David McElroy will be giving a video presentation of his ‘around the world’ trip in a Comanche on January 8th at the Duncan Flying Club clubhouse. Time: 1900. All are welcome.
Parksville/Qualicum Airport (CAT4) Noise Abatement
Sealand Aviation, which operates a flying school at CAT4, has made improvements to the existing procedure in an attempt to minimize airplane noise to the surrounding community. These are copied below:
- Departing runway 29: Turn to heading 250 until reaching 1000 AGL
- Departing runway 11: Turn to heading 140 until reaching 1000 AGL
- Arriving to join the circuit via midpoint: Plan a descent so as to arrive at midpoint at circuit altitude (not sooner)
Tnx Rocky for the update
Photos courtesy of NFC Member Aurele Belland
A New Graphic Weather Site of Interest
The U.S. Aviation Weather Center has introduced a new graphical weather product that provides valuable information in a condensed format. The URL is: https://aviationweather.gov/gfa/#obs
There are numerous options available to customize the display. Be sure to experiment with these options by accessing the buttons on the upper right of the display. The radar display of precipitation is particularly useful.
(The ‘looping’ function can be turned off in the menu options.)
While the default display provides current information, by clicking on the time scale, the information can be rewound to any time in the previous 18 hours. Clicking on any station symbol will provide the latest METAR (and TAF, if configured from the menu).
The entire display automatically updates approximately every 10 minutes.
For a glossary of the met symbols, click on the ‘i’ (information) button at the bottom right of the display.
Being a U.S. product, the values shown are all in U.S. units (i.e. temperature in Fahrenheit). Metric values can be selected but that action results in all values changing (i.e. visibility in km). This product displays a great deal of information and is a welcome addition.
A big vote of thanks to: Darrle Schlitz, Gord Henne and Aurele Belland for resealing the south clubhouse roof. Darrle also built the new stairs, accessing the roof from the upstairs office. Great work guys!!
May 28
NFC was pleased to co-host the 2023 and 2024 Ceremonial Reviews of the 205 Collishaw Air Cadet Squadron, together with the Nanaimo Airport Commission (NAC). The parades on our ramp area were attended by several hundred visitors. Music was provided by the combined forces of the Air Cadet and Sea Cadet bands. The photos are from the 2023 event. Unfortunately, the 2024 review was conducted in the rain.
Many thanks to the NFC volunteers that helped make this event such a success. A special shout-out to Ken Plant, who took time out from woofing his birthday cake to take these photos.
The NFC is sad to note the passing of our long-time Members:
Bill Wilson and Ray Bowerman
Fuel Manager Brian offering an alternate source of energy
With heavy hearts, we sadly announce the passing of long time members Roger & Margueritte Killin. Both were very active members in ths 1970’s thru the 1990’s. Roger served on the executive from 1975 to 1979 and 1982 to 1984
Who has 28,000 hours of flight time, has flown 175 different aircraft types, is also an AME and a NFC Member? That would be the author of a new book: ‘No Ordinary Days’
Visit: https://www.coastdogpress.com/product-page/no-ordinary-days
You may be (pleasantly) surprised!
Cherokee KDR Normal Start procedure
(Occasionally successful)
Photo: Dr K Wilson (KDR starting emerg physician)
Sad news: We regret recording the passing of a good friend – Peter Rees – on March 23 at the age of 97.
Peter served in WWII where he was awarded medals in recognition of selfless acts of service in defence of Canada. After the war he worked in the Merchant Marine, travelling around the world from Fiji to India. He had many stories of those times. He also spent part of his life as an engineer in Royal Canadian Naval service, later becoming a fire fighter in Vancouver. After retirement he served on the Thetis Island volunteer fire department including spending years to create the service.
Peter particularly enjoyed joining the ‘first Saturday Brunch’ at NFC. Other special occasions included when his friend, Rick Koeppen, rented VBA and the two of them went flying together.
