Gimli Glider to shine in ruby anniversary party

By: Janine LeGal Posted: 4:00 AM CDT Saturday, Jun. 24, 2023

It was a perfect prairie summer night along the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

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It was a perfect prairie summer night along the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/06/2023 (845 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a perfect prairie summer night along the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

The day had been an eventful one at the race car strip at the Gimli airport. Things were winding down as families gathered near their campers, and cottagers relaxed after visits and barbecues on a lovely summer day.

It was 8:30 p.m., July 23, 1983.

People suddenly began to notice a very large and very silent aircraft dropping along the water. It did not take long to realize something was very wrong.

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press
Peter Grant, an aviation enthusiast. — Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press

Peter Grant, an aviation enthusiast.

Bewildered, mesmerized and stunned, everyone watched the passenger jet descend. The onlookers would later learn the shocking details of what happened and that story would consume news headlines for the next several weeks, a story of how a large commercial passenger airliner with no fuel and no controls could possibly have landed safely.

“What Capt. Bob Pearson did in 1983, is Canada’s top aviation achievement, and top two or three in the entire world,” said Peter Grant, an aviation enthusiast who donates his time to help passengers and visitors navigate Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and find information in the terminal as a Goldwing Ambassador.

Grant is also volunteer media relations co-ordinator for the “Gimli Glider” and, along with all of the other volunteers at the Gimli Museum, works passionately to keep sharing the stories of what happened that night in 1983.

“If you lose two engines, you write your will on the way down,” Grant said. “When he lost the first engine, he thought it was a computer problem. Ninety seconds later, he lost the second engine.

“He glided that plane for over 100 miles (160 kilometres, beginning at an altitude of 41,000 feet). He kept it in the air with no engines, no instruments at all, no electricity. The traffic controllers couldn’t find him.

“The Boeing engineers — when they (later) heard this — almost had a heart attack: he knifed down like a hot knife going through butter. He turned it around, straightened it out, looked up, landed at 210 miles an hour instead of 160. Every tire blew out,” Grant explained.

“Because of what Bob did, every airline in the world instigated glider training, it changed aviation all over the world,” he added. “The alternative was death and he wasn’t ready for that. He was the right person at the right time.”

There were 69 people on board the Boeing 767 for Air Canada Flight 143. Everyone survived, with no serious injuries.

The Gimli Glider has since been recognized as a history-making aviation achievement.

The Gimli Glider Museum will mark this year’s 40th anniversary of the event July 22, at the hangar close to where the plane touched down all those years ago.

Reminiscent of the local high school reunion that was being held that night in 1983, there will be a special dinner and dance, which will feature recognition in support of all who were present, including Flight 143 crew and passengers, the Winnipeg Sports Car Club, RCMP, local volunteer fire department, hospital staff, and others.

Pearson, now 87, will also be on hand.

Gimli Glider Museum Inc. is a non-profit organization that works to educate, enlighten and entertain. The festivities organized by a small but dedicated group of volunteers will also include the Sunday afternoon unveiling of a monument marking the runway spot where the Boeing 767 first touched down on solid ground.

Before ending service with Air Canada, FIN 604 continued to fly passengers for another 25 years, much to the delight of many who sat in its seats, telling family and friends they flew on the famous Gimli Glider.

The Gimli exhibit has accumulated, purchased and received many relevant pieces, memorabilia and aircraft parts from one of the most famous FIN numbers in aviation history.

Several donated pieces from the landing and additional items from Pearson’s personal collection are now part of the exhibit. Gimli residents who played a role in this unique Canadian aviation event have written their own stories about the skilled landing — a time when everyone remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing.

Gimli Glider is grateful to home improvement retailer RONA, whicho recently came aboard as a sponsor for the 40th anniversary dinner and dance.

“We are all volunteers,” Grant said about all of the work that goes into organizing the yearly fundraising event. “It’s a labour of love.”

Event tickets can be purchased at www.gimliglider.org or by calling 204-642-5577. Tax receipts will be issued for a portion of the $150 ticket price.

Visitors are welcome to tour the museum in the Lakeview Resort and Conference Centre. Admission includes use of a flight simulator to try to land a Boeing 767 wide-body jet from 13 km out onto the Gimli Airport runway, after receiving flying instructions from the volunteer staff.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

Philanthropy News Briefs

One Big Night is a celebration showcasing local art and talent all in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg’s community-based mentoring programs. More than your typical benefit concert, One Big Night celebrates friendship. Bring a friend, a colleague, a mentee, and join the party. All proceeds go to support youth in our community. Proudly presenting musical guests Sierra Noble and Ethan Lyric!

It’s a show you won’t want to miss. It’s guaranteed to be one big night.

One Big Night will be held on June 27th at the West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Ave. Doors at 7:00 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30

Tickets: https://winnipeg.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/onebignight/ or contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg at 204-988-9206

It’s a show you won’t want to miss. It’s guaranteed to be one big night.

