TheNOVEMBER 2019 Patrician The Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946

Lest we forget We thank our veterans for their service

www.flyvfc.com 1 The Patrician HANGAR SPACE News There is a spot available. Contact “To promote flying and aviation in general, and to teach and train Marcel at the Club to see if a Around the Club persons in the art and science of flying and navigating and operating all manner of heavier-than-air aircraft.” hangar spot is a good spot for (Victoria Flying Club Incorporation Bylaws, 1946) your plane. NEWS and EVENTS NEWS and WINGS BANQUET AND NOVEMBER 30, IFR ROUND G. A. Cameron, Harry Graves, Jack BOARD OF DIRECTORS TABLE OF CONTENTS BURSARIES TABLE Clemence, running out of the Willow Aerodrome. In the 1920s and 1930s, Tickets for the January 25th Wings Join the IFR Round Table at 2 PM the Victoria Aero Club became active, Banquet will soon be available on November 30, in the upstairs PRESIDENT Colin Williamson operating largely out of Lansdowne, 2 News Around the Club through Dispatch. We will celebrate classroom, then come on downstairs Willows, Gordon Head, private fields, VICE PRESIDENT Don Devenney the achievements of VFC members to the Pilots' Lounge for BBQ and as well as various water aerodromes. SECRETARY Jennifer Zadorozniak 6 I Learned about Flying from That and staff and also present awards, beverages, put on by our social The Second World War largely General Manager, Greg Matte including the new Top Flight committee! TREASURER brought Club activities to a close, Instructor award. Stay tuned in DIRECTORS Iain Barnes however. Activities recommenced 8 We Will Remember the Decmber Patrician for more John Ainsworth HAPPY 73RD ANNIVERSARY! after air veterans returned home to information or in our Facebook John Ryan We are celebrating 73 years of Victoria, and it was on November 9 VFC Remembers Group. Our General Manager is incorporation! Our Club's roots go 16, 1946 that our Club received its GENERAL MANAGER Greg Matte also accepting bursary applications, back to 1919 when the Victoria charter. Membership quickly grew CHIEF FLYING Mike Schlievert 10 Directors Needed so please submit them soon! Ask branch of the Aerial League of to 150 within two years. Men and INSTRUCTOR Dispatch for application details. Canada was set up by returning WWI women came from all over Victoria 11 Flight Training Awards Application Form air veterans such as P. Thompsett, to earn their pilot licence at our Club, and in time CONTACT from abroad. We 12 VFC's Booking Policy are proud to have 1852 Canso Road www.flyvfc.com P: 250-656-2833 brought the joy of Sidney, BC [email protected] F: 250-655-0910 12 Heart of the Club: VFC's Flight Training flying to thousands V8L 5V5 Unit of people from all over the world over 14 First Solos and Member Achievements the decades, and we look forward to many more to Editor: Katy Earl 16 Bird Strikes, Contributed by come! [email protected] Captain (Ret'd) Stephen Klubi

The Patrician accepts unsolicited submissions. 19 Captain Bob Gartshore, Last Flight ANGEL FLIGHT CLOSE TO This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, with prior permission of the publisher or author. The 2000 FLIGHTS opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors. Angel Flight PARKING shared their latest: SUBSCRIPTIONS "To date, we’ve undertaken 85 If you’re interested in prime Client Flights this [email protected] paved parking spaces for your aircraft, http://flyvfc.com/subscribe-to-the-patrician year for a total of we want to hear from you! 1,925 since launch. It is looking like PHOTO CREDITS Secure, pull-in/pull-out, easy access. we will break the Front cover photo: Dan Waldie: the 'Lost Airmen of the 2,000 figure next Please call Dispatch to arrange a spot, year. We have 26 Empire' monument on Hospital Hill at CYYJ. Right top: or get on the at waitlist for hangar spaces pilots flying for us Instagram: burtonader. "One of @vikingairlimited CL-215 250-656-2833 at current." If you water bombers finally getting some love after a few years are interested in of sitting idle"

2 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 3 flying for Angel Flight, send Jeff an email at jeff@jbmorris. com. NEWS and EVENTS VFC ALUMNI WINTER HOURS NOV 2 Monthly brunch social at the We have switched to our winter operating hours with We are still looking for photos of our Flying Club Dispatch openning from 08:00 and closing at 18:00. The successful (and good looking!) alumni NOV 5 COPA Flight 6 meeting and social winter operating hours will continue through until Sunday, 08 to share at our Wings Banquet. March 2020. So don’t be shy! NOV 11 Remembrance Day and Food Take a smiley photo of you living the dream, EVENTS NEWS and Bank Day at the BC Aviation SEAPLANE TRAINING and email it to: Museum (instead of admission [email protected] fee, bring a food item that will go We will no longer be providing seaplane training or float to the food bank) ratings. The VFC recommends that you seek such training with Ocean Air, located near the VFC at the Pat Bay Seaplane NOV 16 73rd anniversary of VFC's Base. Ocean Air can be contacted at [email protected] or by incorporation calling (250) 655-1144. Their website is www.oceanair.ca. NEWS and EVENTS NOV 16 BCGA AGM NOV 30 IFR / IMC Round Table, 2 PM VFC MEMBERS EARN SILVER WINGS AWARDS MONEY Congrats to our members on their Silver Wings Awards: Now that we have your attention, it is Is your aviation-related event not listed? time to submit your bursary Let us know at [email protected] • Matthew Mosveen, Al Michaud Memorial Bursary • Rachel Allen, Anne and Rudy Bauer Memorial Bursary applications! Ask Dispatch for • Grant Diamond, BCAC “Career” Training Scholarship application details, with winners to be announced at the VFC also has a number of awards. See page 11 for more Wings Banquet. information.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAVER BOB! This year, VFC alumnus (1968) Bob Bates celebrated 50 years as a career pilot, from his first job working for the Shell VFC Charter offers inexpensive, on-demand, and Dealer, to working for , running his VFC CHARTER SERVICE direct transportation to places not serviced by other own airline (Bates Air) and now working for . commercial carriers in the lower BC area. He has accumulated well over 33,000 hours of flight. He Be there in minutes! recently celebrated his 70th birthday! Happy birthday Bob, and many more to come (check out his feature in the June The charter service is operational in day VFR 2018 Patrician). conditions. Please contact us for more information on destinations and costs. Have news or a story to tell? Email us at flyvfcmarketing@gmail. com for a chance to have your news or story published in The Patrician. For more information or to book a flight: Email: [email protected] Call: 1-778-350-3213

