There were clear skies and smiling faces at the Estevan Airport on Saturday as the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association hosted their annual COPA for Kids.

"We had a great day, it was a good turnout," explained Richard Reeve, airport contractor, "We gave away 51 free rides to children aged 8-17 and I think everyone really enjoyed it."

"This is an annual event that we do called COPA for Kids and local pilots that are members of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association put this on. It's private aircraft being flown by the owners, who are donating their time, money, and aircraft to take kids for free rides."

Even the weather managed to cooperate. 

"It was pretty warm, but overall it was a nice day to fly. It was on the warm side but we didn't have any complaints and everybody enjoyed it."

The event has been held in Estevan for five years with plans to continue.

"We'll be doing another one next year. We hold it either mid-summer or in September, whichever works better for everybody."

He explained that the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association host these events to increase interest in aviation in children.

"A lot of younger children may or may not have the opportunity to ever be in a small airplane or go for an airplane ride. Some people think it's out of reach or something that they could never do. So it's to create awareness and strike interest that maybe there's kids out there who might get a ride and they'll enjoy it and they can use it towards maybe getting into a career or having an airplane themselves and flying in the future."

READ MORE: The Estevan Airport Gave Free Rides on Saturday