January 10, 2007

 The International Air  Rally team  leaves for Monte Carlo to attend  the luxurious Monte Carlo Travel Market event, an occasion for specialized agencies looking for unique and glamorous travel experiences for their clientele.

During the event, the 2005 International air Rally film will be broadcasted on a 5 meter high screen.

Sixty one meetings are already organized with different European representatives and will take place over a period of 3 days January 12 to  January 14) A 3 day visit to our Geneva pilots and dear journalist, Robert Sirdey  will follow.

www.monte-carlo-travel-market.com

15 Mai 2006

April 25, 2006
Alma, Lake St Jean partner of the Air Rally

August 8, participants will undertake the 419 nautical miles (740km) long 12th arctic mission leg from Schefferville to Alma. Again a breathtaking ride with a few surprises along the way….  The pilots and their crew will gradually land at the airport of Alma, starting at 1 PM Tuesday August 8. The town of Alma will receive 35 aircraft taking part in what is now confirmed to be the largest International Air Rally challenge in the world!

We thank the committee composed of  City and airport representatives as well as Tourism Alma for their efforts in making Alma a part of this unique International Air rally challenge

ww.ville.alma.qc.ca

April 24, 2006
The glamorous Casino of Charlevoix and the recently renovated Charlevoix airport will host the finals of the 2006 Air Rally challenge the “Arctic Mission”.

Wednesday August 9, starting at 1 PM,  35 aircraft  will land at the Charlevoix Airport after a short 80 nautical mile (146km) flight from Alma, Lake St Jean. In spite of this short leg,  pilots will not be exempt from way-point identification and time frames imposed by the organising committee. Pilots and their crew will be at then at their 13th day of competition.

The Air Rally organizing committee is proud to count among its partners the Casino and the Airport of Charlevoix. It is for the committee a great asset and great value to have such breathtaking landscapes and beautiful sceneries to present to pilots and media along the way. It is the case during the whole challenge and not the least in the leg taking us from Lac St-Jean to Charlevoix.

www.casino-de-charlevoix.com
Airport of Charlevoix: 418-452-3417

April 18, 2006
The town of Hearst in Ontario will be a host of the International Air Rally

It is with great pleasure that we confirm our partnership with the town of Hearst for a stop of the Air Rally Sunday July 30. Over 30 aircraft (Planes, seaplanes and helicopters) will  travel a 389MN distance from Duluth, Minnesota,  USA to  the town of Hearst, Northern Ontario.  Upon their arrival, pilots and their crew will have to carry out ground competitions organized by volunteers from the city of  Hearst. All the participants (Mini-Rally and Arctic challenge) will attend a supper-reception offered by the Town of Hearst.  www.hearst.ca

The organizing committee is happy to work with such a dynamic team lead by  M. Sigouin, director of Economic Development, City of Hearst. The City of Hearst demonstrates great interest and is very active in the development of  special events which contribute to the promotion of the city and surroundings and assist in the development of activities and attractions in the area.

March 27, 2006

Great news again ! International Air Rally is proud to be associated with two organisations who have agreed to co-sponsor the event. These two organisations are regrouping individuals with over 90,000 hours combined flight experience who are passionate about aviation. After many years of evolving in the community of pilots they have combined their experience to put together a really superior organization for owners and pilots of Piper aircraft and Cessna aircraft but also for pilots in general who like to get out there and fly !
 Yes indeed they are true FLYERS  : Two planes representing each organisation will depart with us for the Arctic Mission to deliver a flag to the Polar pilots in Iqualuit, Nunavut this coming summer ! by doing this CESSNA FLYER and PIPER FLYER will establish great contacts, make arrangements,  and bring back precious information for their members.
 And more ! Discussions are on the way to arrange a visit to their headquarters (during the 2006 edition of the Air Rally) at Waupaca airport KPCZ only 28.9 Nautical Miles NW of Oshkosh (KOSH).   Waupaca has 5,200 foot black top runway with a GPS approach.  Also under consideration, is ground transportation to & back from Oshkosh Air Venture, only 40 ground miles away and 35 minutes time

March 21, 2006

It is with very great pleasure that the organising committee announces a “première”: The participation of a well known outfitter: Explo-Sylva  in the James Bay region. Explo Sylva enjoys a great reputation throughout North America and more so in the USA as many hunters and fishermen from there use its facilities to practice their favourite sports: Hunting and fishing.. Explo-Sylva will let International Air Rally participants use the 4000’ runway used mostly by  Convair 580 commercial charters.  Participants will be able to appreciate the beauty of this wild territory located at the dead-end of Trans-taïga highway (furthest road of the North) and on the edge of the humongous Caniapiscau reservoir. We thank Mr Michel Threlfall, also a pilot, and aviation passionate for letting us use and discover his installations. www.explo-sylva.com

March 1, 2006
The Cree Nation of Wemindji, James Bay, will be a hostess of the International Air Rally, 6th edition.

