Aeronca Reconstruction Project

Aviation Technology & Maintenance Course

An OPC Optional Summer Training Course

The summer of 2008 saw the introduction of a new OPC Summer Training Course in aircraft technology & maintenance featuring the rebuilding of a 1948 Aeronca "Chief" aircraft. The course was repeated in July 2009 and again in July 2010. The course received rave reviews from those cadets participating.

The four-week course was held at John Paul II Secondary School which offers students an aviation course option in its technology department during the regular school year. Each of the course graduates were presented with a certificate for having completed this one-of-a-kind aviation course offered only through the Ontario Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League, a certificate of completion presented by the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC) and a $400.00 training bonus honorarium. The program ran from 8:00am to 2:00pm, Monday to Friday for four weeks and centred on learning the basics of aviation systems and mechanics.

Speaking at the graduation parade Mr, Don Berrill, Chairperson of the Ontario Provincial Committee said the cadets from Southwestern Ontario, including six female cadets, were "on the cutting edge of a program we would like to offer across Ontario".

It was thanks to the generosity of the Hamilton Flying Club, who made a significant donation to the OPC Aviation Committee, that the course was able to be offerred in July 2011.

Many thanks to Area Vice Chair & OPC Director Chris Redfearn and all his volunteers, Chief Instructor Mr Danny Galante, the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC) and the members of the Hamilton Flying Club for their outstanding participation and support of this most worthwhile project.

The following are photographs of the Course Graduation held on Thursday July 28, 2011.