The Patrician - Robert Thirsk in Space Learn about the VFC alumni who's flown higher than the rest! - Victoria Flying Club
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The Patrician
FEBRUARY 2021
The Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Robert
Thirsk in Space
Learn about the VFC alumni
who's flown higher than the
rest!
www.flyvfc.com 1
The Patrician
“To promote flying and aviation in general, and to teach and train
HANGAR SPACE
Contact Marcel at the Club to see
persons in the art and science of flying and navigating and operating if a hangar spot is a good spot
all manner of heavier-than-air aircraft.” for your plane and to get on the
(Victoria Flying Club Incorporation Bylaws, 1946)
waitlist.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Colin Williamson
VICE PRESIDENT Don Devenney 3 News around the Club
SECRETARY Jennifer Zadorozniak 6 General Manager's Article
TREASURER Iain Barnes
DIRECTORS John Ainsworth 7 Ground School Schedule
Tony Allan
Adam Johnston 7 First Solo: Yoshiaki Inoue
Graham Palmer
GENERAL MANAGER Greg Matte 8 Robert Thirsk, Alumni Profile
CHIEF FLYING Mike Schlievert
INSTRUCTOR 10 Member Showcase: James and Fiona
11 Wings Virtual Award Banquet
CONTACT
12 Thanks for the Share
1852 Canso Road www.flyvfc.com P: 250-656-2833
Sidney, BC info@flyvfc.com F: 250-655-0910
V8L 5V5
Editor: Kelly J. Clark PARKING AVAILABLE
vfcpatrician@gmail.com
If you’re interested in prime
The Patrician accepts unsolicited submissions. paved parking spaces for your aircraft,
there are spots available!
This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part,
with prior permission of the publisher or author. The Secure, pull-in/pull-out, easy access.
opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors.
Please call Dispatch to arrange a spot,
or get on the waitlist for hangar spaces at
250-656-2833
SUBSCRIPTIONS
vfcpatrician@gmail.com
http://flyvfc.com/subscribe-to-the-patrician
PHOTO CREDITS
Front cover photo credits: "Flying about Superman-style"
from http://robertthirsk.ca/.
2 FEBRUARY 2021 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
News
Around the Club
NEWS and EVENTS
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY INDUSTRY: BEZOS LEAVES Have news or a story to tell?
Masks may not be terribly Email us at vfcpatrician@gmail.com
AMAZON FOR SPACE
romantic, but that doesn't mean for a chance to have your news or
Jeff Bezos has stepped down as
you can't go on a flight for two! story published in The Patrician.
CEO of Amazon to focus his time
Even in mild temperatures, on a space race against Elon Musk
don't forget to plan to arrive and Richard Branson! Bezos's
early for your flight instruction aerospace company, Blue Origin,
appointments or plane rental to expects to have their first crewed
allow de-icing time, if needed. flight by early April. With so many
billionaires going into space, there
2021 ANNUAL GENERAL might soon be a burgeoning career
MEETING for driven young pilots.
The AGM has scheduled! Mark
your calendars for May 13th. The VFC MENTOR PROGRAM
zoom meeting is scheduled to The program continues! Would
commence at 18:45 hours for a you like to meet other pilots to fly
19:00 start. More information to with, split the cost of flights, share
come as we get closer to the date. knowledge on how to do things,
get help getting into a new airport
2020 INCOME TAX FORMS for the first time? VFC's mentors
Tax forms have been submitted have their resumes posted on
and should be on the way to you a special VFC Mentors bulletin
shortly! board beside the Dispatch coun-
ter. Each mentor's resume includes
INDUSTRY: SPACEX their contact details, or you can
email mentors@flyvfc.com for
SWEEPSTAKES more information.
SpaceX is holding a sweepstakes
to win a seat aboard the what
they're calling the "First All-Civilian
Mission to Space". This fund-raiser
benefits the St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, but has options
for free entry as well.
The catch is that it's only to "US
persons": any VFC members with
dual citizenship or who are ex-pats
should jump at this chance!
Enter via this link:
https://www.prizeo.com/
campaigns/l/inspiration4/
www.flyvfc.com 3
NEWS and EVENTS OFFICE SPACE
FEB 2 Groundhog Day AVAILABLE!
FEB 14 Valentine's Day
FEB 15 Family Day 800 square feet available
FEB 23 National Aviation Day in the VFC building!
NEWS and EVENTS
MAY 13 Annual General Meeting
Is your aviation-related event not listed? Contact Marcel Poland at
Let us know at vfcpatrician@gmail.com marcelpoland@flyvfc.com
for more information!
All prospective businesses must be
Victoria Airport zoning compliant.
