Patrician december 2005

Victoria Flying Club

December 2005

Photo by John Richardson

Inside

is W �

hi ng yo u Pe a c e a n d J oy at C hristmas“

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Short Final

Letters to the Editor

Christmas at the Airport

In My Travels

Pages

Pilot Shop

Sierra Charlie One

For Sale

Eleanor’s

The

Patrician

S hort F inal

Newsletter of the Victoria Flying Club

DECEMBER 2005 Editor:

Eleanor Eastick PatricianEditor@shaw.ca Advertising inquiries: Bob Mace (250) 361-6996 or bmace@shaw.ca Publisher: Seaside Designs seasidedesigns@shaw.ca (250) 383-7777 Published monthly.

Unsolicited articles welcome.

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, December 21, 2005.

Board of Directors President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Directors

Sean Steele Bob Mace Eleanor Eastick Steve Ray Doug Marin Colin Dormuth Don Goodeve Lloyd Toope

General Manager Chief Flying Instructor

Gerry Mants Graham Palmer

1852 Canso Road Victoria, BC V8L 5V5

Phone: Fax: Email: Web:

(250) 656-4321 (250) 656-2833 (250) 655-0910 info@flyvfc.com www.flyvfc.com

If you want to be a special someone’s Santa or just want to treat yourself, VFC’s Pilot Shop is full of good things from inexpensive stocking stuffers to the more pricey leather jackets and flight bags. In particular there is an admirable selection of books and what better time than the holidays to enjoy reading, a delicious pleasure. Books make ideal gifts – they’re never the wrong size or colour, there’s no “best before” date, they can be used over and over, they’re unbreakable and they don’t need AA batteries.

If you want to improve your flying knowledge, there is no end of textbooks and manuals offering helpful hints, techniques and advice for floats, taildraggers, and aerobatics. There are books on IFR, ATPL, emergency maneuvers, weather; manuals for instructors and students. Job Hunting for Pilots is another one you should look at if flying is your career choice.

And if you want to read just for fun and incidental learning, the Club has a nice variety of works about pilots and flying, including at least a couple written by our own members: Who Cares Now by Lew Dudderidge, ex RCAF bomber pilot and still a flying member. Lew adds a bit of philosophical comment while recounting his days overseas during WWII. The Big Dipper Route by Danny Bereza, an entertaining story of his early days flying the DC-3s in the NWT. This book is easy, enjoyable reading and amazingly, little has changed for northern pilots since then. Club member Aaron Cawsey, now bush-flying in Fort Vermilion is doing much the same thing 40 years later!

More good reading:

smart

Spilsbury’s Accidental Airline is rollicking fun – wow! You have to read it to believe it! Slipping the Surly Bonds, a book of great quotations on flight; Evasive Action, a Canadian airman’s tale of Dutch heroism; Flying Canucks III, famous Canadian aviators; Flyers in Their Own Words; Bent Props and Blowpots; Pilots of the Purple Twilight; Test of Character, Epic Flights by Legendary Test Pilots; Howard Hughes; Warbird Recovery and Vancouver Island’s early flying history, Wings Across the Water. Take some time over the holidays to sit in a comfy chair and enjoy some aviation history – it’s time well spent.

SEASIDE

And so, the end of 2005 rolls around; December - the darkest month of the year; but also the month of the Winter Solstice when the evenings begin, at first imperceptibly, to lengthen. As Christmas day approaches, a hush settles over the land, cares are put aside and the time has come for relaxation.

250.383.7777

Peace, Joy and Happy Holidays to All!

Opinions expressed are those of the authors alone. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any format without the written authorization from the publisher or author.

advertising solutions f o r YOUR b u s i n e s s .

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Times flies and 2005 is almost at an end! 2006 promises to be an exciting year for VFC as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. On Approach, Victoria Airport’s own newsletter features VFC in its latest edition, ably written by editor Phil Jensen. Be sure to pick up a copy of it at the Club. The actual 60th birthday is in November but that’s no reason to wait till then to start marking the occasion. Let’s look forward to some special events and a super good flying year.

Letters to the Editor Hi,

Hi Eleanor

I'm a member of the VFC and want to let you know that in my view the printed double-column format of the "Patrician" is a VERY bad choice: it forces the reader to scroll down and then up again for every single page!

