First Fly of Year

Stetson’s First Flight

We welcomed 2025 with the First Flight Fun Fly on January 1 with an attendance of 25 members and spectators. Seven pilots competed for the first flight bragging rights while others watched on in excitement.  

The typical Ottawa winter weather greeted us with a 15 km/hr. north-east wind, a grey sky and wet snow flurries!  Warm temperatures and rain had washed away the snow just prior to the start of the new year. This made for a very interesting situation and decision for pilots, especially the ones competing. “Should I opt for wheels over skis for low rolling resistance or put silicone on the bottom of my skis, etc.  to get that competitive advantage”?  Pilots had many different thoughts. They arrived with an assortment of aircraft configurations: wheels (conventional and tricycle), skis, pontoons, push or pull arrangement of motors and amphibious aircraft. In addition, we had a large array of types of aircraft and sizes. 

Early on New Year’s Day, 20 members gathered at our snowless airfield for our annual first flight of the year.

The temperature was about -6c with light winds. At 9:00 o’clock, 8 electric planes lined up for take-off, and Rick Ramalho “officially” got the honours of being the first one in the air in 2024, earning bragging rights and a small prize, a pair of MLG skis.

A short time later, we had 2 participants for the Glow/IC category. Gary Robertson initially had a quick start-up and was confidently heading for the flight line, while Greg Oliver patiently ran his engine on the bench, but Gary’s engine stopped while in transit, which brought him back to his own bench. Both pilots finally lined up ready to go and Greg’s plane was off the ground seconds before his opponent. Which earned Greg bragging rights for 2024 and a small prize, a tail-wheel ski,
There was lots of fun and cheering.

January 1, 2020 was......the annual Stetson First Flight Event!

Early on New Year's Day, 22 members gathered at the Stetsons Field for our annual First Flight of the Year.

The temperature was a comfortable 0 Celsius, and we were pleasantly surprised by lighter winds than forecasted. At 9:00, eight electric planes lined up for takeoff, and Nigel Chippindale got the honour of being officially the first one in the air in 2020, earning bragging rights and a small prize (neck warmer). A short time later, Gary Robertson launched his glow powered Twist to take the IC category, unopposed for the second year in a row (we need more glow or gas planes at this event!)

We enjoyed some coffee, Timbits, and Jim Denyer's home made cookies, and everyone had a great time flying and socializing.

Happy New Year to all!

Pierre Coulombe.