Mother nature has conspired to give the Give Hope Wings 2022 flight numerous weather challenges as it works its way across Canada from the West Coast. From low clouds along the VFR route east from Toad River (CBK7) on the Alaska Highway to a front stretching from Northern Alberta to below the U.S. border, detours and unplanned stopovers were made. A planned flying club reception in Tisdale, Alberta (CYTT) had to be cancelled. Incoming storms caused earlier-than-planned departures from Gimli, Manitoba and Toronto Island, with the planned stopover in North Bay, where a community event was scheduled, skipped in order to stay ahead of thunderstorms on the flight to Ottawa.
Seasoned pilots anywhere in Canada will recognize these challenges as par for the course when flying in this country. What the expedition finds surprising is the amount of adverse weather to hit them since the expedition kickoff in Victoria on June 6.
The fundraising expedition for Hope Air continues to the East Coast before doubling back to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (near Montreal) on June 24.
There is a satellite tracking device donated by Airbly mounted in Expedition Captain Steve Drinkwater’s plane and the public can follow the expedition’s progress as it continues eastward.
If you feel like helping the cause, the same webpage has a Donate button where donations can be made. Donations made in June will go twice as far as the Presenting Sponsor Langley Sportsplex will match each donation dollar for dollar, up to a limit of $200,000. A tax receipt is automatically and immediately issued and sent by email to the donor.