RAA-Toronto October 2025 Newsletter

Summer BBQs & General Meeting

The next RAA-Toronto General Meeting is on October 6th in Hangar 41. Guest speaker Matt Collard, a NavCan ATC controller working Toronto East sector, will discuss his air traffic control work.

On The Tower Frequency

United Flight ops: "Tower, our passenger is out of his seat."
Tower: "They're in a seat, just not the right one."

Aircraft Spruce Dealer Discount Program

RAA-TR members receive discounts through the Aircraft Spruce Dealer program. Last year, members accumulated over $55,000 in purchases and saved approximately $6,000. Online orders of $250 CAD or more qualify for free shipping. Members must use the chapter's Dealer ID and User ID to receive benefits.

BFC Open House

Recognised volunteers included Troy Allen, Alain Ouellet, Bing Storey, Ken Yates, and others for setting up and managing the booth. Domenico Bellissimo demonstrated a propeller-carving machine.

Aircraft on display: Baby Ace (Frank & Nick Bruzzese), Harmon Rocket (Chris Pulley), Long Eze (Neil Kruiswyk), Piel Diamant (Sergey Zinchenko), RV-7A (Laurie McDonald), RV-8 (Al Dyke), Zenair CH200 (Ken Yates), Zenair CH300 (Alain Ouellet).

Roswell Air Races: A New Chapter

RARA President Tony Logoteta described the relocation from Reno to Roswell, NM after commercial development threatened the original airport. Brown Brothers Ranch provided critical land for race pylons. Roswell offers 82 acres (vs Reno's 48), an oval track for better spectator views, and accommodates over 300 GA aircraft on its larger ramp.

P-63 King Cobra Shines at Roswell

Pat Nightingale of the Palm Springs Air Museum piloted "Pretty Polly," one of only four airworthy P-63 King Cobras worldwide. The engine is mounted directly to the airframe (unlike the vibration-dampened Mustang construction), making the entire aircraft shake. The non-steerable nosewheel requires brake pressure for turning. Cockpit temperatures can reach 125°F due to the rear engine placement. As Nightingale put it: "A P-51 Mustang is like a Cadillac compared to the P-63."

Bell built approximately 3,000 P-63s — roughly 2,000 shipped to Russia via Lend-Lease. Only a handful remain airworthy today.