THE PATRICIAN March 2016
The Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946
69TH WINGS BANQUET
INTERESTED IN IFR?
Learn about the successes of the graduates; read articles from our guest speakers on industry prospects and the Victorian contribution to global aviation safety
Get involved in the new social forum starting on March 12th!
WATER, MOUNTAINS, LAND Which will you conquer this year? Check out the Commercial Ground School Schedule, with Sea School and Mountain training
THE PATRICIAN March 2016
Monthly Newsletter of The Victoria Flying Club - Aviation Excellence Since 1946
“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 president@flyvfc.com VICE PRESIDENT Howard Peng SECRETARY Colin Williamson TREASURER Rob Shemilt DIRECTORS Steve Demy Vernon Fischer Rolf Hopkinson John Litherland GENERAL MANAGER Gerry Mants CHIEF FLYING Graham Palmer INSTRUCTOR
In This Issue
2 News Around the Club 4 69th Annual Wings Banquet 5 6
VFC Achievements
8
Women in Aviation News
9
A Victorian Voice for Aviation
11
IFR Forum
VFC Celebrates 70 Years! Alumni Profile - Captain Sean Croft
13
CRM - Crew Resource Management
1852 Canso Road Sidney, BC V8L 5V5
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FleetCaptain Corner
www.flyvfc.com info@flyvfc.com
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Fly-Out Bug
Phone: 250-656-2833
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PPL and CPL Ground School
Editor: Katy Earl flyvfcmarketing@gmail.com 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.
Front cover photo credit: Hugh Archer, overlooking the beaches around Cape Scott Connect with us and share your aviation stories!
VFC News
News Around the Club February has been an eventful month for the Victoria Flying Club in the community and around the club. Long-awaited-for new carpet has arrived through the resourcefulness and determination of Marcel Poland. Several people have been involved with its installation; a huge thank you goes out to Marcel and Josh Poland, Ralph Reynolds, Kyle Dagleish, and Alex Olson and others for their efforts in making this come together.
From the Maintenance Department: Randy has built a room that will provide a clean and streamlined area for more efficient engine overhauls. The new room has been in the making for over a year and is now complete. The flexibility and savings this facility will generate are significant. Thank you, Randy, for getting this valuable innovation off the ground!
The VFC team has also experienced change, welcoming new employees Alex Lansfield, Sheridan McGrory, Dave Manchip, and Justin Pond.
Image: IO-360-L2A Lycoming engine in maintenance
Image: The new engine maintenance room, built by Randy
Image: Marcel and Josh Poland look over the new carpet Aviation Excellence Since 1946
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March 2016
VFC News News Around the Club (cont.)
is committed to a culture of safety! In line with ICAO and Transport Canada recommendations for a positive safety culture, check out the ‘Member Tools’ -> ‘Flight Safety’ page of the VFC website on a regular basis to submit incidents. “Safety is how we do things around here!”
Also from Maintenance, Gary van der Leer reports that the magneto stand has recently been modified to handle maintenance and overhaul of Bendix mags. Even in this winter season, VFC has been actively promoting aviation in the community. On February 7th and 8th, VFC participated in the Sidney Family Day Weekend LEGO Festival, and on February 20th, the Aviation Career Day at the BC Aviation Museum. It was inspiring to meet many, young and old, and introduce them to the possibility of flying or hear their stories of when their interest in aviation started.
EVENTS
Image: Gerry Mants encourages a prospective student to enter a draw for a Discovery Flight at the LEGO Festival, in the Mary Winspear Centre The income tax deadline is quickly approaching. If you need a copy of the 2015 form, please refer to the February issue of The Patrician, or contact Gerry or Kathy at the office (250-656-2833) for more information. If you are looking to rent aircraft, VFC has some of the lowest rental rates in Canada! Check out http://flyvfc.com/vfc-rental-rates or call the office for availability and pricing.
