We've visited a few fly-ins through the years and they're always a fun place to be, whether for a pancake breakfast or eggs and sausage for breakfast but how about a late summer fly-in with farm fresh, just picked corn-on-the-cob?!

COPA Flight 177 at Sexsmith Airport (CSX7) offers just that, with hotdogs thrown in the mix as well as a few other assorted items and non-alcoholic beverages. Pilots and friends fly in and visitors drive in from the region, including local small town Exeter, Ontario to enjoy a meal, look at aeroplanes and listen to pilots tell a few stories.

I've said it before, a fly-in is a great place to spend a morning, afternoon or even a day. There are usually lots of aeroplanes of all types that fly in from near and somewhat far. From the occasional biplane to some of the more modern and speedy aircraft, there are all kinds that make the trip to the lovely grass strip.

Sexsmith Airport is a small airstrip in the heart of farm country in Huron County, only a few miles from the Lake Huron shoreline. From the US border at Port Huron, Michigan it's a little over an hour's drive, less by air, and from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), about a 2 hour drive. Whether you choose to fly-in or drive to the airfield, you'll enjoy good times, meet old friends and maybe even make new ones.

Some of the aircraft that flew in included a Harvard from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association located in Tillsonburg, Ontario. CHAA, as they're often referred to as, restore and fly the Canadian built version of the North American T-6 Texan. Though essentially the same aircraft, the Canadian built Harvard had a few differences from that of the American built T-6. CHAA offers flights in their aircraft to new members and you can join at any fly-in they attend, at their home airfield or online.

Often seen at local fly-ins are a lovely pair of Aeronca Champ L-16 replicas flown by a husband and wife team. The L-16 was used by the US military as a liaison army aircraft in the 1940s and 1950s. It was also utilised by the US National Guard, Civil Air Patrol and by the Japanese National Safety Forces.

An unusual aircraft that made the visit to the Cornfest was a Rockwell Commander 114. Designed by North American Rockwell, which later became Rockwell International, the original Rockwell 112 first flew in December of 1970. The Rockwell 114 had a larger engine than did the 112. Its comfortable 4-seat cabin was spacious, compared to most 4-seat Cessna & Piper aircraft as well as being quite a bit faster with full retracts. The Rockwell has a maximum speed of 191mph (307km/h), a cruise speed of 181mph (291mph), a range of over 800 miles (1308km) and a service ceiling of 16,500 feet (5030m).

Often seen at fly-ins are the venerable Piper Cub as well as the Piper Pacer. These two Piper aircraft have a storied history in aviation, most especially the Cub, and are loved by their owners. The Piper Cub is an aircraft that owners often enjoy flying low and slow "around the patch" on a lovely summer morning or just before sunset. They are a joy to fly and are still very sought after by many a pilot today. The Pacer is somewhat faster than the Cub and can certainly be used for travel as much as your late afternoon flight at sunset. The PA-22 Pacer, though a taildragger, can also be flown with a nose wheel and is known as a Tri-Pacer. Both aircraft have their pros and cons but any purist will tell you that the taildragger version is the one to fly.

Other Piper aircraft often seen at fly-ins are the venerable PA-28 Cherokee, as well as its sister aircraft. The Cherokee's low wing made it an easy aircraft to fly ahead and above but more difficult to see below, most especially on landing. Regardless, it is still a popular aeroplane and is used by those who prefer a low wing aircraft . The Cherokee first flew in 1960 and went into production in 1961. Models of the PA-28 include the Cherokee, Warrior, Arrow, Dakota and Archer. Differences include engine size from 140 to 300hp, including turbo charging, constant speed propeller, retractable landing gear and, with the PA-32, known as the Cherokee Six, a larger cabin accommodating six people.