The Patrician, January & February 2022

The Patrician JAN -FEB 2022

The Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946

TRANS AIR THE NEW GIRL AT DISPATCH

Ken Steacy:

How My Dad

Survived

Bailing Out of a Sabre in '57

NEED HANGAR SPACE?

The Patrician

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 “T o 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 Tony Allen VICE PRESIDENT Adam Johnston SECRETARY Glen Rippon TREASURER Colin Williamson DIRECTORS John Ainsworth Graham Palmer Iain Barnes Don Devenney CHIEF FLYING Mike Schlievert INSTRUCTOR

CONTACT 1852 Canso Road Sidney, BC V8L 5V5

www.flyvfc.com P: 250-656-2833 info@flyvfc.com F: 250-655-0910

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 5 6 8 10 13 14 16 19 20

News around the Club A Word from the Editor New VFC Member Code of Conduct Katrina McGie: The Trans Talk Derek Melton: Vive la Difference!

Flying in France Member Achievements & First Solos Jim Ferguson: The Bucket List Ken Steacy: The Story of how my dad survived bailing out of a Sabre in 1957 Ground School Schedule Thanks for the Share!

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

Secure, pull-in/pull-out, easy access.

Editor: Kelly J. Clark vfcpatrician@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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Call Dispatch at 250-656-2833 to arrange a spot or to get on the waitlist for hangar spaces!

staining and

ifetime mem

ers

15% discount on Cessna rental rates and purchases in the Litt e Pi ot Shop; 10% discount for everyone who pays fully in advance for their annua aircraft parking fees for 0 0 on

vfcpatrician@gmail.com http://flyvfc.com/subscribe-to-the-patrician

PHOTO CREDITS Front cover photo by Warwick Patterson Find him on Instagram @flyingbritishcolumbia!

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JAN & FEB 2022

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

y

NEWS

Around the Club JAN 1 JAN 17 FEB 1 FEB 2 FEB 14 FEB 21 MAR 13 MAR 17 MAR 20 APR 15 APR 17 APR 18 MAY 23

S DAY B'SHEVAT / ARBOR DAY CHINESE NEW YEAR GROUNDHOG DAY VALENTINE'S DAY FAMILY DAY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME SAINT PATRICK'S DAY SPRING EQUINOX GOOD FRIDAY EASTER EASTER MONDAY VICTORIA DAY

Know of an aviation-related event we haven't listed? Let us know at vfcpatrician@gmail.com!

DUES ARE DUE!

It's January again, and the VFC would like to remind anyone with outstanding membership dues that the time to settle up is here! Contact us as soon as possible to get everything squared away!

HANDYMAN NEEDED

We are still looking for a qualified handyman to help craft some award frames for upcoming events! If you're good with your hands, the VFC could use your help! You bring the tools and the know-how and we'll handle the rest!

Contact Marcel at the club or by email at marcelpoland@flyvfc.com.

www.flyvfc.com

The Board of Directors has approved a new Code of Conduct for VFC Members.

You can learn more about the new code of conduct on page 6 of this issue or on the VFC website.

News and Events

EVENTS & HOLIDAYS

NEW CODE OF CONDUCT FOR VFC MEMBERS

FREE BUSINESS ADS IN THE PATRICIAN EXTENDED

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Patrician provided free advertising space to local businesses as our small way of helping out during the pandemic.

We're happy to announce that we're extending this offer throughout 2022! If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity to advertise your business in the Patrician, contact the editor with a business card sized ad and we'll get it in the next issue!

TELL YOUR STORY

Everyone wants to hear from YOU! Every member of the VFC has a story to tell, and the Patrician wants to share it! Contact vfcpatrician@gmail.com and share your story today!

HEARD ANY GOOD NEWS LATELY?

We're always looking for news, events, stories, and more! If you know about anything, please let us know at vfcpatrician@gmail.com!

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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.

