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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-09-10, Page 9The Brussels Flying Club has spent the last two years upgrading its plane, which is perfect for a time when the club is showing more members than it ever has. The club repainted the 1968 182 Cessna after receiving a $15,000 Trillium grant. Last year the club also received a Trillium grant, which it used to upgrade the plane’s upholstery, some of its instruments and to overhaul the propeller. This is the first paint job the plane has had since the Brussels Flying Club took ownership of it over 40 years ago. The plane, which remains stored in the hangar year-round, was repainted with its original colours at Sky Harbour Aircraft in Goderich. While the club is experiencing its highest-ever membership numbers, there are less active members than in the past. The founders, however, still think the club is moving in the right direction, bettering its plane and making the club more appealing to potential members. While Jim Armstrong is no longer an active member of the group, his co-founder Ken Campbell is still flying. Armstrong’s children have carried on the tradition. Armstrong says he has several sons who are currently members of the club, however, the club began in 1978. Armstrong and Campbell hadcaught wind of a grant that wouldassist in the purchase of a plane forthe purposes of starting a club, sothey did, a Cessna 150 for $10,500.In the beginning, Armstrong, who owned a Pietenpol Air Camper in the 1950s, saw an advertisement for the grant in the newspaper and looked to Campbell for partnership in the club venture. The grant covered half the cost of the first plane, and money contributed by members and community investors covered the other half of the cost. When the club was first formed, it had 16 members. Back then, Campbell said, the club used to meet fairly regularly, getting together once every few months for barbecues, parties or fly-ins. Once the club was up and running, Armstrong began teaching the ground school in the winter, helping approximately eight students obtain their flight licences, something that Armstrong says makes him very proud. Armstrong, who taught high school science in Mitchell before retiring, was approached about teaching a night school course on flight originally, which was then extended to the members of the club. He taught the ground school night course in Brussels as well as in Wingham. “Students of mine have come up to me since I’ve retired and they remember all of the flight stuff I taught them and they don’t remember any science,” Armstrong said. He said he often turned his desk into a runway and taught students about flight paths and taxiing on a runway in science classes. Armstrong no longer teaches ground school, but says that he’s proud to have been a part of the flight education aspect of the club over the years. In 1986, the club’s original plane needed an engine overhaul and themembers decided to buy a newplane, which is the club’s currentplane, the 1968 182 Cessna.The club’s second plane waspurchased for $25,000 from McDonald Home Hardware and Lumber in Brussels. The plane came to the club ready for flight, Campbell said, with no work being required before it could be used. Over the next decades, Armstrong said, new members began to join while older members passed away. He says there are nearly 10 members who don’t even fly, but are financial supporters. Currently there are 18 members in the club, seven are active. Armstrong, on his own, owns about 10 planes, each more unique than the last. He has several custom planes which he built largely by himself as well as a glider, which can travel long distances without the use of fuel and can be rolled up into a transportable package after landing. Last year the club celebrated its 30th year in existence. Campbell said there were plans to hold a 30th anniversary party, however, they fell through at the last minute, so they made hats to celebrate the milestone. “It feels pretty good to have the club still up and going,” Campbell said. “It’s nice to have a plane available and it’s nice to know there’s still interest out there.” Nowadays though, there are very few club events, Armstrong says, with the club not being the way it was in years past. He does still hold a fly-in every year, named after the Pietenpol, at his home, just east of Brussels, where the Brussels Flying Club calls home. For more details on the Brussels Flying Club or for membership information, contact president Al Murray at 519-345-2435 or Campbell at 519-527-0137. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009. PAGE 9. To the skies Jim Armstrong, left, and Ken Campbell, founders of the Brussels Flying Club, have been pleased by the Trillium grants they have received over the last two years and hope the improvements they have been able to make to their plane will help generate interest in the club. The club’s plane is a 1968 182 Cessna, which received a nice, new yellow paint job this year thanks to the Trillium Foundation. The pictured plane, however, is a custom plane, partially built by Armstrong, one of 10 that he owns. (Shawn Loughlin photo) By Jo-Ann McDonald The Brussels Legion Branch welcomes everyone to fall and the busy schedule of activities. Brussels Legion kicks off September by making the early-bird draws for the elimination draw. Happy folks are Betty Finch, Elsie Carter and Murray and Gayle McArter. The early-bird membership program kicks off for September, October and November. Come in and pay your dues for 2010 and your name will be entered into a draw to win your next year’s dues free. Pay in September and you will have three chances to win your dues. Drop into the Branch today or see our booth at the fair. The Brussels Cadet Corps starts meeting on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. Send your young people out to a night of structured training on discipline, marching drills, basic survival techniques and much more. Fundraising efforts of collecting pop cans and returnable bottles continues and can be dropped off at the Branch on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Next on the agenda, will be the Brussels Fall Fair and the Legion’s information booth. Pick up info and pamphlets and other resource material. Membership application forms will also be available. The annual elimination draw and fish fry kicks off Legion Week for the Branch. The nine Districts, over 400 branches and over 16,000 Legion members in Ontario, all are encouraged to participate in promoting the aims and ideals of the Legion in general. The Royal Canadian Legion is non-profit organization that has assumed the responsibility of maintaining the tradition of Remembrance of those who paid the supreme sacrifice by defending our great nation in past and present conflicts, so that we as Canadians can live in the freedom that we enjoy today. The Legion continues to support and represent our veterans of past and present with many benefits as a result of the determination of our thousands of dedicated members at all levels of the organization. Millions of dollars are raised across Ontario by Branches in support of numerous programs benefitting our veterans, seniors and youth within the communities. Funds raised are used to support minor sports programs, local projects and the accessibility project for the Branch. The annual visitation of the Zone Commander follows the next week after the draw on Tuesday at 8 p.m. All Comrades are asked to attend. Appointments to see Provincial Service Officer Randy Groundwater need to be made with the Branch Service Officer Mabel Glanville by Sept. 17. Saturday’s euchre had 9 1/2 tables of players at play. First place went to Len and Betty Archambault. In second were Pauline McMichael and Betty Thompson with 81 points. A tie between two teams, with each having 69 points, was split for third prize. Sharing the prize were Blanch Cody and Dorothy Dalton, and Janet Davies and Vi Glanville. George and Gloria Love were the low prize winners with 48 points. Lone-hand prize winners were Verna Gibbings and Stuart Chamney. Brussels Flying Club project gets Trillium fund Reforestation Assistance Service (Seedlings) Roadside and Windbreak Tree Service This service provides assistance to landowners who are reforesting marginal lands or planting field windbreaks. Our staff will assist you in choosing appropriate species and creating a planting plan. Plant your own seedlings or have us do the planting for you. This service offers larger trees for planting along roadsides and in windbreaks. A variety of tree species are available from the MVCA based on a 50 tree minimum order. Call us at (519) 335-3557 for information about the application deadlines for these services. Put down some roots! 2010 Tree Planting Services Call us at 519 335-3557 for information and application forms. Maitland Valley Conservation Authority Working for a Healthy Environment! Make a DIFFERENCE in the life of a girl. VOLUNTEER TODAY! Call 1-800-565-8111 Or visit us at www.girlguides.ca NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON BY-LAW NO. 41-2008 A BY-LAW FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATING AND REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION OF DOGS; FOR IMPOSING A LICENCE FEE ON OWNERS; AND FOR PROHIBITING OR REGULATING THE RUNNING AT LARGE OF DOGS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH HURON For concerns regarding dogs running at large contact the Municipal Office at 519-357-3550 during normal working hours Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.or after hours contact Jim Renwick, Animal Control Officer at 519-327-4681. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen At the Branch Legion has busy schedule