The Nanaimo Flying Club and its members send their condolences to Peter’s family. We will miss you Pete.
The Bylaws that govern the operation of your club have been in need of an update for a considerable time. Chris Murphy, from the NFC Legal Department, kindly offered to do the review. These revised bylaws were put to the membership at the Annual General Meeting and approved. Please take a few moments to review the changes. The new NFC bylaws are available here. Chris has supplied a supplementary file which explains the reasons for change. You can read that document here.
Are you a NFC history buff?
The NFC has a long and illustrious story to tell.
Click here or mosey on over to the Members page and hit the History button for a smooth flight down memory lane.
Attention pilots flying in the vicinity of Nanoose Bay
The Skydive Vancouver Island organization has recently moved its operating area from overhead the Qualicum Airport (CAT4) to the vicinity of Nanoose Bay, with activity commencing June 1, 2020.
The new location is at the Arbutus Meadows Events Centre at 1515 Island Hwy E in Nanoose Bay at N49 16′ 59.77″ / W124 14′ 32.51″. (See map below).
The operating area is 2 miles in diameter and 6 miles from the Qualicum Beach Airport directly on the approach path for Runway 29 (!). For IFR approaches (CYCD & CAT4), the area is near the NANOO intersection. This jump location is along the highway between Nanoose Bay and Northwest Bay.
Skydivers can be exiting the aircraft between 2500 and 12,500 feet ASL.
Alerts will be broadcast on 122.8 at intervals of 5, 3 and 1 minutes prior to the jump and at the time of the jumpers exiting the aircraft. C-FRTN & C-FHKC are the primary jump aircraft.
Request further information at: info@skydivevancouverisland.com or 250 580 5867
Update: There have been numerous concerns raised about the location of the above drop zone. We were recently copied on a Transport Canada reply to a question raising this matter.
“To mitigate conflictions with IFR aircraft in Class E airspace on the approach to runway 29 at Qualicum Beach, the jump plane contacts Victoria Terminal for traffic information under the rules of Class E airspace. The jump operator also uses ground spotters and broadcasts on both the Qualicum ATF and Victoria Terminal frequency 120.8 to advise aircraft in the vicinity prior to and during the jump. Pending publication of the drop zone location on VFR charts, a NOTAM is filed for the planned skydiving location, altitude, and duration.
In addition, there is no defined conflict resolution provided by ATC between skydivers and IFR/VFR aircraft. Advisory is provided on a workload permitting basis when the jump plane is outside Class C airspace, only to improve situational awareness and ultimately it falls on non-participating aircraft to see and avoid the skydivers.”
A tip for NFC Members who fly to YYJ (Victoria) and wish to rent a car:
National Car Rental will pick you up at the Victoria Flying Club, if you make prior arrangements with them. After a brief stop at the YYJ terminal to do the paperwork, you’re on your way. As a bonus, you can leave the car at VFC. There is a 10% discount for NFC Members. F.Y.I.
A Word to our Pilots and Visiting Aviators
YCD is becoming a busy place. There is considerable (and increasing) commercial activity, featuring turbo-prop and turbo-jet aircraft. This traffic peaks between 1030 and 1300 local time.
IFR aircraft departing for YVR are subject to ‘flow control’ during most of the daylight hours. This is implemented by the issuance of a ‘slot time’ to each aircraft, which must then depart at that time or lose the ‘slot’.
As a courtesy to our commercial neighbours (and their passengers), please consider managing your arrival, departure or circuits so as to facilitate these operators. An extended downwind, a short diversion away from the pattern or a hold on the ground are all appreciated means of cooperation.
Other airports have instituted mandatory procedures to limit practice circuits, or even VFR operations, during busy commercial operations.
Please be aware of the heavy metal and let’s demonstrate how cooperation trumps regulation.
Denis Berube has captured many moments of life at NFC. Go to ‘images’ and scroll down to “Denis’ Photos”. Click on the Cherokee and enjoy the trip down memory lane.