Contact us for more information on destinations and costs or to book a flight at: Email: tedk^flyvfc8com Call: 1-778-350-3213

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JAN & FEB 2022

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

FROM THE EDITOR

As of November, the Patrician changed from publishing monthly issues to instead publishing every other month. This new bi-monthly publication schedule presents some unique challenges along with some equally unique opportunities. To this end, I wanted to express the goals I have for the future of the Patrician and the VFC's outreach.

As of March, there is going to be a renewed focus on articles and features that spotlight our membership like Member Mondays, Meet Your Board, and some new items. Internally focused content like this is critical to repairing the sense of community at the VFC that the COVID-19 pandemic has strained. To say that the last two years have been rough is a bit of an understatement. That the VFC has weathered the storm as well as it has is an amazing feat. However, the restrictions and move to online and distance communication has created a disconnect between the club

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and its history as a social hub for folks who share a passion for aviation. As the pandemic (hopefully) draws to a close and we pull out of this two year long nosedive, it's going to take some work to put the "club" back in Victoria Flying Club.

FROM THE EDITOR

H

ello VFC! It's Kelly, editor of the Patrician, here to welcome you to an amazing new year for the Patrician, VFC, and just in general.

It's hard to believe, but it's already been a year since I took the reigns of this magazine and it's been quite a ride. I've done my best to keep up with the quality of my predecessors while slowly updating the Patrician's look and style. I want to thank you all for the wealth of positive feedback we've received regarding these changes. In particular, it seems that not an issue passes without some heartwarming comment about our LGBTQ+ Pride themed issue in June.

We can't do it without your help.

The Patrician cannot exist without members like you who are willing to engage with us through sharing stories, life moments, and their unique insights into aviation. These stories unite the VFC and make it more than a place you can rent planes and learn how to fly: it makes it a community.

And as part of this community, you have something worth sharing whether you think you do or not! The vast majority of articles that you've read in the Patrician have come from someone just like you. Every member, new and old, has something to bring to the table. So that's why I'm calling on each and every member to help us and submit stories, ideas for content, and to participate in member focused features. With your support, the Patrician will continue to soar.

Oh, and take it from me: it never hurts to be able to say that you're a published writer the next time you're at a dinner party, whenever that may be.

Here's to a fantastic year. Welcome to 2022! eppy K JCpark ditor E oftheatrician P

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VICTORIA FLYING CLUB News and Events CODE OF CONDUCT NIGHT WITCHES: FOR MEMBERS Terrors of the Sky

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS Approved by the VFC Board of Directors.

1. The following Code of Conduct (Code) applies to members of the Victoria Flying Club (VFC) in respect of their conduct: a. while on VFC premises, b. while using VFC assets, such as aircraft or premises, or c. while representing VFC at any event or function.

2. All VFC members shall: a. comply with all legislation and regulation relating to civil aviation, b. practice the generally accepted principles of good airmanship, c. use VFC assets in a manner that prevents unnecessary wear, tear or wastage, d. treat VFC members, staff and service providers (e.g. air traffic control) in a manner that does not demean, belittle or humiliate, e. comply with all VFC rules, policy and direction published for the good management and welfare of VFC and its members.

3. Members in breach of the Code may be expelled or have their membership temporarily suspended by the VFC Board of Directors action in the manner set out below, in conjuction with section 14 of the Victoria Flying Club Incorporated Bylaws.

4. Any VFC member learning of a potential breach of the Code shall report the matter to the President of VFC, who will select a group of three Board directors (Panel) to deal with the conduct of the Impugned Member.

