Stanley Airport fly-in underway 2 weeks after fire destroys planes, infrastructure

Aviation lovers are gathering this weekend for the 53rd annual Labour Day fly-in at the Stanley Airport in Hants County, N.S., only two weeks after fire destroyed some of the club's planes and infrastructure. 

Two planes, two hangars and a bandstand built in memory of a pilot who died in a crash at the airfield were lost in the blaze. 

Ken Cheslock owned one of the planes. 

He bought his single-engine Rans S-7 Courier in 2011. He said he was heartbroken when he learned it was gone, but was glad no one was injured.  

"It was pretty devastating and it still is," Cheslock said. "I'm still getting over it 'cause, as one of my friends said, 'You lost your best buddy.'"

Mike Whitehead, vice-president of the group that owns and operates the small non-profit airport, said it was a challenge to organize this year's fly-in while also grappling with the aftermath of the fire. But he said the aviation community came together to make it happen. 

"The resilience of the folks here at the club — everybody buckled down, cleaned up the debris, got the scrap metal gone, made the site safe and we were able to bounce back," said Whitehead. 

"Everybody just came together. It was very gratifying." 

Cheslock and Whitehead both stressed the importance of upholding small, grassroots aviation projects like the Stanley Airport. 

It's maintained entirely by the Stanley Sport Aviation Association, a group of volunteers and flying enthusiasts. 

For Cheslock, it's all about inspiring young people who could be the next generation of pilots — young people like 13-year-old Tessa Wolthers. She has been coming to the annual fly-in since she was about four.

She comes from a family of pilots, and loves to fly around in the passenger's seat. She's also an air cadet and hopes to get her private pilot's licence when she turns 16. 

But Wolthers said her all-time favourite part of the fly-in weekend is the "candy drop," when a plane flies over the airfield and drops piles of candy for the kids. 

The festivities will continue until Sunday afternoon. All proceeds will go into maintaining the airport and rebuilding what was lost in the fire — something Whitehead and his fellow aviators are determined to do.