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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 19, 2007 - 7 McDonald's and Oak-Land Ford Lincoln Registration Now Open DEREK WOOLLAM/ SPECIAL TO OAKVILLE BEAVER HIGH FLYING THRILL: Little sister Andre enjoys her flight over Burlington, Oakville and Milton with Big Sister Jennifer Coloutti in John Weitner's plane. The 25th Annual Big Brother and Sister Airlift flights from Burlington Airpark last Saturday were courtesy of Flight 28 of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. 905-845-2571, New in 2007 Ronald McDonald® SportZone! Airlift lifts the spirits By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Indira Maharaj is one very convincing woman. Despite her 12-year-old son Jeevan's fear of flying, a trepidation that is shared by his Big Brother Faryar Foroodi, the pair reluctantly hopped into a fourseater plane last Saturday. One dozen local pilots and owners lined up their four and six seater aircrafts at Burlington Airpark in North Burlington loading 80 of Halton's Big Brothers, Big Sisters and their respective little brothers and sisters for a 25-minute flight over Milton, Burlington and Oakville's landscapes. "It was scary. I sat in the front and had my vomit bag ready but I would do it all again," said Jeevan. Faryar is just as sold on repeating the experience. "I've heard so many good things about this airlift and now I know it's all true." With this challenge now overcome, Jeevan's mom, who was "amazed" by the flight, is intent on helping her son face another fear - the `Mindbuster' rollercoaster at Canada's Wonderland. A total of 22 pilots and grounds crew who are members of the Flight 28 chapter of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association donated their time and planes for this 25th annual airlift. COPA's ulterior motive is to generate enthusiasm about aviation among the young passengers. Student pilots can start flying at age 14 and solo at 16. They may already have a recruit in 11-year-old R.J. who came to the event with Krista and Alex Short, a couple's match. For more than one year the Milton trio's Tuesday night outings have been a highlight of their week. But last Saturday's sky-high adventure takes the cake. "I will definitely do this again," said R.J. Like R.J. pilot Rod Laframboise became intrigued with flying at a young age. Three years ago he made good on this goal. This was his first airlift with the annual lift for Halton Big Brothers Big Sisters. "It's a great feeling to introduce kids to something new, show them how safe aviation is and take away their fear of flying," said Laframboise. Brothers Isaac, 8 and Enoch, 6, of Oakville fired a flurry of questions at their pilot prior to take-off. `Is there enough gas?' `Can I drive?' `Is that door locked?' `Will we crash?' "They asked questions the whole time," said Halton Big Brother Big Sister volunteer Marnie Piggott who accompanied Isaac and Enoch on their very first flight. This was a birthday unlike any other for 10-yearold Oakville resident Derek, who came with his Big Brother Paul Rego. "I actually got to fly the plane and guess what? It's a lot like the way you play a video game," said Derek. To see his buddy happy and so pleased with himself is just like the reward Rego gets from these past three years as a Big Brother. "It's nice of the pilots to do this for us," he added. Indeed COPA Flight 28's generosity is plentiful. As well as a free mini-trip in the clouds, participants picnicked with pizza, pop and doughnuts and took away a certificate to commemorate the day. Oakville ord Lincoln Indulge in a Little Oakville Light Jazz/Buffet Dinner Friday, June 22 6:30 p.m. boarding - 11:00 p.m. Ticket/person: $79 Sunshine Cruise/Buffet Saturday, June 23 12:30 p.m. boarding - 4:00 p.m. Ticket/person: $59 Rock & Roll Party Night Buffet/Dance Fireworks Saturday June 23 6:30 p.m. boarding - 11:00 p.m. Ticket/person: $89 Early Bird Special! (by June 4) Your chance to win one night accommodations for two compliments of Pud By Steve Nease snease@haltonsearch.com OAKVILLE CENTRE Sells Out Quickly. So Don't Delay! Tickets are limited for each cruise, reserve today to avoid disappointment Bronte Villager