On January 10th, the Buttonville Flying Club (BFC) hosted its inaugural meeting of 2024. The event featured a delightful dinner and a concise business agenda, allowing ample time for social interaction.

The highlight of the evening was the presence of Dave Hadfield, Chief Pilot of the Mike Potter Aircraft Collection.

Dave Hadfield’s passion for aviation has been a lifelong journey, beginning with his first flight at just 4 weeks old. He earned his wings with the Air Cadets in 1975 and embarked on an impressive 39-year career with Air Canada. Throughout his tenure, he piloted aircraft from renowned manufacturers such as Douglas, Boeing, Lockheed, and Airbus.

As a dedicated volunteer at the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation, Dave shared his expertise by instructing on various aircraft, including the Aeronca 7AC, Fleet 80 Canuck, and a DH 82A Tiger Moth. This commitment eventually led to a position at Vintage Wings of Canada, where he flew iconic planes like the Tiger Moth, Fox Moth, Waco Taperwing, and others. Dave played a pivotal role in the restoration of the P-40N Kittyhawk, showcasing it at numerous airshows.

His aviation journey extended to checking out on the Hawker Hurricane and P-51 Mustang. In 2018, he undertook the task of flying the new Mk IX Spitfire on a continent-wide journey from home base (Gatineau) to Comox BC and back, aptly titled “5000 Miles in a Spitfire.” Presently, he serves as the Chief Pilot of the Mike Potter Aircraft Collection and skillfully displays the Westland Lysander for its owner, historic aviation supporter John Carswell.

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