The Patrician APRIL 2021
The Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Dave McRobb The Heavy Metal Pilot www.flyvfc.com
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The Patrician
HANGAR SPACE Contact Marcel at the Club to see if a hangar spot is a good spot for your plane and to get on the waitlist.
“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)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Colin Williamson
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News around the Club
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General Manager's Corner
TREASURER Iain Barnes
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Feature Article: The Heavy Metal Pilot
DIRECTORS John Ainsworth Tony Allan Adam Johnston Graham Palmer
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Member Achievements & First Solos
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Ground School Schedule
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Thanks for the Share
VICE PRESIDENT Don Devenney SECRETARY Jennifer Zadorozniak
GENERAL MANAGER Greg Matte CHIEF FLYING Mike Schlievert INSTRUCTOR
PARKING AVAILABLE
CONTACT 1852 Canso Road Sidney, BC V8L 5V5
www.flyvfc.com info@flyvfc.com
P: 250-656-2833 F: 250-655-0910
If you’re interested in prime paved parking spaces for your aircraft, there are spots available! Secure, pull-in/pull-out, easy access.
Editor: Kelly J. Clark vfcpatrician@gmail.com
Please call Dispatch to arrange a spot, or get on the waitlist for hangar spaces at 250-656-2833
The Patrician accepts unsolicited submissions. 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.
SUBSCRIPTIONS vfcpatrician@gmail.com http://flyvfc.com/subscribe-to-the-patrician
MENTORSHIP Looking to brush up your skills? Email mentors@flyvfc.com to find a mentor or to become one.
PHOTO CREDITS Front cover photo courtesy of Dave McRobb.
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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
News Around the Club
The VFC's fleet continues to grow with our latest addition: a Piper Cherokee PA-28-140! This aircraft will be available exclusively for recreational rentals (including post-PPL “time builders”) and will be available to rent as soon as it comes out of its annual inspection.
2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Save the date for the 2021 AGM! Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 13th. The Zoom meeting is scheduled to commence at 18:30 hours for a 19:00 start. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to the date.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Do you want to make a change? The call for nominations for the Board of Directors election is waiting for you! Four (4) positions on the Board of Directions will be coming up for election.
VFC MENTOR PROGRAM
The program continues! Would you like to meet other pilots to fly with, split the flight cost, share knowledge, or get help getting into a new airport for the first time? VFC's mentors have their resumes posted on a special VFC Mentors bulletin board beside the Dispatch counter. Contact details are on each mentor's resume or email mentors@flyvfc.com for more information. Looking to become a mentor yourself? There's always room for more experienced pilots! Send an email to mentors@flyvfc.com for more information on how to join up!
VFC WEATHER CAMERA
Curious about what the weather is like at the VFC? Now you can find out live with our new two-camera weather feed! You can check out this exciting new feature through the link on the VFC's homepage or direct at the VFC's YouTube page.
WE WANT YOUR STORIES
The Patrician thrives on the VFC's stories! Do you want to see your words in print? Have an exciting, high-flying adventure you want to share? We're waiting for you! The Patrician always accepts unsolicited submissions. Contact us at vfcpatrician@gmail.com.
NEWS and EVENTS
MEET THE NEW PLANE
FREE ADVERTISING
In an effort to help our members and local businesses thrive during the last phases of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Patrician is offering free business card-sized advertising space! Do you have a business or know someone who would benefit from a bit of free publicity? Email the editor at vfcpatrician@gmail.com today! Have news or a story to tell? Email us at vfcpatrician@gmail.com for a chance to have your news or story published in The Patrician.
Please note that only Sustaining and Life members are eligible for nomination or election to the Board.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Have you ever wanted to know more about our amazing flight instructors? Well now you can! The Flight Instructors now have their own corner of the website located under the Flight Training tab. Learn about the people helping get our students into the air!
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NEWS and EVENTS APRIL 2 Good Friday APRIL 4 Easter APRIL 9 Vimy Ridge Day APRIL 13 Ramadan Starts NEWS and EVENTS
MAY 13 Annual General Meeting Is your aviation-related event not listed? Let us know at vfcpatrician@gmail.com
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE! 800 square feet available in the VFC building! Contact Marcel Poland at 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. 10% discount for everyone who pays fully in advance for their annual aircraft parking fees for 2021 - ONLY
[YOUR FREE AD HERE] Do you know a business owner that could benefit from free advertising? 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.
