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Vol. 1, No.5 -
October 2008
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 Welcome
to Bits and Pieces,
EAA's e-newsletter and monthly information digest for
builders and fliers
in Canada. If you have ideas or suggestions, please send e-mail
EAABitsandPieces@eaa.org.
We also encourage you to forward your copy to your
aviation friends and invite them to subscribe at the
link located at the bottom.
Hard to believe it's
October already, and with it, the fifth edition of Bits
& Pieces. Your feedback has been most welcome,
and I encourage you to write me anytime at cgyrv@yahoo.com
with your suggestions, comments, corrections and
questions, or just to say hello. We have more Canadian
aviation history in this month's issue, including
stories on a Gipsy Moth restoration project, a look back
in Canada's flight history with Bob Hyslop, and of
course, the fast-approaching centennial of powered
flight in Canada. Thanks for subscribing, and keep those
e-mails coming. - Jack Dueck, Editor |
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| Restoration
of the Gipsy Moth
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 In
1929, Gipsy Moth Serial Number DH1507A rolled off the
assembly line of the De Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd.
at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware, Middlesex, England. It
was one of 31 purchased by the RCAF to be used to train
pilots and for forest fire patrol prior to WWII. It was
based in Saskatchewan at Prince Albert as well as
Saskatoon, serving under the British Commonwealth Air
Training Plan (BCATP) where it flew its last service
flight on July 20, 1948. Read
more |
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| A
Wine Tasting Tour, Aviator Style, by Phil Ward, AME at Large |
 I'm
not a pilot. I think I should say that right up front. I
don't know just what's involved in flying over the
mountains or filing IFR and I can't decipher the code of
a weather briefing. However I thought it would be
interesting to join a bunch of pilots and fly to the
Okanagan Valley to enjoy the fine weather and sample
some of the wines of that region. Let's face it the days
are getting shorter and mornings are becoming frosty,
summer is over here in Alberta. We are fortunate in
Canada, though, to travel to exotic places to see sunny
skies and lush vegetation - and all without a
passport. Read
more |
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Looking Back with Bob Hyslop
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 For
the past month or so, I have been corresponding with one
of our readers, Bob Hyslop, who shared with me some
memories from the 1950s of the Air Force Base at
Clinton, Ontario. Recently, Bob sent me a note about his
own beginnings in flying since we had shared experiences
in a J3 at the Flying Club in nearby Goderich. Bob
reminisces about the area around the Goderich airport;
the home of Keith Hopkinson and a hotbed of aviation
activity in the '50's. With Bob's permission, I have
reprinted part
of his story here for your enjoyment. - Jack
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| 100th
Anniversary of the Silver Dart Approaches
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 On
February 23, 1909, pilot J.A.D. McCurdy made the first
powered flight in Canada at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, in the
Silver Dart - an aircraft built by a team of inventors led
by Alexander Graham Bell. Next year will mark the 100th
anniversary of that Canadian (and British Empire) aviation
first as Braddock plays host to aviation enthusiasts from
all over the world to celebrate the centennial with a
series of special events and activities throughout 2009.
Don't miss out on experiencing this piece of Canadian
history! Visit www.flightofthesilverdart.ca
to learn more about the celebration!
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| Introducing
Fisher Flying Products' New Owner |
 After
more than 20 years in the aviation business, Gene Hanson
and Darlene Jackson-Hanson have retired and sold Fisher
Flying Products. The new owner, Paul Riedlinger, plans to
continue the tradition of supplying top quality kits,
support, and customer service to new and existing
customers. Full-size plans and replacement parts for the
company's 15 designs will continue to be offered. In the
near future, the plan is to restart production on a number
of aircraft in the Fisher product line, starting with the
Dakota Hawk and the R-80 Tiger Moth. Paul asks of
customers, "Please bear with us while we work through
the transition as quickly as possible. In the mean time if
you have any questions, suggestions, or need technical
support please give us a call. We are always here to help
out." Here is the new contact information:
10-8707
Dufferin Street, Suite #143
Vaughan, Ontario
L4J 0A6
Canada
Phone - 905-532-9900
Fax - 416-352-5718
www.fisherflying.com
e-mail: ffp@fisherflying.com
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| Reminder:
Still Time to Sign up For EAA SportAir Workshops |
Three EAA SportAir Workshops
are tentatively being planned in two central Canada
locations this fall. All three will be held on Saturday
and Sunday, October 18-19, and include:
- Toronto: Sheet
Metal Basics, at Kitplane Builders, #5 Meyerside
Drive, Mississauga, ON, and:
- Ottawa: Electronics/avionics,
and Amateur-Built Aircraft Inspections, at
the EAA Chapter 245 Hangar - Carp Airport, Carp, ON.
 These
two-day structured workshops are designed to help you
build and maintain your amateur-built aircraft. These
comprehensive courses provide students with an
incredible amount of knowledge and confidence. Course
sizes are limited so that students can receive
individual instruction and help. The fee for each course
is $300 Can. and includes materials, tools and workbook.
Students will receive an EAA SportAir Certificate upon
course completion. For additional information, contact
EAA SportAir Workshops at 800-967-5746, e-mail sportair@eaa.org,
or visit www.eaahighriver.org/sportair.htm.
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