Sustaining and Lifetime members:
15% discount on Cessna rental rates and
purchases in the Little Pilot Shop.
MENTORSHIP: 10% discount for everyone who pays fully
in advance for their annual aircraft parking
Looking to brush up your skills? fees for 2021 - ONLY
Email mentors@flyvfc.com
to find a mentor or be a mentor.
WE'RE HIRING
The Victoria Flying Club is looking for a Flight Training School Line Crew.
$15.50-16.00 hourly, with benefits!
As Line Crew, you'll clean, fuel, and prepare our aircraft, perform janitorial duties
in alignment with Covid-19 procedures, light building maintenance and yard work.
We need someone with knowledge of Aircraft operational needs, computer knowledge,
great customer service and multitasking skills, and a drivers licence.
Apply today on Indeed.com or with Marcel Poland (marcelpoland@flyvfc.com).
4 FEBRUARY 2021 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
[YOUR FREE AD HERE]
Do you know a business owner
that could benefit from
free advertising?
NEWS and EVENTS
VFC would like to support our
community by offering free advertising
spots in The Patrician (business card
sized ads) where space allows.
Please send an email to Kelly at
vfcpatrician@gmail.com
for details.
VFC CHARTER SERVICE VFC Charter offers inexpensive, on-demand, and
direct transportation to places not serviced by other
commercial carriers in the lower BC area.
Be there in minutes!
The charter service is operational in day VFR
conditions. Please contact us for more information on
destinations and costs.
For more information or to book a flight
Email: tedk@flyvfc.com
Call: 1-778-350-3213
www.flyvfc.com 5
General Manager's Article
Greg Matte, VFC General Manager
Update – Beechcraft 95 Rebuild Project
As we all continue to endure touch-ups on the hull have been Although the aircraft currently
GM CORNER
the numerous restrictions and completed, a new tip to the vertical remains in sections, it will all come
implications of the COVID-19 stab built in-house (fiberglass), together quickly once most of the
pandemic, at least 2020 is now in the and the horizontal stabs ready for painting is completed and the
rear-view mirror, and a vaccination attachment. The antennas, rotating remaining components installed,
program is underway. Although we're beacon, and glass cockpit panel will after which it will be ready for ground
not yet through the proverbial C-19 only be fitted once the plane has been and flight testing. Our A/CFI is in the
storm, we’re cautiously optimistic painted and the wings attached. process of writing the pilot manual
that 2021 will be a much better that will go with it, as well as making
year, and that by the summer we’ll Both main landing gear assemblies the necessary adjustments to the
in a good place as a club. One of the have been refurbished and are ready training program to accommodate
most exciting developments for the for installation into the wings. There the new glass cockpit configuration.
VFC will be the completion of the was significant mechanical wear Ground based training will be
Beechcraft 95 rebuild project and (rubbing due to vibration) on both available through ground school,
its addition to the fleet for flight engine cowlings, so we had to rebuild the Redbird simulator, as well as in
operations! Although there have been several different parts in-house. One the actual cockpit. To permit such
unexpected delays since we began, cowling is now complete, and the ground training in the cockpit, we will
the project has come a long way in other is well under way. The engine have a battery pack that than can be
the last couple months and we’re mounts have now been powder connected to the Beechcraft to allow
aiming for completion by mid-April. coated and are ready for installation. for in-depth familiarization with the
The rebuild be more aerodynamic One of the two engines has already menus, programming and capabilities
given the slopped windscreen and been overhauled, with the other to that the glass cockpit provides. Such
longer nose, providing a 10-15% be overhauled in due course. The two “switchology” training in the actual
efficiency. In addition to the glass new variable-pitch propellers and cockpit will allow for more effective
cockpit and autopilot features, it will gear boxes should arrive by mid- in-flight training.
be equipped with CAN/US compliant February.
ADS-B In/Out technology as well as a The VFC is fully committed to
406 MHz ELT. The mechanical cabling and electrical providing such high-tech multi-
wiring are all in place within the engine/IFR training going forward.
