Twelve Seconds of Destruction
By M. Bruinsma

It only took 12 seconds to devastate Goderich, Canada's prettiest town on Sunday August 21.With only seconds of warning, the funnel cloud crossed Lake Huron creating over 2 ft. waves. It travelled over Rotary Cove roared up West Street straight through Courthouse Square down East Street cross country to Benmiller clocking winds from 250 to 300 km. Winds at CYGD were 87km. The airport, hangars and aircraft were spared. Sandy Wellman of Sky Harbour Aircraft sustained no damage either.

Pat Pattison of COPA 45 said just before 4 pm there was pounding hail which often precedes a tornado. At his Picton Street home, track and doors are damaged. He said the blinds were blowing through the windows which showed the wind's intensity even before the tornado struck. Trees were on his fence and car. The fence was broken but car was fine - no hail dents. Three days later Pat has no hydro, phone or internet in town but does at the cottage. Hydro may be back by the weekend.

Jacob, Jessica and Amberlyn Van Beets were in St Marys and called Pat to check their home on Bennett Street. It was fine but a tree was up rooted. Jacob works for the Parks department so will be putting 14 plus hours to clear debris, cut down trees and whatever other clean-up is needed.

Murray and Shirley Ward, also members, faired better. They lost hydro, gas, phone and internet. Murray said the wind was so strong that it was driving the rain under their doors. Murray's bird feeder and Shirley's gorgeous flowers were knocked over but no damage to their house. In fact, their hydro came on later that night. Daughter, Becky, just happened to be driving to her parents that day. Enroute, she came through heavy rain but at Brussels, no rain and sun shining. Towards Goderich it looked beautiful. Switching to 104.9 the Beach, she heard about the devastation. She tried Highway 21 and Benmiller but was turned back by OPP. She came up Highway 8 to Suncoast Drive where she could get through. Later that night she took her parents to Orangeville. Pharmacist and pilot Dan Stringer said the new Rexall pharmacy sustained substantial damage and is not yet reopened. With no phones or computers it is difficult to wait on customers who need refilled prescriptions and other meds.

At 3 pm Fred and Marilyn Bruinsma left for Listowel. Fred said, “Take a jacket it is really cooling down.” Marilyn thought yes it is but it is very still outside, unusual for our country place.

Local doctors and members, Dr. Michael Curtis and Dr. Carmen Schmitz, were on standby with Clinton Hospital. Our CAME, Dr. Sam Appavoo, was in our hospital treating patients. Some were sent to Clinton. Air ambulance flew some to London. Despite being a F3 tornado there was only one death and 37 injured persons. Simply amazing!

Returning from Stratford, 45er Glynda Matheson and friend were coming to Goderich for dinner. They were turned back at Benmiller and picked their way home through back roads to Kincardine. A new shed at Auburn was levelled. She put on the webcam at CYGD to see the aftermath of the tornado. Food favourites like Wicked Willy's, Burger Bar, Goderich Grill, Cravings, JB's, Baileys are damaged.

Afterwards Pat Pattison biked around town to view the damage. He went up Picton Street where many wartime houses were severely damaged. Yet beside them the town's water tower was unscathed. Further east First Student bus lines had their tower doubled over. It monitors the buses so will need repairs for Sept.6. Sifto evaporator plant was severely damaged and its tower destroyed. At the harbour the new storage shed lost parts of its roof. Century old Victoria St. Church lost its front, side, stained glass windows and roof. It was the northern edge of the storm's path. Goderich’s court house is still standing but there is not a tree left. The band shell was picked up and plopped down without its base.
Others flew their aircraft over the town and countryside taking pictures of the damage. Taylor Lambert took pictures for our website. Fred flew the Signal Star reporter over the area for some shots. The paper's front page graces such a shot. Airport manager, Ken Bogie, sent shots to Environment Canada.

As I write this there are severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings for Goderich and Huron,
Perth and Bruce Counties. Words that town residents do not want to hear. Town folk are on edge fearing more damage. Goderich, Canada's prettiest town, will rebuild and again be a new and different 'prettiest town in Canada' with its new historical buildings and facades. It may take more than a year to rebuild but one house, one street at a time it will happen. New trees will be planted and again become those tall stately trees in Courthouse Square not in our generation but maybe in our grandkid's years.

Oshkosh 2011
By Marilyn Bruinsma

The end of July and another Oshkosh is over. How sad to say good bye to all our friends with whom we have camped. COPA 45's Fred and Marilyn Bruinsma attended the 2011 AirVenture. Plan A was to fly there and camp under the wing of the Cavalier in Homebuilt camping. E-APIS filed and plane packed, Fred decided to phone for weather before contacting Customs. But Flight Service told him we might get to Sault Ste. Marie but not to Oshkosh and Thursday we would not get out of CYGD.

