July 24 2010 Pilot Briefing Seminar - Flight Operations Review

You obtained your PPL, CPL, etc. many years ago after slogging through the ground school and airwork, and you’ve been flying for a while. But did you ever have one of those days when you’re you’re flying and ATC issued you an instruction and you think to yourself “Gee, I think we covered that in ground school”. Remember your ATF, MF procedures? Know what MTCA, LAHSO, SIRO, MVFR, SVFR, Va, LSMFT mean? What does that big X on the runway mean? Where do you find the FSS RCO frequencies? Is your memory fuzzy about these or are you drawing a complete blank? Well then, this Pilot Briefing session is for you!

Cam Friesen will be presenting a mini-refresher on Flight Operations to review a lot of the things you really should know to fly safely but are probably a bit rusty on. The intent is to cover the important aspects of stuff you covered in ground school, and update you on some of the things that may have changed since you obtained your license. The seminar is about three hours long, and there will be a section at the end where you can ask questions on items that don't get covered but you would like have addressed.

Pacific Flying Club
Saturday, July 24, 2010
9:00 AM - Noon

Please RSVP with PFC Dispatch (604.946.0011) if you plan to attend this seminar.

June 19, 2010 Pilot Briefing Session

Advanced Airmanship Program

Ground School Portion

June 19, 2010

8:30 AM – PFC Classroom

Now that we seem to have some good weather on the horizon, we’re kicking off the PFC GA Activities. We talked about the Advanced Airmanship in the past, and are doing the formal start with a Pilot Briefing Seminar on Saturday June 19 starting at 8:30. The intent of this program is to allow pilots to develop their skills beyond those of the PPL and even the CPL. Most of the exercises are the same as those given to candidates in the Instructor Rating program. It will allow you to become more confident and comfortable with some aspects of your flying, develop some new skills, and expand the envelope in which you feel comfortable with the airplane.

Paul Harris will be presenting the theory and background to the exercises that comprise the flying portion of the program, which consists of five flights. Members wishing to participate in the Air Portion of the program are assigned to specially selected instructors, and you proceed through the program at your own pace. Even if you don’t intend on participating in the Air Exercises part of the program, the Pilot Briefing Seminar will give you a much greater understanding of what an airplane does during various flight maneuvers, and how to make the airplane do what “you” want it to.

The air syllabus is as follows;

Flight 1

• Precision speed changes
• Rolling on a heading - 80 kts
• Slipping on a heading - 80 kts
• Advanced slow flight
• 30, 45 and 60 degree turns
• Level flight - full envelope exercise
• Uncoordinated climbing turning stall - left
• Precision forced approach

Flight 2

• Precision speed changes
• Rolling on a heading - 80 kts
• Slipping on a heading - 80 kts
• 30, 45 and 60 degree turns
• Advanced slow flight
• Full level flight envelope exercise
• Spins to headings
• Precision forced approach
• Precautionary landing with obstacle

Flight 3

• Circuits at YPK - Slips down the runway

Flight 4

• Circuits at YPK - Slips down the runway
• Intro to 180 power off approach

Flight 5

• Circuits at YPK - Precision short and soft
• 180 power off approach

I started in Air Exercises a while back and have completed that part of the program. I learned a lot from it, had a lot of fun doing it, and have a spiffy certificate to hang on the “F*** I’m Great Wall”. I highly recommend it to all PFC Club Members. One advantage of the program is that upon completion, it counts as your annual check ride! The highlights were the Slips Down The Runway at CYPK, Spin To Heading, Precautionary Landing With Obstacle, and the Short Field Landing at CYNJ with no backtrack followed by a Short Field Takeoff (yes, you can do this!).

Upcoming events for the GA Group are;

• Pilot Briefing Session – Review of the CAR’s and important Ground School material that you’ve probably forgotten since your PPL/CPL. This is a way to refresh your memory on the things you must know to fly safely, and do it a short period of time.

• GA Fly-Out – San Juan Island Hop. The intent is to visit as may airports in the San Jaun Islands as possible in a day flight. There will be separate flights on Saturday and Sunday. We will have an Instructor along for the flight to assist people who have never flown to the US before. Date TBD.