What makes sense on the printed page does not make sense on a web page: web pages have to be designed for computer screens, not imitate the printed page.It's a shame the format is so reader-UNfriendly. I for one get impatient with that PDF layout (have always hated PDF) and just don't bother to read on.

It’s as terrific as ever. Thanks for continually putting out a nifty product you two!

Sean Steele

Cheers, Raymond Rosenkranz

Wouldn’t you rather be flying?

• Tax and financial planning • Rapid refunds (electronic filing) • Personal, corporate and estate tax

Owner Evelyn J. Andrews-Greene, CA Sustaining Member of VFC since 1983

386-4466 #202-31 Bastion Square Victoria BC V8W 1J1

December Mystery of the Month Here is the ground-based view of a prominent call-up point for CYYJ. What/where is it?

Send your educated guess(es) to PatricianEditor@shaw.ca.

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November Mystery of the Month Now, come on, Everyone! Where is this place? If you fly out of VFC, or YYJ or are a student, you should recognize this odoriferous landmark.

Hello Eleanor !

The landmark looks like the Crofton Pulp Mill, a great place to determine the winds along the coast.

Marohl, Nanaimo, BC Dear Editor (Eleanor) My guess for the November Mystery of the Month photograph is the odoriferous Crofton Mill...

Rob Shemilt P.S. I went to an online dictionary and looked up the meaning of your choosen word, odoriferous.

I like the adj: morally offensive o路dor路if路er路ous ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-rfr-s) adj. Having or giving off an odor. adj 1: morally offensive Thanks for your letters, Rob and Marohl! You're right about that odoriferous mystery location!

It's a good place from which NOT to be downwind.

Ed

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VFC has gift certificates, any denomination redeemable for flying or merchandise!

Christmas at the Airport hristmas comes but once a year. We should be thankful for that! Before you get the idea you’re reading the ramblings of a Grinch, let me get into it. I love the spirit of Christmas, the goodwill toward each other we are supposed to feel, and the peace that I do indeed enjoy. But spending it with family is a tradition that, quite frankly is overrated. Christmas or any of the other holidays for that matter. For some, it’s an absolute disaster.

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Because it’s something our society has held on to for generations, we carry it on, in spite of the inconveniences and hassles that are inevitable. Many movies owe their success to scenarios like this: Christmas is at Grandma’s house in Winnipeg. The entire family, spread out from Ottawa to Vancouver is flying home. There will be six more adults and all the grandchildren staying in the little two bedroom house for three full days. Grandma has the carpets cleaned, airs out the cellar, assembles all the bedding she owns, while Grandpa puts up the tree and stocks the liquor cabinet. The tension mounts.

Meanwhile, one sister-in-law dreads contact with another, while brother Earl will predictably drink himself into a stupor, upsetting everyone. Old skeletons will come out of the closet. More tension. The kids will fight over each others new toys, and the neighbors dog will discover his Christmas dinner served on the back porch when Grandma puts the turkey outside to stay cold!

Have you seen that movie? Ever seen it happen closer to home, as in your own family? Many have. By the way, statistics show that more murders occur in December than at any other time of the year except July and August.

I contend that’s because families who don’t see each other a lot, get together at Christmas, then suddenly realize they don’t like getting together. Then, the fights are on!

A few years ago, while I was working at Vancouver International Airport, we witnessed several hundred families who avoided situations like that. Here’s how they did it. They spent their entire holiday at the airport. Vancouver was totally

BEAR’S AIR

by Barry

Meek

isolated by a snowstorm that year. Nothing was moving from Christmas eve until Dec. 27 in or out of YVR. Besides that, the only route through the mountains and out of Vancouver by road was also closed by snowslides for 3 days.

The airlines staff in the terminal building did what they could to help out the stranded travelers, including distributing air mattresses for sleeping. Passengers from points other than Vancouver who were connecting to fly elsewhere, couldn’t even get a cab and go home. Thus trapped, most had their luggage checked, and who knew where it ended up. They were separated from their razors, their underwear, their medications, for 2 days or more.

Infants formulas and baby foods were packed in lost luggage, and at that time, there was no pharmacy or food store at the terminal. Volunteers risked driving slippery, slushy streets to go out and buy provisions for these unfortunate travelers. Some staff members even invited whole families into their homes for Christmas dinner.