Decision made to drive and Plan B executed. So out to the airport to unpack the plane and pack the car. One blessing to wheels is that you can now take more stuff. Gary Baxter also went with us.

Wednesday at 6am we left for Oshkosh. Little traffic and no wait at the border made for a record setting trek there in 10.5 hours with 2 short stops for gas and lunch. In warm sunshine we set up our tents. It had rained most of the day so the streets were muddy. We joined our friends for social time and dinner at Applebees. Back at the tents, it soon was time to call it a day.

Thursday was sunny. Everyone enjoyed breakfast while reading the daily Airventure paper and commenting on the articles. Cameras, sunscreen, water and map packed, hats on we all left the campsite for the exhibits, fly market(man's shopping mecca), forums, demonstrations and the flightline full of homebuilts, factory builts, ultralights, and classics. We found another Cavalier from Michigan. We found other friends and caught up on all the news since last July. We attended the Homebuilders' Dinner at the Nature Center. During dinner it poured rain so it would be very muddy in Camp Scholler. After the awards, Paul Poberezny was the speaker. He talked about being asked by Mechanix Illustrated to publish a set of aircraft plans which he did. He chose the Corben Baby Ace. Friends encouraged him to build the Baby Ace for the Oshkosh Museum. This past winter with many volunteers, including aviation college students, it was 'mission accomplished'. One extra rib was built, mounted, and framed with a dedication plaque. It was presented to Paul. He thanked the group and let it be known he would be 90 in September so a chorus of Happy Birthday was sung. He said wife Audrey told him,” Well done, now time to rest”. Goderich's Gus Chisholm built his Corben Baby Ace from those Mechanix Illustrated plans. Painted in its original colour scheme, it graced the grass at the 2010 Oshkosh with a sign saying it was the “oldest flying registered homebuilt in Canada”. After dinner, it was back to the campsite to check our tents. Dry. But the streets were MUD and more MUD. Kids were walking on them in bare feet. Much easier to wash than shoes or sox. Older kids were having extreme fun mud running the streets. Mudkosh was better than the 2010 Sloshkosh with 2 weeks of steady rain.

Friday's weather was sunny. Off again to Shell Square where the Dreamliner was to park for tours. It was a huge double decker with passengers on the first floor and cargo beneath. Beside it sat a completely restored B-29 bomber, Fifi, who also made its debut on Monday and would fly in the Warbird show. Other naval warbirds were there to mark the centennial of naval aviation. Friday night was the annual International Dinner at the Nature Center where visitors from around the world meet and enjoy each other's company. Then several of us walked down the street to attend the EAA ice Cream Social. What a way to end another day at Oshkosh.
Sun shone again on Saturday and the mud was drying up. Our camping friends packed up, got a ride to their aircraft and flew home. We went to the museum to view the new displays there .A tribute to Burt Rutan was one along with the Corben Baby Ace that Paul and group built this past winter. We returned to walk through those majestic and huge warbirds which were getting ready for the airshow later. We said our final goodbyes and sat down to watch the famous warbird airshow. Mid way the skies darkened and the wind intensified sending debris and exhibitors shelters crumbling. The crowd soon left for their campsites. In Camp Scholler there were tents were twisted metal. One tent was even up against the outside fence. Sleeping quarters for some would be elsewhere whether in a vehicle or neighbouring tent. One look at those skies I am sure sent repeat thoughts of this years' Sun 'n' Fun. But soon the wind died down and it never did rain. Campers went for supper and returned to pick up chairs and sweaters for the night airshow. At dusk, the show started with The Lilberty Parajumpers and the national anthem. Then 4 Trojans lit up the skies with flashing lights and fireworks. What a sight to see. A twin Beechcraft with lights, fireworks and streamers did aerobatics in the night sky. Mid show was a ground display of outstanding fireworks. A glider with a jet engine quietly whirled its way through the sky again with many lights and fireworks. The jet truck also did a spectacular show of smoke and fire down the runway. All of this program was set to music. This was our highlight of Oshkosh. Its' Saturday night location in the schedule kept many more campers there until the end of the week.

Sunday was again sunny. Early in the morning we packed the car with tents and luggage to start heading home. Oshkosh 2011 had come and gone oh so quickly with record attendance numbers. But we know that we will be back next year to see our friends and visit new displays, see new aircraft and outstanding airshows. Only 355 more days to wait!

