THE December 2015 PATRICIAN

THE PATRICIANThe Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946

December 2015

GROUNDSCHOOL SCHEDULES | CLUB NEWS | FIRST SOLOS | FEATURE ARTICLES

Merry ChristmasFrom the Victoria Flying Club

1December 2015 www.flyvfc.com

“To promote flying and aviation in general, and to teach and train persons in the art and science of

flying and navigating and operating all manner of heavier-than-air aircraft.”

(Victoria Flying Club Incorporation Bylaws, 1946)

Board of Directors

President...................................Ramona Reynolds Email: [email protected] President...................................Howard PengSecretary......................................Colin WilliamsonTreasurer.............................................Rob ShemiltDirectors............................................. Steve Demy Vernon Fischer Rolf HopkinsonGeneral Manager.................................Gerry MantsChief Flying Instructor....................Graham Palmer

1852 Canso RoadSidney, BC V8L 5V5

[email protected]

Phone: 250-656-2833Fax: 250-655-0910

Editor: Christie [email protected]

In This Issue 3 Merry Christmas from VFC 7 C-17 Visits CYYJ Alan Johnston 9 COPA Update Eleanor Eastick

10 Fleet Captain Corner Steve Demy

11 Lima Sierra One - Over Eleanor Eastick

14 BC Aiport Challenge Update 15 Leadership and Love Tracey Burns

16 BC Aviation Council

THE PATRICIANMonthly Newsletter of The Victoria Flying Club - Aviation Excellence Since 1946

DECEMBER 2015

The Patrician accepts unsolicited submissions.

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, with prior permission of the publisher or au-thor. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors.

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Aviation Excellence Since 1946 2 December 2015

VFC News

News from VFC

Night Flying! It’s a great time of year for night flying! Make the most of the early nights and get your Night Rating without staying up late. Enjoy incredible views and a $10/hour rental discount when you fly after 5pm Monday to Friday, a $15/hour rental discount after 5pm on weekends.

Photo: Sean Gemmill

VFC 2015 Aircraft Rental Rates Time Frame 172S Model Rental Rate January 1 to June 14 $139/hour June 15 to September 7 $149/hour September 8 to December 31 $144/hour

VFC 2015 Quiet Hour Discount Pricing Day Time Discount Monday Before 0930

After 1700 Save $10/hour

Tuesday Before 0930 After 1700

Save $10/hour

Wednesday Before 0930 After 1700

Save $10/hour

Thursday Before 0930 After 1700

Save $10/hour

Friday Before 0930 After 1700

Save $10/hour

Saturday Before 0930 After 1700

Save $15/hour

Sunday Before 0930 After 1700

Save $15/hour

December 2015 3 www.flyvfc.com

VFC News

Merry Christmas from the Victoria Flying Club

As we reflect on the past year, and look forward to the year ahead, we want to extend our thanks and appreciation to each of our members and staff who have given so much to the Victoria Fly-ing Club. We wish you a holiday sea-son filled with family and friends, peace and joy. And remember that every smile, every visit and every expression of thoughtfulness will make a difference to someone’s life. All of us here at the Club wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

~ Gerry Mants - Manager, VFC

Victoria Flying Club December Office Hours

8:00am to 6:00pm

OFFICE CLOSEDfor the holidaysDecember 25/26

January 1* No flight instruction available. Please contact the office ahead of time to arrange aircraft rental.

Santa’s Flight TestSanta Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from Transport Canada, and the TC examiner arrived last week for the pre-Christmas flight check.

In preparation, Santa had the VFC line crew elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his log book out and asked his instructor to make sure all his paperwork was in order. He knew they would examine all his equipment and truly put Santa's flying skills to the test.

The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and even Rudolph's nose. Everything was in top shape, thanks to Gary’s crew of AME elves. The examiner painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for sled's enormous payload.

Finally, they were ready for the check ride. Santa got in and fastened his seat belt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shot-gun. "What's that for?!?" asked Santa incredulously. The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this ahead of time," as he leaned over to whisper in Santa's ear, "but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff."