Workmates at Seair Seaplanes celebrate VFC Bob and friend Fred Bomford completing alumnus "Beaver Bob"'s 70th birthday. aerobatic training in VFC's Citabria in 1968.

4 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 5 lakes, streams and a boreal forest, comfort. I focused on safely I Learned about Flying West Germany’s highly populated avoiding the ground, wires and industrialized landscape could and endless towers while not have been a greater antithesis dutifully keeping an eye from That to the natural landscape that I was on my heading, map and accustomed to in Canada. the endless repetitiveness VFC General Manager of manmade features My first training mission in West that passed below me at BGen (Ret’d) GCP Matte, CD, PhD Germany was that of a bright-eyed nearly 500 miles per hour. but highly inexperienced wingman. Having successfully found

The mission was meant to provide our way to our simulated GM Corner familiarization through a multi- target, and connected with “Aviate, navigate, communicate." culminated with my graduation from I was yet to fully appreciate the disciplined “exposure” flight that our “adversary” 2-ship of These were the watch words of the basic CF-18 course in December basics of airmanship, namely the and physically exhausted, and simply included low-level navigation, high- CF-18s awaiting us high above, my wisdom that guided my training of 1987, that I should have been simple priorities of "aviate, navigate, wanted to be on the ground…but level air-intercept and air combat lead suddenly proclaimed that his I had a wingman that depended GM Corner from my initial military flight training justified in my accomplishments communicate." As a "rapid reactor training, as well as IFR approaches INS had completed its in-flight re- in Portage la Prairie, MB, through and confidence in flying the CF- squadron," 433 ETAC was one of on me. As the clouds thickened into CFB Baden-Baden and CFB alignment, and that he was re-taking my "wings” training in Moosejaw, SK 18 Hornet as a newly minted, two Canadian fighter squadrons and the skies darkened during Lahr. As one might expect, the the lead. What a relief! However, and onwards through my extensive limited combat ready fighter pilot that was charged with the unique, the long descent, I focused on my briefing for this initial “exposure” the relief was short lived…no sooner fighter pilot training in Cold Lake, assigned to the newly re-activated dual roles of supporting the instrument cross-check and landing flight, a briefing that integrated had we declared “fight’s on” and AB. Admittedly, there were times 433 Escadron Tactique a Chasse domestic NORAD continental checklist. Although I missed a few these various components of commenced the 40 Nm intercept whilst I was a student that these (ETAC), the same squadron my defence mission, as well as being calls from ATC, I was able to keep training, was like "drinking from a profile when my lead announced same watch words seemed to be father had been part of while I was adequately prepared to join and my priorities straight. ATC seemed firehose." The final words from my that his radar was unserviceable and a rhetorical diversion from the still a boy. What I failed to realize support our sister squadrons based to intuitively recognize my struggle experienced lead before we "walked” that he was “cludo” (yes, it is what it rational and detailed explanation at that moment of exhalation, was in the former West Germany in through my R/T, and patiently to our jets was something along the appears to describe). I commonly sought from my how little I knew about flying such their extremely important mission worked me through to “final.” When lines of "don’t worry, post-flight debriefs as a means to a formidable aircraft replete with of ensuring a credible "fist” within I finally caught sight of the PAPI and just stay on my wing, and you’ll As I once again resumed the lead, I inadequately sidestep my obvious 4th generation fly-by-wire controls, the “velvet glove” of deterrence approach lights at near-minimums, it be fine." The words would prove conducted the intercept, concluding shortcomings, or to detract from glass-cockpit avionics and a highly that successfully prevented a was a huge relief to recognize that I prophetic and highly fallacious… with a VID (visual identification) the central points raised by my advanced weapons control system. nuclear holocaust in the challenging had safely brought us into a position of the opposing aircraft, at which instructor. Hubris and arrogance are During the ensuing early months decades following WWII. for a successful landing on our first Within 10 minutes of take-off and time we were "BINGO," and had to coping mechanisms, but I’m certain on a front-line fighter squadron, attempt, and wouldn’t have to go enroute to our "hack," the starting “terminate” the upper air work, and that most if not all of my flight I grew increasingly comfortable In order to fulfill the demanding around. point for the low level navigation contact ATC for the complicated instructors saw through my tactics. in the recurring low-level (100’ requirements of being recognized portion of our mission, it became arrival procedures and approach in AGL) training environment that we as "combat ready" for our NATO The debrief was short and to the apparent to me that my lead was minimal conditions (the weather had It would be fair to imagine that once conducted in the remote and largely rapid reactor responsibilities in the point, my lead was proud of me, and at least 30 degrees off course, and worsened with the late afternoon I had completed the nearly two and unpopulated training areas in and former West Germany, we were underlined the fact that I had "done that we were about to overfly one of cooling and setting sun). My lead a half years of unrelenting training around our main operating base at required to successfully pass a good" for my first exposure flight to many nuclear reactors in Bavaria, was still struggling with his radar, and the associated pressures that 3 Wing Bagotville, QC. However, tactical evaluation (TACEVAL) of our West Germany and the "front line" something that was taboo for and had also discovered that his combat readiness at the level of demands of the highly trained "Cold obvious safety reasons. No sooner INS was still severely adrift... I qualification we held in Canada War warrior" squadrons who worked had I expressed my observation would need to lead him home for a (wingman, 2-plane lead, 4-plane full-time in that environment. For regarding our heading to my lead formation approach and landing…my lead or mass attack lead). When me, I finally came to terms with the than I heard the terrifying reply, first in IFR conditions at CFB Lahr! I first arrived in the former West words of wisdom that my instructors "GCP, you have the lead!" Great. Germany during an intensive had repeatedly infused in me in the My first “exposure” flight in West Again, the watchwords “aviate, month-long deployment with 433 previous years of training: "aviate, Germany, and now I had to lead my navigate, communicate” echoed ETAC, I found myself overwhelmed navigate, communicate… in that lead through the complex low-level through my thoughts as I struggled by the magnitude of the task, given order of priority!" airspace towards our target in the to find the correct approach plate the comprehensiveness of the customary “marginal VFR” weather for the runway in use, as well as Standard Operating Procedures conditions that were characteristic the many different ATC agencies (SOPs) as well as the incredible of the smog in the Rhine Valley and that I would be dealing with as I complexity and density of activity Look out for further Bavaria at that time. descended through the layers of within their European airspace. busy controlled airspace (which articles about Having conducted my wingman As the mission unfolded, the included a portion in French training in the relative wilderness, airmanship in the next old adage of “aviate, navigate, airspace, given that Lahr was in where a bridge, cabin or dam were communicate” came back to me close proximity with the border with Patricians! seen as high-value navigation with incredible wisdom, solitude and France). At this point, I was mentally features in a land dominated by

