Happy New Year!
 |
Tony, Bessy, and some snow
at Delta 1971. Photo courtesy Anon from Swain Collection |
| |
|
 |
Darmel Diston digs out
Bessy whilst the anxious Author contemplates his next move. Photo
courtesy Anon from Swain Collection |
| |
|
 |
Hopeful Harvard pilot winds
the FTZBLKNG crank, winter 1971. Photo courtesy Anon from Swain Collection |
| |
|
 |
Remembrance Day Ceremony
at Delta Heritage Air Park. Photo
courtesy David Browning |
| |
|
 |
Tony & Mary plant Delta's commemorative tree on
Nov 11. Photo courtesy David Browning |
| |
|
 |
RAAC Chapter 85 Turbi
awaits take off at Delta for Remembrance Day flight. Photo courtesy David
Browning |
| |
|
 |
Harvards of Bud Granley and
John Mrazek at Boundary Bay on Remembrance Day 2003. The Janes Antinov AN-2 is
beyond. Photo courtesy David Browning |
| |
|
 |
Renowned Canadian artist
Toni Onley at work in the Gulf Islands some years ago with his trusty Lake Amphibian. Unknown magazine
clipping from Delta Collection. |
| |
|
 |
WW 2 Veterans George Spence and Larry Thompson
lay the Remembrance Wreath by the Flag in the Lodestar Park at Delta Heritage Air Park. |
So where's the snow? Used to
be there was always snow about now.
In Vancouver, Jan. 1, was
when it came. But in recent years the ski slopes have pretty much had to make
their own. Must be all the hot air emanating from this place!
Yeah I KNOW, you guys just
east of here get real snow every year, no questions asked. We see it on the
telly. But this is Vancouver! The La La Land where people leave for a week in
Hawaii just for the thrill of getting back in time for a half inch of snow.
Of course, I'm writing this
in late November, when we are only getting occasional 'weather.' Bit of wind,
bit of rain, bit of sun.
We know this because of The
Weather Channel Lady. She tells us that you lot have been getting white stuff
for some time now. That must be what triggers all this, yawn, advice in the COPA
News about something known as 'Cold Weather Operations' and the like.
FLYING THE FARM...
Well... I'd have you know
that my first airplane ride was in a blizzard. Dad and I were driving home from
some motorbike races near Scarborough in Yorkshire, and came upon the little
flying field at Speeton. A light was on in the clapboard clubhouse, so we popped
in for a cup of tea.
"How about a plane ride?"
said the bloke warming his behind by the fire. "You're on!" said me Dad... And
off we went in the club 'kite'... A flimsy Auster Autocrat.
Dad sat sideways in the
back. The field was, well, just a big field, with a farm at the far corner.
Everything was grey gloom. Even the snow was grey.
The hero pilot must have
been very bored, or desperate for money, because you could see NOTHING!
The plot was to take off
keeping the farm on the right, circle, and land. "Keep pointing at the farm!"
says he. And off we went. Grey North Yorkshire snow streamed by. I pointed at
the farm.
Less than a mile away were
the spectacular 300 foot cliffs of Bempton, the fabulous
Flamborough Head stretched
eastwards into the raging North Sea, off which American Privateer John Paul
Jones did historic battle with a British Man o'War, and won! With the astonished
Brits watching from the cliff tops.
We saw none of that... Just
'The Farm' a dark revolving mass midst a soup of grey. Our pilot yanked on full
flap and we plonked down in a swirl of snow, and that was it. Not much of a
ride... But I couldn't stop talking about it.
The exotic smell of hot oil,
strange throb of the engine, strumming of the fabric, wind whistling in the
struts, the amazing floating feeling, and the rumble of the gear after
landing... I was hooked!
Dad paid the man, and we
left for home. At a shilling a minute, it can't have been more than five bob!
But that's where it all began for me.
WINTERS PAST...
It's hard to believe, but we
used to get snow at Delta.
Really! Back in '64, I got
back from Hawaii at 7am, and the cab took two hours to get me home through a
raging blizzard.
I was expected at work! But
my car was buried in the back lane and I quit. ...I know this stuff is normal
for you easterners. But in Vancouver? Where's it all gone?
