and
puffed for a last immense effort, the icy wind froze our throats. Amazingly, the
bus finally started, we piled aboard, and arrived in Winnipeg way too late to
find any whoop-up party.
I saw the New Year in at The Marlborough, in a three dollar room, with only one
tiny window over the hall door.
And that’s what we did in the air force sonny.
THE GOOD FOLKS OF COPA
Please scan your memory banks for folks in the flying fraternity who deserve
a COPA Award. There are always people in your area, or met en route, who eased
your flight or made it pleasant.
Airport managers, club members, coffee shop staff, mechanic, volunteer,
government guy, flying enthusiast, instructor, etc., not necessarily COPA
members. Anyone who does a good job for COPA’s family of aviation. We all rely
heavily on the small businesses who provide honest cheerful services to support
our hobby.
We certainly need to recognize the good people who routinely support our hobby
with enthusiasm, with no real expectation of special reward. A COPA Award is a
most appropriate and appreciative way to say “Thank you!”
COPA Awards are not a competition, but a way to appreciate deserving people. But
because it’s not a competition, we do need you to tell us who these fine people
are. Every year COPA presents awards for Merit, Appreciation, Achievement, and
Good Shows. Suggestions are truly welcome for the President’ Award. All these
Awards are listed, along with previous winners, on page 14 of your 2001 COPA
Annual.
As your COPA Awards Chair, I need a response in time for review by the Board in
March, when we sort out who gets what. Please suggest a category you feel
appropriate for your nominee, the committee will make the final decision.
Current Board members, COPA staff, or their family members are not eligible. We
certainly appreciate their hard dedicated work, but these awards are not for
them.
They are for those “n the field” who deserve our recognition, and you will have
to tell us, who they are.
Please keep your nominations brief, no more than a couple of pages, just the
who, what, and why. We need a contact phone and address, so that we may advise
successful candidates. Thanks for your help.
E-mail nominations to Tony Swain, COPA Awards at: tswain@copanational.org, or
mail to COPA, in Ottawa.
REMEMBER
Remembrance Day fly pasts this year were particularly poignant due to the
new awareness since September 11. At least four groups flew over the various
Cenotaphs about the Vancouver Lower Mainland. They carry on a 20 year tradition
that is much appreciated by the many Royal Canadian Legion and other Veteran
parades in the area.
The Swiftbirds, the RAA, the Harvards and the Canadian Blues fill a nostalgic
need for the grand old guys on parade. We had five Harvards this year, which
with a diamond formation, plus one line astern, makes a cross in the sky. Dave
Sproule flew that position in his magnificently restored 1941 Mark 2 Harvard. It
is like jewellery!
It was a beautiful day, and I flew “in the box” with the Harvards, and
afterwards, at the Billy Bishop, my local Legion, RCL No. 176, many vets tell me
how we always appear at the most appropriate moment, and how the Harvard
“rumble” brings tears to their eyes.
The place was packed as is usual on this special day with army, navy, and air
force veterans. The younger military people jostle and chatter at full volume.
Cadets and police band, Morris dancers and others, singing around good old Bea
at the piano. It really is an incredible crush, upstairs and down.
Mary and I were pleased to see our old friend Franz Stigler, ex-ME 109 pilot, a
bit stooped, and using a cane, but the fire still in his eyes. A long time ago,
at great risk to himself, he escorted a battered American B-17 half way home to
England over the North Sea, before waving bon voyage, and returning to his
Luftwaffe base. In the 1970s, we flew air shows together around Vancouver, Franz
in his ME-108, and Mary and I in Bessy, with the other Harvards active at the
time. It was really good to see him, proudly
wearing his sparkling Knight’s Cross.
DELTA APPRECIATION NIGHT
Everyone had a great time at 3rd Annual Delta Heritage Air Park Appreciation
Award Dinner. Over 90 people attended at Delta’s Sundance Inn, for excellent
food and a socialization. Lots of prizes, lots of laughs, and the recipient of
the Great Delta Appreciation Award was truly surprised and astounded.