6 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 7 We Will Remember VFC Remembers VFC General Manager Local Ceremonies BGen (Ret’d) GCP Matte, CD, PhD Feature Article

On November 7th, 1920, and in Marshal Foch, the Supreme Allied not been identified could believe that Each year in the November issue number of civilians employed at CFB Saanich Municipal Hall Cenotaph strictest secrecy, four unidentified Commander, and loaded onto HMS the Unknown Warrior could very well of The Patrician, the Victoria Flying Esquimalt. We are also very proud of 770 Vernon Avenue British bodies were exhumed from Verdun which was bound for Dover. be their lost husband, father, brother Club takes time to recognize its some of our younger club members temporary battlefield cemeteries The coffin stood on the deck covered or son. connection to Canada’s military. who are currently training for a Oak Bay: 10:55 AM

Feature Article Feature at Ypres, Arras, the Aisne and the in wreaths, and surrounded by the CYYJ sits on the former RCAF career with the RCAF. Uplands Park Somme. None of the soldiers who French Honour Guard. Upon arrival This tribute is one of many Station Patricia Bay, and the Victoria 2800 Beach Drive did the digging were told why. The at Dover, the Unknown Warrior symbolized by wearing poppies each Flying Club occupies the location This month The Patrician and the bodies were taken by field ambulance was met with a nineteen gun salute; year in the lead-up to Remembrance used by the RAF during WWII. In Victoria Flying Club honour all Victoria: 10:30-1:00 PM to Group HQ at St-Pol-sur-Ternoise. something that was normally only Day. We do not glorify war or 1946, the Victoria Flying Club was military personnel, past, present, Cenotaph, East Lawns and Driveway Once there, the bodies were each reserved for Field Marshals. A special combat, but rather, we remember – established in the post-war quiet by and future. Thank you for serving 614 Government St placed in a plain coffin, and draped train had been arranged, and he was with humility and sadness, as well returned veterans. our country at home and overseas. with the union flag. then conveyed to Victoria Station as profound appreciation, for the We will not forget. Victoria: 10:45 AM in London. He remained there tremendous sacrifices, including But the military legacy of the Ross Bay Cemetery, 1495 Fairfield Sentries were posted and Brigadier- overnight, and on the morning of the the ultimate sacrifice, of the men club did not end. It lives on, in Local Ceremonies Rd General L.J. Wyatt, with eyes closed, 11th of November, he was taken to and women who rise to the service the members and activities of (More information can be found selected one coffin at random. Westminster Abbey on a gun carriage of their country, and to protect the the present-day Victoria Flying in the Lookout Newspaper: http:// Esquimalt: 11:00 AM The other three were reburied. A cortege drawn by six horses through liberty and freedoms that we now Club. The Victoria Flying Club has www.lookoutnewspaper.com/ Memorial Park, 1200 Esquimalt Rd French Honour Guard was selected immense, silent crowds. Servicemen take for granted. been involved in Cadet training, issues/64/2019-11-04-44.pdf and stood by the coffin of the from the armed forces, including an supporting our future air-force Langford: 11:00 AM chosen soldier overnight. On the Honour Guard of 100 recipients of As such, every year, on the 11th hour pilots, and we have a strong Sidney: Nov. 11, 10:30 AM Goldstream Avenue and Veterans afternoon of the 8th of November, the Victoria Cross, stood guard as of the 11th day of the 11th month, connection and relationship with Town of Sidney Municipal Hall Memorial Parkway the Unknown Warrior was then tens of thousands of mourners filed we pause to reflect and to recognize 443 Squadron located across the 2440 Sidney Ave transferred under guard and escorted silently past. The Unknown Warrior the Unknown Warrior and all those airfield. A significant number of our Colwood: 11:00 AM by the Reverend George Kendall to a was interred in the far western end who were lost in the line of duty. At club members have been armed Brentwood Bay: 10:45 AM Colwood Cenotaph at the Juan medieval castle in Boulogne, where of the Nave, near the entrance. the going down of the sun, and in the forces personnel based in various 1209 Clarke Rd, Pioneer Park de Fuca Recreation Centre in the he remained overnight under the vigil The grave was capped with a black morning, we WILL remember them. locations across the country and garden bed with the large oak tree of the French 8th Infantry Regiment, Belgian marble stone, and is the only around the world, as well as a Saanich: 10:45-12:30 PM near the JdF arena. recently awarded the Légion tombstone in the Westminster Abbey d’Honneur as a unit. for which it is forbidden to trod. Instagram: miss_ajohnson. On the 9th of November, the The idea of the Tomb of the Unknown Sept. 24, 2019 Unknown Warrior was placed inside Warrior was first conceived in 1916 a specially designed coffin made of by the Reverend David Railton, who, oak from the grounds of Hampton while serving as an army chaplain Court Palace. On top was placed on the Western Front, had seen a a crusader’s sword and a shield, grave marked by a rough cross which personally chosen by King George V bore the pencil-written legend, An print & imaging from the Royal Collection, on which Unknown British Soldier. He wrote was inscribed: "A British Warrior to the Dean of Westminster in 1920 art & framing who fell in the Great War 1914- proposing that an unidentified British 1918 for King and Country." The soldier from the battlefields in France book printing Unknown Warrior was then taken by be buried with full ceremony in Images: Top left: Wikipedia: Poppies are horse-drawn carriage through the Westminster Abbey "amongst the laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Victoria: 905 Fort St., Victoria BC V8V 3K3 Tel: 250-385-9786 Guards of Honour, and to the sound kings." It was his intention that all Remembrance Day in Ottawa. Above: The Sidney: 2411 Beacon Ave., Sidney BC V8L 2X2 Tel: 250-656-1233 of tolling bells and bugle calls to the of the relatives of the hundreds of coffin of the Unknown Warrior in state in quayside. There, he was saluted by thousands soldiers whose bodies had the Abbey in 1920, before burial. www.islandblue.com