No fuel burn required. Thanks Denis!
Pilots flying to Boundary Bay (ZBB) should be aware that aircraft parking on a complimentary basis has been reduced once again. It is now 90 minutes. Furthermore, the parking fees have been increased by $5. If your stay exceeds this time, you will be charged as follows:
Singles $20.00 + GST Twins $30.00 + GST
Additionally, as of June 2018, the doors from the Terminal to Airside are locked to prevent egress to the ramp area. Pilots needing to return to their aircraft must seek access at the Alpha Aviation office, located at the east end of the check-in counters. This security is to prevent pilots who overstay the time limit from leaving without paying their account. It is not the result of a Transport or NavCanada mandate.
It’s probably time to forget about this place for that $100 hamburger.
NFC is famous for the grub served up at our General Meetings
and at the world-renowned ‘First Saturday of the month Fly-ins’.
However, our over-worked volunteer baristas, cooks, clean-up gang and the Social Director are becoming fatigued.
We have more than 140 Members who could help out. If you are one of them, please volunteer.
If we all kick in, the workload will be much reduced. If you know how to operate a spatula, kindly contact our Chef de Cuisine, Anne-Marie Koeppen, via email: gotoannemarie@hotmail.com
Please seriously consider helping the NFC continue with this long-standing tradition (that pilots like to eat!)
Think it’s all props and 100LL at YCD?
Well, Virginia, best you take a look at:
https://www.nanaimoflyingclub.org/images/heavymetal/
By the way, there are tons of NFC memories available on the images tab.
(Crayons not included)
All Piper pilots know that Cessnas are dogs, but really….
An Airbus A319 drops by NFC for fuel?
Naw. It’s Friday, June 22, 2018 and scheduled jet service comes to YCD, for the summer, at least. The first Air Canada Rouge departs for Toronto on a non-stop flight. The passengers are so excited to see our Clubhouse that the pilots stop to take a photo!
Does your aircraft need avionics work done?
A new facility has opened at Boundary Bay Airport, operated by technicians with decades of experience.
The annual ELT recert can be done on a ‘while you wait’ basis. Other services include everything from the bi-annual transponder / altimeter check through to full-panel replacements.
Your webmaster had a major upgrade performed there recently. It was completed on-time, on-budget with excellent results and professional service throughout the project.
Canada West Avionics (ZBB) (604) 409 8182. Recommended.
Overnight (or longer) vehicle parking at the Club is restricted to Members only.
Get your vehicle parking pass by contacting ‘parking@nanaimoflyingclub.org‘
Members can now pay their dues and/or their aircraft parking fees on-line, using this website. Here’s how:
Go to the ‘members’ page, read the brief instructions, select the appropriate payment option and click on the ‘Buy Now’ button. Please note that a PayPal account is NOT necessary. We ask that you use a major credit card, not a debit card. The transaction is completed by the secure services of PayPal. The fee for this is included in the prices shown. Kindly note that ‘one year’ refers to the NFC calendar year (Jan 1-Dec 31). Other parking periods may be accommodated. Contact our Parking Director. We hope you will find this to be a convenient, optional method to maintain your membership.
Prospective new members should visit the ‘join’ page and complete the Membership Application first.
The Ravenous Raven (Gillies Bay) is a great place to try for lunch or dinner. They have extended hours in July (Tue to Sat 10 – 8 pm, Sun 10 – 3 pm). Give them a call at 604 486 0471 and they’ll tell you how to get a ride from CYGB. The airport has free bicycles, if you’re inclined. It’s about 2 miles and you’ll work off your lunch on the return leg.
That ‘thing’ on the Clubhouse roof is not a UFO attractor, not even an avian restroom.
It’s a new antenna for the Club’s aviation radio receiver.
NFC’s Radio Police will be evaluating Members for correct communications protocol.
Offenders may expect whippings with microphone cable.
Check out our Facebook page
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it’s a big, pretty, white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big Tylenol. -Airplane!
