Airport Day an opportunity to let yourself fly in the clouds

Written By SCOTT TAYLOR

It's a bird, it's a plane . . .

Actually, those venturing out to Brampton-Caledon Airport Day Sunday (Sept. 9) will have their wish to see both birds and planes fulfilled. The annual event promises vintage First World War biplanes and triplanes, live birds of prey and much more.

From flying a simulator to being flown in an actual Cessna, the day is about all things flying.

“We do it every year and it always occurs on the Sunday after Labour Day, said Event Coordinator Nanci Soldo. “All the funds from the entrance fee goes to the Great War Flying Museum. They do flybys in their old planes and it's really neat to see. They have a whole set-up at the museum of World War 1 military people and nurses, all these things. It's really great.”

Tours of the Great War Flying Museum include looks at its priceless collection of combat aircraft, artwork, and displays depicting all aspects of military air life, from machine guns to mementos from wives and sweethearts made for the men they loved.

On the airport side of things, Soldo said children will be the focus, but adults will have some fun things to enjoy as well.

“We have some classic cars, motorcycles, we have a trackless train that goes around for kids, a bounce castle, face painting, balloon animals, photo booth, barbecue, and a band. We try to make it as fun as possible. We have birds of prey for people to see up close and personal. We offer airport tours for people to go around and see the airport in places they wouldn't normally be able to where it's restricted.”

That means the gate around the planes, the hangars, the helipad and many more places to allow them to become acquainted with the aviation environment and the business aspect of the airport.

The idea is to spread information and interest in the Brampton Flying Club to anyone who has ever looked to the sky and dreamed of being among the clouds.

“Basically, we're there to offer people information on the Flying Club,” Soldo said. “If they're interested in aviation, if they're interested in our college program. The air cadets will be there that day to answer any questions and the Great War Flying Museum will answer any questions people have.”

The entrance fee of $5 per person or $20 per family allows everyone to get to all of these aviation networks all at once.

“It's a really great opportunity because they get to see everything the War Museum has to offer, then they go into this mini-fair area of the airport. They get to eat, they get to enjoy music. We offer simulator rides, we have $40 flights that people can take. It's a 20-minute flight where you can go up in a Cessna and fly over Caledon.” Soldo added.

The fun of the simulator, which is similar to the plane they can fly in over Caledon, is that they get to try to fly and land the plane on their own, something they aren't allowed to do in the real thing for obvious reasons.

The fun continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brampton Flight Centre, located at 13691 McLaughlin Rd. Visit www.bramptonflightcentre.com for more information.