4 December 2015Aviation Excellence Since 1946

VFC News

THE PERFECT PILOT GIFT!A VFC Gift Certficate in any amount!


VFC Achievements

Stuart WeaverInstructor: Jessica Rabideau

Brent YagerInstructor: Sean Tyrell

FIRST SOLOS

“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.”

Connor StevensonInstructor: Brady Tucker


VFC Achievements

New MembersAidan de HaanSteven MackenzieAaron BustardConstantine TrikeriotisDaniel MeyerRanjit DeviPragadesh SunderasanAnthony WilkinsonCharla HughesLydia KhandaroyIan BraidenRobert BurrellKirk Jones

First SoloStuart WeaverBrent YagerConnor Stevenson

CPL Flight TestStephanie Boucher

CPL Written ExamRichard Davey

Seaplane RatingZachary Nicol

Instrument Rating Group 1Adan Thornton

Night RatingDevan Miller

VFC MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

The Victoria Flying Club operates a charter service to a variety of destinations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. VFC charter offers inexpensive, timely and direct transportation to places not serviced by other commercial carriers.

The charter service is an on-demand operation (no set schedules) and is operational in day VFR conditions. Please contact us for more information on destinations and costs.

For more information or to book a flightEmail: [email protected]

Call: 1-250-474-0213

VFC CHARTER SERVICE BE THERE IN MINUTES!


Feature Article

C-17 Globemaster Visit to CYYJ - November 3Alan Johnston, VFC MemberFor those hanging around the club that morning, the word from Graham was that a C-17 would be arriving at YYJ at 1:30, and a tour could be had at 2:00 p.m. The pilot, a VFC graduate, had generously offered to spend some time with those interested.This opportunity was not to be missed!

I stationed myself at the picnic tables off the end of 09 to watch its arrival. As it approached, you could hear the thunder of the engines, and passing overhead you could hear the vortices swirling. A few seconds later the calm water around the seaplane base was ruffled with the settling tornadoes. Circuit traffic was sent to the hills, and the first two to attempt landing

after the C-17 must have been instructed to overshoot.2:00 p.m. at the old 443 base, Captain Sebastien “Se-bas” Lemire came out to greet the VFC tourists and took us out to his plane which had delivered a Sea King helicopter from CFB Trenton.

For the next hour and a half we toured and stood in awe at this massive plane, as Captain Lemire graciously talked about its performance and showed the pride in his plane and love of his job. Although he was the Captain, he had handed ownership temporarily to the loadmaster and crew to delicately off load the folded up Sea King.

Some interesting facts about Captain Lemire and his $300 million C-17:

He originally joined the Navy in Victoria and was part of a Sea King crew. He learned to fly at VFC and got his wings in 2002 and subsequently transferred to the Air Force where his goal was to fly transport aircraft. After several years on Hercules, he was selected for the C-17. A true sports car, he calls it, easy to fly and is responsive.

At 580,000 lbs gross, it can land in 3500 ft. He has to pass a check ride 4 times a year to be able to land the plane in a “small box” on the runway in order to maintain proficiency.

Photo: Silvia Zilker


Feature Article

Empty and light on fuel, the C-17 can lift off at 90 kts in 1000 ft. It is pointed skyward at 35 degrees and the 4 Pratt and Whitneys keep constant acceleration in the climb.

The massive flaps lower into the engine thrust stream, creating a large down wash. Along with the wing’s airflow, this action generates huge amounts of lift, allowing slow approach and take off speeds.

In cruise at 30,000 ft, engine reverse thrust can be applied. This allows the plane to descend at 15,000 ft/min, such as might be needed into a

war theater situation. Captain Lemire said he tried this once, but that was enough! With the wings and engines shaking and being pinned by his harness in a steep descent was not pleasant he said.

The tail is 50 ft off the ground and most de-icing equipment can only spray fluid up at the tail surface. To ensure that adequate coverage has been provided, a crew member has to climb up a claustrophobic ladder inside the tail, and open an outside hatch to inspect. Sounds like a job a Captain would delegate.