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

5. The Panel shall: a. investigate the facts surrounding the alleged breach,

d. invite the Impugned Member to provide information or submissions in writing in respect of the alleged breach within 7 days of receiving the material described at s.5.b. and s.5.c., and e. refer all investigative material, including that from the Impugned Member, to a Special or Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors for a Decision under s. 3.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS

b. advise the Impugned Member in writing of the alleged breach, c. provide the Impugned Member with copies of all material relevant to the alleged breach in its possession or control,

6. In the event that the Board of Directors decides that the Impugned Member has breached the Code in a manner that may merit expulsion or membership suspension, the Board of Directors shall deliver to the Impugned Member a Notice in writing of this Proposed Suspension and the reasons, and invite him or her to provide written material or submissions on the issues of breach of Code and the appropriate sanction under s. 3 to the President of VFC within 20 days of Notice of Proposed Suspension delivery to the Impugned Member.

7. Within 20 days of receiving the Impugned Member's response under s. 6, or within 27 days of their delivery of Notice of Proposed Suspension, whichever is later, the Board of Directors will decide the issues and provide the Impugned Member with a written notice of the Board's Decision and the reasons therefor.

8. The Board's Decision under s. 7 shall take effect on delivery to the Impugned Member.

www.flyvfc.com

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THE TRANS TALK

By Katrina McGie

The Trans Talk

VFC Dispatch and Commercial Pilot-in-Training

L

et’s talk Trans.

Trans World Airlines? No. Transavia? Nah. Transair? Still no!

We’re here to talk about the fantastic support that the Victoria Flying Club has shown me in my journey from being a non-binary person named Michael to the girl I was always meant to be.

Let's be honest: aviation hasn’t always been the most inclusive industry in the world, and even now the percentage difference between self-identifying male pilots and self-identifying female pilots is extreme.

When I started at the VFC, I was already openly nonbinary, which meant that I didn’t consider myself to fit in either category of the man/woman gender binary.

I was undoubtedly a little nervous coming into aviation as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. When I asked my co-workers and the Club's members to please not refer to me as “Sir” or “Mr.”, I was honestly expecting it to result in some questions, comments,

Well folks,

or even uncomfortable moments. What I wasn't expecting was to be overwhelmingly met with simple and enthusiastic “All right!”s or “Will do!”s. Of course, being pilots, I even had a couple “Wilco”s. It was fantastic. But I was always Mike. One of the FOUR Mike’s at the VFC. Well folks, we have one less Mike now.

JAN & FEB 2022

If you ask the majority, if not all, pilots from a minority or female pilots if they’ve ever faced any discrimination and the answer will be yes.

With that, I’d like to formally introduce myself as the VFC's newest Dispatch member: I’m Katrina, but you can call me Kat, and I use She/Her pronouns!

It’s been great to meet all of you. Some of you may have already guessed this was going to come out sooner or later, but the reaction from everyone here, both staff and members alike, has been fantastic.

Of course I have had multiple people bring up to me “You know this life will make aviation that much harder for

we have one less Mike now

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you, right? The sad truth of it is, it will ABSOLUTELY make everything in aviation harder.

Pilots in the LGBTQ+ community face similar issues and consistently have to prove to their colleagues that they deserve to be here. But things are changing, and in 2016, the FAA changed their wording for Trans people from suffering from a Gender Identity Disorder to the much more accepted term Gender Dysphoria. This makes for a

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

Even airport security is finappy starting to move in the correct direction.

“Flying as you identify” can still definitely be a challenge, but it’s becoming easier. Soon people aren’t going to have to dress up and act as the person society thinksthey should be every single day.

www.flyvfc.com

Whether you’re out or not, you’re supported, you’re valid, you’re respected, and you’re cared about.

With inclusivity, mental health gets better. Stress goes down. Physical health improves. When you’re not pretending every single day to be someone you aren’t, you’re generally a happier person. Aviation is already stressful, we all know that. With something as simple as being inclusive, it doesn’t have to be as stressful.

Whether you’re out or not, you’re supported, you’re valid, you’re respected, and you’re cared about.

Luckily for me, people in Victoria, and people at the Club have been supportive, and have all been trying their best.

Mistakes will happen, it’s inevitable, but corrections are being made just as quickly as a slip-up happens.

