Donation to Flight Group Accepted

A group of airplanes returning from a cross country flight celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight in Canada will get a financial contribution from the town of Fort Frances.

In a 4-to-3 vote, council narrowly approved last night to give the group 8 cents for every litre of gasoline the planes take on when they land at the airport next week.

Mayor Roy Avis says about 30 planes are expected and feels the contribution is good p.r.

"I know that we said no the first time," says Avis, "but I think there is some impact for us. We can maybe get some mileage out of it."

The group organizing the flight had asked council for a reduced charge on fuel costs.

Avis noted the flight was being documented for a future television program.

But councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says he's doesn't see how giving them a break in fuel prices would benefit the town.

"I question whether or not the bang for our buck will be worth it," says Wiedenhoeft. "Call me a skeptic, but this is probably going to be a money making issue when he sells the rights of the trip to CBC, CTV or the Discovery Channel. I don't know if the bang for the buck is going to be worth it if we give him a slight discount."

About 30 were to land in Fort Frances are part of the flight to Nova Scotia last week, but poor weather led to just five planes showing up.