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Fly-in not just for flyers

Whether your vehicle has wings or wheels, you’re invited to drop in for a visit to Villeneuve Airport this Saturday, which will mark the fifth annual open house and fly-in at the facility.

Whether your vehicle has wings or wheels, you’re invited to drop in for a visit to Villeneuve Airport this Saturday, which will mark the fifth annual open house and fly-in at the facility.

The event is aimed at showing the general public and the flying community what the airport is all about, said Theresa Tsoukalas, general aviation co-ordinator for Edmonton Airports.

For the public, it’s a chance to go ‘airside’ to see some aircraft up close and talk to some pilots. For pilots, it’s a chance to see what the airport has to offer, she said.

“It’s a way to bring the general aviation community together and also an opportunity for the general public to be introduced to an airport in their area,” she said.

A stunt pilot will perform some aerial tricks at 1 p.m.

A trade show component will feature a couple of the businesses located at the airport and will include airport officials eager to talk about the next phase of development that’s under way at the airport.

Fly-ins are a very common event in the general aviation community, Tsoukalas said. Last year’s event drew 1,000 people and 30 aircraft from all over Alberta.

“We had some pilots come in from as far as Lethbridge, just flew in for the day, had a burger and flew back,” she said.

The family-oriented event includes a free barbecue but organizers will be accepting donations to Hope Air, a national charity that pays the airfare for Canadians who require travel for medical treatment.

The Villeneuve fly-in has been gaining popularity and generates an interest in flying, said Bob Smits, manager and chief flight instructor of the Namao Flying Club, which is based at the airport.

“It’s good exposure for the airport. It might have some long-term effect [on airport development],” he said.

His club is too busy flying on Saturdays to do much public relations but it will be supplying about 12 volunteers to direct aircraft.

“It’s usually quite busy especially if the weather is good,” Smits said. “I know it’s been quite popular with people in the community, not just pilots.”

The event begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and goes until 2:30 p.m. Villeneuve Airport is in Sturgeon County along Highway 633, about 15 minutes west of St. Albert. Once at the airport, look for a big tented area in front of the control tower.

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