We Know You Like Gizmos — Read On!

February 2020 - We are aware that you like "hands-on" articles about devices and aircraft equipment, so you'll be delighted with this month's issue. We have an article about a trim tab puzzle on Jeff Seaborn's latest project, an ADS-B install written by Patrick Gilligan with some insight into what's involved, and a great article by cabinetmaker Peter Petrov on his project to build a JN-4 Canuck from scratch.

Mike Davenport never fails to entertain us, and this month his article on flying "big sims" takes us into sims most of us would love to experience.

Sadly, we also have to report the passing of Russell Bannock, 100 years old, a Canadian aviation legend who had a near-miss on a record-setting dream just before he passed away. Russell was not only a wartime hero, with a special talent for shooting down 19 German V-1 buzz bombs at night as they approached London, but he was also the chief test pilot for de Havilland during the period they introduced all of the iconic DH models. You'll have to read the article to find out more.

Jeff Seaborn, chair of our Canadian Council, also submitted two other articles, one on growing up in an aviation family and the other on meeting a guy who abandoned flying because he thought it was "no fun." Thanks for all three articles, Jeff. We look forward to future articles on the Dalotel DM-165 restoration. Readers can follow along with the project here.

We learned in a recent COPA newsletter that Bernard Gervais has decided to leave his role as president and CEO of that organization this summer. We wish him well and salute him for his efforts to form closer ties with EAA in Canada. It was a pleasure meeting and working with you, Bernard. Salut et bonne chance!

If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, I promise you goose bumps when you read the story of young Frankie Fremont's dream of soloing a glider, a Cessna, and a helicopter — all during the same 24-hour period on his 16th birthday.

Thanks to all our excellent contributors this month. Readers are invited to submit any feedback or article suggestions using the "contact us" button at the top of this newsletter. We love to hear from you!