I don’t expect the world of aviation to revolve around my identity, but what I would like is for anyone else here that’s a part of the LGBTQ+ community to know that you’re not alone! If you’re nervous about coming out in an industry like this, you can always find me at the Dispatch desk and I’ll gladly provide an ear to listen.

You r F riendpy N eighbou rhood Trans D ispatcher6 K atrina

I’d really like to get together with other LGBTQ+ members of the VFC. Let’s make this Club a shining beacon of inclusivity. After all: don’t forget to be awesome!

The Trans Talk

good start at least, and the LGBTQ+ community is coming out into the spotlight more in our wonderful world. CAME’s are getting more education on the effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, and how these can affect one’s ability to fly. Airlines are having more inclusivity training.

Sincerely,

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VIVE LA DIFFERENCE! Flying in France

VIVE LA DIFFERENCE! Flying in France

By Derek Melton, Sustaining Member

A

t the end of 2008 my wife Carol and I moved to France, for what would be an eighteen month stay. I was to concentrate on ecological studies in Francophone Africa, with a main client based in Paris. My base

was to be an office in Lyon, but we decided to rent a gîcte 30km to the west in the Coteaux du Lyonnais wine region, just south of Beaujolais. Needless to say, as soon as I had time I researched what I would need to do to be able to fly in France and who was renting planes nearby.

My first visit was to L’aéroclubdu Rhône et du sud-est at Le Bron (LFLY) aerodrome close to St. Exupéry (LFLL), Lyon’s main international airport. Le Bron had 10 JAN & FEB 2022

a single paved runway 1820m in length and was busy with commercial and private traffic.

The club was also busy, with a fleet of quite new Cessna 152s and C-172 s-models and several welcoming staff. They explained that I should be able to receive a French licence based on my Canadian ppl. I would need to be checked out on a C-172, including undertaking a dual cross country. I would also need to study “La pratique des communications aéronautiques (à l’usage des ppl)”, culminating in a French language test.

The licence would be issued by La Direction générale de l’aviation civile through the Fédération Française Aéronautique and would reference the aéroclub where I was a member. At the time, most small airstrips in France were French language only for communications. My French was “intermediate” at best so radio use would require some practice.

I was tempted to sign up there and then since the plane would be familiar, which would give me more room to concentrate on

radio and airspace procedures.

However, commuting from the west side of Lyon to Le Bronin the east was not a pleasant prospect, so I headed to the second nearby club, L’aéroclub du Beaujolaisat Villefranche-Tarare airport (Tarare LFHV). Tarare was an uncontrolled airport with only French for communications and a single paved 1040m strip used for helicopter and glider training as well as fixed wing flights.

It was a cool but sunny winter morning when the CFI Gilles showed me their fleet and club facilities. Carol had already been won over during the 30 minute rural drive north from where we were staying, through small villages and by many vineyards being cleaned up ahead of spring.

I was also quickly sure that this would be the club to join, and not just because the restaurant had an excellent menu, plus a bar and a fine terrace next to the ramp. For many reasons flying out of Tarare airport promised to be more of a real French experience compared to flying C172s out of an airport in the suburbs of Lyon. The club had six French-built low-wing planes

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

VIVE LA DIFFERENCE! Flying in France

that included: four Robin DR400 four-seaters, a Rallye fourseater, and a two-seater Jodel tail dragger with wheels and skis for mountain flight training (including glacier landings and take-offs in the nearby alps). I was quite taken with the DR-400; with its upturned wing tips, stick controls, and a sliding canopy, it looked very sporty and like nothing I had flown before. With a 160hp Lycoming engine, 220km/hr cruise and a gross weight of 1,000 kg, this plane serves the same functions that a C-172 does in Canada. I thanked Gilles for the friendly welcome, joined the club by paying a Euro 240 annual fee, booked a first lesson (Euro 176 dual, Euro 131 solo), and we were still in time for lunch, with Beaujolais wine of course.

where on my laptop screen. I The Manuel de vol was a poor made up a small crib-sheet of photocopy and was, of course, basic French aviation phraseology in French. However the layout and had that plus the French was familiar so I soon worked checklists on a small kneeboard through emergency procedures with a map; there was not space such as nemoteur immédiatement for anything on one’s lap with the My logbook shows four a prèsle décollage, and on to stick control. initial dual flights, the first for all the procédures normales. familiarization with the plane, So I was ready—or I hoped I was! orientation to the region and local Speeds were given in km/hr, but with knots as back-up, which procedures, a second for upper was the same in the cockpit.