VFC office hours now run from 08:00 - 20:00 COPA Flight 6 meeting at 7 pm
MAR 3
VFC AGM starting at 7 pm, with wine and cheese at 6 pm
MAR 5
Nanaimo Flying Club Fly-In Brunch, starting at 9:30 am
MAR 7-13
IWOAW (International Women of Aviation Week)
MAR 12
1st IMC Round Table at 1:30 pm in the upstairs classroom at VFC
MAR 31
Anderson Family Scholarship deadline (BCAC)
APR 4
Deadline to submit your COPA election vote
APR 5
COPA Flight 6 meeting at 7 pm featuring Darlene George, Nav Canada Manager, and Randy MacKenzie from Victoria Harbour FSS
APR 8
**CPL GROUND SCHOOL starts. Call to register!
APR 17
Sea School Mountain Ground School
APR 24
Laura Van Buskirk leads the VFC team in the TC 10K
APR 25-27
BC Airports Workshop and BCAC AGM, Nanaimo
MAY 14
VFC Open House
Is your aviation related event not listed? Let us know at news@flyvfc.com.
We are proud to belong to a community that March 2016
MAR 1
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VFC Achievements
69th Annual Wings Banquet
Image: VFC students celebrate their successes at the 69th Annual Wings Banquet
On Friday, January 29th, 2016, over 100 pilots, family, and friends came to the Naden Wardroom to celebrate the accomplishments of VFC’s student pilots during 2015. Two guest speakers, Sean Croft (A380 Emirates Captain and family member of VFC founding members) and Stephen Eady (the voice behind the Victoria International Airport ATIS; see article on page 9), provided an encouraging outlook on the career prospects in aviation. After individually congratulating each student who earned PPL, CPL, and Instructor Rating certifications, Graham Palmer, CFI, presented the following awards:
Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Top Written Test Top Flight Test
Joel Laurin
Top Pilot
Kevin McManus
Wadsworth Scholarship
Crystal Sommer
Butler Flying Award Cooper-Slipper Bursary Smedley Memorial
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Peter Hollemans
Silvia Zilker Janson Chapman Matthew Hughson
March 2016
VFC Achievements
First Solos
Connor Russell Instructor: Colin Brown
Ilke Altindis Instructor: Colin Brown
Paul Willis Instructor: Jessica Rabideau
Peter Savage Instructor: Sean Tyrrell
“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.� Ryan Varchol Instructor: Colin Brown March 2016
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VFC Achievements
VFC Member Achievements New Members Adam Duncan Alex Salie Emmannuel Odonkor Iain Bell Iliya Pavlovic James McNulty Jesse Bertucci Joelson Popoff Kollan House Landon Hunter Laurel Schneider Liam McGowan Lucas Robertson Nathan Dutnell Parvesh Bhinder Paul Suter Pierce Newman Sean Addie
Shaun Balfe Tristan Steven First Solo Connor Russell Ilke Altindis Paul Willis Peter Savage Ryan Varchol PPL Written Exam Mitch Warren PPL Flight Test Fred Burgess PPL Licence Mitch Warren
CPL Flight Test Brett Wingerter Ethan Bugden Glenn Golonka Liam Aloni Richard Davey CPL Licence Adan Thornton Ethan Bugden Glenn Golonka Liam Aloni Lynn Flandera Night Rating Braeden Clark Calem Brassard Janson Chapman Peter Hollemans
Seaplane Rating Braeden Clark Crystal Sommer Duncan Cochrane Gary Sorge Geoff Goldie Nathan Goebel Nathan Dutnell Group 1 IFR Rating Alethia Forsberg Multi Rating Paul Kroeker Class III Instructor Jessica Rabideau
VFC Celebrates 70 Years! Alumni Profile - Captain Sean Croft
The Victoria Flying Club is celebrating 70 years of incorporation this year! As part of the celebration, we will share stories from our community and history with you. In this month’s feature, we share part of the dialogue from Captain Sean Croft’s speech that was presented at the Wings Banquet, highlighting this VFC alumnus’ career advancement. Since the incorporation of VFC in 1946, members of Captain Croft’s family have been actively involved with the Club; for example, Leah, Captain Croft’s wife, is the granddaughter of Joe Howroyd, one of the Club’s founding members, and Nick and Patrick Croft, Captain Croft’s sons, are also members and former staff of VFC. We hope you enjoy and are inspired by Captain Croft’s experience. If you also have a story to share as a VFC graduate, please share with us (see page one for how to share)! - Katy Earl, Editor (continued on next page) Aviation Excellence Since 1946
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VFC Achievements (VFC Celebrates 70 Years! Alumni Profile, Captain Sean Croft cont.)
