“TundraCADDY”
UPPIAPIK
FLIGHT SCHOOL LAUNCHES IN KUUJJUAQ
August 15th 1999
On June 25, 1999 Uppiapik Flight Training was launched. No small feat, considering the location. Kuujjuaq is located almost 1000 miles north of Montreal where the Koksoak river opens up into Ungava Bay. Nestled in a crook of the river, Kuujjuaq is only accessable by air or boat, and is the home of George Berthe, the owner of this brand new Ultralight Flying School.
George is a native of Kuujjuaq, the largest Inuit conglomeration of Nunavik, and he wanted to share a dream of flying with his community. George has a keen interest in the social and economic development of Nunavik , and serves as corporate secretary of Makivik Corporation. " Although Makivik owns First Air and Air Inuit, flying Twin Otters and 727s, my personal project is to offer our people a taste of flying at the ultralight level. This will hopefully lead to career aspirations, and ultimately encourage them to pursue the more advanced training leading to the airline pilot licenses" says Berthe.
The preparation leading up to the opening of "Uppiapik" was not without major challenges. First, an ultralight aircraft suitable to the terrain and conditions of the north had to be found. After considerable research, the BushCaddy was selected. "It is an all metal ultralight made for the bush" says Berthe. "It is extremely robust with excellent gliding capabilities, and just at home on skis and floats as it is on wheels. Its tail dragger configuration is also an advantage in these harsh conditions. It has the potential of becoming the ski-doo of the air."
A visit to Canadian Light Aircraft Sales & Services, (CLASS) the manufacturers of the BushCaddy further confirmed George's appitite for flying. A bright yellow (and highly visible) BushCaddy was selected, and was dressed to reflect what was in effect the first “Tundra Caddy”, and George started his training at Avitas Flight Training during his brief stopovers in Montreal between business trips. Finally, before the snow thawed, George and co-pilot Mathieu Lamontagne started making plans for the long flight from St-Lazare, near Montreal, to Kuujjuaq.
This is possibly the longest and most challenging flight that a Canadian made ultralight has made within Canada. The route selected was from St-Lazare to Mascouche, Baie Comeau, Sept Isles, Wabush, Shefferville, then finally, Kuujjuaq. As usual with this type of flying, one has to plan for those little "eventualities". A cracked muffler pipe in Sept Isles needed welding, and five solid days of snow showers north of Shefferville grounded the intrepid crew, and tested their patience to the limit. George and Mathieu spent their time offering rides to the locals who were intrigued by this amazing little bush plane.
Finally, on a cold and crisp morning in May, a window of opportunity opened, and the crew were once again airborne for the triumphful last leg. Home to Kuujjuaq, and a brand new experience for the BushCaddy. "We were so excited, we could almost feel our little aircraft was sharing in the excitement too". A small crowd had gathered at the Kuujjuaq airport including George's relatives and some future students. They searched the skies for the first sight of the airplane. The FSS specialist paced his tower, and could not resist turning up the volume on the radio just a tad, waiting for the call. Finally, a small yellow speck in the sky started to grow with consistency. "Kuujjuaq radio, this is BushCaddy C-IFGM" "There it is!, It's got to be them" "FGM - this is Kuujjuaq radio - go ahead" - Yes, it is definitely them!" As the BushCaddy touched down on the gravel runway, a spontaneous burst of applause broke out from the crowd, and George was beaming from ear to ear. "FGM, welcome to Kuujjuaq….."
On June 19, 1999 Pamela Russell, grand daughter of Norm Cooper the owner of "Cooper Airfield" in St-Lazare (ST3) stepped off the First Air 727 in Kuujjuaq and surveyed the scene before her. Pam, with her brand new instructor's rating in her pocket, was ready to take on the task of instructing for Uppiapik Flight Training. Pam, as a pilot is probably ready and able to take on anything!. There are no aircraft at the Cooper airfield that she is incapable of flying. At 21 years of age she has earned the respect and admiration of all the pilots in St-Lazare. A natural born flyer with a taste for adventure, she had yearned for some bush experience in the north. A chance meeting one day with George Berthe at Avitas led to a conversation about common dreams, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Pam is now settled in with eight students flying regularly on the BushCaddy. She has made friends with the local pilots and has already been offered float check-outs on the Beavers and Otters operating locally.
The BushCaddy has found a place in the north, and sits proudly on the hill overlooking Kuujjuaq. Its bright yellow profile can be seen from every where in the village. "It is as if it is yelling to every one "Look at me, look at me," " chuckled Pam.
George Berthe is very gratified with developments to date. The experience is catching on, as people get the opportunity to test the performance of the BushCaddy themselves through Fam flights. Good luck, Uppiapik. Oh yes, did I mention that "Uppiapik" means "little owl" in Inuttitut?
For more information on Uppiapik Flight Training call
Michel Berdnikoff - (514) 843-5109
Uppiapik Flight Training
Edifice 605A-Boite Postale 331
Kuujjuaq, Nunavik
Quebec, J0M 1C0