After a period of delicate coaxing, the Sea King emerged down the ramp of the C-17 and was towed to the squadron hangar to have its pontoons and other appendages put back together.

The enthusiasm of Captain Lemire, the pride in his aircraft and his job was huge motivation to the younger club pilots, just to show “it can be done”. To have a job like his was one of my early aspirations, but life took a different course. I’m quite happy now to be in command of a mighty 172.

Photo: Silvia Zilker


COPA Corner

Submitted by: Eleanor Eastick

Well, gosh, Oshkosh! What an interesting talk about flying to Oshkosh in 2004 as a 200 hour pilot in a Cessna loaded with tent and camping equipment. Many thanks to Allan Rempel for sharing the joyous and sometimes scary adventure.

Who wants to go next year? It would be great fun to organize a group to go down together.www.eaa.org/en/airventure

The next COPA meeting will be held on Tuesday December 1st at 7 PM in the VFC lounge. The guest speaker is Peter Lagergren. Peter has an extensive aviation background and will talk about the 40 distinct types of aircraft he has piloted over his career. He will reflect on some of their handling qualities and weird characteristics. This will be an interesting talk with personal anecdotes and a video and powerpoint presentation.

Don’t miss this last meeting of 2015!

Please remember, you don’t need to be a COPA member to come and hear the interesting guest speakers each month. The meetings are open to everyone who has an interest in aviation, and would like to meet other people with similar interests.

For more information, contact [email protected].

711 A Broughton Street(street level, by Victoria Public Library)

Victoria BC V8W 1E2


Feature Article

FleetCaptain Corner

Steve DemyATPL, ATP (multi), B. Eng. (Electrical)Victoria Flying Club - DirectorColumbia 300 driverFleetCaptain - Developersndaviation.com

FleetCaptainKeeping Track Of Our Results

The staff and management of VFC are always looking for opportunities to improve. How can we increase the utilization of our ßeet? Can we spread the demand into the morning and evening hours, taking pressure off our busiest mid day period? Are pilots taking advantage of beautiful weekends for recreational ßights?

The management reports produced by FleetCaptain allow us to address these questions. We can Þnd areas needing improvement and focus our attention squarely on them. And perhaps most importantly, we can identify areas where VFC leads the industry, such as

in aircraft utilization. The graph above shows that we ßew an average of 137 hours per C172 during July. That rate of ßight hours per aircraft is an accomplishment - a record-breaking accomplishment for our club. It demonstrates the staff’s dedication to professional operations and a willingness to embrace the technology that enables it. The graph on the right shows we’re not taking advantage of all our weekends, and there’s room to grow the recreational ßying segment. Lots to ponder É

I called my friend Michaela the other day, and after identifying myself, asked if she’d like to go shopping with me. It was Christmas Eve and there were bargains to be had everywhere. We females love shopping, especially when we can save big money while we spend. Michaela is a fellow pilot and undoubtedly the prettiest air traffic controller in Canada.

“Stand by one,” she said as she dealt with a distraction in her kitchen, “Say again the destination.”

“Shopping,” I replied. “Maybe the new Bonanza Mall at Beech and Fleet Street. Pick you up at two o’clock?”

“Roger, I check your remarks,” said Michaela, “I’ll be ready for the straight out by then.”

“Uh, okay. See you around two...” My reply was a bit hesitant and I asked her about the recent notice to road users about unserviceable traffic lights en route to her house.

“Disregard that notice,” Michaela sniffed. “They never update them. I’ll be waiting in my driveway - caution for kitty-cat activity vicinity of lawn.”

Happily I drove off towards Michaela’s immaculate bungalow; the traffic lights were

indeed back in service and I pulled into her driveway right onschedule.

“Okay, let’s go!” she said, jumping into my car. She waved goodbye to her two cats playing on a tree stump in the front yard. “Turn right, 90 degrees at the end of the driveway.” I wondered if she hadn’t been in ATC a bit too long....

