I had recently retired to Kippens and no longer having access to full scale aircraft to fly, decided to try my hand with models. I had always been interested in model aircraft, but had never tried it, as I had spent the last 20 years flying and building full scale aircraft. Having determined that there were no model clubs in the area, I sent an e-mail to Carl Layden, who gave me Cliff Roney’s name in St. Theresa’s. Cliff put me on to Brian Patey, who at that time lived near me. We got in touch with each other, and flew a few times, but really no club yet.

After meeting Mike and Kip (as a result of their fine hearing), it became clear that a club with proper facilities, insurance etc. was going to be required. The result was sending off the appropriate paperwork and the Bay St. George Flyers, MAAC ID 657, received our charter on June 8, 2004.

Sometime in the spring of the same year, the Snowbirds were in Stephenville for a demonstration, and we happened to take advantage of a great flying day. We were flying on the old ramp outside the airport fence – when a car roared up occupied by two fellows who I did not know at the time. We were quickly told by the driver that there was no way we could fly there, as we were too close to the airport. I think it may have been Kip who responded with a very kindly remark. The driver turned out to be Barry Coates, our Town manager, and now one of our very active members. The other occupant of the vehicle – now Mayor of Stephenville, Tom O’Brien, did not make any comments as I recall, but did say “ where can I get one of those?” Needless to say the next day Tom had one on order, and now has more planes than anyone can count…..as well as being a very active member of the Club.

The same year we received permission from Diamond Construction Ltd., in Fredericton N.B., to utilize their property at Barachois Brook for flying – at no cost to us. The property includes a 3,000 foot paved runway, and is well fenced, so it suited our purposes well. All members now have keys to the gate and this has become the home flying site for the club.

That is how the club started, and in spite of ourselves, we now have some 15 members, most quite active. We are now starting our fourth year of operation as a Club, and it looks like we will have another good one – beginning with hosting the first IMAC event to be held in NL on June 16. We’re looking forward to many more years of club activity out here on the West Coast – where the sun always shines (well, most of the time anyway) and, of course our annual mission to Gander.