Angels Come in all Shapes & Sizes

Angels come in all shapes and sizes…sometimes angels show up in Oakley sunglasses and a Jet Helicopter.

July the 3rd is a day that Alma won’t soon forget; an impromptu conversation with Kety Smith helped Alma to realize one of her dreams. As some of you may not know, Alma King is an aeroplane pilot, if you don’t believe me, just ask her, she will be happy to show you her pilot’s licence, (by the way, it’s not nice to notice that it’s expired). The story begins with Richard (Coop) Cooper walking into the conversation of Alma telling Kety that she was a pilot back in the day and how she regrets never getting a chance to fly in a Helicopter. Well lo-and-behold Richard Cooper owns a Bell 222 Helicopter and an enormously generous heart. After listening to her story Richard offers to take her for the ride she thought she’d never get to take. We all met at Guelph Airport at 10am; the sky was as blue as can be it was a perfect day to fly. Alma brought her son Andrew, Richard brought along his wife Marilyn and daughter Stephanie and Kety brought me : ) Richard strapped Alma into the co-pilots seat while the rest of us settled into what can only be described as the luxury cabin. Once we were in the air Richard instructed Alma in “chopper flying 101” and turned the controls over to her. Alma’s pilot skills were obvious, she had the controls for the better part of our hour fight, you would have thought she had been flying helicopters always; we had a very comfortable fight. We flew all around Halton region and even buzzed Alma’s grandson’s house. Alma is not alone in her gratitude to Richard Cooper all of us had the time of our lives, and we’re especially happy to share in Alma’s Helicopter dream come true.

Ray Smith