Local aviation event inspires young prospective pilots
The Midland chapter of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) offered a free flight experience to local youth on Saturday, hoping to inspire young enthusiasts to eventually become pilots.
COPA welcomed more than 50 youths to Huronia Airport in Tiny Township, briefing them on the basics of flight and taking them on a short journey 2,000 feet above the Midland area.
Eight recreational pilots volunteered their generation aviation aircraft for the occasion, taking the youth to the skies for a view of the ground up high and a cockpit’s instruments and gauges from up close – all at no cost.
“This is one of the greatest things you can do,” said William Dykie, a recreational pilot who has been flying for almost three decades. “Give the kids a chance to fly; no commitment is necessary. Throw them in the seat and let them see what it’s like to remove those fears that people have.”
The pilots took care of the takeoffs and landings, but some of their young co-pilots had the chance to test the controls during their flights, such as 15-year-old cadet and aspiring pilot Luke Higgs.
“It was pretty good. I think the only thing I could’ve done is barrel rolls,” Higgs joked. “I think that’s the only thing we were missing.”
A 2018 Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace report found that the industry will need as many as 7,300 more pilots by 2025. Retirements, training costs, and pay could mean the industry’s supply will be challenged to keep up with its demand.
COPA hopes to inspire interest in aviation among youth so they can one day pursue careers in the industry.
“There are airlines offering help to get your pilot’s license and get your airline license,” said Grant Lloyd, a recreational pilot and a coordinator for the Discover Aviation event. “If young people just look into it, it’s very doable, and it’s a great career.”
The next Discover Aviation event at Huronia Airport is planned for the spring. COPA National also offers free online ground school and scholarship opportunities for flight schools.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Affordability crisis could be reaching its peak in Canada, economist says
With Canada's annual inflation rate reaching the central bank's two per cent target, the country's affordability crisis could be peaking, according to an economist.
Record-breaking Lotto Max jackpot tickets sold in Ontario, Quebec
Two lucky people in Ontario and Quebec will split Tuesday’s record-breaking $80-million Lotto Max jackpot.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, goes back to work days after cancer treatment update
Catherine, Princess of Wales has held her first engagement since revealing that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Ukrainian drones strike a large military depot in a Russian town northwest of Moscow
Ukrainian drones struck a large military depot in a town deep inside Russia overnight, causing a huge blaze and prompting the evacuation of some local residents, a Ukrainian official and Russian news reports said Wednesday.
How to prevent lung cancer, regardless of whether you smoke, according to a doctor
More people who have never touched a cigarette are getting lung cancer, but there are ways to prevent it, according to a doctor.
Bride's family speaks as West Vancouver woman sentenced for driving SUV into wedding party
Sixty-five-year-old Hong Xu, who drove her SUV into a crowd of people celebrating a wedding at her next-door neighbour's house in West Vancouver on Aug. 20, 2022, has been sentenced under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving without due care and attention.
This airport landing is so challenging only 50 pilots are qualified to do it
Bhutan's Paro International Airport (PBH) is widely considered one of the most technically difficult plane landings in the world. Maneuvering onto a short runway between two 18,000-foot peaks requires both technical knowledge and nerves of steel.
Exploding Hezbollah pagers in apparent Israeli attack made by Hungarian company, Taiwanese firm says
A company based in Hungary was responsible for manufacturing the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria in an apparent Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah’s communications network, another firm whose brand was used on the devices said Wednesday.
'It's ridiculous': Ontario man told to pay $1,000 to end water heater contract
An Ontario man was surprised to learn he would have to pay a $1,000 penalty to cancel his water heater rental. 'I was shocked that the penalty I had to pay was almost the cost of a brand new water heater,' James Alves, of Etobicoke, told CTV News Toronto.