Photos: Crystal-clear skies for Midnight Sun Fly In
Almost 30 aircraft from across Canada and the United States landed in Yellowknife on the weekend for the 2019 Midnight Sun Fly In.
Aircraft attending the event were mostly on floats, though several amphibious and wheeled aircraft also ferried their pilots and guests to the city for the three-day event, headquartered at the former Wardair dock in Old Town.
The biennial event, hosted by the Midnight Sun Fly In Association – and helped by dozens of volunteers – alternates most years with the Yellowknife International Airshow.
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Several events kept visitors busy over the three days, including live entertainment each night. The public was treated to free food on Saturday (Bush Pilot Pancake Breakfast and Fox Moth Smokie BBQ Lunch) and Sunday (Friends of the Fly In BBQ Lunch).
On Saturday, the NWTFA Fly Out Picnic was held at Plummer’s Lodge, located about 30 minutes by air east of the city at Taltheilei Narrows.
The gravel airstrip there also allowed visitors on wheeled aircraft to attend.
The fly-in originated as a celebration honouring the bush pilots who helped open up the North decades ago, so a memorial ceremony took place at Pilots’ Monument on Sunday morning – included a flypast from Buffalo Joe McBryan in his vintage Norseman.
The ceremony was hosted by former Yellowknife mayor Dave Lovell.
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Take a look at our photos from the weekend below. All photos: James O’Connor.
“Buffalo Joe” McBryan, reality TV star and president of Buffalo Airways holds court at the Midnight Sun Fly In at the Wardair dock in Old Town.
Children admire a new Cessna Grand Caravan Amphibian brought in as a demonstration vehicle for sale.
A float plane takes to the air over Yellowknife.
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There was live music for Midnight Sun Fly In visitors, including Yellowknifer and Cabin Radio host Jim Taylor.
On Saturday, guests flew to the NWTFA Fly Out Picnic at Plummer’s Lodge, east of Yellowknife.
“Buffalo Joe” McBryan takes off from Back Bay in his vintage Norseman.
The public helped pack the former Wardair dock for free food three times over the weekend.
Veteran Yellowknife pilot Dave Crerar and his friend, fellow pilot John DeBourcier, on final approach into Yellowknife Airport, returning from Plummer’s Lodge.
Former Yellowknife mayor Dave Lovell leads Sunday’s memorial ceremony at Pilots’ Monument.