The Organizing Committee is proud to visit again this year this dynamic community located at the mouth of the Maquatua River along the east coast of James Bay. With a population of 1,200 Wemindji is one of nine Cree communities located in northern Quebec. This community is concentrated on growth and development however, their priority is to ensure the survival of their People. They constantly revitalize, respect, practice, maintain and celebrate their Cree language, culture and traditions. The community continues the practice of hunting, fishing and trapping using the methods of the ancestors transmitted from generations to generation. Today still 1/3 of the population lives in the bush and several go back to the trapping stations established by their ancestors.

Several annual activities and events including the ceremony of the first steps and the celebration of the rising sun, remain a vital part of  community’s lifestyle. The Elders represent the foundation of Iyiyuu/Cree society, and the traditions brought through stories and legends. The Majority of the lakes, rivers and mountains bear a name and are associated to stories and legends told from generation to generation.

 We all want to repeat the unique experience we had last year and find ourselves again gathered around a fire seating in the tepee sampling food offered by the great ladies and talented cooks of the community.

 Our dear friend Reggie Mark, now retired chief, assured us that we will still have the opportunity to fly on board the DeHavilland Otter of Jean-Marie Arsenault, legendary bush pilot. He added that we might also benefit from a helicopter ride over this beautiful territory. http://www.wemindji-nation.qc.ca

February 27, 2006
First destination to confirm its participation in the International Air Rally, edition 2006: Iqaluit the capital and the administrative center of the very new Canadian territory, Nunavut.

It is hard to imagine anywhere in Canada with greater prospects. The city's alive with the anything's-possible attitude of a young community. Bursting with new growth, exciting economic and social opportunities, this bustling Arctic capital is home to a diverse mix of people enjoying the leading edge of development and phenomenal potential. Young and old are working to create a future that will preserve the strengths of traditional culture, while embracing the surging changes of the 21st century.
Our journey to the Arctic is made possible thanks to the support of pilots of the Great North : The Polar pilots, also members of CASARA Search and Rescue Nunavut and we are grateful to  the Town council and Economic Development members for accepting to host this aviation event and receiving our pilots.

http://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/

June 29, 2005

The first press conference will take place in St-Hubert airport on the 29th of June in the DASHL facilities in the presence of Mr. Michel Latendresse, VP of the executive committee and president of the district of Saint-Hubert , Mr. Jacques Goyette president of DASHL (Development of St-Hubert airport), Mrs. Suzanne Benoit, president, general director of DEL (Economic Development) and Mr. Stephane Desjardins, mayor representative member of the executive comity.

The Cree communities of Wemindji, Whapmagoostui, our spokesman and coordinator Kenneth Gilpin of Eastmain as well as the Air Cadets representatives and major partners will assist to this first Press Conference.

Soon to be announced, the Matane press conference

May 5, 2005

The International Air Rally will be represented in the Canadian Aviation Expo the 24-25 & 26th of June. Partners and participants are invited to come and visit us there. We will be happy to inform you about the 2005 program. Previous Air Rallies films can be viewed at our booth : coffee, juice and donuts will be served to the visitors!

May 4, 2005

TVA will be filming an Air rally simulation for the popular TV show “Sucré Salé” animated by the well known TV talent Paul Houde. A team composed of one of our participants and Paul Houde will depart from the St-Hubert airport and perform inflight competitions on the way to ST-Jean-sur-Richelieu. After a “successful” spot landing they will receive a medal from our ambassador the commandant Robert Piché. This show will air this summer.

May 2, 2005

The participants will be delighted to know that the finals will take place in the site of the biggest Quebec Air balloon festival of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Over 100 air balloons will be waiting for us on the field. What a wonderful way to celebrate this great flying adventure! We sincerely thank the city of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and the airport authorities as well as the Air Balloon festival organisers for welcoming us in the middle of such a popular yearly event!

April 23, 2005

The City of Longueuil, Economic Development and the Airport Authorities will be hosting the International Air Rally and the inauguration celebrations of the IAR 5th edition, August 12th. The IAR Committee is extremely pleased with the news. Meetings have taken place and the committee in charge of the event lead by the dynamic Mr. Huot of the City of Longueuil is a good indication of the quality of the reception we will receive. The celebrations will in fact begin on the evening of the 11th. We will say no more…., a formal communiqué will be issued by the city of Longueuil soon.

February 26, 2005
We are very pleased to receive today a note from Dr. Wade Davis, from New York, Explorer-in-residence of National Geographic Society advising us of his interest in taking part in the 2006 International Air Rally.

Dr. Davis is a world preeminent explorer and scientist specialised in anthropology and botanic. Dr. Davis is a best-selling author who received his Ph.D. in ethnobotany from Harvard University. He spent more than three years in the Amazon and Andes as a plant explorer, living among 15 indigenous groups in eight Latin American nations while making some 6,000 botanical collections.

February 18, 2005
A team from Lausanne, Switzerland has registered for the 2005 International Air Rally edition and will fly from Lausanne to meet the participants and visit Quebec, New Brunswick and USA onboard a beautiful PC12.

This crew is used to long haul trips! The plane is presently seating in Trois Rivières, Quebec while its occupants are having a fun skidoo time! The plane will return to its home base on the 27th. Well done guys! This is what we call “Free as a bird!”

