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Fly-In at Canyon Ferry Airport
Author: Matthew Nelson

Matthew Nelson

The Montana Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Academy sponsored a Fly-In at Canyon Ferry Airport.

According to Barbara Barnum, the MDT Aeronautics Aviation Program Coordinator, “Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics hosted a June 20th fly-in at Canyon Ferry to support the annual Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Academy, giving high school students hands-on exposure to aviation careers. The program introduces High school students to pathways in flying, maintenance, airport operations, safety, and public service while helping strengthen Montana’s future aviation workforce.

Students flew in general aviation aircraft and toured Pioneer Aerostructure, the Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility, Helena College’s aviation maintenance program, and Montana Medical Transport. A field trip to Missoula added visits to Northstar/Neptune Aviation, the Smokejumper Base, and the Air Traffic Control tower. The week concluded with the Canyon Ferry fly-in. Thanks to the many pilots, volunteers, businesses, and aviation professionals whose mentorship ensures students experience real aircraft, real careers, and real people.”

Twenty aircraft flew into Canyon Ferry Airport, and there were 13 students who came. They all had participated in the events that occurred in Helena and Missoula. Although two weeks earlier than our nation’s 250th anniversary, in a roundabout way, the colors of our flag were honored. A 1955 Cessna 305 at one time was a US Army plane and is now privately owned by Andrew Willett out of Bozeman.

Brandon Wilson proudly showed his 1999 Eurocopter (helicopter) AS 350 B2 to the ACE students attending the fly-in. He has been a private pilot for 10 years and a helicopter pilot for 3 years. Quite often he participates in wildfire fighting around the country in the Eurocopter, or in other helicopters owned by other companies. Kathryn Six was one of the students that Brandon talked to, and she reported about the entire ACE event:

“Attending the ACE Aviation Camp was an unforgettable experience that gave us students a unique opportunity to explore the exciting world of aviation. Throughout the camp, we learned from a variety of pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and college students about their professions and the different aspects of each. We attended many presentations and tours that were both engaging and informative. The welcoming environment encouraged students to ask questions, try new things, and build confidence. One highlight was seeing everything that goes into preparing an airplane before it can be flown, from aircraft maintenance to the aerospace engineering behind airplanes and jets. One of my favorite parts of camp was flying in an airplane with a pilot, where I had the opportunity to serve as a co-pilot and fly over Townsend. The ACE Aviation Camp is an outstanding program that motivates young people to dream big and consider exciting futures in aviation.”

TJ Reynolds flew a Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) Piper Super Cub to Canyon Ferry. He is out of Dillon and owns a beautiful 1977 Cessna R172K.

One of Townsend’s pilots is Chris Fuher, who is a very good flight instructor. Besides a Cessna 172, he also has a 1967 Lake LA-4 Seaplane, which he flew to Canyon Ferry.

Besides the aircraft previously mentioned, there were seven Cessnas (C-170, C-172, C-180, C-185, C-305), one Beechcraft Bonanza, three Piper Cubs, six homebuilt planes, which were a Piper Carbon Cub, and Aviat Husky A-1B, a Just Aircraft Highlander, a Cub Crafters, a KITFOX S7 STI, and a Vans RV-9A. The oldest two planes were two Piper J3F-65 Cubs, one built in 1941 and the other one in 1946. One of the strangest aircraft that showed up is a PPC Buckeye Powered Parachute 582 Dream Machine.

All of the ACE students present toured around many of the planes and visited the pilots. This was a very good fly-in and enjoyed by all. God bless. HAPPY 4TH of July, America, on our 250th Anniversary.

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PhotoCredit: Matthew Nelson
Image 1 Caption: ACE students Abigail Davis, Piper Fast, and Kathryn Six by this 1999 Eurocopter A5 350 B2 helicopter owned by Brandon Wilson Photo Credit: Matt Nelson