VOL. 1, NO. 2 - FALL 2004

IN THIS ISSUE: • 443 Squadron • Redcoats • Night Landings October 2004 ON APPROACH – NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY Terminal expansion Editor’s desk The final phase of expansion and , Hawkair, at the airport is right on sched- Pacific Coastal, Airspeed, and all Welcome to the autumn ule. “The new departures area charter operators will be accom- issue of On Approach, a publi- will be open with lots of light modated in the new space. cation designed to inform and and a West Coast feel to match delight you with stories about Stage two involves renova- the balance of the terminal the people and events at tion of the space presently occu- building,” CEO Richard Victoria International Airport. pied by Air Canada and Pacific Paquette said. “We will have In this issue you'll be intro- Coastal. While this work is more room for the airline check- duced to 443 Squadron and underway, West Jet and Horizon ins, more queuing space at Mike Sudul, an airport tenant Air will continue operating from check-in counters, and new who just can't get enough fly- their present locations. After its automated check-in kiosks. ing. We also bring you stories completion in December 2005, We’re also investigating the fea- about a new approach lighting they will be moving to new sibility of a new pub style system on the main runways, accommodations. restaurant with an airside view.” an introduction to our very “We are going to do our best own Red Coat Volunteers, and to minimize the inconvenience an update on construction at to passengers,” Paquette said, the airport. Happy reading “But there will be times when and safe flying. they’ll have to leave the build- ing, and enter again for pre- board screening. I hope that Phil Jensen, editor they will be understanding, and when it is all finished that they will be impressed with the results.” The total cost of the final expansion phase is estimated at $11.2 million. A significant por- The final terminal The first stage of new work building expansion is tion of that amount represents right on schedule. will double the length of the the cost of providing space for departures area and provide new security equipment, which On Approach is a space for an enhanced baggage will be reimbursed by the publication of the screening facility. This stage is Canadian Air Transport Security Victoria International expected to be completed by Authority (CATSA). January 28, 2005. Air Canada Airport.

Phil Jensen, editor 3 - Osler Systems Phone: (250) 383-0667 An airport tenant story E-mail: [email protected]

4 - 443 Squadron Paul Connolly, Community The story of 443 Squadron Relations Coordinator 6 - Redcoats Phone: (250) 953-7500 E-mail:paul.connolly@victori- Who are those people in the red jackets? aairport.com On the cover: 7 - Night landings This night shot Laura Lavin, Production New technology makes night landings safer. shows the main run- Victoria International Airport ways directly 8 - Closer to the center behind the terminal 201-1640 Electra Blvd., Sidney, B.C. V8L 5V4

Contents Increased flights to the east. building.

2 NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY – ON APPROACH October 2004 Osler Systems By Phil Jensen scheduling, medical records and Looking back, it’s electronically facilitate any eligi- clear that a move away ble billings to the province. Our from extensive air travel The Nanchang CJ6A banks product has a number of other was inevitable for a and turns south toward the modules, but the billing module business of this kind. Strait of Juan de Fuca, revealing is the core.” Taking full advantage of a panoramic view of the San the internet means better With clients situated all over Juan Islands to the east. Mike service for their clients, the province, they needed a Sudul, a business tenant of the as well as greatly plane to operate effectively. That Victoria Airport Authority, is fly- reduced travel expenses. suited Mike just fine. “We had a ing from the forward seat. I’d But for someone who pressurized Cessna Twin,” he met him for the first time just an loves flying as much as recalls. “We used to make one hour earlier, when I walked into Mike, it’s been a mixed Mike Sudul, president of and sometimes two trips to Osler Systems. his business premises at the air- blessing. Fortunately, he demo a product. Then another port. What I didn’t know at the still has the CJ6. time was that any conversation trip to do the install and a fol- with Mike just naturally turns to low-up. That’s up to ten trips a At 140 knots and 2000 feet, it flying. And for Mike talking is week At the peak of that style of takes only a few minutes to never really enough. doing business we flew four travel the length of the Saanich hundred hours a year. That’s Peninsula. Over the Strait of Popularly known in this coun- why we moved to Sidney, and Juan de Fuca we circle above a try as a Chinese Yak, the CJ6 ultimately put our office build- cruise ship, heading for one of was used as a flight trainer in ing right here at the airport the American ports. We break the Chinese Air Force for many behind our hangar.” away, climbing, then return for years. Closely resembling the a second look. After a few more Russian Yak, the sprightly little Ironically, the day came when the very technology that made turns we level off on a norther- craft is powered by a nine cylin- ly heading, and the full der radial engine, and cruises at electronic billing possible also made it unnecessary to visit strength of the summer sun an easy 140 knots. “The per- beats down on the canopy. formance is identical to a clients in person. “We do it all over the internet now,” Mike Finding the air vent, I crack it Harvard,” Mike says. “But it’s open another notch. Mike gives half the size and a third of the says. “We still maintain a Cessna 210 for business meetings on the me a quick thumbs up, and his acquisition cost. It’s the best voice crackles over the inter- bang for the buck in a military mainland, but the amount of fly- com. “Wonderful day,” he says. war bird.” ing we do is down to about fifty business hours a year. It is, indeed, a wonderful day. Mike’s business, Osler Systems Management, is located at the airport’s East Camp, next door to the BC Aviation Museum. It was his extensive background in computers, cou- pled with an unbounded enthu- siasm for aviation, that made Mike a natural fit for the med- ical software business. “In 1984, we were the first province in Canada to implement electronic billing for physicians,” he says. “That jump-started the industry, and I bought the company in 1988. We do medical office busi- ness management, patient Mike Sudul prepares his Nanchang CJ6A for flight.

