Life is not all work here in Rankin
Inlet, NUNAVUT TERRITORY. To keep my mind active, rather than just
watching the TV or playing on the internet when connections are
available, I've got some distractions. The last time, I resorted to a blog. It was well received,so I'm doing that again. It makes me look at
things objectively, noting the many differences here in the north,
and it allowed friends, family and co-workers, (both medical and
otherwise), an opportunity to become educated about an area of our
country that few have had the privilege of visiting. The Canadian
Arctic is a vast area under extreme change, for many reasons.
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| The KIVALLIQ HEALTH CENTRE stands on the street corner with lots of property surrounding |
Things, both in and on the ground, will
continue to stress this environment, as will the changing climate, in
ways that are unimaginable. For the people who live here, change is
in the wind and concerns run wild. Seven years ago, these concerns
were expressed to me. Now further change is happening...at an even
greater rate.
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| ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION Branch #169 as it stands today |
This hamlet has grown. New warehouses
near the airport were recognized immediately on touchdown and
confirmed on my trip into town from the airport. Seven years ago the
KIVALLIQ REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE stood in a newer section of town
(area 6). The building had been completed just a couple of years
prior to my past visit. It had very few buildings near it.
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| A sunny day shines on the Legion in 2008 |
To the North North West of the Health
Centre is the Legion. Just a short walk from where I'm currently
bunked. This past sunday afternoon, amid an overcast sky with snow
blowing at times, I spent some time looking at my 2008 photos to try
to see if it was possible to notice changes from the last time. I've
included a couple here as a comparison.
A few years ago, I decided to pursue
another dream, after I had stopped one day along the Thorold Townline
road on the Niagara Falls-Thorold border, at the NIAGARA REGIONAL
MODEL FLYING CLUB field. I watched in amazement at the skill these
fellas possessed and how they could make those models perform. Over
the next three years I have been able to develop a few of those
skills. First, I used a flying simulator program on the laptop. After
discussions, I chose PHOENIX since it had free upgrades, I started
with Version 3 which was updated from version “g” to eventually
“t”, before Version 4 was released and now am using Version 5”v”.
Can Version 6 be far behind? The program is loaded and on my
laptop
and gives me practice for my stick time. |
| Phoenix Version 6 with my Apprentice Trainer |
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| Coaxial S107G 3-channel in Yellow |
Then I got a “foamy” trainer for
the field and it took a long time til I qualified getting my wings
last fall. I stayed with electric rather than going liquid fuel for
several reasons. In the meantime, several of our club members fly
indoors in the winter at several locations. First, they started
flying many saturdays at St. George Anglican Church Hall for a few
years now. Some older members of this group approached the City of
St. Catharines and we now have a Seniors program tuesday and thursday
mornings, 9-12, at the Port Weller Community Centre on Bogart Street.
There, we can fly indoors or outside in the more pleasant weather,
year round.
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| The V911 Version 2 hovering nicely |
The third place that indoor flying is
occurring is a the YOUNG'S SPORTS COMPLEX in Welland. Finally there
is a group flying indoors at the Recreation Centre in Niagara on the
Lake. Indoors, I started with a Night Vapor, and am still
flying....of course it has been modified and parts have been
replaced... gravity, can be so unkind!!! And then we have built some
planes using Dollar Store for, board, hot glue and meat skewers or
popsicle sticks....add the electronics, battery and the fun begins.
But, here in Rankin Inlet, I don't
think there will be many indoor pilots. All kinds of outdoor ones
flying everywhere but these model planes don't tolerate gusting winds
well. So thinking indoors and never having flown a radio-controlled
helicopter, I decide that this was the route to go. On January 3, I
ordered a WILTOY V911 Version 2 from banggood.com. I also ordered
extra parts, blades, batteries and such. All told there are four
parcels and three have arrived to date. They have free shipping to
anywhere in Canada unlike the surcharge usually added to any Canada
Post parcel to the territories. Not knowing when they would arrive, I
simply shipped them to myself “c/o XRAY DEPARTMENT” of the Health
Centre and notified my boss that they may be showing up. They only
arrived a week before I got here and they were stowed until my
arrival. One, with some extra batteries, is MIA.
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| CANADA POST DELIVERS! |
Upon opening the packages all was
present and, I'm pleased to report, as of today are operational. Both
small helicopters have been flying inside my accommodations today.
The trick was trying to hover and take the photos at the same
time...quite a feat since, I've never flown a rotor before today! Now
to recharge the batteries and continue my learning.
Having worked in a hospital for almost
40 years, I've given a new meaning to the phrase “THE FLEET IS
IN!!!!”
