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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The first batch of planes in the Century Flight Club visit to Yellowknife arrived Sunday, despite most participants being grounded in Edmonton by bad weather.

David Fitzpatrick, who co-founded the club in 2009 with John Lovelace, showed the first 10 to 15 planes at Matrix Helicopters on Sunday, which this week is bringing one of the largest flight groups in North America to Yellowknife. A planned 100 planes and 300 pilots are expected to visit this week, with contingents from as far away as Texas.

Because of heavy rainfall and poor visibility, Fitzpatrick said many planes were held over in Edmonton until Monday afternoon.

Although the planes were still publicly accessible until the event ends Friday, Sunday afternoon was slated as the time locals could come to see them.

"A public event was supposed to be Sunday at 4 p.m. at Matrix, but because pilots got held in, we weren't able to have it," explained Fitzpatrick, who is visiting from Vancouver for the first time. "We were disappointed with that, but would like to have the public keep their eyes out for visiting pilots this week."

Fitzpatrick and Lovelace founded the club to mark the 100th anniversary of the first flight in Canada. At that time, 100 planes flew all across Canada to eight different venues and ended in Baddeck, N.S., the location where the first flight in Canada occurred. Since then, the tradition has continued every year and seeks to raise awareness of the fun of flying.

"We try to celebrate the pleasure of flying and every year we choose a new destination to go to," he said. "We thought Yellowknife was a beautiful spot to come to and there is a real strong history in aviation. It was also a popular place where members wanted to go."

Last year, the club event was held in La Ronge, Sask., and the year before in Whitehorse.

Fitzpatrick didn't arrive in Yellowknife with his own aircraft, but came up in his motorhome on Thursday. Most pilots are staying at the Yellowknife Inn and Yellowknifer got to mingle with a few Sunday night.

Brad Hokanson flew up with his wife Gladys, 12-year-old son Carter and 15-year-old son Hunter from Fort McMurray. They were an example of the flying families involved.

"This is my first time and I love it so far," said Brad. "It is very scenic. The conditions were smoky on the way up, but I would say north of Fort Chipewyan it was all clear."

Peter Stupniski and his wife Collette flew up from Stony Plain, Alta., for their first time, as well.

"This is my first time to Yellowknife, but it is a pretty good looking place with beautiful water and lots of rocks," he said, adding he had been with the club since its beginning and participated in the Century Flight across Canada. "I admit it is an expensive hobby."

The trend of participation in the club so far has fluctuated over time, said Fitzpatrick.

"We have had people that come year after year after year," he said. "Others have stayed since inception and still others have come every other year."

The impression of the city on Sunday night was quite favourable. Fitzpatrick's wife Colleen, for example, who served as a concierge to help incoming pilots reach amenities, said Yellowknife was a big improvement from La Ronge.

"I expected a little hick town in the middle of nowhere and it is far from it," she said.

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