3 October 2004 ON APPROACH – NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 443 Squadron

In all likelihood, it was the last time Lt.-Col. Carl Wohlgemuth would ever fly in a Sea King helicopter.

The big machine came in with Force policy that all overseas Five years later the Squadron the rain, landing on the tarmac units be assigned a 400 series reformed in . Now an outside the 443 Maritime number. The Squadron motto, auxiliary fighter unit they were Helicopter Squadron hangar at “Our Sting is Death”, was well equipped with P-51 Mustangs, Patricia Bay. It suited to their activities during Harvards, T-33 Silver Stars, and was August 9, those war years. Their new air- the F-86 Sabre. These aircraft one of the few plane, the now famous Spitfire were superseded by the Beech wet days of last fighter, helped to ensure that the C-45 Expeditor and DHC-3 summer. And it motto was much more than an Otter in 1958 when the was, in all likeli- idle boast. With this aircraft, Squadron was reassigned to hood, the last they provided air support dur- roles in Civil Defence, Search time that Lt.-Col. ing the Normandy landings and and Rescue and Light Transport. Carl tactical air support to the allied They disbanded again in 1964, Wohlgemuth armies in Belgium and Holland. only to reform ten years later at would ever fly in Following the cease fire, they CFB Shearwater, their ancestral a Sea King heli- served with the British home outside Halifax. Finally in copter. After Occupation Forces until dis- July 1989, the Squadron moved twenty months banding for the first time in to Pat Bay, their present location as CO at 443, he 1946. at the Victoria Airport. was passing the command on to A maritime helicopter Lt.-Col. Donald squadron for forty years now, Leblanc, recently the 443rd provides helicopter arrived from support to Maritime Command Ottawa. Pacific (MARPAC). “We spend an average of one hundred and Now in its Lt.-Col. Donald Leblanc accepts the eighty-eight days away a year,” 60th anniversary 443 Squadron colours during change says Wohlgemuth. “If MARPAC year, 443 was of command ceremonies. is tasked to go to the Gulf, we known as 127 are there; wherever they are Squadron when it was originally tasked to go, we are there. The formed in 1942. Equipped with other fifty percent we’re here, Hurricane fighters, the first of assisting with Fisheries, RCMP, many aircraft the Squadron Customs coastal patrols, training would eventually fly, they were exercises, and Search and tasked with the air defense of Rescue.” Halifax Harbour. Then in early 1944 they were transferred to Captain Marc-Antoine Fecteau says As one the few military units England and renamed 443 443 is renowned as a great place in Canada located at a civilian Squadron, in keeping with Air to be. airfield, 443 is unique. And