2008, I had my 2000 hours, and they asked me when I could start my 330 and 340 course in Dubai. By March, my bags were packed, and we were moving to Dubai.
Sean Croft, A380 Emirates Captain 4th Generation VFC Member Email: seanjetstream@gmail.com
When I joined Emirates Airline, the time to upgrade from First Officer to Captain on the Boeing fleet was about three years, and a little bit longer on the Airbus fleet. However, in 2010, Emirates changed the rules; the upgrade requirements were 4000 hours above 55 tonnes. I had zero hours above 55 tonnes. Once again, I had to build hours. Once I had 2500 hours at Emirates, I transfered to the 380 fleet, as the 330s and 340s were shortly to be retired. Emirates requirements for upgrade to Captain on the 380 were 2500 hours, so once again I was building time.
Captain Croft’s career to date: 1988-89
Flight Training (PPL, ME/IFR)
1989
Flight Training QFI at VFC
1990-1995
Class IV, CFI at VFC
1995-1998
FO/Captain Voyageur Airways (King Air 100/200), involved med-evacs in Ontario
1998-2008
FO/Captain for Jazz Airlines (Dash 8, CRJ), based in Victoria
Last year, I was finally approaching the 2500 hour mark when I was invited for an upgrade interview. I was successful in the interview, and I started my Captain course last March. Seven years at Emirates to Captain. As you can see there were many obstacles along the way, but I remained persistent and committed to my goals.
2008-present FO/Captain for Emirates Air (A330, A340, A380), based in Dubai
These numbers are from a recent CNN article I looked up. They reported that over the next 18 years, 541,000 new pilots will be needed! The Chinese airlines are desperate to fill positions right now. Some Chinese carriers are offering $20,000 USD per month for direct entry captains. There has never been a better time; I have never seen numbers like this before.
For VFC’s 69th Annual Wings Banquet, Captain Sean Croft congratulated VFC’s graduates and shared through a video his experience and advice for building a career as a pilot. Part of the conversation, highlighting Sean’s career path in becoming a Captain, follows: “In 2008, Emirates Airline in Dubai was on a massive hiring spree. They needed 600 pilots to meet their rapidly expanding network around the world.
I often tell anyone who is interested in aviation, this career is like a big game of Snakes and Ladders. New graduates are in the bottom left-hand corner, and your objective is the top right-hand corner. As you roll the dice in your career choices, you will come across some ladders that will propel you faster than your classmates, and at other times, you might land on a snake that drops you down a few levels. Snakes are such things as the world economy,
The requirements were 4500 hours total time, which I easily met, but they also needed 2000 hours of jet time, which I was currently working on. In January of 2008, they invited me to Dubai for an interview, which I was successful in. In February March 2016
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Women in Aviation bankrupcies, lay-offs, hour requirements, etc. Unfortunately, most of the time, these aren’t in your control. The ladders are luck. Being at the right place at the right time.
WOMEN IN AVIATION
You have just heard about some of the snakes and ladders that I’ve landed on throughout my career. Hardships and sacrifices. It certainly is not an easy life, but somehow when you love what you do, it makes it all worthwhile.”
VANCOUVER ISLAND CHAPTER
Captain Croft welcomes VFC students and alumni to connect with him through email.
https://www.facebook.com/wia. vichapter
All of us at the Victoria Flying Club wish to congratulate the young ladies of the 1st Sooke Girl Guides who attended ground school, toured the club and fleet, and flew the RedBird FX Simulator at the Victoria Flying Club on Saturday, February 27 in order to earn their Aeronautics badge. Special thanks to instructors, Jessica Rabideauand Sean Tyrrell.