In 1971 Mary and I had just
bought Ole Bessy, and it was imperative that we fly every spare moment. But
boom, come January it got real cold. Hey! What's a bit of freezing? Off to the
airport. Snow everywhere. Scared we'd end up under the ice in the ditch by the
road driving in...Scary stuff!
Anyway, it was the kind of
day that white smoke streams straight up from chimneys. But, got to go fly.
Those days Bessy sat on a
tiedown, semi covered with a tatty tarp. By time we arrived, the sun had slid
the snow off the wings. I fussed about ice in the control rods, or that maybe
the gear downlocks were frozen.
The snow was up to my knees
in places... and that Shell 100 mineral oil would be pretty stiff?
The farmer who sold us the
airplane, Darmel Diston, was out ploughing the strip just wide enough for the
gear to fit. Others were bustling about digging out.
A CRAZY LOT...
We are a crazy lot. There'd
be something pretty good on telly cosy by the fire at home... Anyway.
Removing an icy old tarp is
not easy, and undoing frozen rope knots a pain. But help was at hand. Darmel
turned up with a big shovel and dug a way out to the taxi way he'd already
cleared.
There only being one shovel,
I pondered the starting problem. The old black tar battery was not the best, and
could barely turn the starter flywheel. No problem said previous owner Darmel.
Simply get it moving with
the hand crank, then help it along with the battery. I would crank, he would
flick the switch. Simple.
FTZBLKNG CRANK...
Of course things had to be
done just right. Proper prime, four shots normally. Would six shots do today?
Keep priming when she fired until things warmed up. If she fired!
Where to set the throttle?
Were the brakes frozen? etc. etc.
I inserted the crank, and
started to wind. Phew... What a job, stiff as blazes! Darmel gave a little flick
of the switch, the handle sped up some, I strained harder...
"Use your weight!" he
shouted, "Pull on the down stroke."
When desperate, you are
stronger than expected and I frantically yanked over and DOWN on that ftzblkng
crank.
The low hum became a whine,
and just as my eyes popped out, Darmel shouted "CONTACT!" and engaged the
clutch...
"SCREEECH SKREEEEETCH...
Pop! ...Chug ...Bang! Pop! "Keep cranking!" yelled Darmel, as he pumped
furiously on the primer. Pop... Pop... Chug, Chugga, Chug... Shake, Bang!, Boom!
Shudder, Chug chug Rumble Rumble Rumble... And away she went. Burbling away.
What joy!
TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM...
Darmel was all smiles. I was
all smiles. The slipstream was bitter even at that slow idle, but I could care
less.
She was running. I'd never
been so happy. He climbed out. I climbed in. Took about 15 minutes before the
temps came up green.
The oil pressure was super
high for a while, but as she warmed through, everything became normal and cosy.
I adjusted the oil shutters, and exercised the prop a few times. I remember
thinking what an amazing airplane the Harvard is. No wonder it was North
American Aviation's most successful design. Mary and I love it. It is awesome.
So there I was, ready to go
fly, in my best black leather coat, my Grebb work boots, snug leather helmet,
fancy Italian Fangio racing goggles, and nice warm gloves.
So off I went... And it was
magnificent. Snow sparkled everywhere, the valley transformed into a magic
Kingdom!
And people wonder why we
fly? They just don't know, do they?
THE TIME HAS COME...
Hey! Where did that year
go?...
Time to scour your memory
cells and come up with the person in your area who deserves COPA recognition!
Someone's always doing
something memorable to make our flying more enjoyable. COPA strives to find
those people and celebrate their dedication by honouring them with an
appropriate COPA Award.
People do different things.
Some provide cheerful hospitality, some reliable services, some work quietly on
your airport, some volunteer to run social events, and occasionally, someone
will be called on unexpectedly to be a hero. We need to recognize such fine
people.
So COPA has a number of
awards appropriate for most eventualities... It is not a competition, but our
way, no YOUR way, of saying "Thank you!"
We have Good Show Awards,
Appreciation Awards, Achievement Awards, and Merit Awards.
Your COPA Board choose
recipients from nominations received from members during the next couple of
months. So look amongst your flying activities, and see who deserves our
applause, and send in a recommendation.