4 NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY – ON APPROACH October 2004

Wohlgemuth believes that the be the Cyclone community by resulting close ties to the com- then.” munity are an important part of The new Cyclone helicopter is what makes the Squadron spe- a Sikorsky H92, a military ver- cial. “Other air force units don’t sion of the Sikorsky S92. have that advantage,” he says. Wohlgemuth welcomes the new “I want to say thank you to the machine, while remaining a community, because the com- loyal Sea King enthusiast. munity has been saying thank “Safety was never an issue with you to us. It’s a lovely place to the Sea King,” he says. “It’s rele- work and a lovely place to live.” vance that’s the issue.” Captain Marc-Antoine He explains that the electronic Fecteau, a four year Sea King equipment on the Sea King has pilot, feels much the same. become so outdated that it’s dif- “You’ll have a hard time finding ficult for air crews to operate someone who doesn’t enjoy it Lt.-Col. Carl Wohlgemuth enters the effectively. “Although the cold hangar for the handing over of com- here,” he says. This squadron is war has ended, the environment mand ceremony. renowned as a great place to we work in is much more com- be.” plex. It’s much more difficult four years in Ottawa working Fecteau, who was deployed than a direct encounter with the on the Sea King replacement for almost the whole of his first enemy over the open ocean. We program. And he wants to be two years with the Squadron, looked at refurbishing and sure that the new hangar is in did tours to the Arabian Gulf, bringing it up to date, but that place when the Cyclones arrive. and Australia. On his most would cost as much as building So far, the building’s location recent deployment, he was sent a whole new machine. The Sea has been determined and the to Panama aboard HMS Ottawa King remains a fabulous design work completed. to meet one of the Navy’s new machine, but it’s relevance that’s Construction is expected to take submarines, which they escorted the issue.” place over the next several to the East Coast. Now near the years, depending on budgets The new aircraft also has end of his time with 443, and the availability of contrac- implications for the local com- Fecteau is hoping for an assign- tors. munity, reveals Wohlgemuth. ment to the Air Force test pilot “The Air Force routinely does Leblanc, a seasoned pilot, was program. “I like being in mar- analysis to determine if the based at Shearwater for twelve itime helicopter, though,” he structure is correct, and they years before joining the Sea says. “So I’ll probably come were looking for the best loca- King replacement team. “So I’m back to the Sea King community tion. 443 will stay here. That fresh out of the office,” he says. someday. But it will probably decision was mainly based on “I’m definitely looking forward the new aircraft coming on line. to two years of flying and excel- Having the ability to be near lent relations with the communi- MARPAC is important as well.” ty.” The Squadron will be under- For his part, Wohlgemuth is going some changes as the new going on to advanced military helicopters come on line, includ- studies at the Canadian Forces ing an increase from six to eight College in Toronto. “No flying ... aircraft, and a new hangar. “It’s all paper,” he laments. “That’s time for a new building. This is not necessarily a good thing.” a 1940s hangar with no fire sup- During a farewell speech to the pression. And the Squadron will Squadron, he spoke of the com- grow from about 230 members mand change as a transition to to about 300.” the future. “It’s time for me to leave, and time for the new Lt.-Col. Donald Leblanc addresses The incoming CO, Lt.- Col. blood to come in. Don, the the Squadron. Donald Leblanc, spent the last fighting 443rd is yours.”

5 October 2004 ON APPROACH – NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Jacqueline de Muinck, Victoria Airport program coordinator. Red Coat Volunteers Did you ever wonder exactly proved themselves fit for the Jacqueline. “If we don’t have an who those people in the red task, and the rest is history. The answer, we send them to the jackets really are? Jacqueline de group is now thriving with information centre downtown. Muinck, Coordinator of the twenty-three active members They’re excellent.” Victoria Airport Red Coat pro- and a waiting list. Now seventy-seven years old, gram, makes it all clear. Red Not just anybody qualifies to Jacqueline de Muinck has been Coat volunteers are there to be a Red Coat Volunteer. You a Red Coat Volunteer for twelve provide travellers with informa- need to be people oriented, years, and the group’s coordina- tion. The program, proven at have a good knowledge of tor for eleven. And she’s twice airports around North America Greater Victoria, and able to been nominated for a Hearts of for many years, was adopted make a serious commitment to the Community award for her locally in 1990. “It started with a the job. Although there are no volunteer work. She is also real- few people, and gradually age restrictions, the group istic about what is possible dur- grew,” Jacqueline says. ranges from a young sixty to a ing the few minutes Red Coats “I came in November 1992, young eighty years of age. Each have with members of the trav- and in September 1993, I was member is responsible for a elling public. “We are not solv- asked to be the coordinator.” three hour shift at the Red Coat ing all of the peoples’ prob- During that year before the 1994 desk each week, and must be lems,“ Jacqueline says. “We try Commonwealth Games, able to answer questions about to provide information, and Jacqueline and her small cadre scheduled flights, accommoda- answer their questions. You of volunteers honed their skills, tions, ground transportation have to know the community, preparing for the demands that and local attractions. “We do and need a wealth of knowl- would be placed on them in the not promote anything, but tell edge. It’s our knowledge that coming hectic days. They what we know,” says will help the public.”