• GA Fly-Out - Tsuniah Lake Lodge Weekend. We intend to do an overnight trip to Tsuniah Lake Lodge on Chilco Lake (Between Williams Lake and Bella Coola). If weather permits, we will return to CZBB via Bute Inlet. Date TBD. You must have a Mountain Check and a Soft Field Landing at Hope to participate in this flight.

• GA Fly-Out - Reno Air Races. Yes, we are planning our third trip to Reno in September. You must have a Mountain Check, a US Cross Border Check, and a reasonable number of hours as PIC to participate in this flight.

Flying During the 2010 Olympics - A True Tale

As most of you should know, there are special procedures in place during the Olympics. At first, the procedures look pretty daunting, but Pacific Flying Club has procedures in place to remove most of the complexities. All you have to do is be registered with the ISU through the club (simple), arrange for a Flight Authorization a few days ahead of time, (simple) and then follow some simple rules while flying (again, simple).

On Friday January 29, 2010 (just after the rules came into effect, PFC sent 6 aircraft and 20 people through the system.We all arrived at PFC at 7:30 to file our flight plans, check weather, NOTAM's, etc. At 8:30 AM, the 6 planes taxied over to the new CZBB Terminal to get a security screening. I was PIC with my passengers being Paul Harris and Kerry McDowall. We went into the building and lined up for CATSA screening, the same as you get on a commercial flight at YVR. Paul decided to really test the system, and brought 3 knives with him which he put in the plastic tray. The screeners basically just took his knives away and said they would hand them the the PIC (me) who would securely take them to the plane after screening. Everybody's heart rate went down after that. After that, Paul started thinking of other things to bring with him next time.

We were escorted to the aircraft by an RCMP officer (who was working on his day off and getting $110/hr during a 12 hour shift). We asked him if anyone had given him a safety briefing for checking out an airplane, and he basically said no. We gave him the Readers Digest version, and then he looked at the plane for a few seconds and then sent us on our way. The whole process took about 20 minutes.

We started the engine and taxied over to Alpha for the run-up, and then departed 12 for CYNJ. The only diffrence was that after leaving CZBB, we had to depart via a specific checkpoint (Blackie Spit) and contact Vancouver Monitor after leaving the zone. We stayed with VR Monitor till we got near CYNJ, then called up CYNJ. They gave us left base for 01. All the aircraft wound up in the Apron area near the security trailer, which created a major bottleneck. They were set up for three airplanes tops, and we show up with six. We went into the trailer (we were second in) and went through a similar process as back in CZBB (including Paul's knives). After the screening, we were escorted out to the aicraft by another RCMP officer, then did our run-up adjacent to the security trailer. The security process here took about 25 minutes. We got permission to taxi to threshold of 01 for departure, but had to wait about 5 minutes for the controller to issue a departure clearance.

Once through 1500' out of CYNJ, the controller handed us off to VR Monitor (124.675) and we headed to King George where we then contacted CZBB for landing instructions. Again, we had to have a specific arrival point in our flight plan. The six aircraft arrived over the next 20 minutes of so.

The whole process was rather uneventful, and only two security checks leaving CZBB and prior to coming back into CZBB. The major reason for the delays was that we showed up with 6 aircraft at the same time in both places.

So it is possible to fly during the Olmypic period, all it takes is a bit more planning. I plan to do more flying during this event, weather permitting. If any other members want to do the same, just talk with Dispatch at the club to arrange it. If you still feel uncomfortable doing it on your own, book an instructor to come along the first time (they all know the procedures and have flown). The club has great incentives to make it worth your while to get up and fly.

After the "Test Flight" with the six aircraft on Friday, Patrick Mooney, Harry Pride and Doug Moore ventured into the air under the Olympic Flight Restrictions and returned without bullet holes. They're all smiling, so it must have been enjoyable. For their efforts, they received the coveted "I Survived the Five-Ring Flying Circus" coffee mug. To receive one, you must fly during the restriction period. Hurry to get yours, they are in short supply.




Hope to see some of you at CYCW for pie!

EverythingYou Wanted To Know About Flying at PFC During the Olympic Period

The procedures in place for flying in the Lower Mainland during the 2010 Winter Olympics will be different but NOT prohibitive. By attending this Pilot Briefing Seminar, you will be provided with all the information you need to know to be airborne during the Olympics. Check with Dispatch for incentives in place from Jan 29 to March 24, 2010.