I smiled at the thought as I wheeled out onto the road. I adored my young friend Michaela but didn’t see her often; work schedules and all that. She was a gal of few words, but every one counted. Nothing got by her either. I had actually planned a left turn out, but she quickly apprised me that the Beech Street arrival was US because of road work.

“I’ll give you progressive instructions,” Michaela added, before I could even tell her I was unfamiliar with that particular route. She was on top of everything. “Stay with me and I’ll get you on your way to the Bonanza Mall. Turn left at the next traffic light if able.”

And suddenly, there we were; the mall lay dead ahead. There was little traffic as we drove up the ramp and parked. That was the best part about shopping on Christmas Eve - no crowds. That and the bargains!

In the early afternoon a lull had settled over the downtown area; the pressures and anxiety of the holiday season were, by that time, being put aside and the real joy of Christmas wasbeginning to filter through. Everyone became kinder, less rushed, less driven now that the hustle and bustle were over.


Feature Article

Lima Sierra One - OverA Christmas Story by: Eleanor Eastick, VFC Member


Feature Article

Even the incessant playing of carols was less annoying and the mall decorations looked prettier and less tawdry than they had just a week before. Michaela and I made our way along the galleria to The Bay, past little knots of fellow bargain-hunters. At the entrance to the store stood a lone Salvation Army kettle, its minder worn out from bell-jingling, sitting in a nearby chair.

The rush was over; people were tired but a sense of renewed energy was making itself felt at the same time. The adults were kicking back and relaxing, children were agog with anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus; even the skeptics were taking a break from their cynicism to enjoy a bit of peace. Michaela and I too, became caught up with joyous vigor as we browsed the ransacked shelves of Christmas merchandise.

“Aha!,” I exclaimed, as I picked up undoubtedly the most garish piece of, well, junk in the store. Sporting Kelly green stubby wings laden with wrapped presents, the cast acrylic low-wing plane was a tail-dragger with a jolly Santa behind the yoke. The aircraft was festooned with gold and silver tinsel streaming back from the leading edges and the cockpit’s big round bubble canopy was a snow-globe.

“Oh, wow! Look at this!” I said excitedly to Michaela as I shook the gaudy plane to fill the

canopy with swirling snow. “I’ve got to have this!”

Michaela looked a bit guarded before becoming downright conspiratorial. She whispered to me, “I can tell you that’s not what he flies. I’m working tonight, and I hope to meet him or at least see his aircraft.”

“He, who?” I asked in surprise. “You’re the senior controller; why are you working Christmas Eve, anyway?”

Michaela pulled me aside and cautioned me to be quiet, “Look, I’m working Christmas Eve this

year because I want to be there when he arrives.”

“He, who?” I asked again.

“The guy in Lima Sierra One, the lead sled.” Her voice fell to a whisper, “I’m pretty sure it’s Santa Claus.”

“The lead sled? Santa? Are you serious?” I was talking too loudly and Michaela warned me again.

“Alright”, she said, “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but no one in the tower has actually seen Lima Sierra One or its driver.


Feature Article

The staff has told me that they talk to him when he calls in for clearance, but somehow he can off-load and depart unseen. It makes me wonder how alert they are after midnight.”

She continued softly, “The thing is, we don’t even know what Lima Sierra One is. It’s a lead sled of some sort, heavy and fast in straight flight, but it’s also highly manoeuverable - can’t be an F-105. I think it may be an SR-71 Blackbird - we know where he is when he checks in but there’s almost no radar signature; we can’t see him.”

“This is just silly,” I said. “I know you air traffic controllers all over the country are just putting on a show for the little kids. They love hearing that Santa’s on his way and you guys in ATC make it seem real.” I had said the wrong thing again.

“Are you impugning Nav Canada’s integrity?” Michaela was obviously nettled by my

comment. I quickly and with some embarrassment, declared that I was in no way knocking them.

“Heck, no. But it’s just a bit of fantasy played out for the youngsters, isn’t it?”