6 NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY – ON APPROACH October 2004 Night landings

Night landings at Victoria flashing high intensity lights on International Airport will soon the extended centre line of the be easier and safer with new runway. The fifth light is locat- approach lighting on two main ed on the threshold of the run- runways. The Omni-Directional way itself. An additional high Approach Lighting System intensity light is located on (ODALS), will replace low each side of the fifth light, indi- intensity amber approach light- cating the edges of the runway. ing currently in use on run- The installation is expected to ways 09 and 13. The new sys- be completed by the end of tem consists of five sequentially November, 2004.

With the proliferation of lights in a built up area, a night approach can be confusing. In the photo above, the airport terminal buildings are at the middle left. The runways are outlined by the faint lights directly behind.

(Above) Airport electrician Scott Cunningham shows where the final approach light on runway 13 will be Mike Booton, project man- located (orange marking at his feet). A high intensity This machine is used to push electrical conduit pipe ager for the new approach light at each edge of the threshold helps to guide the under the runway approach without messy excavating. lighting system. pilot onto the runway.

7 October 2004 ON APPROACH – NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY Bicycle flying Flying with a bicycle the Swartz Bay Ferry ter- has become more con- minal or south to venient than ever for Victoria. Those choosing Vancouver Island bound the southern route will cyclists. This past sum- connect with the mer the Victoria Airport Galloping Goose Authority opened a bike Regional Trail, which lane connecting the air- opens up the whole of port to Lochside Vancouver Island for Regional Trail, a popular their vacation. An assem- cycling /walking path bly shelter in the termi- running the length of the nal parking lot is com- Saanich Peninsula. plete with a tire pump, Flying cyclists have a and a recycling box for choice of riding north to airline bike packaging. Cycling is a popular mode of transportation on the Saanich Peninsula. Here VAA board member Haji Charania leads the pack. Closer to the center The Victoria Airport Authority travel, and conference business predicts that a record 1.25 mil- that we might be able to retain lion passengers will move the direct routes on a year through the airport by the end round basis.” of this year. That’s up from 1.1 People have always enjoyed million in 2003. One of the con- the beauty of this area, some- tributors to that increase is thing that Tourism Victoria has undoubtedly the improved con- continually promoted. “Whether nections to Eastern Canada. it be golf, or kayaking, or fishing Air Canada and West Jet each or just enjoying temperate schedule seven non stop flights weather, it’s quite an attraction,” a week between Toronto and Whyte said. “A lot of people Victoria. provides four also like to come out here for non stop flights a week. “We’re two week to four week stays in closer to the center of the world the [fall shoulder season]. than ever before,” said VAA February, March, April also President and CEO Richard seem to be very popular with Paquette. “Those people who our eastern visitors for long live here can now propose term stays. Victoria as the location for their “I think it’s a good fit, and next corporate meeting or con- now with the airport nearing ference.” completion they can handle the Laura Lavin photo Lorne Whyte of Tourism increased numbers. It’s been a Victoria is delighted with the very positive year for the Sixteen-year-old Jacylin Jeffries with Reflection, her project improved connections. “It’s a Airport Authority. They’re to be for Orcas in the City. The program is organized through the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities. The exhibit very positive addition, having congratulated on the outstand- will end with an Orca Auction and Gala Dinner where the direct routes from Toronto to ing job they’re doing, both the Orcas will be put on the block and auctioned off to the high- Victoria,” Whyte said. “We professional side and the board. est bidder. Orca proceeds will go to the Victoria Easter Seal would hope that if we could I think they’re doing an out- House and Camp Shawnigan. increase the meetings, incentive standing job.”

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