Keep it brief, but tell us
the Who, What, Why, Where, and When.
Our President and our
Chairman, with their overall view of COPA activities, will be looking for
someone special to receive the COPA President's Award. Suggestions for this are
always welcome. So get to it! ...And send in those nominations.
Don't forget to provide
contact information for both you, and the person you nominate. Not just email
addresses. ...Thanks!
REMEMBERING...
Every year we remember the
sacrifice that so many made in the hope of peace and freedom for us all. Yet the
ghastly plague of war continues.
Those who answered the call
often paid the ultimate price, and we shall remember them.
At Delta, we remembered in a
modest way. A flagstaff was erected in Lodestar Park by the main gate, and a
quiet, but moving Ceremony was held there November 11.
It was surprisingly
emotional. There with our friends. World War Two Veterans George Spence and
Larry Thompson laid the wreath, and Mary and I were honoured to be asked to
plant a small tree. John Macready and Don Watson organized these events.
We feel a special kinship to
those who flew into war... and also to those who stand ready to do so again
should the sad need arise.
And so, following tradition,
a number of small aircraft flew around the Vancouver area, honouring in a small
way, those brave souls who similarly flew to battle so many years ago.
GULF ISLANDS ADVISORY
BOARD...
On the 20th November, Parks
Canada announced the establishment of a volunteer Park Advisory Board to assist
with the management planning program for the Gulf Island National Park Reserve.
There will be seven
members... One from the Capital Regional district, one from The Islands Trust,
one from Parks Canada, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Superintendent,
...and three 'public' members, with expertise in one or more of the following
areas; conservation, marine-based recreation, land-based recreation, education,
tourism, and cultural heritage.
Applicants need to submit a
letter outlining their interest in the Park, a resume showing how their
experience relates to the park, and two letters of reference regarding their
expertise and abilities for their role on the board. Applications were to be in
by Dec 12/03 to Parks Planning Co-ordinator, Carolyn Stewart, Coastal B.C. Field
Unit, Parks Canada, in Sidney BC.
The BC Floatplane
Association COPA Flight 72 has put a qualified candidate forward for a Public
Member position on the board.
BC FLOATPLANE ASSOC...
The BCFA hopes to form an
alliance with the Council of BC Yacht Clubs on these concerns, as the boating
public have received no assurance that they will continue to enjoy their
traditional access to these fine recreational waters.
This is the park from which
BCFA member Canadian artist Toni Onley was told to leave and we understand there
are similar plans for the waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia, as depicted
on your VTA Chart.
The Executive of the BCFA
met with some BC Government Ministers and put forward their concerns. The
response was supportive of the BCFA's position, and a certain amount of
frustration and dismay was expressed by the ministers on these developments. Our
problem is that the Government has more pressing matters on it's legislative
mind than floatplane access to National Parks at this time. BCFA President Steve
Nunn comments that should no
positive action result from these meetings, BCFA may need to come to the members
for a write-in response.
As COPA President Kevin
Psutka has said... It was most unfortunate when Parks Canada unilaterally
banned aircraft from all national parks several years ago. With the recent
addition of parks in many established areas frequented by traditional users such
as Artist Onley, or overflown by many, the one-size-fits-all solution that may
have applied to remote parks, does not apply to parks closer to the population,
going beyond inconvenience to creating public safety problems.
While COPA appreciates the
need to protect our environment, there needs to be compromises made, as we
assert for the Banff and Jasper airstrips, as well as the Gulf Islands and other areas.
END BITS...
The folks at Nelson are
working away on a business plan for the flight to operate the airport. I sent
them a number of suggestions of people to speak to. I hear that with the
GVRD's blessing, the Delta Heritage Air Park committee has
provided a copy of their mutual working arrangement, for which gesture COPA is
extremely grateful, these being very complex issues.
A small correction from my
last column about the Great Salvage Barge. It had two great Evinrude outboards,
not Mercs, as quoted. ...Sigh.
I'm writing this toward the
end of November, so anything can have happened in the meantime. Mary and I hope
you have had a pleasant Christmas, and got all the right stuff in your stocking.
We wish everyone a very Happy and Successful New Year.
Fly Safe...
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.