The Morden Regional Airport was buzzing with aviators big and small on Friday, June 13th for Morden Flying Club’s annual Young Aviators event. Developed last year, organizer Reynold Hildebrand said that the event is the product of a simple question asked at a flying club meeting: What inspired you to get your pilots’ license?
Pilots in the club reflected on how their first flight, whether it be with a family member or local pilot, had inspired their passion for aviation. “That kind of got us thinking, why we wouldn't do something like that for the kids here” shared Hildebrand. With a turnout of 66 kids on Friday night, along with the club’s already existing Fly Day Friday dinner, the airport was a hub for current and future aviators meeting.
Carter Penner, age 12, has already flown in a small plane, and his love for flying is evident: “It’s pretty fun, you know,” shared Penner. “You get to look down on the world...the cars and highways, like the things that you normally just see from a base level. It’s really cool”.
The Young Aviators was also a learning experience: “I learned some controls” shared 12-year-old Sam Chyhryn. “There was like a little...lever, and when the pilot pulls it, it slows the engine down.” It was Chyhryn’s first time in a small plane, and his favourite part was the take-off— “It was fast... and when we were flying, the pilot was showing us the controls.” As for his future in aviation, Chryhryn wants to become a commercial pilot.
With such a great community turnout, Hildebrand hopes the event will continue into the future. At the end of the day, the goal is lighting that spark of aviation— “they may be our next STARS, you know,” shared Hildebrand. “We just want to inspire the next generation.”
For more information on the Morden Flying Club, along with their upcoming events, check out their Facebook page.