8 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 9 Please Join Us At ThisDirectors Year’s Wings Needed Banquet! Victoria Flying Club Opportunity for VFC Members Flight Training Awards Application Form All current VFC students/members are eligible to apply for these awards. Applications to Join the Board of Directors must be submitted to Greg Matte in the VFC office by December 31, 2019.

Name: ______Student Information

Home Phone: ______Cell Phone: ______The Victoria Flying Club (VFC) was of Directors are up until the VFC’s decision on behalf of the board, established in 1928 as the Victoria Annual General Meeting (usually to have put aside any personal Email: ______Aero Club, and incorporated as a held in March each year), with the interests and/or disclosed any non-profit in 1946 operating out of possibility of re-election at that time conflicts of interest you may its current location at the Victoria for a second one-year term. have. Please provide a brief statement describing how you plan to make use of the Flight Training Board of Directors of Board International Airport. The VFC is • Duty of Obedience: you are Award, and also outlining your future aviation ambitions: licensed by Transport Canada to What does VFC’s Board of Directors expected to abide by all the laws ______conduct both flight instruction do? governing the organization and training and charter operations, act accordingly to carry out your ______with an Approved Maintenance • Ensures effective fiduciary purpose. ______Organization to service the VFC’s governance on behalf of all VFC • Duty of commitment: you are fleet of fixed-wing piston powered stakeholders. expected to participate in ______airplanes. VFC’s operations include • Engages in ongoing strategic recurring board meetings. ______over 10,000 flight hours/ year with analysis of VFC’s activities, an annual budget of approximately opportunities and challenges. What does a good candidate bring to ______$3.5 million. The operations are run • Ensures there is an overall the Board? ______by a management team and staff strategic direction, budget and under the direction of a General plan that is monitored. • Offers professional knowledge Manager, with oversight by a Board • Sets goals and monitors and expertise in specialty The Butler Flying Award Michael Cooper-Slipper Award of Directors. performance to ensure VFC domains. Claude Butler served as president of the Victoria Flying Michael Cooper-Slipper was born in England January 11th is in good financial health and • Demonstrates high ethical The Board of Directors currently has achieving its goals year over year. standards, integrity and Club several times over the years. He was a successful 1921 and he joined the AF Squadron 605 equipped with three (3) vacancies, and we are in • Provides oversight and accountability. businessman, inventor, and a man with many visions. His Hurricanes, at the tender age of 17. At 19 he was awarded search of volunteers from amongst monitoring when it comes to • Demonstrates leadership in compassion and generosity knew no bounds. Claude the Distinguished Flying Cross for valour during the Battle the VFC membership who would such strategic frameworks as upholding the VFC’s values, always referred affectionately to his loving wife Jean, who of Britain. After the war he joined AVRO Canada and test like the opportunity to be part of culture, ethics, risk strategy policies and commitments. was the Mayor of Central Saanich for several years, as “Her few the CF-100, CF-102, and Orenda powered F-86. He the Board as a Director. In line and internal control, as these • Thinks strategically and critically Warship.” He asked “Her Warship,” in his last moments, also flew a modified B-47 as a test bed for the AVRO Arrow with filling these vacancies, we are are critical to VFC’s long-term with independence of judgment. to do something memorable and worthwhile on his behalf Iroquois engine. After his career as a test pilot he embarked seeking to broaden the background success. for the Victoria Flying Club and this is how the Butler Flying on a career in aviation sales, first with de Havilland and then knowledge, skills and experience • Provides strategic links Award was born. with Field Aviation. Mike is survived by his wife Rita who of the Board membership. As such, between VFC and the resides in Victoria. we are looking for individuals with community it serves. Betty Wadsworth Scholarship professional experience in the areas • Safeguards the reputation Brian Smedley Award of corporate law (lawyer), executive of VFC and key stakeholders Betty Wadsworth joined the Victoria Flying Club in 1958 and accounting (chartered accountant) and constituencies. VFC smile cards was active in the support of general aviation all her life. As Brian began his aviation career as an Aviation Mechanic for and marketing/communications. Pick up your smile card today at the VFC a director of COPA and a member of such organizations the Flying Fireman. This led him to become a pilot for the What is expected of individual office, and 5% of your grocery purchase as BC Aviation Council and the Western Canada Aviation Flying Fireman followed by the BC Government Air Services. If you’re interested in joining the Directors? will go towards creating scholarships Museum of Flight and Transportation, her contributions have After 24 years with the BC Government, Brian flew for VFC Board of Directors in one of and awards for VFC members. Since been recognized by numerous awards and citations. Betty Ainsworth Lumber in 100 Mile House, BC. After retirement these positions, then please submit • Duty of Care: you are acting the autumn of 2005, the Victoria Flying Wadsworth maintained her connection with the Victoria from flying, Brian was able to follow his lifelong dream to your resume and cover letter to in a reasonable and prudent Club has received over from the $19,600 Flying Club where she learned to fly, and when she died in become a cowboy. He worked for many ranches in the the General Manager by e-mail manner in carrying out your Thrifty Foods Smile Card program. These via [email protected] by noon duties as a board member. funds have been appreciated by all mem- April 1986 she left a portion of her estate to the Club. Since Cariboo his last one being the 112 Mile Ranch. on Friday, 15 November 2019. • Duty of Loyalty: you are bers of the club. Thank you Thrifty Foods! 1991, the interest from this grant has been awarded each Appointments to the VFC Board expected, when making a year to further a member’s training, qualifications, or skills at the Victoria Flying Club.

