The Patrician, March & April 2025

The Patrician MAR & APR 2025

The Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946

IN THIS ISSUE:

STUPENDOUS M O U N TA I N F LY I N G (LITERALLY) ALSO:

HOW T THE HE PROFESSIONAL PILOT PASSES A FLIGHT TEST THE 2025 WINGS BANQUET

The Patrician

NEED HANGAR SPACE? Contact Marcel at the Club to see if a hangar spot is a good spot for your plane and to get on the waitlist.

“To “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)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Laurie Ingalls

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News around the Club

VICE PRESIDENT Colin Williamson

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Ground School Schedule

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Aviation Egress Training

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First Solos &

SECRETARY Joey Martin TREASURER Reg Smith DIRECTORS Paul Rutten Glen Rippon Don Devenney Al Johnston GENERAL Mike Schlievert MANAGER

Member Achievements 8

New Members

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The Professional Pilot: Flight Tests

CONTACT 1852 Canso Road Sidney, BC V8L 5V5

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

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Stupendous Mountain Flying (Literally.)

Editor: Kelly J Clark vfcpatrician@gmail.com

T H E PAT R IC IA N ACC E P TS UN S O L I CI T E D S U BM IS S IO NS. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part with prior permission of the publisher or author. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors.

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

PHOTO CREDITS Front cover photo by John Bullock and Camille Angus.

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by David Gagliardi

MARCH & APRIL 2025

by John Bullock and Camille Angus 24

The 2025 Wings Banquet

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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.

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

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

NEWS

Around the Club Spring is here and summer is right around the corner, which means that it's the perfect time to take to the skies!

Our yearly Wings Banquet was a rousing success as we celebrated a fine crop of new and returning pilots! With summer on its way, we're headed into a time for adventure and excitement in the wild blue yonder, but what's an adventure without a story to tell?

This is a great time for all pilots to submit their stories and ideas to the Patrician!

Not much of a writer? I'm happy to help!

You can also be featured, which is as easy as filling out this handy little membership questionnaire: https://forms.gle/2g2wZi3HVdufdvfL7 I hope to hear from you (yes, you!) soon.

Until then, safe flying and we'll see you in June!

—Kelly, Editor of the Patrician

WHAT'S COMING TO MAY'S SOCIAL SATURDAY COFFEE & DONUTS Social Saturday is back on May 3rd, and with summer just around the corner it's about time for soaring enthusiasts from across Vancouver Island to head up to Port Alberni to go gliding!

Sound interesting? Want to know more about gliding on Vancouver Island? Well, you're in luck! This month we'll have members of the Alberni Valley Soaring Association on hand to talk about what they do, what's required if you wish to pursue gliding, and of course, how much fun it is!

Come join us for great conversation, hot coffee, and those incredible Sidney Bakery doughnuts!

News and Events

FROM THE EDITOR:

"Avia t ion is t h e b ra nc h of en g in eerin g t h a t is lea s t fo rgi v i n g of m is ta kes .” – Freem a n Dyso n

EGRESS TRAINING ON MAY 21

A special one-day egress course for fixed wing and helicopter is being held on Wednesday, May 21st in Victoria by TC award-winning instructor Bryan Webster!

This is your chance to learn critical survival skills that could save your life in the event of an emergency!

For more info, email info@dunkyou.com or visit: https://wwww.dunkyou.com

EVENTS & HOLIDAYS APR 28 MAY 3 MAY 19 MAY 21 JULY 1 JULY 19 AUG 4 AUG 8-10

ELECTION DAY SATURDAY/COFFEE & DONUTS VICTORIA DAY EGRESS TRAINING IN VICTORIA CANADA DAY BOUNDARY BAY AIRSHOW BC DAY ABBOTSFORD AIRSHOW

Did we leave any events out?

Let us know at vfcpatrician@gmail.com!

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GROUND SCHOOL SCHEDULE PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE GROUND SCHOOL PPL #25-04: MAY 5, 2025 TO JULY 20, 2025 Sundays (09:00 - 16:00) Instructor: Neil Keating

Ground School Schedule

(Zoom attendance possible by arrangement)

COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE GROUND SCHOOL CPL: APRIL 5, 2025 TO AUGUST 2, 2025 Saturdays (09:00 - 16:00) Instructor: Ken Kosik, Ben Holden, and Neil Keating

MOUNTAIN AWARENESS TRAINING GROUND SCHOOL MTA #24-XX DATES AS REQUIRED OR REQUESTED.