2011 Fly In Weekend
By Marilyn Bruinsma

GREAT WEATHER, GREAT FOOD, GREAT SPEAKER

Another great weather weekend for COPA 45's annual fly-in at Sky Harbour Airport, Goderich. The weekend began with coffee, cold drinks and plates of fruit before a barbecue lunch of burgers salads, and desserts held in the shade and breeze of Bruinsma's hangar. After lunch, Norman Pickell, a local lawyer and pilot, spoke to us about his position as Integrity Commissioner for Nunavit, Canada's newest territory. It was amazing to see the modern buildings, grocery stores, restaurants and yes now a Tim Horton's in Iqualit, Nunavit's capital. Food and services are very expensive there as everything arrives by air or truck. Yet when Norman was there this June, their gas prices were cheaper than here in Goderich.

When he was installed as Integrity Commissioner, Nancy, his wife, accompanied him to Nunavit for the ceremony and tour of the territory. A teacher, Nancy, wanted to visit a Grade 3/4 classroom there as she is the teacher of a 3/4 classroom at Hullett Public School in Londesboro. The children at the school gave their drawings from the art lesson to her to take back to her students at Hullett. Later that fall, her class sent artwork to the Iqualit students. Penpals are not allowed as there are too many requests asked of the Inuit students.

Afterwards, Norman and Nancy fielded questions from the audience. Both said it is unfortunate that the various news media report such negative happenings from Canada's Arctic North. A gift basket was presented to the Pickells for such an interesting and informative presentation. Many stayed back to talk to Norman and Nancy about the Northern territories. Others stayed to catch up on flying activities since the COPA Convention in Langley B.C.
Saturday night was a spaghetti supper with all the trimmings of Caesar salad and toasted garlic buns, desserts and cold drinks. A plate of watermelon and cantaloupe was a great finale to the evening,
Cleanup of supper, returning the barbecues to the pavilion and getting ready for Sunday's breakfast was the last order of the day.

Sunny skies greeted COPA 45 members early Sunday morning. Wow, two days of great flying weather! The group arrived early to set up the breakfast, gather picnic tables, and fire up the barbecues..
Aircraft started arriving at an early 7:30am. By 10:00am more than 35 aircraft and over 75 individuals had been served. A slight lull and the Goderich Signal Star reporter arrived for photos and a report. More planes, pilots and passengers continued to arrive including a big Russian AN2 from Oshawa.

Another successful weekend for Goderich's COPA 45 with lots of fun and food. Also,time to visit with those 'plane folks' that you meet as you travel from flyin to flyin.
 

High-Flying Adventure to the 2011 COPA Convention
By Jane Farrell

Preparing for this adventure brought back a lot of memories of other flights and adventures we’ve had the privilege to partake, through those beautiful majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Interested participants came along with their inputs & e-mails, along with meetings for “breakfast” for some flight planning, when it came time to put our plans to paper.

There were 4 Planes, with 4 couples involved to make this come together, our time of departures from our various home-bases, and to meet up in Gore Bay for the initiation of our flight out west.  Basically our flight was to go the northern route around the top of Lake Superior from Marathon-Dryden, continuing on towards Manitoba.  Well … the weather–gods were not on our side to continue, so we stayed in Dryden for a couple of days before being able to fly out behind this stalled weather system.  

Upon flying around the back of this system, we continued on to Estevan Sask. via Steinbach Man.  Here we saw for ourselves, the severe damage done by the flooding riverbanks below us, with some farming communities under water.  To try to understand their frustrations attempting to farm their acreage, let alone trying to keep their homes “dry” would be an understatement … devastation would be the word.  We stayed here for a few days waiting for the weather to clear … before taking off towards Springbank/Calgary Airport, for our briefing(s) to fly the Mountains by the Calgary Flying Club.

We were encouraged to fly that eve as far as Salmon Arm, due to the possibility of deteriorating weather … therefore; we took off following the TransCanada VFR Route.  This took us over Banff, Lake Louise before getting into Kicking Horse Pass (known for the Railroad’s Spiral Tunnels) @ an elevation of 1,640 m to Golden.  From here … we entered Roger’s Pass (summit elevation @ 1,330m) a wee-bit intimidating, flying at 8,500’ transmitting on 126.7 so we could locate and be aware where everyone was situated on our way through.  Being it was starting to get later in the day, we were told not to fly when the valleys started to acquire shadows due to the declining sunset … we decided to stay in Salmon Arm at the Shuswap Regional Airport for our nights stop.

Upon waking up, Kamloops FSS had a negative weather report for us, and since we are not Mountain flyers we were more or less told NOT to fly in these conditions.  So rented our vehicles and drove the rest of the way towards Langley B.C. where the Convention was being held.

