Fog thwarts many planes from landing in Kincardine for Inter-provincial Air Tour

Pilots and passengers with the Inter-provincial Air Tour (IPAT) made it to Kincardine May 30, but only 14 airplanes were able to land at the Kincardine Airport, while the other 26 were grounded at various airports around southwestern Ontario - Sarnia, Brampton, Ethel, Exeter, Goderich, Hanover, Alma and a few local private grass strips.

Fog rolled in Saturday morning, and even though some pilots flew home knowing the weather was not going to improve for the next 24 hours, they still made it to Kincardine by vehicle for the lunch prepared by Changing Thyme Catering, a plaque
presentation to the deputy mayor, and the tour of Bruce Power.

Later, about 70 pilots and passengers enjoyed a banquet and social at the Best Western Plus Governor's Inn.

Sunday, the group toured the Lake Huron Fishing Club's brown trout hatchery before leaving for home.

The planes were from Sudbury, North Bay, Ottawa, Marathon, Hanover, Kincardine, Goderich, Exeter, Oshawa, Val Dor, Buttonville, Pickering, Sarnia, Ethel, Alma, Timmins, Midland, Welland and four Michigan airports. Prior to landing in Kincardine, they had spent time in Port Stanley, Pelee Island, and Sarnia.

The participants had nothing but good things to say about the Kincardine community and the way local folks treated them with such a warm welcome.

Many thanks to COPA Flight 172 (Jack and Ella Searson, Michelle LaPointe, Pat OCain, Jim Mimnagh, Anne Rock, Chris McCullough, Dave Little and the Blue team) for hosting the IPAT in Kincardine, Changing Thyme Catering for preparing the lunch, Bruce Power employees and the Fish Hatchery volunteers for the tours.

With the help of everyone involved, the participants enjoyed Kincardine's hospitality and some thought they would return for another visit.