Image: Captain Croft likened a career in aviation to a game of Snakes and Ladders
Image: From his ‘office,’ Captain Sean Croft, a VFC alumni and family member of the Howroyds (Founding Members of VFC), offers sage advice and congratulations to VFC graduates celebrating at the 69th Annual Wings Banquet Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Image: Girls from the 1st Sooke Girl Guides work towards earning their Aeronautics badge
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March 2016
Feature Article
A Victorian Voice for Aviation Contributed by Stephen J. Eady, STR-Speech Tech Ltd. Guest Speaker at the 69th Wings Banquet Take a minute to imagine the following scenarios: • You are flying your Cessna 172 on a training flight near Victoria International Airport, and you need to find out the wind direction and speed, altimeter and runways in use, before you contact the control tower to request clearance for landing. So you tune your radio to the ATIS frequency to listen to Information Bravo. Then you contact Victoria Tower to inform ATC that you have Information Bravo. • You are flying a U.S. Navy E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft out of Norfolk Naval Base in eastern Virginia, and you want to practice touch-and-go landings at the nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility Airport. But first, you need to find out if any Flight Advisories have been issued for range rocket exercises at this NASA facility. So, you tune your radio to listen to the ATIS broadcast at Wallops Flight Facility Airport. You hear that Restricted Area 6604 Bravo is “hot” from the surface to 10000 feet. So, you change your heading to avoid that area. • You are flying a Piper Navajo en route to Anaktuvuk Pass in Northern Alaska, and you want to find out if the pass is still open. So you tune your radio to the frequency for the Fairbanks TWEB (Transcribed Weather Broadcast), to find out if there has been any change in the weather forecast since you left Fairbanks. Then, you hear that an Airmet for IFR conditions has just been issued with occasional ceilings below 1000 feet and visibility below 3 miles. You also hear that the Pass Forecast for Anaktuvuk is now calling for IFR conditions, and that several Pilot Reports indicate that single-engine aircraft like yours have had to “return due to weather.” So, you decide that the safest option is to return to March 2016
Fairbanks. In all of the above situations, you have been listening to an automated aviation broadcast system that was provided by a local company in Victoria, called STR-SpeechTech Ltd. STR has been supplying these systems to Air Navigation Service Providers (Nav Canada, FAA, U.S. Military, and others) for over 20 years. STR-SpeechTech Ltd. started out as a research centre at the University of Victoria in the 1980s. In 1989, the centre became a private company and moved off campus. Since that time, STR has been developing automated text-to-speech systems that provide very highquality voice output. These systems are used for the automated broadcast of aviation weather information, and they have been deployed at many sites around the world. A recent count of STR systems deployed in North America (Canada and U.S.A.) shows that these produce over 350 different aviation weather broadcasts. These broadcasts are produced on a continuous basis (24/7/365), and they provide important information for aircraft in flight and on the ground. Here is a list of the different automated aviation broadcasts that STR’s systems are providing for pilots in North America: • Nav Canada ATIS – at all major airports across Canada • Nav Canada AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) – at over 90 sites in Canada • FAA Alaska TWEB (Transcribed Weather 9
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Feature Article Broadcast) – 9 different broadcasts throughout the state of Alaska • FAA HIWAS (Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory Service ) – 120 different broadcasts of hazardous weather information across the Lower 48 states. Each broadcast contains information about hazardous weather within a 150 NM radius of the radio transmitter site • U.S. Military ATIS – at over 90 different air bases of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard and one new system at NASA Wallops Flight Facility Airport • HF VOLMET – broadcast of weather information for aircraft crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. STR’s HF VOLMET systems are deployed at the following sites: • New York and Honolulu (for U.S. FAA) • Gander, Newfoundland (for Nav Canada) • CFB Trenton (for Canadian Department of National Defence) In addition to these systems in North America, STR has also provided ATIS and VOLMET systems in over 30 other countries around the world, from Chile to Mozambique to Vietnam.
the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Airport in Virginia (operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center as a rocket launch site for NASA and other federal agencies). The airport there is also used by U.S. Navy aircraft to simulate carrier landings, with one of the runways even configured to look like the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Before the installation of the ATIS system, that airport did not have an ATIS. That meant that all information about nearby range rocket exercises had to be provided by air traffic controllers. Now, pilots can get this information from the ATIS broadcasts. These broadcasts are available even at night when the control tower is closed and no ATC personnel are on duty. This is just one example of the aviation broadcast systems that have been provided by STR. Members of the Victoria Flying Club will be familiar with the voice behind another STR system installed at the Victoria International control tower. So, the next time you are flying into or out of YYJ, when you tune in to the ATIS frequency to listen to Information Bravo, remember that the voice you hear is a local one, and that same Victorian voice provides aviation information to pilots all over North America and at airports around the world.