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

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

Confirm your attendance with Neil Keating on cell at 204-291-9667 and VFC Operations (Russell) at 250-656-2833.

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

Aviation Egress Training

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FIRST SOLOS

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

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

THIS ISSUE WE CELEBRATE THE FIRST SOLOS OF THESE PILOTS Chase Bidney Tristan Smith

Miko Tsares Chapman Chen

Dayton Parsons Tim Henderson

We want your first solo or achievement in the Patrician!

Send your photos to vfcpatrician@gmail.com or tag us on Instagr

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Meet multi-engine rated Mel!

Looking classy (class 4) Nate K

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

us

ram!

Korby!

First Solos &

Member Achievements

S:

Congrats Lauren Pederson!

First solo for Ryan Masingale!

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MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS PPL WRITTEN TEST

Member Achievements & New Members

Heather Blanchette William MacTavish Alexander Mackenzie Peter Blencowe

PPL FLIGHT TEST Liam Ross Phaelan George Ethan Van Tol Cayden Brune

CPL FLIGHT TEST Matthew Field

CPL WRITTEN EXAM Kevin Transchel Simon Miyashita

MULT-ENGINE RATING Julia Jensen Melissa Lacharity

CLASS 4 INSTRUCTOR RATING Blair Hohol

INRAT WRITTEN EXAM Ben Toner Gavin Johansen

WELCOME NEW VFC MEMBERS Wal ke r We l sh Br uce Co us i ns Hang ( St an) Shi Dakot a St ub b s Mi c hae l Gre er Fran Bugago n El i s ab et h Mar ti n Er i c Cogo Le o c a d i o Fat i m ah ( Ad a) Hmoud

Mi chael Quay le Caleb Eg b ago Dani e l Monge au Benj ami n Gi j zen Zoe Le d uc-Wr i g ht Brand en For kutza Muhamme d Al Ib rahi m Stani s lav Cher v i akov Gab r i el Qui me l

VFC MENTOR PROGRAM Do you want other pilots to fly with, split flight cost, share knowledge, or get help getting to a new airport for the first time? Find potential mentors and their resumes posted on the Mentors bulletin board beside the Dispatch counter.

Contact details are on each mentor's resume or you can email mentors@flyvfc.com for more information.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

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

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

T H E P R O F E S S I O N A L

PILOT

by David Gagliardi

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

P

FLIGHT TESTS

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

Flight tests are the right of passage to qualify as a Private Pilot and to attain additional qualifications and privileges.

Professional Pilots approach the flight test with a professional attitude. A large determinate in succeeding with your flight test is the amount of preparation you put in. Obviously the better prepared you are the better you

are likely to do, however there are tips that can make the experience better.

The purpose of this article is to provide those tips from my point of view as a pilot examiner (PE) so that you give yourself the best chance to succeed.

1) Read and understand the Transport Canada Flight Test Guide (FTG) for the test you are attempting. I still see candidates that show up for flight tests and don’t know what’s in the FTG. PE’s don’t colour outside the lines.

The FTG is your checklist for what you need to know and do on a flight test. Your instructor should have gone over the FTG with you before the ride, but you need to make sure that you understand everything in it. Carefully go through the performance criteria

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for each exercise and reach out to your instructor if there is something you are not sure of.

want to share a cramped cabin with this guy and get what ever nasty bug he had.

2) Find out ahead of time how the examiner would like to be paid.

Personally, I don’t do cheques anymore I will either take cash or an interact e-transfer.

4) Show up early and organized.

This includes, if possible, checking out the airplane before the test. Find out if there are any unserviceable components, oil and fuel are good, clean out any trash in the cabin and organize the seatbelts. A personal pet peeve is dirty windshields. See and Avoid is hard enough with a clean windshield but can become problematical if the airplane has killed every bug in a 10 mile radius.

3) Don’t show up for the flight test sick. This may seem obvious but knowing how hard it can sometimes be to schedule a flight test, there may be a temptation to show up even if you are not well. I had this happen to me when a candidate showed up with an obvious very bad cold. I asked him if he was OK to fly and he said yes, which ended the ride right there as a Pilot Decision Making fail, not to mention I did not

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5) Insist on a complete preflight test with ideally another experienced instructor. This should mirror the entire test including the ground portion.