Lifetime friendships were undoubtedly spawned during that time.

We witnessed and experienced the true spirit of Christmas that year. No question, everyone was inconvenienced, and it crossed my mind that we could have made a fortune by renting out our shower room.

But there were countless examples of sharing and goodwill, and the entire terminal seemed to be at real peace that Christmas Eve. There was no bickering, fighting or drinking. There were however, several decorated trees, lights, and even a Santa.

Someone should have made a movie about it. Come to think of it, that’s been done too.

Given the traditions that live on in families, and the fact that many holidays are a time we dread, I wonder why folks don’t change their habits and expectations.

Grandma’s house may not be the best place for the entire family anymore. Obviously not every family is this dysfunctional, but you shake your head at those that recreate stressful situations every holiday.

The folks stranded at the airport were forced to function outside their traditions, had no choice but to make the best of their holiday. It was different. Although they were disappointed and uncomfortable, most don’t remember what presents they received. But no one who will forget that Christmas at the airport.

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With this being the “Year of the Veteran” celebrating the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2,it seemed an opportune time to add a significant remembrance of the club’s close association with one of Canada’s Navalair squadrons into the display case which is located in the club’s lobby. The case presently holds the 50 year time capsule and other club memorabilia!

THE FORGOTTEN SQUADRON

A previous story that appeared in the Patrician a short time ago reminded us of the role that VFC played back in the fifties and on into the late sixties when Navalair VC 922 squadron shared our hangar and facilities! They also took part in all of our social events and the club members with theirs!

Great memorable “magic moments” were enjoyed by all!

Petty Officer First Class John Nelson , an electrical technician and one of the serving members of Canada’s fleet air arm was a member of VC 922 squadron during those years....joined VFC and took his Private Pilots training under several of our prominent VFC instructors of the day including Mike Sealey who many of the older members will remember! He also got to fly all of the club’s Canucks as well !

John took a two hour course on “how to jump from a serviceable aircraft”... during his spare time...something most pilots have no desire to do.... and made his one and only jump!! Chute didn’t open until late and when it did was fouled as it was “brassiered”. He pulled his emergency chute when prompted by the jump master with a loud hailer on the ground! His unorthodox landing [head first] convinced him that he wouldn’t be in any hurry to try again any time soon!

John and his wife and family live in Sault Ste Marie on the shores of Lake Superior. He’s fighting cancer and doing just fine, but turned over his Pilot Log Book and a Silver Mug engraved with VC 922 Squadron to me with the hope that it may be displayed in a prominent place at VFC - the historical connection that Canada’s Fleet Air Arm enjoyed with our club will never be forgotten!

Thanks to our Director and Patrician Editor Eleanor Eastick, the perfect location was decided on and we encourage all members to take a few moments as they pass through the lobby with family and friends to stop and have a look at the prominent display case and its contents.

Happy landings! Al Whalley

CANADIAN AVIONICS & INSTRUMENTS Calgary Int’l Airport (403) 250-5665

Victoria Airport (250) 655-0665

BOB CAMERON President

9548 Canora Road Sidney, BC V8L 3R1

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In My Travels

by Larry Dibnah

Wilga – The Polish Grasshopper hose readers who attended the 2005 Port Alberni Fly-in may remember this interesting aircraft that was parked among us on the ramp.

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The aircraft is a Wilga (Thrush). Built in Poland, the photo credit Carl Sexsmith Wilga began appearing on the North American market in the early 1980’s. The aircraft was originally designed for specialized purposes such as glider towing, aerial photography, parachute jumping and air ambulance but its repertoire of work experience soon expanded to include personal/recreational use.

The Wilga was originally powered by a nine-cylinder PZL A114 radial engine geared and supercharged to deliver 260 hp at 2350 rpm. The stock propeller was a two-blade, constant speed type almost 9 feet in diameter. These features plus slotted leading edges put the Wilga in the STOL category. The aircraft’s spaciousness, load carrying capabilities and stellar short field performance have certainly contributed to its popularity. The Wilga is also quite the conversation piece everywhere it goes.

