Wheels Down at Goderich: Our First Pilot Life Fly-In
What happens when you gather pilots, great airplanes, and a BBQ lunch on the shores of Lake Huron, Canada?
You get a ramp full of conversation, connection, and that unmistakable buzz of general aviation at its best.
Our first-ever Pilot Life Fly-In, hosted in partnership with COPA Flight 45 at Goderich Airport (CYGD), brought together over 30 aircraft and more than 50 attendees — even with a weather forecast that wasn’t ideal. But that’s the thing about the aviation community: if you give them a reason to gather, they’ll show up.
Flying In, Hanging Out, and Building Community
From the moment the first aircraft touched down, the ramp came alive. Pilots shared stories, compared cockpit setups, and made new friends over lunch.
Some attendees knew each other already. Others met for the first time. However, everyone shared a common bond: a love of flight and a desire to connect. It wasn’t about logbooks or hours — it was about people.
We even saw a few surprise arrivals, including aircraft from across Ontario and a handful of student pilots eager to see what Fly-Ins are all about. There’s something special about events like this — where new pilots can learn, experienced aviators can mentor, and everyone leaves a little more inspired.
“When Pilot Life approached us about hosting a destination Fly-In at Goderich, we jumped at the opportunity. The weather held, and we welcomed 46 aircraft and their crews to a fantastic day of aviation and community. It was great to see pilots connecting on the ramp, learning about the app, and leaving with smiles (and Pilot Life T-shirts!). We’d love to make this an annual tradition — maybe even with a beach stop next time. It’s events like these that bring general aviation to life.”
How We Made It Happen (And How You Can Too)
You don’t need an airshow budget or months of planning to host a great Fly-In. Here’s what worked for us:
Partner with your local flying club or COPA chapter – their support is invaluable.
Tap your personal network – pilots trust pilots, and word of mouth travels fast.
Keep promotion simple – a few posters, Facebook posts, and email invites did the trick.
Focus on connection, not perfection – it’s not about being flashy. It’s about giving people a reason to show up.
The biggest takeaway? It’s doable. If you’re part of the Pilot Life community, we’d love to see more Fly-Ins like this pop up across the country.
Why It Matters
Events like this remind us what makes general aviation so special. It’s not just the aircraft — it’s the people who fly them. These gatherings spark new friendships, mentorships, and shared memories that last longer than any flight plan.
We believe in building tools that connect pilots digitally, but we also believe in stepping out from behind the screen and meeting face-to-face. This Fly-In was a reminder of why we built Pilot Life in the first place.
Want to Host Your Own?
Thinking about organizing a Fly-In at your home airport? Do it. Keep it simple, lean on your community, and let Pilot Life help you spread the word.
And if you need inspiration — or a few lessons learned from our CYGD event — just reach out. We’d love to support you.