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

The Professional Pilot

You will then have an idea of what to expect on the actual test which will make the process less frightening and also identify any weak areas that you can fix before the test.

6) On the ground portion: a) Don’t try to BS the PE. He/she knows way more than you do so if you don’t know the answer fess up immediately and ideally indicate where you go to look up the answer b) When asked a question that doesn’t seem clear to you ask the PE for some more context or information or say something like “Just so I am clear you want to know/me to explain/me to do XXX” c) When asked a question, don’t

answer right away—take a few seconds to organize your thoughts before replying. Try to be brief and answer just what you were asked. If the PE wants to know more let them ask. If you end up going down a rabbit hole, stop talking. Reset the conversation with a general comment like. “ I realize I am not explaining that very well. Let me start over”. As an examiner I am totally happy with that and it usually a reflection of the fact the candidate was nervous. d) As an examiner I will take notes throughout the flight test. The fact that I am writing something doesn’t mean you just failed it is just information so that I have everything I need to fill out the flight test report and provide an effective debrief so

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best to just ignore it.

The Professional Pilot

7) In the Air:

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a) Keep a good lookout! If you don’t look before you maneuver, you fail. I have had several flight tests fails for this. b) Keep the airplane trimmed! I continually see candidates not taking the time to get the airplane in trim and so as soon as I ask for something the airplane starts to climb or descend, or I ask then for a maneuver like say the Steep Turn and they are already 50 feet low or high before they have even started it.

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c) When asked to do a maneuver, if at all possible take 10 seconds and mentally run through the actions you will perform before commencing the maneuver. d) It should be absolutely clear in your mind who is doing what in the event of an actual emergency. If you have any doubts discuss the PE’s expectations.

My personal brief is as follows. In the event of an actual emergency requiring immediate action such as an engine failure or fire or loss or reduction in aircraft control I will immediately take control. We will work together as crew and I may use you to read checklists, talk on the radio, break out

VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

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The failed flight test:

a) The flight test is assessed as a pass or fail, however I don’t tell candidates they have failed. I tell them there were unsuccessful in the following area(s) and therefore are not presently eligible to hold the license or rating. The fact that a candidate failed isn’t a value judgment on their worth as a pilot or as a person, it is simply a reflection that they are missing a knowledge or skill element necessary to be a safe pilot.

When they address that deficit, they

will be successful. I think that is the best way to think about a ride bust. b) The flight test isn’t over until the PE says so. I have seen a few unfortunate candidates who did poorly on a maneuver but not necessarily bad enough to fail , but they then obsessed about what happened to the detriment of the succeeding maneuvers and then failed themselves. If you pooch something on the flight test you have to put it in the rearview and concentrate on the next one. The flight test is only over when the PE says it is over.

The Professional Pilot

the fire extinguishes etc etc. Do not do anything without my command so we don’t work at cross purposes. In the event of an aircraft issue that doesn’t require immediate action for example a failure of one radio, we will asses the impact the aircraft defect will have on the flight test and decide if we can continue or pause the test and return to base. If the decision is to continue it has to be mutual and we both get a veto.

As a PE I want the candidate to succeed and start every flight test with the view the candidate will be successful. Unfortunately, that is not always the case but you are much more likely to experience a mutually beneficial outcome with good preparation and a positive attitude.

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Waiting for m

STUPENDO M O U N TA F LY I N

Li

By John Bullock and Cam 14

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

marine layer to dissipate.

Are you a PPL wondering if you should take VFC's Mountain Flying Course? Or, having checked that box, are you still looking for a stretch mission to use it?

Clearly three words are not enough. Just know that amazing things are possible after your mountain training.

OUR MISSION Port Hardy (CYZT) eastward to Knight Inlet, northward up the inlet to the edge of the Chilcotin Plateau, then eastward for a first landing at Anahim Lake (CAJ4).

Stupendous M o u n ta i n F ly i n g

I have three responses for you: Highest Mountain, Highest Waterfall, and Highest Airport. Oh, and glaciers!

After refueling (W&B permitting!) go west retracing part of the earlier track but continue westward for the long descent into Bella Coola (CYBD).

On the ground, assess fuel and weather again before continuing westward for a full stop at Campbell Island's airport called Bella Bella (CBBC).