All of these aviation broadcast systems are designed to provide information to pilots, and all of the broadcasts use standard terminology and a standard voice that happens to have a Canadian accent. STR is known for following and advising on ICAO recommendations so that the systems will be easily understood by pilots, regardless of their nationality or native language. The STR team often hears about the positive impacts the broadcast systems bring to pilots and ATC personnel. As a recent example, STR recently installed an ATIS system at Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Image: FAA Flight Service Station in Fairbanks Alaska, which provides TWEB Broadcasts for aircraft in the northern part of the state 10
March 2016
Feature Article
IFR Forum
Contributed by John Ainsworth and Don Devenney Are you an IFR rated pilot, or do you have an interest in getting an instrument rating? In either case, you know that it requires a certain amount of time and effort to achieve and retain competency.
open for informal discussion. Sessions will be held once a month. Anyone can propose and present a topic for discussion. For example, if you have a particular area of expertise (such as a particular flight application), or you have experienced an event that others can learn from, these would be beneficial topics to share with the group.
To many, the challenge of achieving and maintaining an instrument rating can be daunting. There are ways, however, to make the challenge an enjoyable learning experience.
Additional topics that may be discussed by guest speakers include the following:
It is proposed to initiate a social forum where instrument rated pilots, as well as those aspiring to get an instrument rating, can get together in a community setting to learn, exchange knowledge, and have fun whilst achieving a satisfactory level of competency. The proposed forum will be called, “The IMC Round Table” (IMC stands for “instrument meteorological conditions” and is an aviation flight category that describes weather conditions that require flying under instrument flight rules (IFR)).
• New rules on keeping an IR current, such as the number of IMC hours needed and what qualifies for IMC time (e.g. does simulator time count?) • Terminal procedures, such as LNAV, LNAV / VNAV, and LPV and what their similarities and differences are • CYVR/CYYJ airspace
OBJECTIVE
• ICAO flight plans and how to file them using tools such as ForeFlight
The goal of having a social forum, where training seminars and simulator scenarios are presented, is to assist pilots with an instrument rating to stay current. This will be especially beneficial for those interested in obtaining an instrument rating to have an opportunity to learn from others. The primary objective is to make learning and maintaining an instrument rating enjoyable.
• IFR in the U.S.A. and Canada, including eAPIS, different IFR phraseology, and more • Electronic flight bags and the effective use of the different EFB types in the cockpit (guests who use different devices would be invited to bring them to discuss the benefits and deficits)
HOW 1. Provide topics for discussion.
• Icing and how to anticipate it, recognize the types and severity, and get out of it. Video recommendations are welcome
The IMC Round Table sessions are proposed to have a duration of two hours. The first hour will be in a seminar format; the second hour will be March 2016
• TSB accident reports, such as the Boeing 737 11
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Feature Article controlled flight into terrain at Resolute Bay
Departure time is 0700Z. The aircraft you have been assigned has a non WAAS GPS receiver. Weather at CYPQ: AUTO 13070 26515G20 KT 2 -SN OVC 3 M35/M36 Weather at CYOO:130700 26515G20 KT 2 -SN OVC 6 M35/M36 Weather at CYTZ: 130700 26515G20 KT 2 -SN OVC 6 M35/M36 We shall assume your alternate is CYYZ and meets alternate minima.
2. Engage in simulation sessions. The objective here would be to set up a simulation rota where pilots can use the Redbird at the VFC to improve their skills. Scenarios can be developed which would define a specific airport to airport route, emergencies that would be expected, and suggested weather settings. Two pilots can alternate between the left and right seat. The pilot in the left seat can fly the route as per the scenario, while the pilot in the right seat can act as ATC, apply the weather settings, and implement the emergency scenario. Left and right seat can interchange and repeat the exercise.
