Though the weather was overcast and rainy, the Carlyle Flying Club's annual Fly in Breakfast remained a success. Many people were sadly unable to come due to the poor weather, but members of the club weren't too distraught as they laughed it was due time it rained on their event. According to members this year was the first in about 25 years rain occurred and there was no point in being upset about this matter.
With pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and fruit many community members were supportive of the breakfast despite the rain. This year only a few planes arrived for the event from Oxbow and Estevan though they usually draw a large crowd from as far as Saskatoon.
Those who were able to attend enjoyed great company and had a chance to go up in Estevan native Al Ducart's plane for a small price.
The club has been active since the 1950s and has been strong ever since, with members claiming it to be the second busiest airport in southeast Saskatchewan. Currently the club consists of 30 members, with 23 planes calling the airport home.
Currently they are trying to find the funds to extend the runway 900 feet, which would bring the tarmac to 4,000 feet long a distance that would allow small jets to use. Jet traffic is typically directed towards corporate reasons, but it would give many an incentive to fly to Carlyle over Estevan. Ultimately the airport is economically beneficial as it attracts people to the area and would become even more so with the extra length added.
The facility boasts a lighted runway, which has also been a major draw to the area for many who fly. The club also offers jet fuel and aviation fuel, with the former being accessible only for the last year, though, they have sold approximately 85,000 litres of jet fuel in one year.
The airport receives funding mostly through the support of oil company donations, while some support does come through the Community Airport Partnership (CAP) Program through grants, the town of Carlyle and surrounding Rural Municipalities, as well as a small portion of fuel sales.
One of the things that the airport is currently proud of is being a place for STARS to both fuel up and use as a landing area.
A feature that the club is happy to be working alongside is Sunshine Aviation, operated by John Erickson, which is a flight school. Currently he is training 21 students who are all working towards different categories of licences including commercial hours being logged, night endorsements, multi-engines, and private or recreation licences.
Earlier this year Erickson orchestrated an emergency landing north of Kisbey, his experience allowed a safe landing for all in the plane. Erickson and another passenger are recovering from back injuries, while the other four walked away without serious injury.
Originally having schools in Estevan and Carlyle he decided to move operations to Carlyle and sell his business in Estevan. He liked Carlyle because of the people and the great flying club to work with. In addition to this the runway is substantial and being situated next to the Skyline is a draw to those who fly into town with the intent to stay a few nights.
"Flight schools can help keep small airports going," Erickson explained. "Training new people and keeping people with licences current is a way to keep aviation going in a community. That's what we've been trying to do. Everyone's really supportive and helpful in making that work."