Michaela looked incensed. “What makes you think it’s fantasy? Do you think we’d all be in on some sort of conspiracy? Every controller working the Christmas Eve shift in Canada has heard the guy in the lead sled. He’s obviously an experienced pilot, his voice has a familiar ring to it, we seem to know him. And somehow, after we’ve talked to him, we all feel a sense of peace and wonder. And somehow, too, the world seems a happier place.”

Here was my friend, 30 years my junior, admonishing me for my doubt, cynicism and insensitivity. But was there really a guy in a lead sled whipping through the sky on

Christmas Eve bringing peace and goodwill? For sure, there was already something magic in the air; the intangible aura of quiet that descended like a warm blanket over our tired bodies, the feeling of kindness towards our fellow humans. I realized that Michaela knew something so many of us are unable to grasp. Or maybe it was something we knew as children but lost as we got older; the freedom to believe in the unexplained.

When I dropped Michaela off in her driveway late that afternoon, her sapphire blue eyes were shining with the expectation of the arrival of Lima Sierra One on her shift. She knew that the veteran pilot, the guy with the familiar voice, was the Big Guy in the Red Suit. Now I knew it too.

“Merry Christmas!” I called as I drove away. “Roger that,” she replied, “over and out.”


BC Airport Challenge

THE 2015 BC AIRPORT CHALLENGE

Current Standings:

Club Aircraft1 Kevin S (15)2 Colin W (11)

3 BJ C (9)4 Ian B (9)

5 Brenda M (8)6 Don D (8)

7 Jessica J (8)8 Ron J (7)9 Bill K (5)

10 Brett W (5)11 Rustom A (5)12 Silvia Z (4)13 Tom V (4)

14 Andrew Y (3)15 Cortland R (3)

16 Doug N (3)17 Jamie W (3)18 Joey M (3)

19 Callum E (2)20 Crystal S (2)21 Duncan C (2)22 Howard P (2)

23 Scot E (2)

Owner Aircraft1 Norman Y (31)

2 Tom D (12)3 John L (9)

4 Dave W (4)5 Simon C (2)

Safe flying everyone!

As the year comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who has participated in the 2015 BC Airport Challenge. There’s still time to get a few more desti-nations in your logbook. With planning and preparation, west coast winter flying is some of they best you’ll ever experience!

If you want some company, please post on the VFC Facebook Group page. There’s always someone willing to go along! Our thanks to Doug Neal for keeping our map and online standings up to date at www.olantra.com/vfc/


Feature Article

Love and Leadership - Creating BalanceTracey Burns, Executive Coaching and Consulting “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

When introduced in the workplace, Love is a word sure to raise a few eyebrows. No matter your relationship to the word or the energy created in simply hearing the word we all have a fundamental desire to love and be loved. There are countless amazing books written on the subject and I’m not talking about fairy tales. The quote above says it beautifully, however, the challenge comes in the implementation.

Organizations in today’s economy face bigger and bigger challenges. We find ourselves making business decisions through the stifling mask of fear and scarcity. Driven by the ever increasing demand to produce more with less fear runs rampant and rough shod over our most talented workers stifling creativity and thwarting initiative.

But what if there was another way to proceed? Imagine what it would be like if you were to create a work environment as suggested by the quote? What

would the impact be on others if your leadership and actions were fueled by Power and Love?

You may be pessimistic and/or confronted by the notion of bringing Love to your own leadership despite all of the data to support the benefits and extraordinary results available to your organization. Including but not limited to:

• Increased productivity;

• Higher profitability;

• Reduced absenteeism;

• Improved quality of product or service;

• Increased employee retention;

And

• Improved safety

Getting there will require that you give up your resistance and get creative. It will also require you to get related to your work force. Listen to your employees. What are they trying to tell you? You may have a notion of how they receive love but consider that is your interpretation. Be willing to risk, to be bold and to be vulnerable. Discover them. Ask them, engage them.