February 8, 2005
The City of Matane, Gaspésie in the province of Quebec will receive the group of over 70 pilots, journalists and tourists taking part in the 2005 edition of the International Air Rally.

One of the largest diamond distributor in the world becomes a sponsor of the International Air Rally and offers a $5,000 diamond to the winner of the “Diamond Run challenge”

It is with great pleasure that we received the news. Once again our group will get to visit this beautiful region. We sincerely address our thanks to the Canadian Center of Diamond Development and director Mrs Anne Dupéré for making this visit possible and arranging so efficiently and rapidly all the details of our visit. One of the largest diamond distributors in the world, the Diarough company of Belgium, with a cutting and polishing branch in Matane, will present to the winner of the “Diamond Run” challenge a $5,000 “1 carat, colour E, Canadian diamond”. We are very honoured by this gesture. Thank you! We also thank the SADC (CDA) organisation and the local regional Center for development for their great collaboration and support in the organisation of activities for our group. These activities include a visit to the Diarough Cutting and polishing facility, to the windmill park and also to the Captains’walk and salmon river.

December 24, 2004
A beautiful Christmas present for the International Air Rally committee: Mrs. Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Vice-Prime Minister of Quebec and Minister of Foreign relations and responsible for french speaking nations, Quebec, is giving her support the the International air Rally.

To download this letter in:
Original Version in FRENCH = Lettre du Gouvernement du Québec
Traduction in ENGLISH = Letter from the Quebec Government

November 30, 2004 
The 2004 International air Rally is well on the way !

Two challenges will be presented in 2005 : The Cree Challenge August 12 au 17  the Maritime Challenge August 18 au 21.Turning point : the City of  Sherbrooke.  

Numerous meetings have taken place since Septembre 2004. Chiefs and representatives of James Bay Cree Communities have showed great interest in participating to this special edition dedicated to the Cree Culture. We are very happy to announce the participation of Mr. Kenneth Gilpin of Eastmain. Kenneth was chief of his community and very well known and respected by all Cree communities. He was responsible for numerous improvements in favour of his community and involved in the well known snowmobile Rally « Le rally des braves ». 

Mr. Gilpin’s interest for our event confirms the tourist promotional value it brings to remote regions and communities seeking to develop their great natural assets. The wilderness of these regions attracts more and more tourists in search for great adventures, peace and a closer contact with nature. It will be a great pleasure for us to work closely with the members of COTA (Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association) for the promotion of their territory’s treasures.

Meeting with Cree Community Chiefs in Montreal

Novembre 4, 2004
A 3 page article is published in the AOPA Pilot magazine

Tom Horne, editor at large of the AOPA Pilot magazine, reaching 400 000 pilots, published a 3 page story about his experience in the 2004 International Air Rally in the November issue. A copy of the article can be found in the Home page under Journalist section.   

Note : Numerous articles have been published and can be read in the Home page, journalist section.

is now a partner of the International Air Rally, 2004 edition

IAR is proud to be associated to such a dynamic airline in the process of developing North American routes. In June Corsair will start to service Moncton, New Brunswick directly from Paris. Flights are also offered on regular basis from Paris to Montreal. Corsair has acknowledged the value of the International Air Rally for the promotion of the Canadian destination and becomes the official carrier for our european journalists.

June 3, 2004
The Innu Community of Unamen Shipu will receive us in the hart of their territory and is proposing an unforgettable 24 hour stay!

“A legendary welcome demonstration, followed by « Mulkushan » reception dinner (salmon, lobster and clams freshly picked for us), activities including an immense camp fire and traditional Innu singing accompanied by the legendary ” Teuiekan “ tam-tam” sound. A magical night by the Unamen River (site of yearly pilgrimage) located at the mouth of the St-Lawrence River. Unamen Shipu is happy to be the partner of this great flying adventure. The Innu community will be at the « Rendez-vous »”
Hermel Bégin, Coordinator
Unamen Shipu Montagnais Council

To this wonderful offer, we will reply that we, pilots, are very honoured to be welcomed with such consideration and proud to share these unforgettable and unique moments. This experience will bring us back to the reality of life and will make us realize were the “real” values are.

June 2, 2004
AOPA, Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association, the largest Pilot Association in the world will be represented during the 2004 Air Rally edition!

Mr. Horne, editor At-Large AOPA Pilot, and his lovely wife Sylvia, in charge of AOPA data-processing, will join the Air Rally! It is a great pleasure for us to welcome Mr. and Mrs Horne, both strongly dedicated to this incredible Pilot Association, the largest in the world with its 400,000 members!

May 20, 2004
Bernard Pichon, swiss TV and radio personality as well as journalist specialised in presenting new destinations around the world is confirming his presence.

Mr Pichon will exceptionally produce, a series of talk shows registered on location: 5x 30 minutes for a popular show called “Carnet de route” produced for the popular Swiss Romande radio and will also write articles for the following glamorous swiss magazines:
L'illustré: 150'000 copies equivalent to Paris Match
Fémina 350,000 copies
Echo and other off line (luxurious publication reserved to high class clientele)