Century Flight Club touches down for Swift Current centennial
For John Lovelace, crossing the country a dozen times in his light aircraft was just the beginning.
After 12 years of hosting the popular “Wings Over Canada” TV show, Lovelace was ready to give up television, but not flying.
“I just decided that when we gave (the show) up a number of years ago that I would do it in real life and just have everyone come with us,” he explained. “That’s what we did.”
That “everyone” he’s talking about is the Century Flight Club, and from all appearances it’s been a big success. Every year since 2009 around 100 pilots join Lovelace as he crosses the country teaching and educating people about the tricks and rules about flying. here,” he said, while noting the reception they received from the city was fantastic. “That’s what it’s all about.”
While celebrating flight is a big part of the club’s focus, so is education. Lovelace said that most pilots only fly locally, so getting them into new locations, like the Rocky Mountains, provides a way for them to work on their skills.
“It’s learning how to cross country fly, because a lot of pilots today just do local flights,” he explained. “So, for instance, we’re taking pilots from Ontario, what we call flatlanders, and they’re going to be going through the Rockies. They’ll never do it on their own, but they’ll do it with us.”
Flying over the Rockies isn’t as easy as it sounds. Lovelace said that some planes can’t climb high enough to fly over the mountains, so they have to bob and weave around the tops.
“Some of these airplanes will only go 8,000 feet,” he explained. “There are mountains there that are 10,000 ft.”
It’s also about camaraderie. There’s actually a waiting list to get in on the trip, and members enjoy the banter just as much as the flying.
“We come every year because we get re-united with the friends that we’ve made. It’s amazing,” club member Jim Moffatt said. “We’ve made lifelong friends in this, and we travel and do other things together now too.”
Moffatt has been flying with the club every year since it started up. Like John, he emphasized club’s focus on educating new pilots, and learning from older ones.
“It gets you over your comfort edge and gets you into some different weather situations,” he said. “There are a lot of real seasoned veteran pilots here that you can learn a lot from.”
While their stay in Swift Current is a short one, it’s one they won’t forget. The club left Swift Current early the next day, but it wasn’t something they were overly eager to do.
“These guys here (Swift Current Flying Club and airport) should get an award for the most hospitable town in Canada,” Moffatt said.
“I just can’t believe what they do for us every time we come here. It’s amazing.”
“It’s great,” Lovelace agreed. “We were here last year and the reception her is fantastic.”