My instructor was Gérard, a air work, and then a short cross Weights were in kilograms, fuel retired Air France Airbus A330 country to Saint Yan (LFLN), an captain. His English was therefore aerodrome with a tower, but also was in litres. I had taken photos French only for communications. of an instrument panel, so I went good, which aided me in the through the French checklists transition to a new plane and Of course ahead of all this I had at home while seeing what was procedures. He was also easy my homework to do!

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75 Years of Aviation VIVE LA DIFFERENCE! A Flying HistoryinofFrance the VFC

going and tried not to laugh too much as I read through the normal checklists on the intercom: miseen route, avantdé collage, etc. He was also forgiving with my radio communications such as Tarare de F-HBEG on sort de circuit 2100’, on quite la fréquence during departure, or F-HBEG en vent arrière droit trente-six when returning.

However, it was necessary to stay focused with French communications, especially in uncontrolled airspace and when flying solo. On more than one occasion, after I had broadcast my circuit joining intentions on traffic frequency coming back into Tarare, I heard a “quoi?” over the headset, prompting me to repeat my transmission, which usually clarified things for both of us. One time though the “quoi?” was quickly followed by another club member I knew who was flying nearby and transmitted, "Oh c’est le Canadien!" before helpfully repeating my call for the other pilot just to be sure! At this time there were new rules in the works that would require all French private pilots to have a basic understanding of English,

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with an expected increased use of English at more airports in France, beyond just the major ones. If anyone reading this article is tempted to fly in France, they may now find less of a focus on the French language, which might ease their transition.

somewhat to my surprise, my French licence arrived in the post mid-June. I highly recommend flying in France and especially in a Robin DR-400 through the Aéroclub du Beaujolais; although I am sure many other good clubs exist with the usual mix of excellent instructors and The Robin DR-400 is a great interesting members. If you do plane to fly, comfortable with not have the time to obtain a excellent all round visibility, French licence, why not break up including being able to look down a wine tasting trip with a couple ahead of the wing. I had hardly of dual flights in a sporty French flown low wing aircraft before, plane? As recreational pilots it’s but quickly adapted and enjoyed easy to be conservative and stick its responsiveness to the stick to familiar routes in one type and sprightly performance for a of plane, and there is nothing normally aspirated 160hp engine. wrong with that. However, there However, being light to the touch is always a rewarding sense of meant that it was best not to accomplishment after successfully dwell too long on items inside completing something new, the cockpit, as a wing would whether that’s heading to a new invariably start to drop. The airport, gaining an additional good performance is probably rating, flying a different plane, or partly linked to having a wooden even flying in a different country. airframe and an empty weight of on B op3 v only 580kg which is about 200 lbs erek D movedtoBCafterreturning less than an N model C-172. from France and joined the VFC in 8erek D hasflowninotsw B ana6 My first dual flight was in March Sou th frica A and the USA 6in 2009. During May the club helped addi…ontoanada C andrance8 F me complete and send in the required application forms, fees and various photocopies. Then, VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS First Solos

New Members

Trevor Birrell Brandon Baker

Heather Belecky Mike Anderson Ki Hesser Bowen Kelly Keanu Flavelle

CPL Flight Test Kalim Mabrouki

Member Achievements & First Solos

PPL Written Written

Brendan Yanta Martin Byers Fred Martin Acacia Klak Trevor Stemo Nicholas Houghton Brayden LeClaire Liam Thorpe Robert Murphy Bianca Marie Bautista Craig Sharp Philip Turner

FIRST SOLOS "Without disruption of air traffic, these fearless, forthright, indomitable and courageous individuals did venture into the wild blue yonder in flying machines.