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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
NEWS and EVENTS
VFC CHARTER SERVICE Be there in minutes!
VFC Charter offers inexpensive, on-demand, and direct transportation to places not serviced by other commercial carriers in the lower BC area. 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
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Bringing New Life to Past Initiatives The Brackman Ker Challenge Cup
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VFC Manager BGen (Ret’d) Gregory C.P. Matte, CD, PhD
As someone who is intrigued by history and collecting antiques, I could not resist taking an hour to walk through the Highway Antique Barn in Chemainus during a return from Tofino in the spring of 2019. It was on the top floor that my eye was drawn to a trophy tucked away on the bottom shelf within a cluttered, glass-door bookcase. The trophy had the size, shape, and luster of the athletic trophies that can be seen in older academic institutes, reflecting a bygone era. I could not resist taking a closer look. To my surprise and delight, not only was the trophy nearly a century old, it had also been created to encourage competition in aviation, not athletics. Furthermore, the
Brackman Ker Challenge Cup was associated with the former Provincial Flying Club of British Columbia.
century before the VFC came into existence. So, who was the man behind the trophy, and why did he create this aviation award in BC only a little more than a Now I was quite intrigued. decade after McCurdy’s first Rolled up inside the cup was a powered flight in Canada flying document that provided a few the Silver Dart out of Baddeck more details. As it turned out, Bay, Nova Scotia? Robert Henry the founder of the Challenge Cup Brackman Ker, the founder of was a businessman from Victoria. the trophy, had an interesting Wow! Having recently joined the background and led a full life Victoria Flying Club (VFC) as the with significant contributions to first step in returning to flying, Victoria’s economic development. immediate thought was that this In fact, his family could be viewed trophy belonged with the VFC, as one of Victoria’s early family not in my private collection. dynasties such as the revered But now I was curious. Dunsmuir family. The VFC was established in 1946, yet the first recipient of this trophy (F.T. Horowood) won the trophy in 1922, nearly a quarter
His grandfather, Robert Ker, emigrated to British Columbia from Scotland in 1859, lured by the gold rush of the day. However, he became a clerk in the colony’s Department of the Auditor General and was later appointed BC’s Auditor General in 1865. When the capital of BC was moved from New Westminster to Victoria in 1868, he relocated there with his young family. Following BC’s entry into Confederation in 1871, Robert Ker was appointed to the office of the Dominion Paymaster General. His father, David Russell Ker, was born in 1862 and brought up in Victoria and educated at the old Craigflower School in
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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Consequently, Robert Henry Brackman Ker was born into wealth and privilege in 1895 as the oldest of four children. He was educated both in Victoria as well as in the UK, and with the outbreak of the first World War, enlisted initially as a commissioned officer in the Victoria-based 50th Gordon Highlanders (part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force). However, he quickly transferred into the fledgling Royal Flying Corps in 1915, earning his pilot wings, serving in France, and ending the war in the rank of Major. Although one can only speculate, it is quite likely that upon returning to Victoria following the Great War he sought to
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promote aviation, both for recreation as well as for business. While the basis for the awarding of the Challenge Cup remains unknown, it is interesting that it was only awarded 3 times; first in 1922 as previously mentioned, then again in 1927 and 1928 (both times to Gerald Smith of Victoria). Coincidentally, Ker became a Director in an early commercial aviation interest in BC, namely the short-lived British Columbia Airways company. The company was incorporated in November 1927 and commenced commercial passenger services out of Victoria in the summer of 1928. However, following a tragic accident in August 1928 during a flight from Victoria to Seattle, the worst air disaster in Canada at that time, the company ceased operations and was later dissolved.
noticed that there was no formal recognition for the VFC’s many Flight Instructors who contribute greatly to the Club, as well as to the aviation community In Victoria (and beyond). As such, it was only natural that the Brackman Ker Challenge Cup become resurrected as the Top Flight Instructor award. As had been the case in the 1920s, the newly repurposed trophy shall be awarded annually, only now as part of the VFC’s prestigious Annual Awards Gala.