Because of the unavailability of WAAS, low temperature, and surface wind, the flight is not that straight forward. The first session of the IMC Round Table will be held on Saturday 12 March, 2016 at 13:30. The introductory session agenda will include: • • • •
Introduction to the IMC Round Table Simulator partnering – single/twin Questions and answers ICAO flight plan filing and format
We look forward to seeing you there. Image: The Redbird Simulator housed at the Victoria Flying Club
For more information, please contact John at ainsworthj@airnavigation.com.
At the next meeting, we can discuss and critique what went right or wrong and what was learned from the exercise. The exercises are not anticipated to exceed 45 minutes and will include a destination with a minimum of en-route flying. The following is an example of a scenario: You have been scheduled to fly from Peterborough, ON (CYPQ) to Oshawa, ON (CYOO) to pick up a passenger, then on to Toronto/Billy Bishop (CYTZ), which is your destination. Aviation Excellence Since 1946
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Feature Article
CRM - Crew Resource Management What it is, how it works, and its importance in the cockpit Contributed by Jeff Lightheart, former VFC Instructor; UPFRONT AVIATION The last couple of decades have seen drastic improvements in safety within the aviation industry, thanks in part to CRM. At the heart of CRM is a concept that we are all familiar with - Teamwork! Teamwork happens when people work together to achieve a common goal, and in our case it will be two pilots in the cockpit. CRM is a process of managing the available recourses in an effective manner, such that workload and stress is kept to a manageable level during all phases of flight. Clear communication, using standard phrases, words, and procedures, allows flight
crews to accomplish tasks with amazing efficiency, even in the event of an emergency. This efficiency is achieved through practice and understanding of what resources are available. Transitioning from studying flight to being responsible for an aircraft that requires two pilots can be challenging. Throughout all that flight training, the student is taught to fly the plane solo, but when the training is complete, all of a sudden you are expected to share the duties of the cockpit? How is this achieved, and where is the line drawn? To keep it simple, one pilot will fly the aircraft and the other will operate radios and set up all the avionics. This sounds
fairly simple but it takes some practice. A quick Google search of CRM will reveal that these processes are not unique to aviation. These processes can be seen in hospitals, rally cars, police cars, fire trucks, and even your local Starbucks. People working effectively together using standardized tools and language makes for a safer and more efficient workplace regardless of where it may be. A big part of CRM is knowing what resources are available to you at any given time. This is a skill that will improve over time as you gain experience. An example of CRM could go like this: An emergency situation arises in the cockpit. The pilots work together as one flies the plane, managing airspeed, attitude, power settings, and landing gear/flap configuration, while the other pilot reads through the emergency checklist and performs the necessary tasks. Once that checklist is completed and the situation is under control, the crew needs to make some decisions based on the nature of the emergency. This is where CRM shines. While one pilot flies the plane, the other is in contact with the
March 2016
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Feature Article maintenance team, emergency response team, dispatch, and ATC, or he/she is consulting the onboard document reference library contained in the flight deck tablets. The tools available to the pilots in today’s aviation systems are fantastic and help to make the teamwork processes of CRM even more seamless! When CRM is implemented effectively, it allows opportunity for suggestions and discussion from all crew members involved, and usually leads to a positive and effective solution. If the outcome doesn’t work, the crew will re-evaluate and further discuss options that will lead to a better outcome. A solid commitment to proper CRM procedures and company SOPs allows you to safely fly with any other pilot in the company, even if you have never met that person until you showed up for the flight, or you have a personality vastly different from them. If all pilots on a multi-crew flight are using CRM properly, then everyone knows what they are supposed to do. CRM removes the guesswork and confusion from