By way of some of the specific wings, but (as with the antennas on It is for this reason that a second,
developments since the last update, the fuselage) the LED wingtip lights similar Beechcraft rebuild will follow
the new sloped windscreen and will only be attached once the rebuild the completion of the first to provide
nose cone have been fitted as well is nearly completed. Once the interior the necessary fleet redundancy that
as the doors and side windows. The of the wings has been treated, the will mitigate against disruptions to
mechanical cabling and electric 4 separate fuel reservoirs (2 per ME/IFR training (e.g. when one of
wiring has all been installed, and the wing) will be installed after which the two Beechcraft are in for a phase
nose gear has been refurbished and the wings will be ready to be primed. inspection). The lessons learned
is ready for installation in the nose. The painting of the aircraft in its new during the first rebuild will certainly
The sound/thermal insulation has colours will be done in stages, with pay off on the second project, and
been fully installed in the cockpit, and the last stages coinciding with the the AMO is now kitted out with all
the new mount for the glass panel final steps of the rebuild project. With the necessary tools and equipment
built and installed. The seats will be our new, inflatable paint tent, the to proceed without delay once the
reupholstered locally in a grey colour priming and paint scheme will all be project gets under way. Well done to
with red pinstriping, and the rear seat done “in-house”. Murray and the entire AMO team!
will now be adjustable (forward/aft)
unlike the original. All the external
6 FEBRUARY 2021 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Ground School
Schedules
SCHEDULE / FIRST SOLO
Private Pilot Licence Ground School
January 18 – February 12 /2021: Mon to Fri; (Evenings: 18:00 - 21:30)
February 08 – April 28 /2021: Mon & Tues; (Days: 09:00 - 15:45)
February 15 - February 20 /2021: Tues, Thurs, & Fri; (Evenings: 18:00 - 21:30)
March 22 – April 23 /2021: Tues, Thurs, & Fri; (Evenings: 18:00 - 21:30)
April 27 - May 18 /2021: Tues, Thurs, & Fri (M-F in May); (Evenings 18:00 - 21:30)
May 19 – June 11 /2021: Mon to Fri: (Evenings: 18:00 - 21:00)
Commercial Pilot Licence Course
March 11 - April 16 /2021: Mon to Fri; (13:00 - 16:30)
February 27 - March 27 /2021: Saturdays only; (13:00 - 16:30)
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Course
February 21 - March 21 /2021: Sundays only; (13:00 - 16:30)
February 27 - March 27 /2021: Saturdays only; (13:00 - 16:30)
Mountain Awareness Training Course
February 15 – February 20 /2021 (except Feb 17): Monday – Saturday; (13:00 – 16:30)
First Solo: Yoshiaki Inoue
"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."
Congratulations!
www.flyvfc.com 7
Alumni Stories
Robert Thirsk, OC, OBC
Twitter: @RobertThirsk
Feature Article
I took a break from astronaut The operation of aircraft and
training several years ago to spacecraft share much in
spend a sabbatical year in common. A pilot in the sky or in
Victoria. While there, I joined the space must be able to multi-task
Victoria Flying Club as a member and to deal with the data streams
to upgrade my flying skills. My from several systems. No system
There are many remarkable pre-astronaut professions were - propulsion; guidance, navigation
pictures and documents lining engineering and medicine; not and control; electrical power;
the halls of VFC. One of them aviation. Nevertheless, flight communications and others -
is a thank you letter, written by training is an essential part of operates independently. Each
Canadian Astronaut Bob Thirsk every astronaut’s development interacts with others. To properly
(just outside the RedBird simulator – no matter what was our prior interpret flight data, pilots aboard
room). What's his connection to background. I therefore used my aircraft and spacecraft alike must
VFC? Read on and find out! time in Victoria to broaden my be aware of this interconnection
private pilot experience. Practice and interdependence.
makes perfect!
Flying about Superman-style. The Heiltskuk Icefield of the southern c
valleys. Note how accumulations of rock
flowing ice are drawn out into long, dark
8 FEBRUARY 2021 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
My Victoria Flying Club away, often joined me on my the mountains and dark green
instructors worked with me to cross-country trips. He enjoyed rainforests, and the network of
not only hone my flying skills helping me with navigation mighty glaciers that slowly flow
but also to instill a situationally duties. I fondly recall some of downhill to the ocean.
aware mindset. The aviation and our flights together to Powell
space environments can both be River (where I visited with the These are a few of the fond
unforgiving and, during flight, current teachers and students of memories from my time with
we may have only one chance to my former elementary school), the Victoria Flying Club. It was
perform a task correctly. Pilots Tofino and Astoria. We also had a great year and I am grateful to
need to prepare for failures opportunities to view remote the instructors for making me
Feature Article
by continuously monitoring wilderness areas from above a better pilot. Best wishes to
for potential malfunctions such as the Carmanah Valley. the Club on its upcoming 75th
and contingencies. When a Astonishingly beautiful! anniversary. May you continue
contingency does arise, we to foster the love of flying and
should’ve already anticipated The pacific northwest is equally serve your club members for
its impact and our immediate impressive from higher altitudes. many more decades.
reactions. We need to get it Having now flown on two space
right the first time. Vigilance and missions, I can say that there Robert Thirsk
operational precision are critical is no other region of the world
skills. quite like it. Viewed through a Blog: http://robertthirsk.ca
spacecraft window, the approach Twitter: @RobertThirsk
My year of flying with VFC from the Pacific Ocean to the
was also enjoyable. I made British Columbia coast is unique
good use of the Club’s fleet of and unmistakable. No other
C-172s and 182s to explore up region of the world features
and down the west coast. My the same blue hues of the
father, who has now passed coastal waterways and fjords,
coast mountains carves out wide Vancouver Island, the Salish Sea, and the Straits of Juan de Fuca in sun glint.
k and soil debris entrained by the
k lines.
www.flyvfc.com 9
Member Showcase
James & Fiona
Feature by Adam Johnston
Member Showcase
Not long ago James was working behind the scenes in our Three years ago, when Fiona was just 14 years old, she saw a
AMO (maintenance department) as an AME Apprentice and VFC flyer and thought it looked quite cool. After her discovery
has had a hand in building our rebuilding what will be our first flight, she was HOOKED! Fiona is now squeezing in PPL
glass cockpit Beechcraft twin engine aircraft. Last summer he training whenever her busy school schedule allows. Fiona is set
also travelled all the way to St. Georges, Quebec to pick up on flying commercially all over the world one day!
C-GIM and bring it back to us 2,000 nautical miles away.
Q&A with James by Adam Johnston Q&A with Fiona by Adam Johnston
Adam: How long have you been flying for? AJ: How long have you been flying?
James: I started in August of 2017, so about three and a Fiona: About three years now.
half years now.
AJ: What do you enjoy most about flying?
AJ: What do you enjoy most about flying?
Fiona: I love the takeoffs and looking at the scenery. But
James: The challenge. It seems that no matter how skilled honestly, every part of flying is worth it!
you are or how many hours you have logged, there is
always more room to grow. AJ: What is your favourite aerodrome to visit and why?
AJ: What is your favourite aerodrome to visit and why? Fiona: I like Nanaimo, it's a pretty little airport. However, it's
hard to spot!
James: Tofino (CYAZ). It’s a beautiful flight from Victoria
and is within walking distance to the beach. AJ: What is your go-to in-flight snack?
AJ: What is your go to in-flight snack? Fiona: Muffins or granola bars.
James: Easy, beef jerky and redbull. Lightweight and AJ: What is your favourite club aeroplane?
effective.
Fiona: My favourite club plan is C-GXTZ. It was my first
AJ: What is your favourite club aeroplane? solo plane, and I have a tattoo to remind me of it.
James: C-FGIM as of right now. But I feel like that may AJ: One piece of advice you'd pass along to other pilots?
soon switch to C-GGMF.
Fiona: Probably not to procrastinate on studying! Save the
AJ: One piece of advice you’d pass along to other pilots? best for last!
James: As a relatively new pilot I don’t have much advice Thank you for sharing your story, Fiona. Can't wait to see you
to give. That said, I believe hard work and dedication get your PPL with us!
will always pay off for you with whatever endeavour you
undertake.
Thank you for sharing your story James. We can’t wait to see Want to be featured on a future Member Monday?
you back at the club!
Contact Adam at flyvfcmarketing@gmail.com!
10 FEBRUARY 2021 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946Wings Award Banquet
A night to remember!
Wings Banquet
Image (above): Marcel Poland,
Trevor Hulme (A/CFI), and Neil
Keating watch the event in a socially
distanced fashion.
Image (left): Mike Schlievert (CFI)
greets the new graduates and award
recipients over Zoom.
Not even a global pandemic can stop
the VFC's Annual Awards Banquet.
Congratulations to all of our graduates OUR NEW GRADUATES
and award recipients!
Top PPL Pilot
Derek Paget
Top PPL Flight Test
Tristian Goddard
Top PPL Written Exam
Derek Paget
Top Flight Instructor
Paul Houlston
MGen (Ret’d) Scott Eichel Memorial Award
Harry Brunton
Michael Cooper-Slipper Award
Jacob Frank
Betty Wadsworth Award
Russell Graham
Butler Flying Award
Evan Guildford
Brian Smedley Award
Ryan Wiens
www.flyvfc.com 11Thanks for the Share!
Get featured here by
tagging us on Instagram!
@victoriaflyingclub
#flyvfc
#victoriaflyingclub
Pics from our members on Instagram who shared with us using the #flyvfc or #victoriaflyingclub tag.
From top, left to right: @mertdkbs group photo: July, 2018; @joshallen676 dockside pose: January, 2020; @Pilot_
laura flying high: January, 2021; @hawaiianshirtpilots all smiles: October, 2020; @pilotguy_adam enjoying a snack.
12 FEBRUARY 2021 VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946You can also read