One Big Night will be held on June 27th at the West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Ave. Doors at 7:00 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30

Tickets: https://winnipeg.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/onebignight/ or contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg at 204-988-9206

Join us at 11:00 a.m. on June 29, 2023 at Bruce Park, 154 Albany St., for Palliative Manitoba’s very first butterfly release in celebration of our 40th Anniversary.

Love Takes Flight is free to attend. Tickets reserve a butterfly for release. Maximum 3 per person. 30 butterflies available. Painted Lady Butterflies can be reserved for release in memory of your special someone for $50.

Butterflies have long been a symbol of change and transformation. They are released as a tangible way of commemorating the new life you embark on in the absence of your deceased loved one.

Full tax receipt will be issued. Money raised through this event will be matched by our partners at Johnston Group and Payworks and invested in the Palliative Manitoba Endowment Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation, helping to ensure the dying and bereaved continue to receive the support they need, when it matters most.

Palliative Manitoba is a registered charity focused on easing the suffering of the dying and the bereaved. Serving as a vital resource for individuals, families and caregivers for the last 40 years, Palliative Manitoba provides programs, services, education and information to lessen the stress at end of life. We partner with agencies and health care providers throughout the province and speak in support of universal access to quality palliative care. We aim to enhance the profile and understanding of palliative care in the province.

Alternate date: Sunday, July 2, 2023 in front of Deer Lodge Centre

For more information, call 204-889-8525 or email: info@palliativemanitoba.ca

Charity Gala & Cocktail Afterparty. A night of luxury for a great cause. Support tickets are available to donate for those who can’t attend. Saturday, July 8, 2023 6:00 p.m. to Sunday, Jul 9, 2023 12:00 a.m., 114 Market Ave., Winnipeg, MB

For SOS Children’s Villages, and the celebration of Ashley Martel Lepine and her endeavours through the Miss Universe Canada pageant, this gala will be a night to remember.

Diamond tickets, a meal and a drink of choice is included. During your experience you can enjoy a live musician, photobooth, and a red carpet. The platinum ticket option is for those who want to party. Appetizers and complimentary cocktails are included, with a live DJ to keep the vibe going all night long. During the evening we will announce the lucky winners for our grand prize giveaway.

It’s time to support local. Ashley is the sole delegate for Manitoba, and the first Indigenous candidate selected from Winnipeg. Put on your best dress or suit and RSVP for a great cause. All proceeds will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages, ensuring that children without parental care are offered safe and nurturing homes all around the world. We hope to see you there.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charity-gala-cocktail-afterparty-tickets-647612736127

Become a part of a growing fundraiser in support of children’s mental health. Each year, a group of passionate community members will cycle from Winnipeg to Gimli to raise money for KIDTHINK. The next Pedal for Purpose ride is on July 22nd, 2023. All funds raised from Pedal for Purpose support KIDTHINK’s fully funded client care programming which offers intensive mental health care to low-income and multi-barriered families.

To become a rider, support or learn more, visit: https://www.pedalforpurpose.ca/about, email: info@pedalforpurpose.ca or phone: 204-588-8841

Gescan Winnipeg’s 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 at 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Glendale Golf & Country Club, 400 Augier Ave., Winnipeg. Please join us for Gescan Winnipeg’s Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament this September. At Gescan, we believe in giving generously and being extraordinary by connecting with the communities we serve.

Every dollar raised by Gescan employees, their customers and community goes directly to the local children’s hospital foundation. By helping change the health of children you are helping change the future of health in Canada.

Our golf tournament will be held at Glendale Golf & Country Club on August 1, 2023. This event is filled with fun activities and sponsors throughout the course! Join us afterwards at the dinner reception to find out the winners of the tournament.

https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=10000591580863287

Save the date. Saturday, September 9th, Walk for Wildlife. This event is a 5 km individual or team walk or 5 or 10 km individual or team run, where participants are encouraged to collect pledges/donations from family and friends. Our annual Walk for Wildlife fundraiser is our biggest event to help raise money for Manitoba sick and injured wildlife.

Walk begins at 9 a.m. Walk-ups are welcome. Registration booth opens at 8:15 a.m. Pick up of bibs and shirts are on the day of event, at the registration booth (Aspen Shelter Site, St. Vital Park).

First place 5 km and 10 km runners receive a prize of a wildlife release. Wildlife to be determined at a later date.

Refreshments, pancake breakfast, and a meet and greet with the Wildlife Ambassadors to follow. Create a team or join a friend/family for this fun walk/run. Come out and have a great time.

Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc. (PWRC) is a non-profit organization whose main goal is to treat injured and orphaned wildlife and to successfully release them back into their natural habitat. Our goal is to raise funds to allow PWRC to operate on a continual basis and provide superior care to Manitoba’s injured and orphaned wildlife. Proceeds go directly towards the care of our wildlife patients for medication, veterinary visits, food supplies and enclosure maintenance. For more information, email: pwrcentre@gmail.com or phone (204) 510-1855.