10 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 11 over the next couple of years, So, if you’re a member that has want to make sure no one is being VFC's Booking Policy I haven’t had a true personally fallen through the cracks, we’d like left behind and that you’re a part of focused instructor since Colin. It to hear from you by contacting it. Although I’m very busy getting VFC General Manager, Greg Matte got to a point that I was busy with Brenda at brendahardwick@flyvfc. to know all of our people and work, and I gave up trying…kind of. com. We’d like to get a grasp of processes, if you have any concerns My dissatisfaction with the process how many of our members would or questions, please don’t hesitate and the service levels at the Club like more training but have been to get in touch with the appropriate led to where I am today, the new told they can’t have it at this people here at the Club, starting Comptroller and a recently resigned time. There’s no existing list or with Brenda. Director on the VFC Board of method of tracking you in our Feature Article For those of you who have dropped hours of the date/time the rental or recreational flight, so the policy Directors. Although pestering a few current processes, but we want to Finally, if you’re stuck in PPL or by the Club recently, you probably flight lesson is to occur. appears to be working! people here and there got me my make one before we go too far in CPL flight training, don’t forget, noticed the Aircraft Booking night rating, it wasn’t sustainable, welcoming new members waiting there’s nothing stopping you from Policy that we posted inside the As a non-profit club, we need to Another reason for this new policy and neither were some of the to start their training. I think it’s practicing for your written exams, main entry by the public computer carefully manage expenses so as to is that our Instructor Pilots are only