After the COPA Convention, some of us went our separate ways to cover other areas of interest.  We continued on towards Vancouver Island to visit with family, tour Butchart Gardens & the city of Victoria.  Staying at my sisters was a benefit introducing the Verburg’s to this area of B.C. 

We took a “Circle-Tour” via the B.C. Ferry System, which took us from Tsawwassen-Schwartz Bay, around the Saanich Peninsula, up and around to Chemainus (known for its famous Murals), Nanaimo (known as the "Harbour City") on to Comox (an active air-force base) .  We crossed over to Powell River for the night, and continued on down the “Sunshine Coast” to catch another Ferry @ Saltry Bay to Earl’s Cove early in the morning.  Here we drove down to Landale which is known as Gibson’s Landing, where the show called “Beachcombers” was filmed & Molly’s Reach is still in business - catching the Ferry over to Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver.

On our way towards Hope we encountered a traffic jam due to diverted traffic, resulting from a Mud-slide on Hwy #1 between Hope & Chilliwack, blocking it completely.  Not a good scenario, as it was the day before the July 01^st Holiday weekend. 

We continued towards Merritt B.C for the night, and then drove over to the Okanogan Valley to visit with a Cousin of Hortense’s in Kelowna.  A beautiful home, in a choice location with a beautiful view of the Valley …  then … on to Salmon Arm, to fly out the next day towards home.

We flew the” Southern Route”- through the Okanagan Valley due to inclement weather,  with clouds entrenched in the Revelstoke area.  This was a new route for us, so we can chalk it up to another flying “first” through these mountains, in which one has a lot of respect for.  With the twists and turns (thanks to our GPS’s) following the VFR Route, we flew around & over Grand Forks, Castlegar, Nelson , Lake Kootenay, turning @ Creston, to land at Cranbrook B.C.  With this route you are “scrubbing” the U.S. Border, with our altitudes ranging from 8.5 - 9.000’ …

After fueling up and taking time to catch our collective breath, we continued on towards Elke, Sparwood and then flew through the Crowsnest Pass.  This high Pass is @ an elevation of 1,358 m which is along the Continental Divide, and a natural border between the Provinces of B.C. & Alberta. As a crew member/passenger on this flight, it was good to see Pincher Creek come into view and some flat land ahead.  With the Rockies behind us, we continued on past Lethbridge to stop in Medicine Hat for the night. 

The next day we flew on towards Steinbach Manitoba via Yorkton, watching where we landed being it was a Holiday weekend with Hotels at a premium, as well the availability for Aviation fuel. 

We had great tail-winds which helped us reach our destinations for our route “both” ways, which is highly unusual.  Continuing on (with good weather and continuing tail-winds) we landed at our strip, just over the 2 week period since we first left on this adventure.

Ontario Flying Farmers on this trip:

Fred & Marilyn Bruimsma (Goderich Ont)
Adrian & Hortense Verburgb (Lowbanks Ont)
Jim & Jane Farrell (Kincardine Ont)
John & Anne Donkers ( Elmira Ont)

We were also had the company of other pilots & spouses that flew to this Convention:

Chris McCullough & Anne Rock (Kincardine Ont)
Ron & Sherry Dube (Marathon Ont)
Steve Greenwell (Grand Bend Ont)
Tony  & Rita Ketalaars (Burlignton Ont)
Charles & Bonnie Murray  (St. Thomas Ont)
Jamie & Karen McCaugh  (Alliston, Ont)
Rick Sivyer &  Ray Bowers (Oshawa, Ont)

2011 Interprovincial Air Tour - June 2 - 5, 2011
by Marilyn Bruinsma

The 2011 Air Tour will be known for the Quebec City “airbus tour”. Last year the IPAT had perfect weather for flying and the tours but this year the weather was totally unpredictable from hour to hour. Despite rain and low ceilings the camaraderie was exceptional.

Early in the week Thursday’s weather looked doubtful but Wednesday looked the best to take to the skies. Indeed that is what came to be. Some of us had already had planned a Wednesday departure to ensure that we would be in Cornwall by Thursday for the start of the Air Tour. In fact organizer, Carol Cooke, sent everybody an e-mail to leave Wednesday if Thursday’s weather was not flyable. The Air Tour would not be cancelled. Pilots and planes left in varying weather conditions of light rain and threatening thunderstorms and lightning. It was fly now or not get there at all.

