The sky will be the limit for 100-plus lucky kids when the Penticton Flying Club hosts its annual COPA for Kids event, Sunday, May 1.
Over the years thousands of local young people between the ages of eight and 17 have had the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of flying at no cost thanks to members of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association.
According to organizer and COPA member Don Hudgeon, this year eight planes will be winging their young passengers on the 20-minute circuit from the Penticton Regional Airport to Summerland over Okanagan Lake and back.
“Interest seems to be really growing, with the number of kids that have done this over the last couple of years. I think word of mouth is getting out there that it’s a pretty neat thing to do,” said Hudgeon. “It’s to try and expose kids to general aviation and it works.”
As well this year there will be a similar event on May 15 in Princeton.
Anywhere from 70 to 130 young people have a chance to fly at the event and this year the flying club has lined up eight aircraft to do the rides.
As well, the local Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron will have some of its members on hand as well as a flight simulator.
According to Hudgeon some of the first-time flyers are quite nervous before the flight.
“But once they see the other kids going and see what it’s all about quite often they are quite anxious to go and they’re the most excited when they come down,” he said, adding safety, in terms of the pilots’ skill and the condition of the aircraft, is paramount.
And it’s not just the kids who enjoy the experience, those flying the planes also get a kick out of the adventure and are happy to donate their time and aircraft.
“They (pilots) really like seeing young people doing something they (pilots) love doing,” said Hudgeon who flies about 100 hours annually.
The flying club currently has over 50 members and has experienced a resurgence of interest in the last few years.
Pre-registration for the May 1 event is not required but is strongly recommended to save time, especially in light of the large turnouts of the past years.
Registration can be done online at www.copaforkids.org, downloading the brochure and filling it out and bring it along on the day of the event. Parents must sign the document as well.
The club office is located at 126 Dakota Way on the airport grounds.
For more information Hudgeon can be reached at 250-494-9042.