GM CORNER
the Gorge near the Ker estate. David pursued his ambition of becoming a businessman, choosing the occupation of a miller. Following an apprenticeship in mills in Victoria as well as San Francisco, he entered into business with Henry Brackman which eventually led to the incorporation of the Brackman & Ker Milling Company, based in North Saanich. The business flourished, and following Brackman’s early death, David Ker grew the business substantially in BC, and across western Canada. He became actively involved as a Director in other grain and flour corporations and was the President of the BC Board of Trade from 1895-1897, as well as a member of the Royal Victoria Golf Club and the Union Club.
Although Robert Henry Brackman Ker enjoyed a highly successful business career that broadened the family interests from flour into real estate and insurance, there is no record of him ever being involved in aviation following the accident of 1928, which likely explains why the Challenge Cup was never awarded again until recently. As mentioned, when I first discovered that this antique trophy had a history in BC’s early aviation community, I knew that it belonged with the VFC rather than remaining in my private collection. Following my selection as the VFC’s General Manger in July 2019, I
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Feature Article Dave McRobb
FEATURE ARTICLE The Heavy Metal Pilot
The Heavy Metal Pilot
Hello friends, fellow pilots, and aviation enthusiasts. My name is Dave McRobb and I was so graciously asked to write about some of my experiences as a pilot, and the connection to my career in the music business. Not as obvious a connection as one might think. My journey into the business side of music started back in 1999 as I was embarking on to the next chapter of my life. This new start would include earning my private pilot’s license and a new career in the music industry working with one of my favorite groups: the legendary metal band, Megadeth. An intimidating name perhaps, but with our young and reckless days behind us, we're all a little older and wiser now, and they're a great bunch of guys. I've had a passion for aviation ever since I can remember. My brother
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started his flying career at 17, while I went the rock ‘n roll route. Who would have known that while he went on to become a respected captain in the industry, I'd finally come around and pick up my license years later.
In June of 1999, I earned my PPL through the Victoria Flying Club and was presented with the Top Flight Test award at the VFC banquet the following year. I started my new career working with the band, which has continued for the past two decades. It’s a fastI've taken him up in a 172 and paced lifestyle: working out of my can recall when I flew above the home office year-round, touring Lions peaks along the North Shore the globe, and being an integral Mountains in Vancouver and by The part of the team. Back in the early Black Tusk on our way to Whistler. days, before I was touring full-time, It’s funny: he commented how he, I would get excited about being as an airline pilot, would never have able to fly myself and a buddy or come so close to the mountain two to their shows and events. The peaks. We're both from Toronto, band would always get a kick out of and he hadn't been VFR flying me showing up in one of the club’s in some time. For us, mountain 172s. flying on the beautiful west coast lends to some of the most amazing I recall a time when we once flew flying experiences. One of my into Spokane. It snowed that night, favorite local scenic flights to do so I arranged to have the plane with friends is flying to the top and put in a hangar, safe from the around Mt. Baker. It is absolutely elements. We spent the next couple breathtaking up there. of days carrying on with a rented car through Washington and Idaho.
VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
All part of making decisions after the unexpected, and all part of the experience!
It turned out to be a good thing that I decided to fly the plane back home as I surely would have been grounded for days or even weeks on the other side of the border. The band canceled the Seattle show on September 11, but carried on with the tour afterwards. We all met again at the Vancouver show and celebrated band leader Dave Mustaine’s 40th birthday at the stroke of midnight. All of this the day before he had to be back to San Francisco to record his part of a film with his former band, Metallica. Travelling with the band is a lot
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of work and comes with a lot of amazing times and countless stories from the road. The guys and I have joked that I might be their private pilot one day. Personally, this doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. Hey, if vocalist Bruce Dickinson can fly Iron Maiden’s 747 around the world, then why can’t I, right? After all these years I’ve picked up an aerobatic certification through the club, various ratings, plenty of experience with VFR flying, longdistance trips, and I’ve almost completed my CPL training. Perhaps flying a Mega-jet is in the cards! Dream big, right? Acquiring my PPL has allowed many memorable trips and experiences with friends and family, like when I flew my children to Disneyland for a family holiday.
