Our Bellanca "Scout" and Schweizer 2-33 Glider in Good Company

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bombardier Air Day - September 19, 2010

On Sunday September 19th Bombardier Aircraft held a special "Family Day" for current and former employees of Bombardier and De Havilland Aircraft and went very well. The CRGS was represented by a Bellanca "Scout" tow aircraft and a Schweizer 2-33 glider. I was fortunate to be able to attend as an OPC representative and to work alongside our military partners.

Luckily, the weather was great, with a light breeze. There were thousands of visitors and the glider and tow plane were among the most popular things to see. There were lots of a/c including Turbo Beaver, Regular Beaver, Chipmunk, Dash 8, Q-400, RJ, new Global Jet, Avro Arrow replica, Harvard, a Fox Moth, Tiger Moth and the amazing DH Rapide. Most of the a/c were cordoned off so being allowed to sit in the glider and the Bellanca was a big hit and photo op.

The four officers and cadet  involved (Percy Contractor, Randy Shantz, Christain Chicorli, unnamed 2nd Lt, and WO2 Scott Anderson) did an amazing job assisting children and adults in and out of the a/c. Two other Air Cadets in uniform, a Sergeant (glider pilot) and a Flight Sergeant, assisted me in moving through the crowd with some of our OPC brochures. We actually ran out of the recruiting brochures. There was no lag in the visitors from 10:00 hrs to 15:30 hrs when the security guards had to herd people out. I was kept talking the whole time, explaining the Air Cadet programme and answering questions about the glider.

We were all well fed and looked after. The organizers supplied us with some of the only chairs on the flight line as well as a table. Many people took advantage of the extra chair and the table (I offered) was used a changing table a couple of times! I ended up giving first aid several times for "road rash"  when youngsters fell on the tarmac.

This was an excellent opportunity and was very well received by the Bombardier employees. We can be proud of the efforts made by Percy Contractor and the other officers and the cadet who were present.

My only regret was that I left my camera in my car that was a long, long way from the flight line!

CF-18 "Hornet" Demonstration Pilot

Captain Tim "Donor" Woods, pilot of the CF-18 "Hornet" demonstration aircraft for 2009, is a former Air Cadet from 735 "Firebird" Squadron in Dundas. 

Tim felt fortunate to have been selected as the 2009  CF-18 demonstration pilot and participated in 30 air shows during the summer.   He flew over Baddeck Nova Scotia and Ottawa in the Spring of 2009 celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Flight in Canada.  Attached are photos of Captain Woods on take off from Cold Lake and with two Squadron mates over the Parliament Buildings. 

More shots can be found at: 

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/news46/3300003341  

Tim served as a cadet with 735 "Firebird" Squadron, Dundas from 1988 to 1992, retiring as a Warrant Officer Second Class.  He earned both his Glider and Power Wings while with the Squadron, then served as a CIC Officer with 715 "Mohawk" Squadron, Burlington while completing his BSc degree at McMaster University. Following graduation he enrolled in the Canadian Air Force, and earned his Wings on the Slingsby T-67 "Firefly" aircraft before going on to the CF-18 "Hornet"with 410 "Cougar" Squadron. 

Tim keeps in touch with 735 "Firebird" Squadron, and has always been a great supporter of the 735 "Firebirds".  He made a nice "appearance" at the 2005 Dundas Remembrance Day Parade when he flew 2 passes over the parade! The following day he hosted Squadron cadets at the airport for a special briefing on the CF-18 aircraft.

                             Congratulations Tim; An Honour Well Deserved!!    

Pilot:  Captain Tim "Donor" Woods Canadian Armed Forces