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but

not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly. - Jim Rohn

Tracey Burns, PCCExecutive Coaching &

Leadership Developmentwww.TraceyBurns.com


Feature Article

The British Columbia Aviation Council, established in 1938, is a member-driven organization that represents and promotes the shared interests of the aviation community.

Aviation is critical to growing the BC economy and the aviation sector supports British Columbians in their everyday lives. It is the job of the BCAC, in partnership with members, stakeholders, and the community, to positively influence the well-being of British Columbia’s aviation sector. It is only by innovating and finding new ways to work together will we see a visible, connected, and thriving aviation and aerospace industry in BC.

The British Columbia Aviation Council is a charitable society established under the Society Act.

Vision

An aviation and aerospace industry that is visible, connected, and thriving.

Mission

To promote, stimulate and encourage the development, growth and advancement of aviation and aerospace in British Columbia.

Five Strategic Priorities for BCAC

1. Increasing Visibility

2. Contributing to the Development of Aviation and Aerospace Policy

3. People: The Industry’s Future

4. Encouraging a Connected Community with a Strong Voice

5. Ensuring continued Organizational Sustainability and Financial Stability

BCAC Membership

Did you know???

The Victoria Flying Club is a Corporate Member of the BC Aviation Council. As such, our students are eligible for a FREE annual membership.

Why have a membership with BCAC?

A membership with the BC Aviation Council (BCAC) connects you to the aviation industry in B.C., its past and present while allowing you to help shape its future.

Since 1938, the BCAC has provided a platform for its members to:

• Learn more about the industry

• Grow a career or business in aviation and aerospace

• Contribute to the voice of aviation in B.C.

• Connect through regular activities and events

The BCAC is also committed to supporting education and learning within the aviation industry through its annual scholarship awards to enable growth and ensure skills meet and exceed industry requirements.

The British Columbia Aviation CouncilPromoting the Shared Interests of the BC Aviation Community Since 1938


VFC News

There’s still time to register... We’ll save you a seat!

Landing a Job in AviationDecember 5th at the Victoria Flying

Club.

This informative and interactive course is offered by UPFRONT AVIATION and Jeff Lightheart: VFC alumni, instructor,

and airline pilot.

Register online at: http://landingajobinaviation.eventbrite.ca/

Or email [email protected] for more information.

And don’t forget to follow UPFRONT AVIATION on Facebook to find out

more about upcoming courses and get other helpful information:

www.facebook.com/upfrontaviation


VFC Groundschool

SIGHTSEEING PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING DISCOVERY FLIGHTS AIRCRAFT RENTAL

VICTORIA FLYING CLUB Leaders in Flight Training since 1946

#101 – 1852 CANSO ROAD NORTH SAANICH, B.C. V8L 5V5 PH: (250) 656-2833 www.flyvfc.com

2015/16 PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULE Classes Monday and Wednesday from 19:00 – 22:00

DATE TOPIC INSTRUCTOR November 25th No Class n/a

November 30th Aerodynamics; Theory of Flight & Licencing IAIN

December 2nd Airframes & Engines DAVE

December 7th Systems & Flight Instruments DAVE

December 9th Human Factors & Pilot Decision Making BRETT

December 14th Canadian Aviation Regulations BRETT

December 16th Canadian Aviation Regulations BRETT

Dec 21st – Jan 3rd Holiday Break n/a

January 4th Meteorology SEAN






January 25th Flight Operations COLIN

January 27th Flight Operations COLIN

February 1st Navigation BRENDAN

February 3rd Navigation BRENDAN

February 8th Family Day n/a

February 10th Navigation BRENDAN

February 15th Radio & Electronic Theory BRADY

February 17th ATC COLIN

February 22nd Review COLIN

Ground School Course - $300 Ground School Kit - $250

CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REGISTER FOR GROUND SCHOOL TODAY.

November 2015 19 www.flyvfc.com

VFC News

Dream. Discover. Experience. Explore.Take the first step at VFC!Call us today to get started! 250-656-2833

www.flyvfc.com

Documents

THE December 2015 PATRICIAN