The history of aviation in the Cochrane area is close to my heart, as I have been a licensed Private Pilot since 1978.
That was the same year Air Canada hired its first female pilot for commercial flights. Ever since December 17, 1903, when Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first men to fly in an aircraft powered by an engine they had designed, residents in the Cochrane area were following their dream of owning an aircraft, a mere generation later.
Gertrude de la Vergne became the first licensed female pilot in Alberta in 1928. Gertrude’s father, Charles de la Vergne, purchased three-and-one-quarter sections of land at Glenbow in 1909, then subsequently sold it to Eric Harvie in 1953. Eric’s son, Neil Harvie, took over managing the Glenbow Ranch and bought a Piper Super Cub, which he passed on to his son, Tim.
Also in 1928, Barons Josef and Endre Csavossy, aristocrats from Hungary, purchased two-and-one-half sections on the south side of the Bow River, directly across from the de la Vergne ranch at Glenbow. After taking flying lessons from Freddie McCall, Josef Csavossy bought a Gypsy Moth aeroplane and became Alberta’s first flying farmer.
As many more farmers and ranchers followed suit, the Cochrane Flying Club was formed in July 1946. Eustace Bowhay ferried an Aeronca 7AC DNF from Middleton, Ohio. This was the first flying club airplane, and was owned by six members. Eustace became the president of the club, Bill Andison was secretary and Joe Mahood was chief instructor. Mahood grew up in the Springbank area, but eventually purchased his own farm north of Cochrane on the Bottrel Trail.
Bowhay was a flying instructor and partner with Franz McTavish at the Chinook Flying Service located at the Calgary Airport. He married Nora Grisedale in 1946. Her parents had a farm in the Cochrane Lakes area. Eustace and Nora operated a restaurant called Bowhay’s Coffee Bar just north of the Rockyview Hotel where the Rustic Market Square is located now.
The Cochrane Flying Club was located west of Highway 22 and south of Highway 1A and the CP Rail line, on land owned by John Boothby. It was a grass field, large enough to accommodate small twin-engine aircrafts. The hanger was a simple “T” shape with one side open, giving just enough shelter to protect the club plane from the weather. The open front had a barbed wire gate stretched across in order to keep the Boothbys’ cattle out when they were grazing in the field. ighway 22
The Donald R. McLaurin farm, located three miles south of the Bow River Horse Ranch, was expropriated by the Department of Transport Jan. 22, 1969 for the Springbank Airport location.
Most civil pilot training is now conducted there, including helicopter training.
