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Bjarni Tryggvason was our guest speaker for the meeting last month. Canadian Astronaut and pilot, Bjarni gave an informative and entertaining presentation on March 18^th. Armed with wit and humour, he spoke to his time with the Canada Space Agency and his flight in the Space Shuttle.

He also gave a brief history of the development of flight throughout the ages and then talked about his role as the pilot of the Silver Dart replica. Volunteers in the Niagara region built a replica of Canada's first airplane, the Silver Dart. The replica's maiden flight was on February 22, 2009 in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, the location of the original plane's inaugural flight in 1909. Bjarni was the pilot of that historic flight as well as several test flights earlier in the month in Hamilton.

Bjarni explained that the success of those flights had more to due with his engineering background than his stick and rudder skills; though it was, he said, like trying to balance a bowling ball on a needle.

This year's AGM is on Sunday April 11^th at 1 pm and, due to the renovations at Edenvale, will be held at:

Linear Transfer Automation Inc
4 Patterson Road
Barrie, ON

Located on Patterson Road near Tiffin Street

» See map

The agenda includes the presentation of the financial report and the election of a new board. We will also review the engine overhaul that we just completed and discuss any further upgrades that we may want to make to CMQ.

And while that may not sound as exciting as our last meeting, I encourage all members to attend so that you may vote in a new board of directors. You can view the list of candidates on our website.

Nominations are still open if you wish to add your name to the list.

The check ride clinic that we held on March 20^th & 21^st was another full house event with all time slots filled within hours of it being posted.

Kudos to Randy for his time, patience and encouragement as he took the emery paper to 14 of us rusty pilots.

If you are one of the few who have not yet been check out, drop Randy a note at Flight.Operations@bordenflyingclub.com to schedule your check ride.

Those that have been checked out have not been letting any moss grow under their feet. Since the overhaul was completed on March 1^st, CMQ has logged more that 40 hours and is well on the way to completing the break in.

Don't forget to test your key fob to ensure that it opens the new security box on the exterior of our hangar - H7 - as it may need to be re-programmed.

If your fob does not open the security box, email the key fob serial number to the Treasurer.

Yes, its that time of year again. Your membership dues are payable by the end of this month. Paul sent out statements last week to all members. Please make your cheque to:

Borden Flying Club
5195 Hwy 26 E
R.R. 2
Stayner, Ontario
L0M 1S0

Dues, for the 5^th consecutive year, remain at $300 for flying members and $50 for social members.

You can also leave your cheque in the 'bank' in the hangar or bring it with you to the AGM.

All members should also review their membership info to ensure that it is up to date. It is particularly important that flying members update their hours flown as this has an impact on our insurance.

Our May meeting will be back at Edenvale, at the newly renovated restaurant.

On May 20^th we will be hosting, author, journalist and broadcaster Ted Barris the author of Behind the Glory: The Plan that Won the Allied Air War which details the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

This promises to be another exciting evening so mark your calendar now.

Thanks to the efforts of COPA, effective April 1^st, Kitchener (CYKF) has eliminated its landing fee for all aircraft under 3000 kg. So why not show your support by visiting their restaurant this season.

And while you're at it, consider supporting COPA, protecting our freedom to fly, by making a donation to their Freedom To Fly Fund.

We rent dreams