The Qualicum Beach Flying Club is hosting its annual Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) flights for kids on Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Qualicum Beach Airport.
The day will include free flights for kids, aged eight to 17, in various types of planes. Each kid will take a tour of the airplane with the pilot before taking off for a 20-minute flight around the area.
“Last year we flew 74 kids and this year we’re hoping to fly more,” said Paul Connor, Qualicum Flying Club executive. “We encourage parents to bring cameras and make a nice day of it.”
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Connor said aside from having fun, the club’s objective is to introduce and expose kids to aviation careers.
“Right now it’s really important because aviation around the world is desperate for, not just pilots, but for mechanics and there’s all kind of jobs available around the world right now so we’re trying to reach out and tell kids what’s available,” Connor said.
Registration for the event should be completed by Sept. 6. Forms are available at Bayview Dental Clinic (Suite 202, 661 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach), CrossFit Qualicum Beach (Suite 101, 166 First Ave., West) and Skydive Vancouver Island at the Qualicum Beach Airport.
“This is an opportunity for kids who may have never had the opportunity to fly with us and for those that enjoy it to come up again, some kids come every year,” Connor said. “It’s not just for the kids, it’s fun for the pilots as well.”