Feature Article Feature practices I was noticing at the Club. important to take care of our and making sure you’re ready for terminal. This policy was be able to continue to offer our paid when they fly or teach. If a One issue that kept coming up in own first, because you’ve already that aspect of flight training. In developed by our Board of Club members competitive rates on student fails to show up for my third summer as a pilot and a invested in your training and put the meantime, it also never hurts Directors, and came into effect on rentals and lessons. Furthermore, a planned training flight, the member was aircraft availability. in the time to build towards your to memorize your emergency the 15th of August. Our Dispatch we are trying to be more efficient Instructor Pilot doesn’t get paid, Getting a call from dispatch to goals. I know exactly what you’re procedures or to pretend making team is also advising folks when in the allocation of our aircraft so and would have lost part of their cancel a booking, one that had going through, and that’s why I radio calls. Personally, I also they call to book a plane or a flying that we optimize their usage. An day for nothing. The fee associated been made weeks ahead of time, have spent the past year getting downloaded the FAA Flight lesson, so the word is spreading. efficient booking process will also with a “no show” for a planned while on my drive into the Club one myself into a position to make a Training Manual audiotapes, and Of note, this policy includes a increase the availability of aircraft flight lesson or supervised solo day with Jacob and my girlfriend, difference. listened my way through them to "no show” component, and the for recreational use. Members have ensures that the Flight Instructor is is where I drew the line. I wrote help visualize and remember the associated fees that apply if recently told us that they have compensated appropriately rather to complain. When it happened That said, it’s our expectation that technical aspects of flight training. someone fails to cancel or re- seen an improvement in the than having to accept the loss of again, I escalated my complaints to if you’re stuck in your training due schedule their booking within 24 availability of aircraft for revenue and their time. It’s only fair! the Chair of the Board. Having an to the loss of your instructor, that So overall, my personal experiences Economics degree and a fascination you’re still keeping your skills sharp, as a student have been insightful with consumer behaviour, I wrote so that when – and we can’t make to me as a VFC Board Director. a long letter that prescribed an any promises at this time – you Now that I’m part of a revitalized increase to our rates, in addition get the call from us, you’re ready management team that are Heart of the Club: to several other ideas. In response to go. You know the airspace, the focused on moving forward to that letter, it was suggested that frequencies and VFR phraseology, with improvements rather I join the Board, which I did last the departure and arrival than protecting old practices VFC's Flight Training Unit March. procedures, the performance and preferences, I foresee the charts, weight and balance opportunity to focus on improving Finance Manager, Adrian Sudbury I still didn’t have an instructor calculations, your speeds and the services we provide our though and given my work and limitations, and of course, you students. Your inputs through the fact that the wind had been also have the financial means to Brenda will help us in ensuring The first time I ever laid eyes on I had the fortune of meeting Colin schedule. In addition to getting wiped out of my sails, my focus make sure there are no further that we don’t miss any shortfalls or the Victoria Flying Club (VFC), it Brown in the Redbird and opted to my night rating, my intention was changed to making sure our next delays, within your control, in your dissatisfiers in the ways the VFC was from taxiway Sierra onboard ask him to become my instructor also to get on someone’s radar new members wouldn’t face the progression. We want to make sure have been providing you flight a Westjet Q400 with Jacob, my for my PPL training. Within 58 to begin my IFR training, as I was same difficulties. In my opinion, that when an instructor agrees training services. Thanks! awesome dog that some of you hours over six months, I went still full speed ahead towards a the Club had no ability to track to inherit someone else’s former now know, in cargo. At the time, through all of my Private Pilot’s career in aviation. It didn’t get students in our Flight Training student that they’re pleasantly back in 2015, I was in the process Licence (PPL) training and got my any easier. For the next few Unit, and it appeared as though surprised. Our great team of of moving to Victoria from Whistler licence. Shortly thereafter, that’s months, I was bounced between there was no interest in trying. instructors already face enough after a few months abroad. Back when the problems started. Like multiple instructors as I hobbled Now though, there’s a new team in challenges, so we’re helping them Would you like further then, the Club had a large banner many instructors, mine vanished my way towards a night rating. place, from our General Manager out by consolidating, streamlining training at the Club? hanging airside that read “Learn to by way of an airline. In the fall Thankfully, I still managed to get Greg Matte, to our new Director of and digitizing our processes for Fly Here." I have to say, the banner after completing my PPL, I was it done by bugging the hell out of Maintenance Murray Palmer, and supporting our students through Send an email to Brenda was quite effective, because just not deterred. I moved swiftly to a few people, but that’s where my our CFI Michael Schlievert. With their training pathway to their with your goals: a few months later, I came to an complete my night rating, and to training ended. them in place, I feel the Club has aviation objectives. [email protected] orientation day and booked a do so, I hung around the Club and been reinvigorated, and now it’s discovery flight. As the saying goes, got to know other people so that Although I continued to build time to begin righting past wrongs. There are a lot of good things the rest is history. one of them would fit me into their hours to keep my options open happening at the Club, and we

12 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 13 New Members PPL Flight Test Brandon Willms Dave Parker Cody Milne Laurie Ingalls Daniel Crossley-Wing Quinn Ferris First Solos and Darcy Foo Diana McMaster CPL Written

Francis Frenzel Cole Turner Member Achievements Member Fraser Fulton Jared Moxley CPL Flight Test Achievements Jocelyn Belley Grant Diamond John MacConnachie Tanner Davis Parker Brown Robert Tidswell IFR Flight Test Ryan McCall Forest Huth Member Achievements Jackson Waniek Zachary Kroeger Stephen Klubi Instructor: Marcel Poland Instructor: Micheal Turner First Solo CONGRATS to Cyril Kwan Silver Wings Awards Jackson Waniek winners: Kea Fujiki Nick Dennison • Matthew Mosveen, Oscar Blue Al Michaud Memorial Mike Rolfe Bursary ($1,000) Russell Burke • Rachel Allen, Anne and Rudy Bauer Memorial Zachary Hancock Bursary ($1,000) Zachary Kroeger • Grant Diamond, BCAC “Career” Training PPL Written Scholarship ($1,000) Herb Lainchbury Matt Savage Taiga Matsushita

Oscar Blue Mike Rolfe Nick Dennison Instructor: Matt Cameron Instructor: Mami Iijima Instructor: Jesse Bertucci

"Without disruption of air traffic, these fearless, forthright, indomitable and courageous individuals did venture into the wild blue yonder in flying machines. Furthermore, these skillful individuals did safely land said flying machines at Victoria International Airport, incurring no significant damage to self or machine, thus completing first solo flights."

Kea Fujiki Cyril Kwan Russell Burke Instructor: Mami Iijima Instructor: Matt Cameron Instructor: Mami Iijima