Participating in the 2011 Air Tour from COPA 45 was Fred and Marilyn Bruinsma, Jim and Jane Farrell, Don and Brenda Jones, Chris McCullough and Anne Rock. Steve and Audrey Greenwell were unable to attend. From Exeter’s COPA 177 were John Beimers, Dave Frayne, Wayne Hamather and Dan Turkheim.
Fred and Marilyn were the first ones to arrive at CYCC. We were given a warm welcome inside the terminal. The owner of the maintenance shop gave us a tour of the “sim” room where 2 new Red Brand simulators were being used. From there he took us to the shop where mechanics were working on various aircraft both big and small. Then in walked an older gentleman wearing a sports jacket to whom we were introduced as Nigel Field, the fuel manager. Yes, he certainly was well dressed! Once fuelled we taxied to the hangar area where the aircraft would spend the next two nights with overnight security. We were given a ride to the Nav Canada Centre in another Cavalier, this time a 4 wheeled one driven by Nigel’s granddaughter, Laura. Soon more aircraft were flying into the airport and arriving at the Centre for dinner and social time. Then the North Bay bunch arrived en masse because of deteriorating weather. Everybody was now in Cornwall at Nav Canada.

Thursday dawned as predicted, rain and fog. After breakfast, registration started for the IPAT. Efficient as ever, Carol and committee handed out bags, t-shirts, mugs, decals and tour tickets. Individuals signed up for the Nav Canada tour and the Ontario Power Generating (OPG) tour both which took place after lunch. Back from the tours, groups gathered for social time before dinner in the Marc Garneau room. Over dessert and coffee there was a 50-50 draw with proceeds going to the Freedom to Fly Fund. Our CEO, Kevin Psutka, addressed the crowd. He also presented a plaque to a Cornwall Councillor to mark this event. Greetings from city officials and COPA were exchanged. Carol gave us the news that it would be an “airbus tour” to Quebec City early Friday morning.

No surprise Friday arrived with more rain. Loaded on “activity school buses” we were taken to the airport for breakfast hosted by COPA 59. Extra luggage was packed in the airplanes and we were on our way via the 401. Mid way was a pit stop for coffee, etc.

Then onto to the Quebec City airport where we were served a pizza lunch. Here Kevin presented a plaque to the Mayor who also was a pilot but had no plane. From there to our destination of the Chateau Frontenac. Buses unloaded and checked into the posh hotel. Carol had arranged a very speedy check-in system for us. We walked behind a diplomat’s car bearing a red license plate. Yes there were world leaders also meeting there that weekend. We were truly among the elite for the night. We put our luggage in our rooms and met in the front lobby to begin our visit old of Quebec City. Stairs and more stairs, sloping streets, many restaurants and boutique shops were along the Petit du Champlain. Groups could eat at any restaurant of their choice. Walking off dinner we climbed the steps and sloping streets back towards the hotel. Some walked to the Parliament Buildings and others walked along more streets with boutiques and restaurants. We even had musicians playing on the street for true Quebec ambience. It was getting cool and chilly so back to the Chateau we went and then gathered for chatting time.

Up early on Saturday morning to catch our “airbus” at 7am when we were given a guided tour of old Quebec as we drove to the airport for breakfast. Instructions given to for our itinerary to Cornwall with plans to stop at a service centre for lunch. Back at the Cornwall Aviation hangar, we were given the latest weather forecast. Several of the group decided to leave for home because of work and other commitments and Sunday’s weather forecast was not looking at all good. Ten aircraft started toward Val D’Or but a heavy cloud cover forced the pilots to return to Cornwall. It was decided to cancel Kirkland Lake’s brunch on Sunday as weather would again be an issue. Planes were fuelled and tied down, locals gave us rides to the Comfort Inn. We gathered for dinner down the street at the Winners Grill. What a great time of plane fun and laughter.

Low ceilings and rain greeted us Sunday morning but we had a great continental breakfast at the hotel. Checking again with flight service, we were not flying anywhere soon. Our group chose to walk downtown to the nearby Seaway Mall ending at Tim Horton’s for coffee. Is there any other place to go? There we met a gentleman who was working in the city on contract. He offered us a ride to the airport if needed. Now it was noon and another call to Flight Service was made and yes we would be able to fly early afternoon. So we checked out of our hotel rooms and called our friend, Allan, who came and gave us a ride to the airport. After another weather check, planes were untied and baggage loaded but it would be another hour before departing for any of the aircraft parked there. We decided to order pizza for the hungry bunch. With our final good-byes we got into our planes and taxied to the runway with some aircraft going west to Peterborough and home and the rest heading to North Bay and beyond.

2011 Air Tour will always be known for the least amount of flying, changing plans, an “airbus tour” and an overnight stay at the Chateau Frontenac. Next year Mother Nature can only give us better flying weather as last year was absolute perfection for flying. You just win some and lose some. See you all next spring in Northern Ontario. Meanwhile sunny skies and safe flying this summer.