Last week we visited the Bancroft Flying Club 2024 fly-in breakfast and BBQ lunch, a popular eastern Ontario fly-in event. This week we return to the fly-in once again.

The Bancroft area has much to offer, not for just local and area residents, but also the many visitors that frequent the area throughout the year. Boating of all types, hiking, swimming and other summer activities but, through the winter, there's cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing and more. Local retail include beer & liquor stores, grocery store, hardware store, several fast food and restaurant locations, general and gift merchants and more. There's also numerous conservation areas & parks, including the famous Algonquin Park, water falls, museums, rock shop and so much more. Come for the fly-in, stay for the area!

Though the fly-in typically sees several amphibious aircraft, not surprising considering the hundreds of lakes in eastern Ontario, only two made the fly-in this year including a Cessna 185 and a gorgeous Cessna 170, both on full amphib floats. Capable of landing on both land or water, having full amphibious floats makes ones aircraft much more versatile, especially if you have your own cottage!

The Zenair CH601 Zodiac is a 2 place, side-by-side aircraft specifically designed for the Canadian Ultralight market. Depending on the version it can be operated as an Advanced Ultralight (AULA) or a Basic Ultralight (BULA). It is also built in the US by the American Zenith Aircraft Company. The aircraft is one of several designs from the mind of Canadian Chris Heintz. Though the CH600/601 has had some wing issues over the years, they are a popular light aircraft around the world. Variants include the AMD, HD, HDS, UL (designed for the Canadian Ultralight market) and XL (designed for the American Light Sport market). Depending on the version, the 601 (XL) has a cruise speed of 130mph, stall speed of 44mph, range of 715 miles and service ceiling of 12,000 feet.

Fuel is available at the Bancroft airport, both 100LL and JetA, and there's a helipad as well. The flying club offers a lounge area, a kitchen and bathrooms. During the fly-in the vendors were lined up between the hangars and the static/parking area and visitors could wander about at their leisure.

If you visit the airport for the fly-in, whether by aeroplane or by vehicle, there's a lot the area has to offer, as mentioned You'll find all the amenities such as gas stations, banks, grocery store, various accommodations, gift and general merchandise stores, hardware store and more. Rather than just coming for the day, visit Bancroft for a weekend, a week or more. You'll love the area and, who knows, maybe a cottage or home in the area will be in your future.

The Citabria was originally developed by the Champion Aircraft Corporation and first flew in 1964. This 2 seat tandem aircraft has several variants including the original 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBB and 7KCAB. The design was acquired by Bellanca Aircraft Corporation in 1970. Bellanca also developed the 8KCAB Decathlon and the 8GCBC Scout from the Citabria line. These aircraft are now produced by the American Champion Aircraft Company. The Citabria was originally powered by a 100hp engine with future powerplants including 115hp, 150hp and 180hp. The Decathlon and Super Decathlon were further developments from the Citabria. They have a greater aerobatic capability in +6G/-5G and can perform outside manoeuvres, which the Citabria is not capable of.

As mentioned, the weather reduced the numbers of visiting aircraft but it didn't take away from the overall success of the day. Local visitors helped to make up for reduced pilots & crews and plenty of breakfast and lunch meals were sold throughout the day. No doubt, the small vendors market made the day even more of a success and, hopefully, the 2025 fly-in will see more of that.

Even if you're not a pilot, you can still get involved with a flying club and their fly-in and other events your local flying club may have. Contact your local flying club to find out what they do throughout the year and you may find that your help would be greatly appreciated. You may find that you'll develop a deeper interest in flying and pilots at your club may be more than willing, and very happy, to take you flying, spurring that interest. You may just find yourself taking lessons!

If you're a pilot then put next year's Bancroft Fly-in Breakfast and BBQ on your calendar and make the trip over cottage country to Bancroft Airport. You might just fall in love with the area and find yourself buying a home, or cottage, in the area or maybe invest in some property for future building. It is a stunningly beautiful area of Ontario, and Canada.

A fly-in is a wonderful place to visit, either by air, or vehicle, even by bicycle or on foot. There's always great food and wonderful people you can meet and chat with. If you've never been in an aeroplane many fly-in events offer flight experiences where you can pay a small fee and take a trip in an aircraft over the local area. Come and enjoy breakfast, lunch, a snack and walk around the visiting and local aircraft. Bancroft Airport and their flying club are warm, welcoming folks who'll make your visit more than worth the trip!