Canada’s national airline flew its first transcontinental flight in 1939. Seventy-five years later, Arcadia and I will fly that route again: Montreal to Vancouver via Ottawa, North Bay, Kapuskasing, Winnipeg, Regina, and Lethbridge.

This is our country: a thin strip of civilization along the southern border.

October 1, 2014

Mission 2014 is now complete, at least in the execution. Arcadia and I set out from Vancouver in pouring rain on Monday, September 29. After two weeks away, I just wanted to get home. Wednesday afternoon at 1700 hours Arcadia was tucked away in her hangar at Lachute, Quebec and I was on my way home, dead tired.

Three days, four stops enroute, five legs (CYVR-CYQL-CYQR-CYHD-CYTS-CSE4), 13:25 air time, 14:39 block to block. Two approaches to 400 feet (Regina and Timmins). Most of the time we were in cloud or between layers. We didn't see much of the country on our way back.

I had a great time talking to students at three cities en route. Here is a video from North Bay, Ontario, where I visited Widdifield Secondary School:

And another from Regina:

Am I glad I did it? You bet. There are many more stories here that will be written - stand by.