This fine example at Port Alberni is a more modern variant called the Wilga 2000 and has been re-equipped with a Textron Lycoming 10-540-K1B5 fuel injected, 6-cylender engine producing 300 hp. The propeller is a 3-bladed constant speed type. These features combined with new avionics and safety systems make the Wilga 2000 a great performing, economical aircraft.

Information sources: Airborne magazine, July/August 1980 issue; Website, Sealand Aviation Ltd., Campbell River, BC.

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P A G E S

by Eleanor Eastick

Spare Time Reading

Warbird Recovery

by Gordon Page If you love old aeroplanes, if you enjoy mystery, intrigue, danger, espionage, travel and adventure, then read Warbird Recovery by Gordon Page. It’s all these things rolled into one exciting story with a liberal sprinkling of wry humour.

After the fall of Communism, Russia opened its doors just a crack to foreign entrepreneurs. This was of especial interest to aviation collectors who had heard stories of whole squadrons of WWII aircraft abandoned in the late 40s in Siberia. Legend had it that these warbirds could be purchased for little money, fueled up and just simply flown away from their remote storage places. In the early 90s, author Gordon Page jumped at the chance to go there and fulfill a lifelong dream of acquiring a rare aircraft.

the ever-mysterious Russians.

From Moscow to Siberia in a dubious jetliner, the smell of the passengers, their drunkenness and chain-smoking were all taken in stride by Gordon, largely because of his good American sense of humour and determination to get to the stash of warbirds. The journey continued by helicopter with its two huge fuel tanks inside the cabin and the pilot and mechanic blazing their way through dozens of cigarettes as the Mil Mi-8 rattled aloft towards the final destination. With visions of flying away in a Zero or P63 fighter, Gordon felt heartened to see a large abandoned hangar from the air, but throughout the travel from place to place, by helicopter and boat, no salvageable aircraft were found – only the picked-over rusted remains of once glorious warbirds. With odd characters coming and going, strange places, the KGB, the Russian Mafia and the mysterious Olga materializing wherever they went, Gordon and his party endured the danger and the intrigue but finally returned to the US disappointed and minus a lot of money.

To the author’s delight, later the same year, word was sent out from Russia by a former contact that there was a Messerschmitt Bf109 in relatively good shape in a frozen lake. A payment of $5000 would be needed before any photos could be seen and, although skeptical, Gordon sent the funds and eventually received enough photographic evidence to make a second trip to Russia worthwhile. The same conditions were endured with the same wry humour but the mystery, the intrigue, the KGB, and the bribes were all squeezed into three days as a deal was made for the Bf109. When it was finally shipped to the US and the crate opened, it was found to contain not one, but two Messerschmitts which had been shot down while patrolling northeast of St. Petersburg during the 900 day siege by the Germans.

Warbird Recovery is available at the VFC Pilot Shop for $29.95. It’s a very funny travelogue, a spy story, a mystery, a great adventure, and downright good aviation history. Read the book, browse the website of the same name, and find out more about the Bf109s.

Getting to Moscow was only the smallest part of the adventure; the exact location of the planes was unknown, but $10,000 to enter the area where they were supposed to be was the first of hundreds of pay-offs to

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http://www.warbirdrecovery.com

Merry s Christma to All

New Members!

Only a few days left before Christmas and

the pressure is on to get everything done – don’t let

the “urgency” of the season take away from that which is most important. I sincerely hope that each of you will take the opportunity to slow down just a bit and share with family and friends the wonder, the joy and the peace of Christmas. From all of us here at the Club to

Tony Parks Chris Read Rod Payne Edwin Rebner David Kopriva Jeff Noyes Basil Healy Robert Cote Geoffrey Siverns

you and your families, a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year.