Finally, proceed southward back to Port Hardy.

MISSION PREP

US AIN NG.

i te ra l l y.

Key to the mission were the following: preparation, preparation, preparation.

Preparation cannot be overstated. In the mountains the ever-present threats of wind and clouds are magnified.

But mountains also force us to deal with density altitude, something rarely faced by us PPLs based in Victoria.

Factors to consider for this type of mission:

TIMING • Summer is likely the only time all legs will be VFR—plus passengers want visual conditions for the sights • Fly the mountain legs earlier in the day—summer heat means high density altitude (thin air, poor performance)

ille Angus 15

Stupendous M o u n ta i n F ly i n g

VFC Member Profile: Darren Rich

Our four flight tracks.

ROUTING

mountain flying

• Fly VFR routes if possible—most of BC is remote and rugged, and published routes generally give the best combination of emergency landing options and places to be found

SAFETY GEAR & SERVICES

• Overfly the route multiple times beforehand — Foreflight™ and other tools provide simulated views at altitude

WEIGHT & BALANCE • W&B is always important, but weight is especially critical when 16

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• Leave behind any gear you can— assumes a base such as car and/or hotel

• Life jackets — large portions of this mission have water as the only emergency landing option • Shoes/boots (not sandals)—in case you need to walk out of an off-airport landing • Emergency locator beacons—Zoleo™ or Garmin InReach™can provide an extra option to be found via satellite VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

• Take sufficient water & proteinrich snacks as they could be difficult/ impossible to obtain at remote airports

OTHER • Paper map(s) are highly recommended because they: 1) can stay open as a continuous

Glacial runoff in Knight Inlet.

2) are immune to overheating and battery failure • A blood pulse oximeter is a cheap/ easy way to periodically check for hypoxia • Extra battery packs& cables—a safety item for your personal nav/comm devices but also consider them for keeping cameras going. But beware of battery duplication between passengers and crew (the weight adds up).

VFC Member Profile: Darren Rich

• Capture weather and flight info beforehand —phone service and Wi-Fi are non-existent en route and may also be unavailable at remote airports

reference — it is easy to take a wrong turn at a valley fork, making an emergency canyon turn necessary

up pe en nd do ou us s S tt u ou un n ta ta ii n n F ly ly ii n ng g Mo

• Remember the survival gear mantras: "If you don't have it on you, you won't have it with you" (egress time may be limited) and "Two is One and One is None" (redundancy, e.g. have at least two ways to make a fire as one may fail)

CYZT BASE Prior to mission day we flew to Port Hardy (CYZT) and checked into our favourite hotel, the Kwa'lilas. While

Glacial runoff in Knight Inlet.

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Stupendous M o u n ta i n F ly i n g

still at CYZT we also picked up a rental car.

I can’t comment on service at other National locations (main website touts catering to general aviation), but whenever we have rented in Port Hardy the manager, Hyder, always goes out of his way to meet us at our non-airline arrival times.

car. Then I triple checked the weight & balance and captured all relevant weather information.

MISSION DAY & HIGHLIGHTS

Moving upstream, towards the mouth of the inlet, the water became increasingly milky green in appearance due to the

Finally,we departed following the Vancouver Island shoreline due east toward Knight Inlet. Yes, we tend to forget that the island is not lined up north-south and in fact the top part of the Base camp established island has an east-west we then had our favourite orientation. After turning Port Hardy supper… pizza left at Knight Inlet, we from Mo's Restaurant. proceeded northward on a climb to 6500 ft..

We left all non-essential items in the hotel and

glacial run-off.

Then we started passing by a series of stunning mountains and glaciers.

So many glaciers!

HIGHEST MOUNTAIN Further along, on the starboard side,we were treated to views of Mount Waddington. At 13,186 ft.. it is the highest British Columbia mountain peak that lies entirely within the province.

HIGHEST WATERFALL Nearing the top of our northbound track we came to Hunlen falls. It is

Mt. Waddington & Franklin Glacier.

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

Stupendous M o u n ta i n F ly i n g

VFC Member Profile: Darren Rich

Another glacier in Waddington Range.

Canada's highest free falling waterfall, depending on which free falling definition is used. Water from Turner Lake above drops vertically 850 ft.. at the start and in total cascades 1,316 ft. down to Lonesome Lake . We flew one orbit around the falls (small loop in the green track above — video clips at johnbullock.net/mountain-flying) and then continued north to the Atnarko

waypoint and the start of the Chilcotin Plateau.

