GORE BAY—Aviation was the theme at the Watersedge Restaurant and Pub in Gore Bay in late January, as members of the local aviation community gathered to pay tribute and send best wishes to Gore Bay Flying Club (GBFC) founder and instructor Wade Cook. Mr. Cook is leaving the club and advancing his professional pilot career in Windsor, Ontario.
Robby Colwell, manager of the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport and GBFC president Tim St. Amand praised Mr. Cook for establishing the club and making it a “true gem.” They extended appreciation to Mr. Cook for his determination and commitment to the club since its inception. “Without Wade, there would be a lot of empty seats in this room tonight,” said Mr. Colwell. “We are forever grateful for the gift Wade has left us. He has provided the foundation for an active and vibrant flying club and we all have to step up and do more in Wade’s absence,” said Mr. Colwell. “Because of Wade, we are fortunate to have a stronger, local aviation community.”
Mr. St. Amand identified the many pilots Mr. Cook trained and his support of the scholarship student Avery Sheppard. “The scholarship was very successful, and we thank Wade and the supporting businesses that made this possible.”
Mr. Cook and his family moved to Manitoulin Island seven years ago when he joined the corporate flight department at Manitoulin Transport, where he eventually became chief pilot. As he became familiar with the area and the Gore Bay Airport, he realized the need to share his knowledge and passion for aviation to the citizens of Manitoulin Island. He advertised a free pilot’s ground school and much to his amazement, he had a large turnout at the initial meeting, reinforcing his ambition to help many conquer their dreams of becoming a pilot. With many students completing the ground school, a need was quickly identified to find a way to offer the flying component to complete the student pilot process.
Mr. Cook began thinking about forming a flying club and with the help of others he was able to establish the GBFC in 2017. Club organizational structure son took shape with Tim St. Amand, a huge supporter, fulling the role as club president.
The hunt was on to find a club aircraft. Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) director Lloyd Richards quickly came to their rescue by finding the club a beautiful Piper Cherokee aircraft in Timmins. Mr. Richards was very supportive and passionate about aviation and was very helpful and instrumental in the development of the GBFC/COPA Flight 201 at Gore Bay.
As the club became established, local aviation enthusiasm blossomed and soon the Piper aircraft had many shareholders who became Mr. Cook’s student pilots. Over his five years involvement with the flying club Wade Cook was successful in training and graduating 15 pilots, most on the club aircraft and some in other privately owned aircraft.
“I got my private pilot licence here with Wade as my instructor,” said Cameron Runnalls, of Gordon/Barrie Island. “Absolutely, no doubt Wade was a great instructor. He was passionate and shared his knowledge. He did a pile of work to make sure we could fly safely. We are certainly going to miss him.”
Mark Wilson said, “several of us took the pilot training from Wade right from scratch with the start of the school here. It’s been great and we knew how lucky to have him and this flying school here. To bring a flight school is rare. Wade was a very good instructor; he was very patient but made sure you learned what you needed to.”
“And after you do your inflight training he does a debriefing and makes sure you understood what you did wrong,” said Mr. Wilson. “Wade is a great instructor.”
In 2020, Mr. Richards chose Mr. Cook to receive the COPA Director’s Award. What Mr. Cook was doing in Gore Bay epitomized what Mr. Richards truly believes was the fundamental, most important purpose of COPA-to support and grow aviation by cultivating new pilots, said Mr. Colwell. Lloyd was so impressed with Wade and his commitment to aviation there was no contest. Wade was the one to receive the award.
Sadly, because of COVID and an eventual sickness that took Mr. Richards life in 2021, he never had the opportunity to personally present the COPA award to Mr. Cook. Mr. Richards wife Nancy made the trip from Timmins to carry out his wishes and presented Mr. Cook with the award Friday night, said Mr. Colwell. The COPA Directors Award reads, “Presented to Wade Cook in appreciation for your personal efforts to advance, promote and preserve our freedom to fly.”
Nancy Richards explained how her late husband became interested in aviation at a young age and spent many hours during his lifetime, promoting aviation in many ways. Her husband held the record of flying the most youth in Canada through the Young Eagles and COPA for Kids.
“It has been fantastic,” stated Mr. Cook of his time in Gore Bay. “I have enjoyed my time here and helping to create the flying club is a special feather in our cap. I’m quite proud of that.”
“It was special to me being recognized like that,” said Mr. Cook. “I don’t think I’ve been recognized like that before. I’m going to miss Gore Bay, I like small towns better than large areas. But we are leaving due to family reasons.”