Being able to fly them myself made the journey more personal and is an experience we still talk about to this day. During this trip, I had the small challenge of amending my flight plan over northern California to accommodate a bathroom break for my dear daughter. As a pilot, unexpected changes and decisive action is all part of the experience!
FEATURE ARTICLE The Heavy Metal Pilot
There was the time I flew a friend and myself down to Portland, OR for one of the shows. It was September 9, 2001. After the show, I had to decide whether to stay stateside for the Seattle show on September 11 or to just head back home and fly over to the Vancouver show on the 12th. We decided to skip the Seattle show and head back to Canada, only to wake up on the morning of the 11th to join the world in disbelief as we watched the two towers fall.
I have so many more stories of flying and travelling with the band, which always seem to both be hand-in-hand, but I’ll wrap this up for now. More than anything, I want to express how much flying has meant to me and how blessed I feel to work with one of the greatest heavy metal bands on the globe. I get to live my two passions: aviation and music. For me, I couldn’t dream of anything better!
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MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS
Member Achievements NEW MEMBERS
Joseph Dagg Mark Esterhuizen Grant Gladych Josh Jones Andrew Angpin Patrick Jolliffe Nathaniel Bentley Michael Anderson Michael Vossen Faith Perdue Nathan Hellner-Mestelman Nathaniel Korby Aymen Krimi Michael Reynolds Glynis MacLeod
Dyland MacDonald Talha Bin Hasaam Melissa Lachanty Jonathan Jacox Liam Sinnett William Buhr Arash Ayromloo
FIRST SOLOS
Anthony Bocquentin Angelina Hurcombe Steve Hurcombe Heather Belecky Travis Dhasi
CPL FLIGHT TEST
Aaron Burton
PPL FLIGHT TEST
Adam DeMedeiros Cody Milne
PPL WRITTEN TEST
Adam DeMedeiros Jordan Sass Dominique LeChasseur Jackson Waniek
MULTI-IFR TEST
Theo Duquesnay
First Solos "Without disruption of air traffic, these fearless, forthright, indomitable and courageous individuals did venture into the wild blue yonder in flying machines.
Heather Belecky Instructor: Paul Houlston
Angelina Hurcombe Instructor: Ryan Greenwood 10 APRIL 2021
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."
Steven Hurcombe Instructor: Ryan Greenwood
Anthony Bocquentin Instructor: Matt Cameon
Travis Dhasi Instructor: Matt Cameron VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Ground School Schedules
Feb 08 – April 28/2021: Mondays & Wednesdays; (09:00 – 15:45) Mar 24 – April 30/2021: Mondays, Tues, & Fridays + Mar 24; (18:00 - 21:30) May 03 – May 25/2021: Mondays to Fridays (except Thurs); (18:00-21:30) May 26 – June 25/2021: Mondays to Fridays (except Thurs); (18:00 - 21:30)
GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULES
Private Pilot Licence Ground School
Commercial Pilot Licence Course
March 16 – Apr 29/2021: Weekdays; (13:00-17:00) May 13 - May 28: Monday to Friday (except Thursdays); (13:00 – 16:30) Individual scheduling requests available for PPL, CPL, MTA, and RPAS by individual request. Individual tutoring available for PPL and CPL by individual request. Confirm your attendance with Neil Keating (204) 291-9667 and Brenda Hardwick (250) 656-2833. 656-2833.
www.flyvfc.com
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THANKS FOR THE SHARE!
Pics from our members on Instagram who shared with us using the #flyvfc or #victoriaflyingclub tag. From top, left to right: VFC President Colin Williamson and his wife Kim took GUPA on its inaugural flight; @pilot.angie in front of the VFC on a great day; "Get in loser, we're going FLYING"; @bccoast99s West Coast, Best Coast <3; @bccoast99s "Planes = happy girls", photo by @pilotguy_adam. Thanks for tagging us!
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