Next, we headed east over the infamous Bella Coola Road — 18% grades but, you know, … we’re flying :) After only a few minutes flying we were over strangely flat terrain and preparing for the quick descent to Anahim Lake (CAJ4).

Valley east of Trophy Lake.

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Mouth of Bella Coola River.

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

HIGHEST AIRPORT At 3644 ft. MSL Anahim Lake is Canada’s highest airport with commercial traffic. Temperature on mission day was 31°C so density altitude calculations and awareness were crucial.

least it makes the winds line up nicely with runway 23.

After departing Bella Coola,we followed a westward track to Bella Bella (CBBC). There, after landing, I had my first experience at being marshalled to a stop. This probably only happened because the ground crew was already out prepping for departure of the twice-

After landing we took on a small amount of fuel and then departed for our second leg of the day.

We retraced our path over the crazy switchback highway. This time however, we continued westward and prepped for the long descent into Bella Coola (CYBD).

Just prior to the descent we passed Stupendous Mountain, an Preparing for landing at Bella Coola. impressive snow-covered peak with an awesome name (see photo daily Pacific Coastal flight to Vancouver.

Finally, we began our fourth and final at end of the article). leg back to Port Hardy. The day was so Landing at Bella Coola was gusty clear that during the one-hour flight we as expected. Early afternoon imagined we could somehow see Japan heating causes surface winds to off the starboard wing :) channel through the narrow valley, concentrating them near the airport. At

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DEBRIEF We encountered no traffic on the first three flight legs and saw no people on the ground at the first two airports. We also heard no radio calls other than a couple far away position reports. After departing Port Hardy,the first real sign of life was the marshaller at Bella Bella.

• On a remote mission like this, be prepared to be selfsufficient for the duration On the take-off roll at Anahim Lake I went full rich out of habit. Wrong!

I caught it on the roll but that is not the time.

• Document/flag any nonroutine density altitude procedures you’ll need — from the POH:above 3000 feet, LEAN to obtain maximum RPM. Our departure for next day’s return to CYYJ was delayed by 6 hours due to a heavy marine layer over CYZT. • Marine fog at Port Hardy is common. Carefully plan your alternates going into CYZT. And stay in touch with dispatch if your return to CYYJ is delayed Hunlen Falls.

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

VFC Member Profile: Darren Rich

Stupendous M o u n ta i n F ly i n g

Queen Charlotte Sound enroute to Port Hardy.

CAPTAIN'S LOG: SUPPLEMENTAL This mission was two years in the making. Aircraft availability along with several days of near-perfect weather can take a while to line up, plus we had a string of personal scheduling conflicts. If this happens to you,consider a shorter mission that covers most of the highlights. Either way, your preparation and persistence will be rewarded stupendously.

Now that's a Stupendous Mountain.

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2025 WINGS BAN

On March 28th, 2025, the VFC held its yearly Wings Banquet event to congratulate and recognize its new and continuing pilots. The event was held the picturesque Olympic View Golf Course and the VFC turned out in their be

We thought end this month's issue with some photos of the event for those w would like to commemorate or were unable to attend. Enjoy!

Awards and wings ready to be handed out.

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

NQUET

d at est!

who

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The VFC showed up in style for the banquet!

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

2025 Wings Banquet

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General Manager Mike giving a rousing speech.

MC Katrina McGie starts the award ceremony!

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

2025 Wings Banquet

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The event was hosted by Katrina McGie (right) and co-host Claire Evans (left).

Our new pilots and award winners!

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VFC | Aviation Excellence Since 1946

2025 Wings Banquet

The wings!

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THANKS FOR THE SHARE!

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAGGED US ON INSTAGRAM!

From top, left to right: @flyboy_dane: "Pushing back in OGG #maui"; @flyboy_dane: "Night vision goggles on for the red eye"; @keanu.mcgill: "Technically officially a pilot now? Wings Banquet 2025"; @pilot_laura: "Back in a few ;) Oh hi! Just hanging out learning about the F18."; @melgoeshiking: " Multi engine check ride"; @ burtonader: "The official @canadianaviatormag Piper Cherokee with editor Steve at the controls lifts off from YYJ the other week." // Thanks for the share!

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