almost any scenario. Some of you may never or rarely fly in a two crew or multi-crew environment. But the basic concept of CRM still applies to recreational pilots. I know what you’re thinking. CRM in the cockpit of the Cessna 172? Yes, absolutely. You are not alone up there. Remember that ATC is there to help you in the event of an emergency. Also, your cellular phone may be a great tool in the event of a communication failure. Be resourceful and look up vital phone numbers in the CFS, such as your local IFR control centre. Also, don’t forget your friend and co-pilot in the right seat. They are a valuable resource on your way to Chilliwack for that piece of pie! At UPFRONT AVIATION we are currently developing a half-day CRM seminar, where we will explore this topic in greater detail and talk through real-life CRM scenarios that you will encounter in your career as an airline pilot. The Chief Pilot of a cargo/medevac company here in B.C. has let us know that CRM training is one thing he wished more of his rookie pilots had
under their belts. You are going to want this seminar on your resume! Stay connected with us on Facebook for dates and details of upcoming seminars, or email us directly with questions, feedback, or even just a friendly hello. Jeff Lightheart UPFRONT AVIATION E: upfrontaviation@gmail.com W: facebook.com/upfrontaviation P: 250.893.5661
About UPFRONT AVIATION Jeff Lightheart is a former VFC student and instructor. After several years flying for cargo operators and as a Captain for a small regional airline, he now proudly flies for Canada’s second largest airline. Jeff founded UPFRONT AVIATION as a way to carry on his love of teaching and as a means of helping other pilots bridge the gap between their Commercial training and landing their dream job.
VFC smile cards Pick up your smile card today at the VFC office, and 5% of your grocery purchase will go towards creating scholarships and awards for VFC members. Thank-you Thrifty Foods!
Aviation Excellence Since 1946
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March 2016
Feature Article
FleetCaptain Corner FleetCaptain
Managing night-time dispatches We are lucky here at the Victoria Flying Club to have some of the best dispatchers in the business. They ensure that pilots quickly get an airplane that safely matches each mission. This month, dispatchers identiÞed a problem: ÒSometimes FleetCaptain selects a plane but we have to choose a different one because the aircraft is snagged for night ßightÓ É So a new solution is born: The Þrst step is to determine when day and night periods ofÞcially begin for aviations purposes. The system calculates and displays that each day. The second step is to determine if any part of a proposed dispatch occurs during ofÞcial night time. If there is overlap, FleetCaptain designates the ßight as a night ßight.
The third step is to determine if there is any reason why an aircraft should not be selected for night ßights. In the example on the left, an aircraft has a compass light defect which restricts it to daytime operations. The tick box at the bottom of the defect form tells the system not to select this aircraft for night ßights. With that information, FleetCaptain makes its selection. The dispatchers are no longer burdened by having to check whether a nightßight restriction invalidates an aircraft selection the checks are done automatically now. Another operational challenge raised, discussed and solved - making VFC a little bit stronger.
Steve Demy
ATPL, ATP (multi), B. Eng. (Electrical) Victoria Flying Club - Director Columbia 300 driver FleetCaptain - Developer sndaviation.com
March 2016
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COPA Quadrant
Written by: Eleanor Eastick, Katy Earl
The COPA Flight 6 Board consists of: Flight Captain (President) Rob Shemilt Co-Captain (Vice President) Allan Rempel
The April 5th meeting will feature Darlene George, Nav Canada manager for both the Victoria Control Tower and Victoria Harbour FSS, along with Randy MacKenzie from Victoria Harbour FSS. The presentation will be on Victoria airspace for both YYJ and YWH. Don’t miss this important event! We can all learn more about our complicated local airspace. Bring a friend if you wish; you don’t need to be a COPA member to attend. For more information, contact copaflight6@gmail.com.
Navigator (Treasurer) Art Reitsma The Groundhog Day meeting of COPA Flight 6 was lots of fun - hangar flying, exchanging ideas, telling funny stories and looking for advice. About eighteen people came for a nice chance to gasbag with fellow members. A good time was had by all, as they say! The next meeting was on March 1st and featured Captain Derek Clarke, an Air Canada Captain who flies a B777 on the cross Atlantic long haul route. With over 35 years of experience in the field, Captain Clarke’s presentation was both informative and entertaining, talking about cultural differences he has encountered around the world and four ways to become a better pilot (e.g. keep a log book of your own errors and review them often; be ‘Clutch!’). In addition to Captain Clarke’s presentation, Tim Cole, our local COPA representative, updated the group on the election to fill the vacant B.C. and Y.T. COPA Director position. Aviation Excellence Since 1946
Image: Captain Derek Clarke kindly brought an assortment of gifts for the attendees from his travels
Image: Captain Clarke shares a methodology for becoming a better pilot, including reviewing your own errors on a regular basis 16
March 2016
VICTORIA FLYING CLUB
VFC Ground School
Leaders in Flight Training since 1946
Ground School Schedules
#101 – 1852 CANSO ROAD
NORTH SAANICH, B.C.
