The Recorder
GORE BAY—Organizers of the Interprovincial Air Tour (all members of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association) are excited to announce the details of their fifth annual tour May 31 – June 3, 2012. The annual tour will include a stop at the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport.
The skies will be active as over 50 airplanes flown by general aviation pilots who love the sport of flying descend on the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport on Sunday, June 3, said airport manager Robby Colwell. Gore Bay is the last stop on the tour and Mr. Colwell is excited about showcasing the airport to the group.
“Among this group of aviators will be some of the most passionate flyers in our country, and I’m delighted our site was chosen as a participating airport,” said Mr. Colwell. “I have promised they will not be disappointed with the Gore Bay Airport experience. We will be making a draw among Air Tour participants, which will include accommodation, transportation and meals for a two-day return to Manitoulin.”
The participants fly in small private airplanes for this four-day weekend adventure. The tour encompasses six different communities and covers 600 nautical miles of Northern Ontario and Quebec bush, rock, water and wilderness. This year the Air Tour will visit Muskoka, St. Bruno de Guigues, Kapuskasing, Chapleau, Sault Ste Marie and Gore Bay.
In addition to exploring some unique areas of the two provinces while enjoying their favourite pastime, the pilots present a commemorative plaque to each community visited, a release notes. The presentation highlights the value of the airports to their communities and showcases the value of general aviation to the Canadian economy.
Over 55 airplanes will be flying the tour, carrying a total of close to 120 people. One hundred of the participants are pilots, including at least eight female pilots. Approximately half of the registered airplanes are Cessnas and Pipers and the other half is made up a variety of airplanes, including Bonanzas, Mooney’s, float planes and homebuilts.
On Thursday, May 31, the aircraft will depart from more than 30 airports around Ontario and Quebec, and Michigan, and will converge on Muskoka mid afternoon. A tour of a local aviation business and welcome reception hosted by Muskoka Airport has been arranged.
On Friday morning, the tour will fly northeast to St. Bruno de Guigues, Quebec, where they will have lunch and then head back into Ontario where the next stop is Kapuskasing. The City of Kapuskasing is promising to make the groups stop there memorable by providing the group with a community tour, showcasing their rich history, culture, architectural and natural charm. Dinner will feature local fare and will be at the town hall with city dignitaries attending.
On Saturday the lunch stop is in Chapleau where participants will be bussed to town to explore downtown Chapleau. Then it’s on to Sault Ste. Marie with arrival scheduled for mid afternoon. Tours and a banquet will be at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum.
“On Sunday morning, the group will depart eastbound for Gore Bay where Airport Manager Robby Colwell promises a warm welcome and friendly service. A tour has been arranged at Meeker’s Aquaculture Fish Farm,” the release continues. “Mr. Meeker raises fish from small fingerlings to market size and he has also developed an award winning bi-product, fish compost known as Meeker’s Magic Mix. Following the tour the group will enjoy a hearty lunch at the airport.”
