Story Source: StratfordToday.ca 

Story by: Matt Harris

It’s that time of year again to make plans for the family to head out to the Stratford Municipal Airport for the annual drive-in/fly-in pancake breakfast, scheduled this year for Sunday, June 1, starting at 8 a.m.

Sponsored by Chapter 69 of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, the breakfast has helped raise thousands of dollars over the years for the Stratford General Hospital Foundation (SGHF). Consisting of fresh peameal bacon, hot pancakes with maple syrup and your choice of coffee, tea and juice all for a donation to the SGHF.

David Carswell, co-captain with COPA Flight 69, said there are two additions to this year’s event: the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association from Tillsonburg will have airplanes at the breakfast that people can book flights on in advance of June 1, and the Edenvale Classic Aircraft (ECAF) will be sending at least two World War II aircraft to the event as well. According to Carswell, the Harvard has a reputation as a ‘pilot maker’ as many pilots would move on to more complex aircraft after training on a Harvard. He added that the ECAF maintains and flies airplanes used for primary pilot training such as the De Havilland Tiger Month and P-26 Cornell.

The event itself is typically well attended, Carswell said, even last year in a downpour.

“Even with all the rain we had last year, we still served over 300 breakfasts,” he said. “I believe we raised around $4,500 or so last year, so we’re trying to do better and that’s why we added the two new elements to the breakfast. We’re really happy to have the Harvards coming down from Tillsonburg – people will recognize them as the big, noisy, loud yellow planes. Having people able to book rides on those is something we think is a big attraction.”

Riding in a Harvard is something of an experience, even for seasoned pilots he said. The large glass canopy fliers referred to as the ‘birdcage’ gives people an expansive view of the sky as they are flown around, with the accompanying smells and sounds that make the trip a memorable one.

“The ramp will be cordoned off so we don’t have to worry about people walking into a propeller because that would be really bad,” Carswell joked. “There will be lots of people on site to help direct the visitors to where they can get breakfast and where they can go to see the planes. There will be lots for people to experience here apart from an amazing breakfast, and hopefully lots of people pre-book their flight because it’s an amazing view up there.”

To arrange for a flight in a Harvard, pre-booking inquiries can be made by emailing [email protected], while additional information on the Edenvale Classic Aircraft can be found at www.classicaircraft.ca.

“We’re encouraging anyone interested in seeing many spectacular aircraft and enjoying their breakfast to come out to the airport and help out the hospital foundation at the same time,” Carswell said.

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Perth County Flying Club Fly-in, Drive-in Breakfast

Sunday, June 1

8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stratford Municipal Airport