Pilot Briefing Seminar
Pacific Flying Club
Tuesday, Jan 26 2010
7:00 PM

Please RSVP with PFC Dispatch (604.946.0011) if you plan to attend this seminar. The new Vancouver VTA will be given to all PFC members (free of charge) who have not already received one. This new VTA details the airspace restructuring during the 2010 Olympic Period.

The difference between PFC and the Olympics is that we can't be rained out!

New YVR Airspace Changes Effective July 2, 2009

As most of you are already aware, the new Airspace changes in the Lower Mainland come into effect on July 2, 2009. PFC has just received the new VTA which comes into effect on that date, and you can purchase them from dispatch. You should obtain a new VTA and familiarize yourself with it BEFORE you venture out into the wild blue yonder.

You can find an overview of the Airspace changes on the NavCanada website at the following link;

Link to "YVR AIRSPACE AND VFR SYSTEM CHANGES"

US Cross Border Procedures and eAPIS Pilot Briefing Seminar

Flights to the US are not that difficult as long as you know the electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) procedures and regulations, and the differences that apply to civil aviation in the US and Canada. Information on the procedures for entering the US and also flying back into Canada are presented. Differences between Canada and the US as they relate to you as a pilot will also be presented.

The seminar is intended for those who are about to obtain the US Cross Border Check Ride, or for those who have already done the Check Ride and are interested in brushing up your skills and/or learning more about eAPIS. Since procedures for flying to/from the US have changed drastically with the introduction of APIS and eAPIS on May 18 2009, it would be very worthwhile getting up to date on these new procedures. Failure to be in compliance carries severe penalties ($5,000 US for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation!).

Pacific Flying Club
Sunday, July 19 2009
9:00 AM

Please RSVP with PFC Dispatch (604.946.0011) if you plan to attend this seminar. The instructor for this seminar is Dan Martens. For those wishing to make their initial US Cross Border Check Ride, instructors can be lined for you up after the seminar.

Places to Fly - Gillies Bay

Getting bored of the same old places to fly and looking for something different? Well, why not check out Gillies Bay which is on Texada Island. The Aeorodrome is listed in the CFS as Texada/Gillies (CYGB). It's located on the West side of Texada Island essntially between Powell River and Comox. From CZBB. From CZBB, it is about 1 hour and 15 minutes one way in a C-172 using a routing froun CZBB to CYPK, along the Vancouver Harbour to Bowen Island and direct along the Sunshine Coast to Gillies Bay. It's a great place to to takes friends/family for picnic lunch and enjoy a scenic trip there and back. You can walk to the beach from the airport, or you can ride one of the loaner bicycles provided at the "Terminal Building". They do request a small donation for using the bikes to pay for the maintenance. The location of CYGB is shown in the following chart.

The runway (14/32) is 3000 foot by 75 foot with a 1.3 degree upslope on runway 32 and a field elevation of 326 feet. The runway, taxiway, and apron area are in very good shape, and there a good clearaway zones at each end and both sides of the runway. It is a ATF, so make sure you follow the ATF procedures approaching the field.

Looking South-East from runway 14 (see following picture) you can see that the runway has trees along the east side and at the runway end, but there is a good clearance between the edge of the runway and the trees. You can also the see the windsock located as per the CFS.

Looking North-West from the end of runway 14, you can see trees and a low power line (marked in Orange and White). Not seen is the photo is the Quarry North and West of the runway, as indicated in the CFS. Sometimes a NOTAM will be issued for blasting, but this is not always the case.

Taxiway Alpha is at the North end of the runway, and leads you to a paved parking area and access to a grass parking area. There are several tie down points, but not all have ropes so you should bring tie downs in you plan to stop at CYGB. The following photo was taken from the Apron looking west toward Taxiway Alpha and the runway.

As you can see from the following photo, the parking area is pretty small. Also shown in the photo is a wind sock that isn't indicated in the CFS. Just behind the aircraft on the left is a "Terminal Building" which has a washroom. There are a couple of picnic tables available as well.

Use caution and good judgement when landing at CYGB due to possible wind shadowing/shear from the trees along the runway. You can get an idea of the altimeter and winds at CYGB using the Comox ATIS (118.60 MHz) and the CYGB wind socks. Check the NOTAM's for any activity in the nearby CYA zones and blasting in the Quarry.