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A Winter Flight Across Canada
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by Diana Roberts
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The Internet is a wonderful thing and for Hans Pangerl, of Burns Lake, it helped fulfill his lifelong dream.
As a young man, Hans flew gliders in Germany. Then just before he left for Canada in 1984, he qualified for his private pilot's license. Hans wanted to buy a plane when he got here, but other more important things came up. Things such as building a house and raising a family.
His dream to have his own plane was set aside, but not forgotten. He made sure to keep his pilot's licence validated, in the hopes of one day fulfilling his dream.
Then, a few months ago, while on the Internet, he knew his dream was about to come true. There was a plane for sale and it was just what he wanted.
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Eric Stier (left) and Hans Pangerl with the Luscombe on a warmer day
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The plane was a 1948 Luscombe 8F. It was old, but planes have to go through yearly inspections, and it was in top shape. The plane has side-by-side seating, full metal body with stick steering and is well-equipped. And the best part, the price was right. The one draw back was that the plane was in Burlington, Ontario and the month was February. But, as we all know, where there's a will, there's a way.
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A snow storm delayed the start of the flight home
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Hans was not experienced enough, so he needed someone to go with him, to help fly the plane home.
The flying school in Vanderhoof had just burnt down, so an instructor pilot who worked there, Eric Stier, was free to join Hans on his trek across Canada.
The two flew to Ontario, via West Jet, and landed there in the middle of a huge snow storm, on Feb. 26, 2002. With the weather so bad, they were grounded for the next two days.
Then Eric flew the Luscombe to get a feel for it, and on the 28th they made a tiny leap over to see Eric's dad, in Barrie, Ontario. Here they sat, waiting out the storm for 4 more days.
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