V8L 5V5
PH: (250) 656-2833
www.flyvfc.com
Spring 2016 Private Pilot Schedule
2016 PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULE Classes Monday and Wednesday from 19:00 – 22:00
DATE
TOPIC
INSTRUCTOR
February 24
Canadian Aviation Regulations & Licencing
BRETT
February 29
Canadian Aviation Regulations & Licencing
BRETT
March 2
Aerodynamics & Theory of Flight
IAIN
March 7
Airframes & Engines
DAVE
March 9
Systems & Flight Instruments
DAVE
March 14
Human Factors & Pilot Decision Making
BRETT
March 16
Meteorology
SEAN
March 21
Meteorology
SEAN
March 23
Meteorology
SEAN
March 28
No Class – Easter Monday
n/a
March 30
Meteorology
SEAN
April 4
Meteorology
SEAN
April 6
Meteorology
SEAN
April 11
Flight Operations
COLIN
April 13
Flight Operations
COLIN
April 18
Navigation
BRENDAN
April 20
Navigation
BRENDAN
April 25
Navigation
BRENDAN
April 27
Radio & Electronic Theory
BRADY
May 2
ATC
COLIN
May 4
Review
COLIN
Ground School Course - $350
Ground School Kit - $275
CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REGISTER FOR GROUND SCHOOL TODAY. March 2016
ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR PROMOTIONAL OFFERS! 17
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VFC Ground School VICTORIA FLYING CLUB Leaders in Flight Training since 1946
Ground School Schedules (cont.)
#101 – 1852 CANSO ROAD
NORTH SAANICH, B.C.
V8L 5V5
PH: (250) 656-2833
www.flyvfc.com
Spring 2016 Commercial Pilot Schedule
2016 COMMERCIAL PILOT GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULE Classes Friday from 17:00 – 21:00 and Saturday, Sunday from 08:00 - 17:00
DATE
TIME
TOPIC
INSTRUCTOR
April 8
17:00 - 21:00
Airframes & Engines
DAVE
April 9
08:00 - 12:00
Systems & Flight Instruments
DAVE
April 9
13:00 - 17:00
Theory of Flight & Aerodynamics
IAIN
April 10
08:00 - 12:00
Radio & Electronic Theory
BRADY
April 10
13:00 - 17:00
GPS
GRAHAM
April 15
17:00 - 21:00
Flight Operations
COLIN
April 16
08:00 - 17:00
Navigation
BRADY
April 17
08:00 - 10:00
Navigation
BRADY
April 17
10:00 - 12:00
Sea School
KRISTEN
April 17
13:00 - 17:00
Mountain Ground School
GRAHAM
April 22
17:00 - 21:00
Meteorology
SEAN
April 23
08:00 - 17:00
Meteorology
SEAN
April 24
08:00 - 17:00
Meteorology
SEAN
April 29
17:00 - 21:00
CARs and Licensing Requirements
BRETT
April 30
08:00 - 10:00
Human Factors & PDM
BRETT
April 30
10:00 - 17:00
Crew Resources Management (CRM)
BRENDAN M
May 1
08:00 - 17:00
Crew Resources Management (CRM)
BRENDAN M
Ground School Course - $495 Ground School Repeat Classes (4 hours) $15 (up to a maximum of $100) CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REGISTER FOR GROUND SCHOOL TODAY. Aviation Excellence Since 1946
18
March 2016
Dream. Discover. Experience. Explore.
Take the first step at VFC! Call us today to get started! 250-656-2833
www.flyvfc.com February 2016
19
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