September - October - The Recreational Aircraft Association

Across Canada
CHILDEN PLAY BIG PART IN EXPO
The RAA Oshawa tent at the Canadian Aviation
Expo 2007 was a busy place with sessions on welding
for aircraft, construction of wood and aluminium
wings, working with composites, seminars by Nav.
Canada and Transport Canada. Two of the best looking
show planes were on display with their builders
out front to talk about them. But chapter members
working there over the three days of the Expo said
the was nothing more satisfying than watching the
group of enthusiastic youngsters building wing ribs
in the tent under the direction of experienced builders,
then proudly showing off their work to their parents.
RAA members working at the show were tireless
promoters of recreational aviation, none more so
than the builders of the “show planes.” In front of
the RAA tent was an RV6-A built by Frank Granni of
Cobourg and a Ch 601 HD built by Ed McDiarmid.
On the airport fl ight line were two replica Spitfi res,
one a 2/3rd scale scratch built, beautifully fi nished
wood and fi berglass creation by Ross Ferguson, an
amateur built inspector and RAA member. The other
was a 75 per cent scale built from an Australian kit
by Dave Austin, also an RAA member. Both builders
were busy throughout Expo answering questions
about Spitfi res and the difference among the various
models.
In the RAA tent the youngsters building wing
ribs could compare their ribs to the real ribs in a wing
of a Christavia not yet covered which was brought
to the show by John Colven. Peter Morrison demonstrated
TIG welding and Wayne McCarron showed
sections of his composite project to a steady stream
of EXPO visitors.
Aircraft manufacturers and those who supply
radio and navigation equipment were well-represented
at the show again this year but the crowds
missed the aerobatic air shows and military displays
that were part of the 2006 EXPO.
Vancouver Chapter 85
Despite the unstable weather this summer, the
chapter managed to get a few activities, including
the AGM, a poker run, several barbeques. Member
RAA Chapters in Action
Adrian Cooper took a contingent of RAA types down
to Reno as crew to race his Cassutt Ms Twitchie.
Member Terry Elgood accomplished his fi rst fl ight
in his RV-9, and Bob Cutting's newly restored J-5 got
some air under his wings.
RAA Director Terry Wilshire presents Bruce Prior with a
COPA Award of Merit at the September chapter meeting.
Jean Prior held a suprise birthday party for husband
Bruce at Delta in July, and Bruce was recipient
of a COPA Award of Merit for his work in DHAP-
COM, the organization responsible for running Delta
Heritage Airpark.
The Chapter 85 AGM was on 2 October. Offi cers
elected or reelected for 2008:
President: Tim Nicholas (elected)
Vice-President: Terry Wilshire (reelected)
Secretary: Jim Hunter (reelected)
Treasurer: Carol Foley (reelected)
September - October 2007 Recreational Flyer 17