14 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 15 changed as these engines rarely If you are in the air so to are any below 10,000 feet if feasible. consumed oil. number of species of birds. • On takeoff, below 2000 feet, Bird Strikes climb at maximum rate to reduce Throughout my career I have had Some interesting facts about spring the flight time exposure to the Anecdotes from an Aging Aviator several bird strikes fortunately all and fall migration patterns in Canada strike hazard. small birds. They often end up as by cranes, ducks and Canada Geese:1 Contributed by Captain (Ret'd) Stephen Klubi, blood stains sometimes mixed with If you do have a chance encounter, Cathay Pacific Airways feathers clinging to the leading edge • Over a million Canada Geese known or suspected, your top of the wings or the underside of the share the same airspace with priority is to fly the aircraft and flaps or passing harmlessly through aircraft during the fall, flying at maintain flight path control (either the bypass section of the fan in the altitudes up to 10,000 feet. They manually or preferably with the Feature Article Editor's note: Many thanks to VFC give the topic a lot of thought. There the impact been slightly higher, engines. I’ve had the occasional weigh up to 14 pounds. autopilot if you are satisfied with its alumnus (1973) Stephen Klubi for were so many other topics and skill the windscreen would have been really close encounter with several • Whistling Swans weigh in at up performance). Keep monitoring flight sharing his expertise after decades areas to master in order to obtain covered or severely compromised large birds, raptors mainly, the most to 25 pounds and can be found and engine instruments, determine in the civil, military, and commercial my Private Pilot Licence. In my and landing the aircraft through that memorable on the climb out one up to 12,000 feet. any problems and deal with them aviation space. mind, birds appeared to be mostly mess would have been a challenge. Feature Article Feature morning from Delhi. It reminded me • 85 Million ducks weigh in at up according to the appropriate feathers and they seemed to go to of Flak going off around an old Allied to 4 pounds can be found up to checklists. On larger more complex It’s a beautiful clear morning, calm great lengths to avoid collisions. And While working at an airline, later World War Two Bomber in a war 2,000 feet. aircraft, there may be more than one winds and very little traffic in the how much damage could they really in my career, I was called in one movie. checklist to action as you may have circuit, a perfect day to launch off cause if they happened to be sharing afternoon to operate a flight from For those of you who are new to cascading problems. While carrying solo and practice some upper air the same airspace as me and my Hong Kong to Taipei. The aircraft According to Boeing in an article Aviation or have plans to pursue a out the checklist actions, ALWAYS, work followed by a few touch and mighty Cessna 150, after all? I was to operate, an Airbus 340- published in the Boeing Commercial career in the profession, you very ALWAYS, ALWAYS fly the aircraft. gos in preparation for your upcoming 600, was parked off the gates at a Aeromagazine, 3rd Quarter 2011 likely will be operating larger, faster flight test. During the climb out, My first exposure to the damage remote parking spot. We were told and Bird Strike Committee U.S.A., and more complex aircraft. Tuck the In my next article, I’ll share my while passing 3000 feet, you notice birds can inflict came one October that there was some maintenance bird strikes cause $650 million in following advice away for it’s not a thoughts on getting an aircraft objects ahead coming your way. night in 1978. My course mates to be done on the aircraft but that damage to U.S. Civil and Military matter of if you have a bird strike safely on the ground with unreliable Suddenly, you are surrounded by and I were beating up the circuit on the aircraft would be ready for our aircraft annually. Since 1988, over but when. Boeing suggests the airspeed indications. Fortunately a flock of seagulls desperately both the inner and outer runways at scheduled departure time. As there 200 people have been killed as a following, if operationally possible this is a relatively rare occurrence to scattering to avoid your aircraft. the Canadian Armed Forces Base in was no activity going on around the result of bird encounters. and a bird hazard exists: deal with, but amongst my peers, we One is not fast enough. You feel Moose Jaw working through our aircraft and our departure time was have all experienced it. and hear a massive thud as a two 9 trip Night Flying Syllabus. The rapidly approaching, the First Officer I live near the water now and I can • Delay takeoff or landing until the kilogram seagull explodes on the left aircraft we were flying was the Tutor, and I felt maybe we should head out attest to the fact that, contrary to birds pass. 1. AIP Canada Part 2 , Enroute wing leading edge. Blood, feathers, the same aircraft that the RCAF there and find out for ourselves what popular belief, birds (particularly • Select another runway away Section- 5.6 Bird Migration and Areas and guts spread everywhere. Snowbirds operate. It was a great was going on. We managed to locate Canada Geese) fly at anytime, day or from the bird activity. with Sensitive Fauna. Unfortunately the pitot tube has machine to fly, loads of fun and at a Ground Engineer who was able to night, in cloud, fog, rain and snow. • Keep speed below 250 knots not escaped the carnage and is this advanced phase in our Pilot brief us on the problem. He directed damaged. You elect to return to the Wings Course, we were all pretty us to have a look in the front of the airport for landing but during confident in our machine and in Number Two Engine. Once again, descent, you notice the airspeed our abilities to pretty much deal the damage was impressive as the Although VFC’s management team has negotiated our indication seems to be decreasing with anything the Aviation Gods outboard sections of four fan blades credit card fees down considerably over the last year, did inexplicably. How can you recover happened to throw our way. You were rippled similar to corrugations What?! you know that VFC pays the equivalent of a half of an the aircraft safely with an unreliable have to love the confidence of you would see in cardboard. airplane per year in credit card company fees? airspeed indication? youth. The circuit was flown at Apparently the aircraft had departed Half a 172 240 knots so things happen pretty around 2 am (destined We’d ask you to consider using cash, interact or Before I give my thoughts on the quickly, especially for new aviators. for Hong Kong) when they hit an per year? e-transfer in paying your account to reduce unnecessary airspeed problem, I would like to After completing my night circuits, I owl just after lift off. All engine fees, yours and ours, because we’d like to spend that share my experiences with bird taxied onto the ramp and shut down. parameters and vibrations measured money on adding another plane to the fleet. strikes. I noticed a small group of my course internally in the engine were within mates gathering around another limits so the crew continued on to I started the first steps to my guy's Tutor parked just down the the destination. Throughout the aviation career in 1973 here at flight line from me, so I sauntered flight, the oil consumption was the Victoria Flying Club. The topic over to investigate. Embedded in the quite a bit higher than the other 3 of bird strikes may have been nose compartment, which contained engines and subsequent internal mentioned in ground school or the batteries and avionic equipment, boroscope inspections were unable covered in one of the reference were the remains of a duck with to determine the cause. The aircraft books I was required to read, but only the webfeet protruding. The never was ready for our departure I’m sure my 17 year old self didn’t damage was impressive and had and I suspect the engine was