Achievements Gerry Mants PPL Flight Test Wafa Abduljabbar Private License Oscar Cunille

PRIVATE PILOT Groundschool

Classes held Monday and Wednesday, 1900-2200 DATE

TOPIC

INSTRUCTOR Jason Ware Jason Ware Steve Mais Steve Mais Jason Ware Jason Ware Bryon Thompson Bryon Thompson Bryon Thompson

Jan

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Feb

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Theory of Flight & Licensing Requirements Aerodynamics Airframes & Engines Systems & Flight Instruments Canadian Aviation Regulations Canadian Aviation Regulations Meterology Meterology Meterology

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Meterology

Bryon Thompson

08

Meterology

Bryon Thompson

13

Human Factors

Jason Stewart

15

Flight Operations

James Zacks

20 22

Flight Operations Navigation

James Zacks Jason Stewart

27 01

Navigation Navigation

Jason Stewart Jason Stewart

06

Radio and Electronic Theory

Jason Stewart

08

Review (Tower Tour if available)

Marcel Poland

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Review (Tower Seminar/Written Seminar) Marcel Poland

Mar

Commercial License Luke Schoniger First Solo Laurie Leavett-Brown Geoff Steeves Night Rating Hannah Harper-Merrett

Paved Aircraft Parking

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We have cups, magnets, hats, vests, golf shirts, flight bags etc plus tons of gadgets and accessories galore in the new expanded pilot shop.

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Sierra Charlie One

by Danny Bereza

T’was the night before Christmas and the blowing snow swirled around us sparkling like tinsel as we taxied out to runway 28 at Dorval Airport. After receiving takeoff clearance I opened up the go levers and when we were airborne, switched the radio to the frequency of Montreal Departures Control.

“Montreal Departures, this is Jetpack 45 with you out of 3000 feet for 5000 feet, over.”

“Good evening, Jetpack 45, this is Montreal Departures, turn right heading zero five zero, intercept the airway and climb to flight level one nine zero.”

I read back the clearance and glanced over at my co-pilot, the kid in the right seat. He looked like he should be home with his mother and the family singing Christmas carols around the fireplace. Actually, he is lucky to have a job flying airplanes the way the aviation industry has slumped in Canada the last few years. Me, I’d had enough of Christmas. All the commercialism and exploitation of the kids only served to make me more disenchanted with the whole thing. That’s probably why I agreed to fly this milk run tonight delivering last minute parcels and priority mail between Toronto and several other stops to Halifax and on to Mirabel for a crew rest. While everyone nestled snug in their beds the kid and I would be dropping soot all over their rooftops.

I called level at one nine zero, which is nineteen thousand feet for the uninitiated. The kid looked over at me and half-embarrassed, said, “Merry Christmas, Don.” I glanced at my watch. “Is it that time all ready?”

“It’s ten after twelve. Santa must be on his way by now.” God, he looked young. I hoped he was just kidding.

“Yeah, right. “ I muttered and rummaged about in my flight case for the Quebec City approach charts. We should get a straight-in approach as this being Christmas, there shouldn’t be much traffic this late at night. The airlines had stopped flying now due to the noise regulations. I looked down out of the window. Low ceilings obscured the ground below with just an occasional glimpse of street lights shining like beacons through the cloud.

Most of the little munchkins must be having sugar plums dancing in their heads by now. Some of them would be listening out for the sound of sleigh bells. Sounds they would only hear in their imagination. Oh, what the hell, I guess it doesn’t do any harm.

I picked up the mike to call our handlers in Quebec when someone else checked in.

“Merry Christmas Montreal Departures, this is Sierra Charlie One off runway two-four right.”

Sounds like an old hand. Voice sounds familiar. Wonder where he’s going? Not too many idiots like us out tonight.

Departures called back and cleared him to one nine zero also. Must be headed to Quebec as well. Same altitude. Sounds like he is about fifteen minutes behind us.

I called our handlers and Montreal Departures handed us off to Montreal Center. Just about time for us to start down. Sierra Charlie One came up to center frequency and right off the bat was given clearance to the Sherbrooke airport for an approach.

Sherbrooke eh? Short flight.

We did a fast turnaround in Quebec and smoked our way up to flight level two nine zero for our next leg to Moncton. The kid was tired all ready so I had him fly this leg as well and I would do the next two to Halifax and Mirabel.