Don Watson has worked so hard since taking over as AirPark caretaker, through
some particularly trying times.
Organizing the relocation of the fuel facility, modifying the drainage,
replacing hangar roofs, replaced sagging hangar door beam, setting up security
gates, and even relocating both the caretaker and watchman’s lodges, along with
the power and septic hook-ups. There was lots of help of course, but without
Don, it would have been a much tougher proposition. He says he just revels in
it. Just like being back on the farm. Thanks to the (F)Red Baron and Mary Swain
for making the evening happen, and to Don Souter, for his usual perky job as
master of ceremonies.
OTHER DELTA AND ETC STUFF
To spread the load, the pancake breakfast volunteers have formed two work
parties, the A and the B groups. The new schedule is the second Sunday of the
month, so the next will be January 13 for this popular Delta social event.
And hey! Would the person who borrowed my 1950s RCAF Harvard Flying Training
School manuals, please return them? They are required reading for Delta Pilots
who need to shoot the breeze with me!
As mentioned previously, the caretaker residence has been relocated near the
main gate, by the Boundary Bay Flying Club. The old garage row has gone. The
watchman’s trailer will move in behind the briefing room. This was a big job,
and those of us who stood around and watched were suitably impressed by the
efficiency with which it all transpired. Maybe I’ll get me one of these movable
homes!
By the way, I am now a svelte 37 pounds less than I was four months ago. The
difference is amazing. My shoes last twice as long. Trouble is I really rattle
around in Bessy’s cockpit. I’m going to need cushions to hold me in place. I am
continuing the same diet system: eat less of Mary’s food. However, modified this
over Christmas.
Oh yes, has anyone had computer troubles? Just asking.
BORDER LINES
Got a call from a COPA member in Polsen, Montana who was up at Fraser Lake,
B.C., when the world changed in September. He was flying floats with no wheels
and no IFR rating. A senior citizen, Bert is in his mid 70s. How to get home?
Now for our non-B.C. readers: Fraser Lake is way up north near Vanderhoof, about
360 nautical north of Vancouver, and 720 nautical from home.
He called U.S. Immigration in Boise, and after some discussions, they cleared
him down to the border, along the border east to Kootenay Lake, land on the
river near Creston, and taxi down across the border for U.S. customs at Porthill/Rykerts,
a journey of about 600 nautical miles. From there it was a mere 120 nautical to
Polsen. Cool eh?
Thankful to be home, he thought he would check on future trips to the lake, and
called Canada Customs. No problem, file a flight plan, come on up. So he called
Rykerts to confirm the previous routing would still be OK for the return trip
home. They were happy, but had to check with the boss, and would call back.
Boom. No way. The only way he could return would be via U.S. Immigration
clearance Great Falls, another round trip of 200 miles. He expects these
requirements to remain until after the Salt Lake Winter Olympics, if not longer.
So make sure you know what the current rules are before you go swanning off.
DON’T FORGET
Don’t forget to complete and submit your Community Planning workbook for the
Redfern-Keily Park in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area of B.C. Got to be in by
Jan. 30, 2002. And it’s one thick work book! There’s to be a workshop on this in
Fort St. John Jan. 17-19, 2002 and the B.C. Floatplane Association/COPA Flight
72 will have a representative at that meeting, to be held at the Quality Inn
Northern Grand Hotel. Registration is only $250 per person, and only 130 seats
are available.
The theme is “Retaining the Wilderness Experience” The keynote speaker will be a
Dr. Reed Noss, who I presume is a wilderness experience expert. They promise
over 150 delegates and speakers.
So fly safe. Happy New Year.
Tony Swain has been a COPA member for over 20 years and has been an active
participant in many aviation groups. He flies many types of aircraft and is
concerned about the rights of sport pilots.