Canadian Owners and Pilots Association 149

06/05/2026

Painting 11/29 Markers

After a soggy May 1st aerating and fertilizing of the turf runway 11/29 at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport serving the communities of Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet and Welland, members of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association Flight #149 were delighted to enjoy a pleasant dry and sunny day painting the runway markers. One team removed overgrown grass from the edges and cleaned up each marker. A second team refreshed the brilliant white paint such that pilots using the runway might be accurately guided to the prepared turf surface for a gentle landing. The turf runway is heavily used by both local and visiting pilots during the flying months of the year. COPA 149 volunteers refurbished the abandoned runway 11/29 a few years ago and maintain it in pristine condition each year, including keeping the grass cut to a length safe for landing aircraft.

06/02/2026

We are looking forward to another successful Discover Aviation Day..

05/19/2026

COPA 149 Meeting
Thursday, May 21
Hangar #3 19:00

The 11/29 has been fertilized . Now the next step is the painting of the belt markers and as time and manpower allow, pulling the shafts on the rollers.

The May 21 meeting will include discussions on COPA 149 members that have experienced emergencies in the air. Emergencies can be many things, including: fuel exhaustion, engine stoppage, propeller issues, flying into IMC, getting lost, fire, structural issues, or a host of any others.

COPA 149 members will be invited to take a few minutes to explain their situation, action taken and result, Audience is encouraged to offer constructive comments and/or questions.

Can you identify this airport in the Niagara area?

05/03/2026

A Few More 11-29 Pix Courtesy of Doug Reilly

05/02/2026

May 1, 2026 Aerating and Fertilizing 11-29
Volunteer members of COPA Flight 149 took part in the springtime ritual of aerating and fertilizing of the turf runway 11/29 at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport on this cold and wet May Day morning. The formerly abandoned runway was rehabilitated by volunteers from the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association several years ago as a turf runway, and is maintained by the organization. The heavy clay soil in the southern area of Niagara requires repeated aerating and fertilizing to maintain a surface suitable for the operation of aircraft. The runway is popular with both local and visiting pilots since the grass surface results in much less wear and tear on expensive aviation-rated tires compared to asphalt or concrete.

04/17/2026

COPA 149 members were treated to a comprehensive and informative talk on the Lancaster bomber by John Bullen of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at our monthly meeting of April 16, 2026.

For more information on COPA 149 visit our website at https://www.copa149atcnq3.org/.

04/15/2026

COPA 149 Meeting
Thursday, April 16 19:00
Air Cadet Hall, Hangar #3

Agenda:

https://www.copa149atcnq3.org/home/meetings

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03/16/2026

COPA 149 Meeting Thursday Mar 19 2026
Air Cadet Hall (Hangar #3) 19:00

Agenda at:

https://www.copa149atcnq3.org/home/meetings

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02/17/2026

COPA 149 Meeting
Thursday February 19 19:00
Air Cadet Hall (Hangar #3)

Scott Keighan will be our guest speaker. Scott has many years of experience, working for Toronto ATC. He is an aircraft builder and an experienced pilot, based out of St. Catharines.

Full agenda at https://www.copa149atcnq3.org/

Spring is coming!

02/04/2026

Meeting February 19, 2026

The COPA 149 meeting on February 20, 2026 will feature a guest speaker from Toronto ATC. This will be an interesting and informative evening for all.

Scott Keighan will be our guest speaker. Scott has many years of experience, working for Toronto ATC. He is an aircraft builder and an experienced pilot, based out of St. Catharines.

This will be an informal meeting and will include questions/answers from the group. Scott will discuss topics such as:

What does ATC see on their screens
Discussion on ATC responsibilities
ADSB
Flight Following with real life examples
Any other discussions that the COPA group will ask