Furthermore, these skillful individuals did safely land said flying machines at Victoria International Airport, incurring no significant damage to self or machine, thus completing first solo flights."

Trevor Birrell Instructor: Michael C.

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The Bucket List

THE BUCKET LIST

By Jim Ferguson

T

he movie “Bucket List” was released in 2008 and tells the story of two terminally ill men who escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.

Another definition of a bucket list is: “…a list of things a person wants to achieve or experience, as before reaching a certain age or dying”.

In 1970 I moved from Ontario to Fort McMurray to work for Sun Oil in the ‘tar sands’ in their computer department. As you can imagine in a town of 10,000 people in the middle of nowhere and nothing better to do, I decided to get my private pilot’s license. I completed my training and successfully passed my tests.

On my next visit to Toronto [actually Maple airport] I rented a Cessna 150 and took each of my two brothers up for a flight [separately, the 150 is a 2-seater]. As I was going through my logbook recently I found the receipt for onehour of flight time in the amount of $23. The receipt for my Private Pilot’s license was $10 and the student pilot permit was $5. I’m afraid to ask what it might cost in 2021 dollars.

14 JAN & FEB 2022

At the time, flying in Fort McMurray was rather simple: all you had to be careful of was not to land in the muskeg. Transferring that skill set to Maple was a bit different. Where would one land in the event of a forced landing— Highway 400?

Flying in Victoria is another dimension and certainly a more complicated one. I got married, became a father, and gave up my MGB and stopped flying. I often felt I would like one last entry in my Pilot’s logbook. I replaced the MGB with the Miata, so that was struck off the list.

For my most recent birthday, I gifted myself a ‘discovery flight’ at the Victoria Flying Club and was able to put my “one more entry in my pilot’s log”. The discovery flight lasted an hour and a half. It brought back some fun times and fond memories.

I want to give a special thanks to Josh, my ‘instructor’ for the day. I was impressed by his professionalism, his attention to detail, and most significantly his approach to safe flying. Thank you Josh.

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

The Bucket List

Though I have no plans to take up flying again, due to age, health and cost, I have been able to put a line through one of the remaining bucket list items.

It's never too late to review your bucket list. To look at all of the things you've always wanted to do and to find ways to strike them off your list.

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Life is full of shoulda’s, coulda’s, and woulda’s.

We can change these to can, will, and dids! I’m not convinced I should have “jump out of an airplane” on my list, but who knows?

What’s on your bucket list?

It’s never too late!

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How My Dad Survived Bailing Out of a Sabre in '57

THE STORY OF HOW MY DAD SURVIVED BAILING OUT OF A SABRE IN 1957

by Ken Steacy

Canadian Comics Legend

B

ack in the day, flying high-performance jet aircraft was the most dangerous occupation in the world, and sadly a number of pilots paid the ultimate price. One of my dad’s squadron-mates did just that near Chatham NB during the winter of 1957; crashing into a frozen lake.

The investigation noted three holes in the ice: one apiece for the plane, the seat, and the pilot. It was believed that

16 JAN & FEB 2022

the pilot had been unable to extricate himself from the seat until just prior to impact.

Dad (by then a S/L) took a Sabre up shortly thereafter in an effort to understand the conditions under which that tragic event had occurred.

The salient difference being that his plane had recently been retrofitted with the new, improved automatic ejection seat. After a few attempts, he found he was unable to recover from what I believe

was a flat spin. He mentioned punching off the drop tanks, but not before ducking his head down in case they collided with the cockpit— imagine his dismay when he peered over the sill to see them formatting just off the wingtips!