We had just settled down at altitude for the short forty-five minute run when we heard Sierra Charlie One request descent into Quebec City. Quebec City! I thought that he had gone into Sherbrooke. Either he is flying faster than the speed of sound or I had got it all mixed up. Oh well, no sweat. The night is clear up here at twenty nine thousand feet, even if it isn’t so great on the ground. A few more hours and we’ll be belly up in a story cont’d p.12

11

cont’d from p.11 ‘Sierra Charlie One’

hotel room. I looked at my watch again. Ten after one. Should be in Moncton by two o’clock and Halifax before three. Some of the little munchkins will be stirring by the time we get to Mirabel for our crew rest. The kid in the right seat was trying to stay awake — past his bedtime, you know. We had had — shall we say — discussions about the spirit of Christmas and the importance of giving. He, being an idealist, felt that the average person in the world was too engrossed in his own troubles to pay attention to the meaning of the Christmas season and what the symbol of St. Nicholas really meant.

All I knew of the real St. Nick was that he was supposed to be some guy way back in the Middle Ages who gave poor children presents at Christmas time. The business community has grabbed this character and made him into a fat jolly old elf who flies around in a sleigh pulled by a bunch of deer and comes down chimneys with a bag full of goodies for the kids. Strangely enough it’s the kids from rich families that get the most presents from Santa Claus. When I told this to the kid he argued that while it is true most parents will sign presents from Santa Claus we don’t know of the really poor kids who wake up to find a doll or truck under the tree, which will make their parents look at each other in astonishment and awe. I told him that he was not only an idealist but a romantic as well.

You know, it wasn’t five minutes after we levelled off that we heard Sierra Charlie One again. He had a deep, experienced voice as he advised center that he was on their freek climbing to one nine zero. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out how he managed to do such fast turnarounds. I pride myself as being one of the best in the business but this guy has me beat by a mile. He’s been into two places to my one and he’s going to pass me — and we’re doing mach point eight zero, eighty percent of the speed of sound. He must be a courier as well.

There are not too many flying couriers around and I know all of them. This guy is new and if he keeps up this pace he’ll put us all out of business. I picked up the mike.

“Sierra Charlie One, this is Jetpack 45, you got time to go 123.45?

“Sure have.” His voice rumbled kind of friendly like.

Quickly I switched to the frequency generally used for yakking between airplanes and told the kid to monitor center. “Sierra Charlie One, Jetpack 45, you there?”

“Merry Christmas, Jetpack 45.” That voice, I’ve heard it somewhere before. But after years flying the same airspace you get to recognize different guys by the intonation of their voices. Each pilot has a distinct manner of speech. I probably just heard him on the airways sometime.

I put on my ‘friendly but professional’ voice. “I don’t mean to pry but did you land at Sherbrooke and Quebec City tonight?”

“Yep, sure did “ “Are you a courier service?” I asked.

“Yes, in a manner of speaking, I am.” He chuckled.

“I can’t figure out how you can get those fast turnarounds. What kind of airplane are you flying?”

His voice sounded — well, proud. “A Bombardier Challenger.”

I was about to ask him where he originated from when center called him and cleared him to the Presque Isle airport for an approach.

“Got to go now. Talk to you later.”

He was gone, sliding down the chute to Presque Isle which has a runway of only 3000 feet. There is no way a Challenger can land safely there. This guy’s got to be bonkers.

I swear to God that it wasn’t five minutes later I heard him check in with Center again. Maybe he overshot because he realized the strip was too short.

“Want to go twenty three, forty five again?”

“Sure thing.”

12

story cont’d p.13

cont’d from p.12 ‘Sierra Charlie One’

“Did you get into Presque Isle?”

“Yep, no problem.”

“How did you manage to do that? That strip is a little too short for a Challenger. “ I knew I was pushing but I had to find out what was going on.

“Well, sometimes when you know that something can’t be done in theory, you have to count on faith and maybe a little bit of magic.”

Whoa! This guy is either incredibly good or is an accident looking for a place to happen. I pressed on with my interrogation.

“Do you mind if I ask you who you work for?” I had to find out who was my competition. In this dog-eatdog world you have to look out for your own interests.

“Not at all; I work for myself.”

Oh, no; the new kid on the block. I could see my fame as the fastest courier pilot around fading into the sunset. This guy is going to make a bundle.

The kid in the right seat had awakened and was listening intently. He probably was going to ask this character for a job. Instead he tapped me on the shoulder and stage-whispered. “Do you know who THAT is?”

“No, but he sure is a fast mover.”

He had a big grin on his face. “It’s Santa Claus. That’s what Sierra Charlie One stands for — Santa Claus One. His grin got wider.

