The Patrician, July & August 2023

The Patrician

THE B25 & B17 VISIT

A VOLUNTEER'S PERSPECTIVE

by David Gagliardi

JULY-AUG

ALSO FEATURING: THE PROFESSIONAL PILOT

The Patrician

“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 Don Devenney

VICE PRESIDENT Colin Williamson

SECRETARY Glen Rippon

TREASURER Cal Mjolsnes

DIRECTORS

Angie Johnson

Mike Vossen

Graham Palmer

Laurie Ingalls

THE

GENERAL MANAGER

Mike Schlievert

Editor: Kelly J Clark vfcpatrician@gmail.com

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

Cover photo by Derek Melton

NEWS Around the Club

SAVE THE DATE

The Victoria Flying Club's annual Open House is coming on Sunday, September 24th, 2023! Check your email or our social media in the following weeks for more information about the festivities and how you can get involved!

THE VFC IS HIRING!

Are you or someone you know looking to break into the world of aviation? The VFC is still looking for a qualified individual to join our ranks as Flight School Line Crew! This critical role ensures that aircraft are fueled, cleaned, and ready for takeoff, as well as other important duties. Do you know someone looking to get their start in aviation? Send them the full details of the job, found here: https://flyvfc.com/jobs

FREE ADVERTISING

Do you have a small business and would like some free advertising? Send a business card sized advertisement to vfcpatrician@ gmail.com and we'll happily feature you in an upcoming issue! Spaces is limited, so act fast.

WRITE FOR US!

Have a story to share? Patrician is always accepting stories for upcoming issues! We're interested in all kinds of stories about our members, aviation, or any combination therein. Not much of a writer? We can help!

Reach out to vfcpatrician@gmail.com today!

EVENTS & HOLIDAYS

SEPT 4 LABOUR DAY

SEPT 14 CANADA'S AVIATION HALL OF FAME 50TH ANNIVERSARY

SEPT 24 VFC OPEN HOUSE

SEPT 30 NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

OCT 9 THANKSGIVING

OCT 31 HALLOWEEN

NOV 5 ATAC CANADIAN AVIATION

CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW

NOV 11 REMEMBRANCE DAY

Know of an aviation-related event that's not listed? Let us know at vfcpatrician@gmail.com!

VFC MENTOR PROGRAM

Do you want other pilots to fly with, split flight cost, share knowledge, or get help getting to a new airport for the first time? Find potential mentors and their resumes posted on the Mentors bulletin board beside the Dispatch counter. Contact details are on each mentor's resume or you can email mentors@flyvfc.com for more information.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

There's always room for more experienced pilots! Send an email to mentors@flyvfc.com for more information on how to join up!

Hello Victoria Flying Club Members!

It's me, Kelly the editor, speaking directly to you! We all know what it takes to make a great magazine: content! The Patrician needs content (like the amazing articles you see in this issue from Derek and David) in order to thrive, and I know just the thing to help our little magazine excel: YOU!

That's right, we're calling on each and every one of you to share your stories of flying and adventure in the our own little magazine. Imagine it: articles about your high-flying exploits; tales of traversing the globe; your passion for armchair aviation history; all shared with other pilots who get you like no one else really can. By writing for The Patrician, you're not just writing words, you're sharing the magic of flying with everyone.

Think about how your article could inspire new pilots or help out fellow members. Your stories can be like a guidebook for people who are facing the same kinds of difficulties or struggles you did. Sharing the fun parts, the tough parts, and the unbelievable things that you've seen — it's like creating a big club memory together.

"But Kelly", you say. "I'm not a much of a writer." Not a problem! Writing for The Patrician isn't about being a fancy writer. Nope! The editorial team at our magazine (so... me) is here to help you out. If you're not sure how to start, I can give you tips, fix up your writing, or even help you come up with cool ideas. I can even collect your story for you via an interview or a survey form you fill out at your leisure! Honestly, I wish getting published was this easy normally!

So start your creative engines and let's make your stories take flight, just like our planes. Share your adventures, the stuff you've learned, and all the unique excitement of being that a pilot. Together, we'll make sure The Patrician is packed with incredible stories for everyone at the Victoria Flying Club.