16 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 17 Captain Bob Gartshore Last Flight

Contributed by David Gartshore Information Editor's note: We offer our and many friends. Captain Gartshore As a member of the Victoria Power condolences to the family and friends touched many lives through his Squadron - and a notably patient 2019 Annual General Meeting of Captain Bob Gartshore for their 44-year career in aviation, which teacher - Bob enjoyed sharing his loss. Bob was an amazing gentleman spanned 21,000 flight hours, and six vast love and knowledge of boating Information th who enjoyed 44 years working in continents, with the Royal Canadian and the sea with others. Bob greatly Saturday November 16 2019 aviation. David, shared his father's Air Force, and three commercial enjoyed the companionship of 1000 – 1300 obituary with us: airlines. The majority of Bob's career his friend Nancy Grant during the was spent as a B-747 Captain with last few years of his life. Bob will Hosted By: the Victoria Flying Club Cpt. Robert Moir (Bob) Born . His recently published be fondly remembered as a man November 9, 1931 in Calgary, autobiography, A Life of Flight, who exuded love. Ever grateful, he Alberta; died peacefully at his home tells his story. Bob was a well loved expressed his deep appreciation THE BCGA IS A REGISTERED NOT FOR PROFIT THAT WORKS WITH INDIVIDUAL PILOTS, LOCAL FLYING CLUBS AND in Oak Bay, on long-time member, and respected for the wonderful care he received NATIONAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE GENERAL AVIATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE BCGA HAS October 28, 2019. Bob is survived Elder and Bible study leader at in his last months. Our sincere BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS THE MOST PROGRESSIVE AVIATION ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY AND HAS by his children Ian (Julia Roberts), Trinity Presbyterian Church. He thanks to Comfort Keepers, the BUILT A STRONG COMMUNITY OF AVIATORS AND AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS THE SPANS THE CONTINENT BUT Brian (Heather), David, Brenda, and was a man of immense faith, and it Palliative Response Team from REMAINS FOCUSSED ON BRITISH COLUMBIA. Jennifer Porayko (Lorne). Bob was brought him great comfort through Victoria Hospice, staff from the Oak Grandpa to Meghan, (Chien Wei), all the stages of his life. Bob filled Bay Gordon Head Health Unit, , THE BCGA PRIDES ITSELF IN DOING THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MOST James (Ashley Paulson), Matthew, his retirement with many pursuits and Dr. Geoff Luckhurst. If desired, MEMBERSHIP IS FREE AND MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE VOLUNTARY Holly, Leif Glassel (Jennifer Ricketts), that a lifetime of shift work had and in lieu of flowers, donations and Great-Grandpa to Lilliana, disallowed. He and 'his Joy' enjoyed in Bob's memory may be made to WE INVITE YOU TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER AND JOIN US AND OUR ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBERS AT THE ANNUAL Hunter, Carter, Oliver, Chase, wintering in Palm Springs in their Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mission Bentley, Tynan and Tayven. He RV. Bob deeply loved and respected Aviation Fellowship of Canada, or GENERAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 16TH is survived by his sister-in-law the ocean, choosing to settle, for Victoria Hospice. A memorial service Anne Gartshore. Predeceased the majority of his life, in homes celebrating Bob's life will be held on by his beloved wife of 62 years overlooking Haro Strait. He was a Saturday November 23rd at 2:00pm, WWW.BCAVIATION.CA Joy, and younger brother Dr. Ian proud sailor, heading north from Knox Presbyterian Church, 2964 S. Gartshore. Bob will be lovingly Victoria each summer to enjoy the Richmond Road, Victoria; reception WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/AVIATIONBC remembered by his extended family warm waters of Desolation Sound. to follow.

Images: Bob SPONSORS at VFC's 70th AIR 1 INSURANCE AVIATION MEDICAL CLINIC Anniversary celebration in LANGLEY AERO STRUCTURES PRO AVIATION SAFETY TRAINING November 2016. The front cover ICS AVIONICS KNIGHT LLP of his book, A THE VICTORIA FLYING CLUB Life of Flight. Bob promoting his book at VFC's Open House, 2016. 19 - AIR 1 INSURANCE - ICS AVIONICS

18 NOVEMBER- 2019 LANGLEY AERO STRUCTURES VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946 www.flyvfc.com 19 Gain a new perspective on...

Business Administration – Aviation Option DIPLOMA PROGRAM

You want to be a high flyer with your feet on the ground. Now you can do both. Combine flight training with a prestigious university business diploma tailored to the aviation industry. If you’re graduating or have recently graduated from high school and want to become a commercial airline pilot, this program is for you! For more information or Employers recognize that good pilots do more than fly aircraft; they to apply, contact: are active problem solvers, strategic decision makers and superior Business and Management communicators. The most successful are skilled in business management, Programs leadership, team building and crew resource management. 250-721-8073/8072 Classes are held at the Victoria International Airport or on the University of [email protected] Victoria campus over a nine-month period. The unique program schedule bmt.uvic.ca means you can complete both your private and commercial pilot’s license and also obtain the Diploma in Business Administration. Start shaping better For information on career options for yourself today and watch things really take off! flight training: Victoria Flying Club Entrance Requirements 250-656-2833 • Successful completion of Grade 12 [email protected] • A desire for a career in aviation • Motivation to complete an intensive business program flyvfc.com Ask about our partnership pathway to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program Royal Roads University!

See other side for the 2019–20 schedule

20 NOVEMBER 2019 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946