The little monster was having a joke at my expense. I put on my gruffest voice. “There ain’t no Santa Claus.”

“Yes there is,” he said. His voice sounded soft. “How do you think he can fly so fast and what about landing in a strip that is obviously too short for a Challenger. It’s just like he said. Magic.” I was about to cut him off with a laugh when he continued. “It’s Santa Claus.” He said it again, with such a look of reverence and belief in his face that I hesitated.

I pressed the microphone button. “What does Sierra Charlie stand for?”

Sierra Charlie One chuckled. “Santa Claus. It is Christmas, you know.” His voice was gentle, even in its mild blandishment.

O.K., I could go along with this joke too. The kid probably had set it up with this character. Montreal and Quebec Centers were probably in on it too. That would explain how S.C.1 could have gone into Presque Isle and not only caught us but passed us as well. The Challenger or whatever he was flying was probably at altitude all along. I looked over at the kid. He had a grin so wide I would have to open the cargo door to let him out at the next stop.

“What about Rudolph and all the tiny reindeer?”

He answered. He sounded tired. “It’s like everything else these days. There are more and more people in the world; a lot of poor, not so many here in Canada and the States by comparison but in many countries it’s bad.

There are still a lot of kids who need me. Everything is so fast today: Fast food, airline travel. You know what it’s like. The sleigh is really an outmoded way to travel.” His tone picked up. “With the Challenger I can get the job done with minimum use of magic. As for Rudolph and the gang — they are still around. Maybe if the world slows down a little I can go back to using them.”

There was something about the way he spoke that made me forget about a joke being played on me. His transmissions were starting to weaken. He really must be going fast. The kid and I were all ears as he continued.

“I don’t like to burden you with my problems but we seem to be kindred spirits, since both of us are delivering parcels tonight.”

I felt embarrassed. I was doing it for the money.

story cont’d p.14

13

cont’d from p.13 ‘Sierra Charlie One’

“I am worried about the state the world is in. I don’t have to tell you about all the wars and killing of innocent people that’s going on — all those children. Human knowledge has increased tremendously in the last hundred years, thanks largely to science. But science has cast out all belief in magic. It has given us everything and now it’s everyone for himself.”

I could feel my face getting pink.

“I don’t really blame the scientists. In the old days people believed too much in the supernatural. It was mainly due to ignorance and the scientists were quite right to raise the level of knowledge but man has transcended himself too far in his quest for reality. Somewhere along the way he has lost faith in himself, in mankind. Unfortunately, my magic won’t work on the whole world — only on individuals like you. Maybe you can reach out to your kind and work a little magic yourself to help dispel the ignorance and distrust that hangs heavy over the human race. Teach them to believe in love and giving and maybe a little magic on Christmas Eve.” Suddenly he sounded happy again. “But here it is Christmas day and you have to sit there listening to the ramblings of an old man.” His transmissions were fading fast.

“Got to go now. Lots of work to do tonight. But before I go, just one more thing.” He gave us a deep, hearty laugh and said, “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

I hung up my mike and sat still reflecting upon what was said. I glanced at the kid — Jim. His smile was one of pure happiness. He still looked young but wiser and not in the slightest bit tired. His eyes sparkled from the lights in the cockpit mixed in with starlight reflecting off ice crystals.

I suddenly felt a warmth, a kinship toward him, and everyone for that matter. A feeling of wellbeing that I had never felt before permeated my thoughts. I somehow knew that no one was playing a joke on me. Our friend in the Challenger had not said much that we have not heard before but I had been changed, changed by a disembodied voice and maybe a little magic high over Canada early Christmas morning.

I looked over at Jim once again. “Merry Christmas, Jim.” He smiled without a trace of embarrassment this time. “Merry Christmas, Don.”

Dan Bereza Courtenay, B.C .

Like New

1973 CITABRIA 7ECA Less than 100 hours on ‘major overhaul’ engine, airframe & propeller.

New upholstery.

Email enquiries to rosanneanddon@aol.com for details.

14

N I G H T R AT I N G S E AT S A L E !

Take advantage of the early darkness this time of year! You can leave work, come out to the Club, work on your night rating and still be home for dinner.

Here's the Deal!