So, what do you say? Let's get those articles rolling

Fly high and write on!

Cheers, Kelly Clark

Editor of the Patrician

Ready for takeoff? Contact me at vfcpatrician@gmail.com today!

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."

THIS ISSUE WE CELEBRATE THE FIRST SOLOS OF THESE PILOTS:

Steve Burton

Courtney Riach

Madison Porter

v

Jamie Brown

Christopher Thistle

Mel Gencer

Richard Rowe

Roger Anderson

Justin Gray

Nathan Hoff

Aidan Rogers

Patrick Heaney

Ariel Gamble

Emily Whitelaw

Darren Miller

Ryan Dusseault

Patrick Floyd

Emmett Scott

Cordell Robertson

Wil Teunissen

Khalid Al-Hammuri

Carter Cochrane

Walter Rojo Flores

Carl Wille

Paolo Suess

Kevin Transchel

MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

CPL FLIGHT TEST

Nathaniel Korby

Zack Hancock

Dave McRobb

PPL FLIGHT TEST

Oscar Murillo

GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULE

PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE GROUND SCHOOL

PPL #23-11: SEPT 10/2023 TO NOV 26/2023

Sundays (09:00 - 16:00)

COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE GROUND SCHOOL

TBA ON REQUEST

Individual scheduling requests are available for Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Mountain Awareness Training (MTA), Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (Drone) Courses (RPAS) by request.

Individual tutoring is also available for PPL and CPL upon request.

Confirm your attendance by contacting:

Neil Keating: (204) 291-9667

Sustaining and Lifetime members:

15% discount on Cessna rental rates and purchases in the Little Pilot Shop.

10% discount for everyone who pays fully in advance for their annual aircraft parking fees for 2023 only!

PARKING AVAILABLE!

Interested in prime paved parking spaces for your aircraft? Good News: there are spots available!

Secure, pull-in/pull-out, easy access. Call Dispatch at 250-656-2833 to arrange a spot or to get on the waitlist for hangar spaces!

SOCIAL SATURDAYS

Putting the Club back into the Victoria Flying Club

Hungry for some socializing?

If you're not on the VFC's social media, you may have missed out on a phenomenal opportunity to meet other members of the Victoria Flying Club, have some snacks, and learn things to help you in the air: Social Saturday!

On first Saturday of every month, excluding holidays, the VFC hosts a special morning social event called Social Saturday in the VFC Lounge.

Coffee and donuts are provided free of charge, and the VFC often brings in special guests and speakers are brought in to teach interesting and helpful aviation, or holds fun events for the membership! It's a great way to connect with other VFC members, pilots, and be a club again!

On September 9th, Social Saturday will feature Jamie Brown from the YYJ Tower, who will hold an informative chat about tower operations with atteendees. Jamie is new to Victoria, having recently transferred from Edmonton, where he spent 25 years as an IFR controller. His experience and insights will be incredibly useful and informative to aviators both new and old and we hope to see you there!

In June, the VFC Airport Fire Service came in hot and gave a presentation about fire safety.

In May, Plane Perfect Detailing taught us a bit about the basics of detailing your plane.

And who could forget our legendary paper airplane contest back in February?

B25 AND B17 VISIT 2023 A VOLUNTEER’S PERSPECTIVE

BY DEREK MELTON , SUSTAINING MEMBER

Iwas a bit surprised during July to see nothing on the VFC website about a US Commemorative Airforce warbirds’ visit supposed to be

happening at the end of the month. An email to Mike confirmed that they were coming and to contact Marcel for details on volunteering with crowd control

/ safety. Apparently our website is not being used for news anymore in favor of the VFC Facebook Group. Note to self, need to join that. The VFC has

hosted both B25 Maid in the Shade and B17 Sentimental Journey before on separate visits.

I was keen to see them again, but on the ramp at the same time, and volunteering means good access to planes and crew and an opportunity to meet

other VFC members.

I helped on the Tuesday and Thursday, which were non-flying days and Sunday 30th July which was the last flying day. The B25 had flown in ahead of schedule on Sunday from Penticton, as the Monday forecast, which turned out to

be correct, was for low clouds and rain.

