Aug 08, 2026 •
The Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) fly-in returned at the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport Saturday. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg, SO, apsmc
A disappointing weather forecast led to a lower turnout of pilots and planes for the fly-in event at Sarnia’s airport on Saturday.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“Unfortunately the weather around us isn’t the best, so the fly-in community just isn’t coming,” said Bruce Bond, one of the Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) event organizers and a past president with Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Flight 7.
While over 100 were anticipated, only about six showed up due to the looming rain threat, he mentioned.
Still, there were thousands of visitors who came out to get an inside look at this city asset that has been losing money since Air Canada stopped passenger service in 2020, according to Mark Seibutis, another organizer and COPA Flight 7 member.
People check out aircraft at the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport Saturday during the Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) fly-in. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg, SO, apsmc
The free fly-in started in 2021 as a way to support the twin-runway facility built in the 1950s that Sarnia was contemplating selling.
Community backing for keeping the airport operational has been strong. Since 2021, city council has supported operations with approximately $400,000 in funding each year.
In 2025, council confirmed their commitment for long-term investment to ensure that the airport thrives.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
A municipal service corporation is being formed for governance purposes. Hangar leases are being extended and there’s a one-year pilot project underway for Air Canada Landline Co. bus service that offers rides to Pearson Airport in Toronto. Funds are also being allocated to improve facilities on site, Seibutis stated.
“I think people want to come out and see the airport,” he said.
Bruce Bond, left, and Mark Seibutis, both Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) event organizers and members with Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Flight 7. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg, SO, apsmc
“Having been watching everything that’s been in the news about it trying to follow it they want to come out and see for themselves what’s going on.”
Along with meeting pilots and seeing planes up close attractions included rides in vintage training aircraft via the Canadian Aviation Museum Second World War aircraft from Timmermans Legends of Flight collection in Chatham-Kent as well as a cockpit from a former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter jet available for people to explore.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield who is also namesake of Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport was present signing books during this event.
SOAR didn’t take place in 2025 due to fewer volunteers but there was interest this year from sponsors and community members wanting its return according to Seibutis.
This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.
Sarnia astronaut and city airport namesake Chris Hadfield shows pages of a book to Toronto’s Hugh Abram-Dhuga aged three. Hadfield met with fans while signing books as part of the Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) fly-in on Saturday. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg SO apsmc
“We had volunteers come forward saying ‘we want to help,'” he shared.
About sixty individuals attended Saturday’s gathering. “It’s great,” Seibutis remarked.
The event also generates funds for Pathways Health Centre for Children which raised around $15 thousand in twenty twenty-four according to Marcy Draker from Pathways.
The funds assist programs like speech therapy or recreational activities aimed at children she explained.
“We are so very grateful be part of this wonderful event,” she added acknowledging sponsors along with volunteers who made it all possible. The hope is continued support will be given towards both this event as well as maintaining operations at the airport stated Seibutis.
The Sarn ia Ontario Avia tion Rally(SO AR )fly -inreturnedatthe Sarniac hrishadfiel d Airport Saturday. Ridesinvintagetrainingaircraftwerepartoftheattraction.(Tyler Kula/The Observer).
Theairportisintransition now, but webelieveit’ sinapositivetransition” hesaid.
Councilrecentlyappointedboardmembersforthearm ’s length , non-profitmunicipal servicescorporationbeingestablishedtooverseeoperations
Theideaisthe MSCwillbeabletoreactmore nimblytoopportunities thancouncil, andhopesarethat agilitywillleadto moreinvestmentanddevelopment
It’lltaketimefortheplan toh aveaneffect Se ibutissaid.
Peoplepushaplane duringthe Sarn ian Ontario Aviation Rally(SO AR )fly -inatth e Sarn iac hrishadfiel d Airport Saturday.(Tyler Kula/The Observer)
People check out aircraft at the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport Saturday during the Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) fly-in. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg, SO, apsmc
The free fly-in started in 2021 as a way to support the twin-runway facility built in the 1950s that Sarnia was contemplating selling.
Community backing for keeping the airport operational has been strong. Since 2021, city council has supported operations with approximately $400,000 in funding each year.
In 2025, council confirmed their commitment for long-term investment to ensure that the airport thrives.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
A municipal service corporation is being formed for governance purposes. Hangar leases are being extended and there’s a one-year pilot project underway for Air Canada Landline Co. bus service that offers rides to Pearson Airport in Toronto. Funds are also being allocated to improve facilities on site, Seibutis stated.
“I think people want to come out and see the airport,” he said.Bruce Bond, left, and Mark Seibutis, both Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) event organizers and members with Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Flight 7. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg, SO, apsmc
“Having been watching everything that’s been in the news about it trying to follow it they want to come out and see for themselves what’s going on.”
Along with meeting pilots and seeing planes up close attractions included rides in vintage training aircraft via the Canadian Aviation Museum Second World War aircraft from Timmermans Legends of Flight collection in Chatham-Kent as well as a cockpit from a former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter jet available for people to explore.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield who is also namesake of Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport was present signing books during this event.
SOAR didn’t take place in 2025 due to fewer volunteers but there was interest this year from sponsors and community members wanting its return according to Seibutis.
This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.Sarnia astronaut and city airport namesake Chris Hadfield shows pages of a book to Toronto’s Hugh Abram-Dhuga aged three. Hadfield met with fans while signing books as part of the Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) fly-in on Saturday. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer) jpg SO apsmc
“We had volunteers come forward saying ‘we want to help,'” he shared.About sixty individuals attended Saturday’s gathering. “It’s great,” Seibutis remarked.
The event also generates funds for Pathways Health Centre for Children which raised around $15 thousand in twenty twenty-four according to Marcy Draker from Pathways.
The funds assist programs like speech therapy or recreational activities aimed at children she explained.
“We are so very grateful be part of this wonderful event,” she added acknowledging sponsors along with volunteers who made it all possible. The hope is continued support will be given towards both this event as well as maintaining operations at the airport stated Seibutis.
“Becausethey’regoingtohaveleameverythingthat’ sgoingonhere.
“They’regoingt ohavelearnwhatsbroke , what ’snotbroke, andthenstartbuildingaplan.”
tkula
Articlecontent
Sha rethisarticleinyour socialnetwork
Source link
