Monday February 8th 2016 (Family Day Holiday in BC) we held a short notice fly-out to a gravel bar on the Fraser River about 3 miles east of Agassiz.
The weather looked good the day before and a few phone calls were made and information about the informal meet-up was posted on the BCGA website and the BCGA facebook group. We flew out to the site expecting to see 4-5 planes but what happened throughout the afternoon was nothing short of amazing!
The first planes arrived around 1130am and the meetup lasted until shortly before 4pm. Throughout the afternoon we were joined by over 18 aircraft carrying over 30 people. While we sat on the beach enjoying a bonfire and roasting some wieners and marshmallows we were treated to flypasts from close to a dozen other pilots who didn't land but attended the event none the less. The afternoon was filled with stories and good company. There were even some youngsters running around having a blast!
Aircraft in attendance included but were not limited to: Multiple Advanced Ultralights, a Turbine Marchetti, a Beaver on Floats, Cessna 170s,172s,180s,185s, Citabrias, Piper Pacers, Bearhawks and several others.
Aircraft the flew past ranged from Cessnas to several RV's and even a Nanchang and a Robinson Helicopter.
Most flights came from the Lower Mainland however Mr & Mrs Ferguson even made the trek down from Springhouse Airpark (near Williams Lake) to join us.
Highlights included: A great turn-out, making new friends, random fly pasts and 2 pilots who ended up waist deep in the February waters of the Fraser River trying to help the Beaver get to shore.
We are so happy that this event was such a success! With the help of our members and other local pilots we are strengthening the local aviation community and it feels great! The camaraderie among aviators young and old is alive and it is up to us to keep it strong which is one of the key missions of the BC General Aviation Association. It was said by several pilots today "This is what flying should be" and they were right!