However, their support truck and trailer only arrived on Tuesday afternoon, having to re-route via Nanaimo, there being a many sailing wait on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay ferry route. The B17 was also delayed

with an engine maintenance issue and only got in Thursday evening.

The warbirds’ crew were a diverse group. Many seemed to have Navy or Air Force backgrounds, but airline and corporate jet flying were also mentioned. It was interesting to be

involved with the banter between them during a lunch BBQ provided by VFC.

Being from England, I was surprised to be talking with two English crew. One “commutes” from UK, while the other is resident in Arizona. A B17 crew member was from Nanaimo,

but is now also resident in Arizona. All appreciated the cool Victoria weather compared to >40C Arizona.

Having one warbird on the ramp, let alone two, is quite the disruption for the club. Marcel did a great job overseeing

regular ramp staff and us members who volunteered to keep an eye on where the public were walking.

Ramp staff somehow managed to keep

shuttling our planes in and out of small taxiways for pilots and instructors. Ramp staff duties also included managing dripping oil from the B25’s radials

on the Tuesday, before their support crew arrived, and helping re-fuel planes during the Friday to Sunday flying days. A hint at oil needs was evident as

B25 and B17 Visit:

A Volunteer's Perspective

they pumped oil from a 50 gallon drum into the B25’s engines, in the same way we are used to seeing fuel pumped.

On Sunday the B17 required four of its six fuel tanks topped up, ahead of their departure to Seattle.

A crew member noted that they are able to move fuel from one wing to the other in flight if needed for balance, but they try to start with similar amounts. It was shockingly quick for $500 of avgas to be pumped into each tank.

On Sunday afternoon the crowds really came, with a long line up for a static tour of the B25 after flights ended for the day. So yes, quite a disruption for the club, but a great day out for many, including volunteers.

THE PROFESSIONAL PILOT

by David Gagliardi

“‘Professionalism’ is commonly understood as an individual’s adherence to a set of standards, code of conduct or collection of qualities that characterize accepted practice within a particular area of activity.” -Universities UK et al. 2004

CONDUCTING OPERATIONS AT UNCONTROLLED AERODROMES

Professional pilots embody the attributes in the definition above. Being a professional pilot has nothing to do with what license you hold it is ultimately about the attitude with which you approach flying. This article is the fourth in a series that will examine aspects of piloting light aircraft to a professional standard.

Today’s topic is operations at uncontrolled aerodromes. Pilots flying out of Victoria and most of the lower mainland will have had

most of their flying experience at airports with a control tower. Experience operating in busy controlled airspace is great, but that mindset doesn’t always translate into good practices at uncontrolled aerodromes, specifically those with no ground stations.

There are effectively 3 levels of airports/ aerodromes Air Navigation Services

1) Airports with control towers:

2) Larger uncontrolled airports with mandatory frequencies such as

Nanaimo and Campbell River: While they are uncontrolled the Flight Service Specialist has access to the ATC radar feed and can suggest altitudes or headings that will facilitate orderly and safe operations. These are not clearances in that the FSS can’t order you to do something like at an airport with a control tower but are always useful guidance and would normally be followed. You will also get an active runway advisory which means you don’t have to figure our which runway to use.

3) Uncontrolled aerodromes with no ground station: Smaller airports like Qualicum, Port Alberni, Powell River, Sechelt etc, etc, will have no ground station and have an aerodrome traffic zone. No radio is required to operate into these airports unlike airports with a Mandatory Frequency designation and there is no regulation requiring you to make any radio calls.

From what I have observed pilots seem to struggle the most with uncontrolled aerodromes with no ground station. If it has been a while since you have flown into one of these aerodromes it is a good idea to review RAC section 4.5 in the Aeronautical Information Manual.

Professional piloting starts with good radio procedures when approaching the aerodrome. Start listening in on the designated frequency at least 10 minutes before arrival to see if there is any other traffic inbound and which runway other aircraft are using.

While there is no legal requirement to make a radio call obviously it is a good practice. For the initial

The Professional Pilot

radio call to be useful it should have the following elements

- Airport name and the word traffic, e.g. Powell River Traffic

- Your call sign and type

- Your location. This should be given as a distance and bearing, e.g. 10 miles South West. This is usually better than giving a geographic point as your location, e.g. Cameron Lake, as non local pilots

will not immediately know where it is.