Train in a C-172 at C-152 rates (Save $15 per hour) 10 hours dual, 5 hours Solo to complete the rating.

See the world… from our point of VIEW!!

Increase your confidence • Aerobatic Course* • Adventure Rides • Emergency Manoeuvres Training

Discovery Ride

$

Passengers Welcome on Dual flights (bring a friend).

Offer valid until December 31, 2005 Save $225 from regular price of a night rating.

"A Smile will get you a Mile" I am happy to announce that The Victoria Flying Club has been approved into the "Thrifty Foods Smile Card Program".

For those of you and your friends who shop at Thrifty Foods, the Flying Club will be eligible for 5% of the dollar value of your purchase which we will use towards expanding our Bursary Program. So next time you're at the Flying Club be sure to pick up you Smile Card and let the savings begin. To give you an example: if 100 members buy $100 worth of groceries a month for an entire year we will be receiving $6000.00 that we can use towards Student Bursaries. If you have any questions on how the program works feel free to talk to Marcel at the Flying Club.

Marcel Poland Assistant CFI/Chief Pilot Victoria Flying Club marcel.poland@flyvfc.com (250) 656-2833

Intro

*Basic course - 10 hrs dual 5 hrs solo Courses customized to help you reach new horizons.

VFC

Aerobatics

Sign up today • have fun • save money • improve your skills impress a friend

99 95

Call Dispatch at the club for further information

656-2833

15

For Sale 3 SHARES FOR SALE $12,000 per share 1956 CESSNA 172 C-GHNA Aircraft based at Victoria. AME owned and maintained. Engine was overhauled in 2003 and includes ‘0’ time bottom end with new Superior cylinder assemblies. This plane flies very well and has been very economical to operate, averaging 7.5 USG per hour. Average yearly fixed costs are approximately $600.00 (tie-down, insurance and NavCan fee) per share. If you fly 30 hours per year, average cost per hour is $65 to $75 wet. Airplane ownership doesn’t get much cheaper than this!!!

Financing may be available to qualified buyers.

1979 CESSNA 180K 1979 Cessna 180K 2790 EDO Amphibs, rebuilt main gear 2005, 230HP 1270TT 300SMOH, painted 1999, new carb 2005, new Acorn exhaust, wheel gear, bubble windows, 2 radios, IFR, marine radio, GPS. Very clean. $170,000+GST 604-485-6086 Hangared in Powell River, BC. tye30@telus.net

1966 CESSNA 150F

Airframe Engine, O-300 Prop

TTSN TTSMO TTSO

1 Radio 2 Radio Transponder Intercom Last annual ELT ELT check Correlation check

4365.3 116.3 223.9

King KY197 Microair 760 King 176A Sigtronics II March 12, 2005 Narco 10 May 30, 2005 May 30, 2005

as of July 28,2005 “ “ Nov 2005, 5yr corrosion inspection

CONTACT Hugh Shilling, 250 881 7324 matchbox1@shaw.ca

1967 CITABRIA 7ECA 0-235-C1 LYCOMING 115HP 3700TT 1600SMOH 300hrs since major ENGINE WORK RECOVERED IN 1993 ICOM FLIP FLOP NARCO MODE C XPONDER INTERCOM

VACUUM PUMP DG SPIN-ON OIL FILTER NEW EXHAUST WOOD SPAR 7.00X6 TIRES ALL A/D’S COMPLETED HANGARED in POWELL RIVER, BC.

$47,000.

Tel 604-485-6086 Photos available by email tye30@telus.net

RE A H S D SOL 6600 TT 300 SMOH (2002) Val-Com VHF, Mode C, GPS, recent windshield, prop, upholstery, carpet, brakes, tires, shoulder harness, instruments rebuilt, new fuel lines, steering rod boots E.L.T. All A.D.’s.

Extensive Annual May 2005.

Excellent mechanical condition.

Needs nothing but paint.

This aircraft is owned in a partnership by three pilots. Hangared in Kamloops. Never damaged. Safe, reliable flying for under $60/hr. including fuel, maintenance, full allrisk insurance and hangar rental.

Buy one share $8,500, all three $32,000 O.B.O. Commercial pilot will deliver. One pilot moving away.

Phone 250 828-9528 or e-mail bcflyer@propilots.net