A First World War era Sopwith was one of the many airplanes on display for Airport Day at Pitt Meadows Regional Airport on Saturday, June 20.
Pilot Al French was showing the plane off – a plane, he said, he sometimes flies, along with several other museum airplanes.
He enjoys the Sopwith because it is a historical replica with so much “pedigree”.
The original Sopwith was made in 1916, which made it a really important airplane during the battle of Vimy Ridge.
“It was just a really good performing airplane,” he said, noting that pilots enjoyed flying it very much.
There were around 20 airplanes and helicopters on display at the event which attracted thousands of aviation enthusiasts from across the Lower Mainland.
Maple Ridge residents Natasha Sousa and her daughters Laura Bowman, 18, and sister Emily Sousa, 10, were thrilled that there was so much going on at the event.
Not only was there an aviation display, but also live music and a beer garden, inflatable activities for the children, and a local artisan market by Collective Markets.
They were there supporting their grandfather who had his Bell 47 helicopter – a single-engine light helicopter with an iconic “goldfish bowl” canopy – on display. But, the trio also enjoyed the afternoon shopping, purchasing specialty baked bread, macaroons, and a 3D printed toy.
Entrance was free to Airport Day, hosted annually on the third Saturday in June.
Donations were being accepted upon entry for the British Columbia Aviation Council’s Gateway to Education Scholarship program, to support the next generation with opportunities throughout the aviation industry.