Ultimately, it was time to go; he recalls an enormous bang, but was knocked unconscious and the next thing he remembered was shaking his head and looking up at

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

that beautiful big silk (or was it nylon?) canopy fully deployed over his head! Happily, the new automatic ejection seat had worked perfectly, and had freed him from the seat and pulled the d-ring, just as advertised.

Ground School

Apparently, all of the squadron’s planes had been accounted for from their sorties that day, so imagine the controller’s surprise when a farm lady called to say that she’d just witnessed a crash!

She was assured that she must be mistaken, but fortunately someone must’ve gone down to the flightline and counted, coming up one plane short.

Somehow, they managed to track dad down, and four hours later a ground crew got him out as the terrain was too rough for a helicopter extraction.

How M y Dad Survived Schedules Bailing Out of a Sabre in '57

Coming down fast into a stand of trees, dad tried to steer towards a clearing, but when he pulled the risers the leading edge of the ‘chute folded under, and not wanting to press his luck he thought it best to land where gravity and the wind decreed.

All went well, but he was lost, and decided to hunker down and wait for rescue—which took a while.

ULTIMATELY, IT WAS TIME TO GO.

By then, my stalwart mom was starting to worry, and as I recall it was actually Duke Warren who came to reassure her that dad was okay. But not wanting to unduly dismay her, his opening line was something like: “How do you like my new greatcoat, Peggy?”

She cut straight to the chase,

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How My Dad Survived Bailing Out of a Sabre in '57

and replied: “That’s not why you’re here, Duke—what’s happened to Charles?” I’ve always maintained that it’s pilots' wives who really have the right stuff!

I can’t honestly say what the result of the investigation was, or what caused the crash. I do know that dad’s life was saved by his helmet (the impact with the back of the seat was so severe that it was cracked almost in two!) and the automatic ejection seat— thank you, Canadair!

Ken Steacy is a Canadian comics legend known for his work for NOW Comics and his collaborations with Harlan Ellison, Dean Motter, and Margaret Atwood.

He was inducted into the Canadian Comic Creator Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 386 Comox Squadron.

Images courtesy of Ken Steacy and Wikimedia Commons.

It was five years later that Dad applied for membership in the famous Caterpillar Club, and duly received his card and pin. As he responded in a letter; “Thanx you very much for enrolling me in the Club.

Should I ever again decide to bale out, I shan’t wait five years before applying for a bar to my caterpillar.”

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULE PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE GROUND SCHOOL

PPL #22-03: FEB 12/2022 – APRIL 30/2022 Saturdays (09:00 - 16:00)

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

Ground School Schedule

SD-61 PPL #22-02: FEB 02/2022– APR 27/2022 Mondays & Wednesdays (09:00 - 15:30)

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

Confirm your attendance by contacting: Neil Keating: (204) 291-9667 Brenda Miller: (250) 656-2833

VFC MENTOR PROGRAM There's no better gift than knowledge.

Do you want other pilots to fly with, split flight cost, share knowledge, or get help getting to a new airport for the first time? Find potential mentors and their resumes posted on the Mentors bulletin board beside the Dispatch counter. Contact details are on each mentor's resume or you can email mentors^flyvfc8com for more information.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

There's always room for more experienced pilots! Send an email to mentors^flyvfc8com for more information on how to join up!

www.flyvfc.com

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THANKS FOR THE SHARE!

Pics from the fantastic folks on Instagram who shared with us using the #flyvfc or #victoriaflyingclub tag.

From top, left to right: @jaceactually: "Hi my name is Jace, and I like adventure"; @kengminer has "a stack of glass plates" that include our history!; @davemcrobb with the Commercial & Private flight training Class of 2020; @miss_ajohnson: is "hooked on aviation and there’s no going back"; @mr.awaaramusafir quotes: "It's only when you're flying above it that you realize how incredible the Earth really is." — Philippe Perrin; @burtonader gets some great photo ops after a week and a half of fog and grey skies! / Thanks for tagging us!

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