Okanagan pilots help kids find their wings

KELOWNA–There was high flying adventure at the Kelowna Airport on Saturday.

The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association held its annual Kids Aviation Program.

Children between the ages of 8 and 14 can register online for a chance to take a plane ride with a private pilot.

“It’s a blast,” says Kelowna pilot Chad Gartly.  “I haven’t had one not enjoy it.”

The association is holding kids days at several airports around the province this week.

“Within the next week we’ll have introduced between 400 and 500 children to their first ride in a small airplane, and some of them will catch the fever and maybe this is the next generation,” says COPA B.C. and Yukon Director, Tim Cole.

Local COPA captain Pamela Nelson says aviation is a huge part of the local and national economy, and a huge part of the community at large.

“We have Air Ambulance, we have Search and Rescue, we have training for commercial aviation diploma, we have aircraft maintenance,” says Nelson.  “Aviation is a big piece of the community and this is an opportunity for people to find out what it is and what it’s all about.”