- Your altitude and whether you are level or climbing or descending.

- The estimated time to the airport. The GPS ETA display makes this easy now.

- Your intentions if you already know how you are going to join the pattern, e.g. joining downwind left for runway 12.

- The name of the aerodrome. Putting this at the end is very helpful when there are multiple aerodromes as the first part of the transmission may have been blocked or missed by other airplanes so this will confirm your destination.

Deciding how to join the circuit at an uncontrolled aerodrome is a critical factor in safe and efficient operations. Personally, I believe that straight in

a final approach to an uncontrolled aerodromes while technically allowed, is unprofessional. The second closest I have ever come to a mid air was when I was a new Private Pilot doing circuits and an airplane flying a straight in approach cut me off just before I was about to make the base to final turn. The fact that he was broadcasting on the old aerodrome frequency, the one that had been changed 3 years ago, did not help. The chance of a traffic conflict with an

aircraft already established in the circuit is, in my opinion too great to make this an acceptable option under any circumstances.

The other two options, approaching from the upwind side for the mid field cross to the downwind, or joining the straight into the downwind work well. Which option is chosen is usually determined by the direction from which you are approaching the aerodrome. If things are

busy, or you are not sure which runway is preferred, overflying the aerodrome to the upwind side and then completing the mid field cross will allow you to build a good picture of the wind and traffic and allow you to fit intothe traffic flow in a safe and expeditious manner.

In either case it is vital that you are at the correct circuit altitude before joining the straight in downwind or commencing the mid field cross.

The Professional Pilot

Never descend to the circuit altitude onto the downwind or over head the runway and if you are passing over the circuit do so at lease 500 feet above the circuit altitude.

Finally, the circuit is left hand turns unless otherwise published. You should never fly a circuit or parts of a circuit on the other side of the published one, that is for example joining a right base on an aerodrome with a left circuit.

When departing you should fly runway heading until at least the circuit height before making any turns unless there is a specific published noise abatement procedure. Don’t turn back towards the circuit until you are at least 500 above circuit height.

Best Practices when operating at uncontrolled aerodrome:

1) Make radio calls that are clear and concise. The frequencies can be very busy if there are multiple aerodromes sharing the same frequencies.

2) Keep an active lookout. 75% of mid-air’s happen at or near airports.

3) Be part of the solution not the problem. If 2 airplanes are going to arrive at about the same time decide who will be best placed to be first and second and declare your intentions, e.g.ABC will be number 2 behind the Cessna.

4) Don’t fly Boeing 747 sized circuits, it makes you hard to see and holds up other aircraft.

5) Make sure you look up the extended runway centerline when on base incase someone is doing a long straight in.

6) If you are doing a practice IFR approach, make sure you provide geographic position reports. All the other VFR traffic will have no idea where you are if you call passing an instrument approach waypoint defined by a five letter name. Also, the fact that you are on a IFR approach gives you no rights over VFR traffic and you must conform to the VFR aerodrome procedures.

7) Finally, be courteous. If you see a lineup of airplanes waiting to go, consider extending your downwind to let traffic depart. Don’t block the taxi way for an extended runup when some one else behind you is ready to go and don’t linger on the runway on busy days, get down and off or lineup and go in an expeditious manner.

PHOTOS FROM THE ABBOTSFORD AIRSHOW

BY DEREK MELTON, SUSTAINING MEMBER

Enjoy these candid shots from the 2023 Abbotsford airshow by Derek Melton!

THANKS FOR THE SHARE!

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAGGED US ON INSTAGRAM!

From top, left to right: @bradedwards.ca: One more shot from the amazing visit last weekend by B-25; @ burtonader: Sentimental Journey warming up for its first flight of the morning; @melgoeshiking: 300nm cross country, Victoria-Princeton-Creston-Cranbrook & back!; @ sarahjeanmurray: Baby's first flight, and with her dad at the controls!; @aiden_burton6: from my discovery flight; @jaytcullen: Some sightseeing over Victoria last evening! // Thanks for the share!: