The VFC's Recreational Fleet

MEET THE VFC'S RECREATIONAL FLEET

By Laurie Ingalls

So, what’s the scoop with Victoria Flying Club’s (VFC) new Recreational Fleet? Thank you so much for asking! Let me start with a brief backgrounder. During my tenure at the club (5 years or so) there has always been a challenge around aircraft availability. Instructors, recreational pilots and CPL ‘time builders’ all placing demands on VFC’s fleet of aircraft. Additional pressures come from requisite maintenance and the inevitable rescheduling that occurs due to weather.

Recently, a joint initiative between the VFC’s Board of Directors and its’ management team set out to address this problem. Solution: a separate fleet of aircraft designed to meet the needs of CPL ‘time-builders’ and our recreational members. However, their challenges were obvious: funding, sourcing, acquisition, compliance, inspection, maintenance. Ultimately, the monumental task of bringing 4 ‘new’ aircraft online. A remarkable achievement in the best of times… to accomplish that feat amidst a global pandemic; miraculous!

PRICING

Once again, membership has spoken and the VFC leadership has listened! Hourly rates for all but the Piper Arrow are $138/hr., WET!! The ‘Arrow’ is a complex aircraft, and its rental rate has been set at $165/hr., wet. Anyone who has spent any amount of time looking at rates in the current market will recognize these as awesome rental rates!

BONUS: Sustaining members get 15% off these already remarkably attractive rates.

INTRODUCTORY PROMOTION

And there’s more good news: From now until the end of October, 2021, each complete hour of flight-time in one of the club's new recreational fleet aircrafts qualifies for a monthly draw! Winners receive a free hour in the Recreational Fleet aircraft of their choosing!

LET’S GO FLYING!

Based on the response thus far, I know I’m not the only club member excited about this program! This initiative addresses a longstanding need here at the VFC and members of the Board, along with the entire management team, deserve kudos for having pulled this off!

With the 75th Anniversary celebrations ahead we have much to be thankful for and I encourage you to come on out to the club, check out the new fleet and rekindle that passion for aviation that sparked your flying journey in the first place!

THE RECREATIONAL FLEET

C-GUPA

A Cessna 172N model that will be familiar to most club members. No check-out is required. Simply check with dispatch and they can forward a one-sheeter that outlines the differences along with appropriate aircraft checklists.

C-FQEP

A Piper Cherokee PA28 140B. This one does require a check-out with an instructor to secure the type-rating. Typically, this can be accomplished in 1 to 2 hours of flight time. Dispatch can forward documentation so one can be up to speed quickly. Heads up: there is a brief one-page open-book exam; just to make sure you’ve read the POH.

C-FUHA

A Piper Arrow ll – a great cross-country machine with a constant speed prop, GNS-430W, Auto-Pilot, retractable gear, and 200 HP engine. For those with limited or no experience, the type-rating will require a more detailedcheck-out… but that comes with its own set of rewards… broader horizons!

As of this writing, the fourth aircraft has yet to be determined. The search is on for another Cessna to complement and round out this exciting line-up of aircraft.