— By Gustavo and Clara Corujo

COPA Flight 70 Durham Region hosted its second annual North Port Fly-In on Saturday August 13. With a beautiful 2,200-foot grass strip situated by the shores of Lake Scugog in Ontario, North Port, CNP4, is owned and operated by Manny and Connie Rosario.

Fly-in visitors were asked to RSVP for the event since the airport only has a 40 parking spaces for aircraft. It was a beautiful day with a great turnout. Visitors enjoyed a delicious BBQ, varieties of homemade desserts to die for and refreshments. There was a camping area, children’s bouncy castle and lots of picnic tables set up.

Best of all, visitors were able to see some unique aircraft. The day was highlighted by the presence of Lee Barker’s Antonov An-2, COPA Director for Southern Ontario and Eastern Vice-Chair Ashlynne Dale’s Airbus Helicopters H125, and Manfred Harder’s beautifully restored Bell OH-58A. In addition, Hannu Halminen treated everyone with three passes over the airfield with his gorgeous P-51 Mustang.

COPA’s Director Ashlynne Dale presented Gus Corujo with the COPA Editor’s Award of the year. The presentation was coordinated by the President of COPA Flight 70, Durham Region (Oshawa), Rick Nihda.

A special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Rosario, organizers, volunteers, the 2nd VandenBos Whitby Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron, and all parties involved for making the North Port Fly-in a success.

View more photos of the event.