In May of 1946 the first Flying Training School
and Charter Service was set up at the Yarmouth Airport by Gerald McKay
and Jim McRae, two veteran RCAF pilots. Each had been working on the project
for some time without each other's knowledge. Brought together by Orville
Pulsifer of Halifax, prominent in aviation in the province, they decided
to pool their resources. McKay, having flown as a fighter pilot on Spitfires,
and McRae as a Coastal Command pilot on Cansos, brought a wide range of
flying experience to the task.
Incorporated as the Yarmouth Flying School Limited,
they started with two Piper Cub aircraft. A small off ice was set up
across the highway from the airport and each
day the aircraft were taxied to a position opposite. Later a hangar was
built
alongside the office from which the aircraft
were moved daily across the highway onto the airport.
Many local citizens took advantage of this new service and embarked on their first aeroplane flight. Several prominent people obtained their private pilot's licences. Among these were Sheriff Jack Baker, Doctor Sutherland, druggistg Alfred Trask, contractors Victor and Wave Rodney, taxi operator Jack Cotter, and Halley Horton, who remained an enthusiastic flier for the rest of his life. Standing in front of the office is Jim's daughter, Marsha.
One year later a four place Stinson Voyager was
added to the fleet. This aircraft operated on floats from Doctor Lake in
the summer and on wheels from the airport in winter. Flying hunting and
fishing parties to the many lakes inland became a popular activity. Charter
flights were also made to various locations in the Maritimes.
Some interesting charter flights included
transporting prisoners to Dorchester Penitentiary, arranged by Sheriff
Baker, and delivering mental patients to the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth,
under the auspices of Dr. Sutherland. The Piper Cubs were also used for
some unusual tasks. Building supplies were dropped to a remote campsite.
Cartons of bait to a marked location for a local backwoodsman who was engaged
in trapping bears. Sitting in the back seat of a Cub with a smelly box
of fish waste on ones lap was not the most pleasant experience.
The Flying School ran for approximately four years before finally closing its doors. Although unable to continue in operation, much interest had been generated in local flying in the area. Not wanting to let it die, former students of the School formed the Gateway Flying Club which operated for several more years from one of the remaining wartime hangars. At the right is Jim with one of their Piper Cubs. Gerald is in the aircraft.
With the winding up of the Yarmouth Flying School
Limited, another chapter in the history of the Yarmouth Airport came to
an end.f the Yarmouth Flying School Limited, another chapter in
the history of the Yar