Though there wasn't a huge turnout for the fly-in, as word gets out into the aviation community, we'll see a larger number of visiting aircraft and locals come out in support of the flying club and the aerodrome. It makes for an enjoyable morning and/or afternoon and the people, food and prizes makes it even better.

The fall fly-in, known as the Pig & Pie Fly-in, offers visitors a large delicious sausage on a quality bun, potato salad, a cold beverage or a hot coffee and a scrumptious piece of pie, either from Mrs. Garrett's Bakery, a fairly local bakery that helps to support the event, or a piece of pumpkin pie from Costco. The food was great and it's all for nothing more than a donation. This year saw the flying club donation pot grow beyond expectations and those monies will go to help the flying club with ongoing work at the airport from grounds keeping, clubhouse upkeep and the restoration of a flying club aircraft.

Flying club president, Mike Miles, along with club members, work hard to ensure the airport grounds, the clubhouse and all food and event preparations are completed for a smooth and seamless event and it shows. Visitors came and went throughout the morning and early afternoon, both by aeroplane and vehicle. Young and old enjoyed the day, chatting with folks they knew, folks they didn't know, pilots and club members. A good time was had by all.

A Mooney M20 was one of the larger aircraft that made the trip. Comparable in size to say, a Cessna 172 or 182, the Mooney is somewhat faster and has retractable landing gear, offering it a sleeker look and less drag. Most Ontario fly-ins will see at least one Mooney visit and this one came in from Stirling, Oak Hills Flying Club. The Mooney is often easy to identify by its forward swept vertical stabilizer.

Another low wing aircraft that flew in was the Van's RV-8. If you're looking for a small, 2-place aircraft that can take you places, Van's aircraft are pretty quick and will allow you to fly places further afar than, say a Cessna 172, might take you in a day. If you wanted to fly from Toronto to Halifax for a few days, a Van's RV-8 is an aircraft that will get you there in less than a day of flying. It may not have in-flight service and luggage space is somewhat limited, but it's a comfortable aircraft for those longer flights offering excellent views out of its bubble style canopy.

Fly-in events happen across North America, and in many other countries around the world, but they are not restricted to just pilots with aircraft. You can visit by vehicle, bicycle or on foot if the airport is close enough to allow that. Most fly-ins welcome any and all visitors. Typically, you'll find some type of meal available whether a breakfast of eggs, bacon and/or sausage, coffee and maybe fruit or a lunch meal that may include burgers, hotdogs, sausages, salad, fruit, pop and water or something else, the food is always good and it's usually affordable. Some flying clubs and fly-ins only ask for a donation and others charge a set fee. Depending, again, on the flying club or fly-in, monies go to helping maintain the flying club, airport and grounds but some may donate to local events, groups and/or charities. Monies never go to individual members expect when covering certain expenses for the event.

The Rideau Lakes Flying Club has a small membership but they're a dedicated group, intent on keeping the airport and flying club going. Members volunteer to get the flying club ready, get the runway grass cut as well as the parking area, around the flying club and hangars, park visiting cars and more. Aircraft marshallers made the trip down from the Ottawa/Gatineau area to assist the flying club in aircraft marshalling and parking.

If you're looking for a final fall fly-in to attend in eastern Ontario, the Westport, Rideau Lakes fall, Pig & Pie Fly-in won't disappoint. From great food to great folks, great support from the township and from the community, the Pig & Pie Fly-in is a great way to spend the day, enjoying some of the last of the nice fall weather before the winter weather sets in and flying for the year ends for most people. Come out and enjoy the day, the aircraft, the people, the community, the food and the prizes. You won't be disappointed!

Many thanks to the community for supporting the Pig & Pie Fly-in with an assortment of super prizes. Those businesses include:

• Village Green Originals
• Vanilla Bean's Café & Creamery
• Life is Good Westport, Cynthia Pringle, Owner
• Kudrinko's Grocery Store
• Lower Mountain Mercantile, Marcia White, Manager
• Pinecone Westport, Alina Stubbs, Manager
• Lake Effects, Michelle Koelle, Owner
• Inger's Boutique/Northern Edge, Inger Stuart, Owner
• Westport Brewing Company, Kevin, Manager