President’s Column, December 2022
Dear members,
As the year draws to a close, I reflect on the considerable accomplishments the club has achieved in the last twelve months.
- A major revision with membership input of the club Standard Operating Procedures,( S.O.P.’s), so that no members flying our aircraft can be in any doubt as to the expectations we have of pilots using our valuable assets. A more detailed summary of this process is available from the Flight Safety Chair.
- Again, with complete openness and transparency, the Board sought direction from the membership on significant bylaw changes around meeting attendance for maintenance of good standing. You have decided that some meeting attendance is desirable, but the number has been reduced from eight to four.
- Despite huge problems raising volunteers , the Airshow was a great success, and the stalwarts who ran the campground earned the club $20,000. This is an enormous boost for the club coffers, in a time of reduced membership renewals, and for that we say again, thank you very much to those of you, members and family and friends who made that happen.
- Two Wings and Wheels events were hosted at the club, enthusiastic participation raised a significant contribution to the Abbotsford food bank. Thanks to members who participated, and also to the many car enthusiasts for their involvement.
- Our aircraft continue to be maintained to the highest level, the Piper having undergone a major overhaul and returning to service in the early summer as the weather finally started to improve. The C172 is now in for its’ 100 hour, and some unforeseen issues have been identified.
- The clubhouse roof repairs were completed, and the maintenance committee has organized several work bees to keep the premises in shape.
- Our membership has been growing with a number of young and enthusiastic inductees, which will help bolster our volunteer corps, on which the club depends.
- Major revisions of the club website and newsletter are underway, and I hope you will approve of the changes.
So, despite the challenges of epidemics, inflation, soaring fuel prices, and the need to exercise diligence in social functions, the club continues to thrive in a sprit of fellowship.
On behalf of myself and the board, I wish you all a happy holiday season, and a wonderful flying season in 2023
Sincerely,
Chris Palmer,
President.
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Messages from the Board
This is your chance to hear directly from each board member. This section will include messages from the directors about upcoming initiatives that they are working on but also news that they want you to know about.
Treasurer Devin Campbell
Thankyou everyone for your input about the Moneris charges at the last General Meeting. Based on your input, it has been decided not to investigate this any further. I would like to remind everyone though, that the preferred method of payment is e-transfer. I do know that some accounts do not charge a fee for sending e-transfer while others do, but one thing I know for sure is that ever time we process a credit card payment it does cost the club 2% on that payment that could be used somewhere else in the club.
Newsletter Devin Campbell and Laurens Bosman
Thank you for your continued support in the newsletter. please forward any stories and or suggestions to the newsletter committee.
Building Maintenance Director Dan Renaud
Nothing to Report except thankyou to those who shoveled the snow in front of the flying club.
Membership Director Adrian Renkers
The photo gallery has been updated again and currently shows pictures of almost all the members. We have 66 paid up members to date. The gallery hasn’t been this current for a number of years. Thanks Bevan for all your efforts. If your picture is missing please reach out to me or Bevan to get your picture in the display.
The AFC board has approved the application of Nicole Provost. Nicole is all paid up and is now officially a member of the AFC. Welcome aboard Nicole.
Fly-Out Devin Campbell
With the onset of Winter, we are still continuing Sunday morning fly-out but most likely driving out for breakfast most mornings. If you would like to join us for a fly-out or drive out, we meet at the clubhouse at 8:30 Sunday mornings and decide were we are going based on weather. We always find seats so don't be afraid to come if you do not have a plane to fly. There is also always a lot of laughter and airplane talk so if you have a question about maintenance or flying please come and join us.
On Saturday (December 17) we will be having our first Education Seminar. This one will be on Pre-heating the Club's aircraft. Everyone is welcome and we will be meeting at the clubhouse at 10am and then walking over to the hangars.
Our next two sessions will be on Airport Procedures around Abbotsford Airport and on Airport Markings. These two will most likely be virtually and will take part the Saturday after the General Meeting. We are open to new ideas and suggestions, please forward any to Devin Campbell.
Social Ledell Kendall
This year we will not be having a Christmas or a New Year's party due to all the ailments that are going around (COVID, Influenza, RSV). Instead, we will be having a year end celebration at the last TGIF of the year.
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Due to work constraints, nothing to report this month
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GGMA has gone in for its annual inspection. Bakerview completed their observations and presented the committee with a list of 27 items on a defect worksheet. Some items were more serious than others and our committee AME, Duncan Poynton, selected the most important ones to be corrected while the aircraft is booked off for the annual.
Our AME selected 13 of the 27 items for attention and listed the others for future consideration. Some of the important items are: both magnetos were well overdue for the 500 hour inspection, all spark plugs were worn to limits, the right hand brake linings were worn to damage, the left hand brake linings were worn, both brake pads were worn past limits, the left hand piston is leaking, the left hand tire has a flat spot that is worn to limits, all wheel bearings were dry, right hand wheel bearings were rough, and the elevator trim cable tension requires adjustment.
The committee’s goal is to make GGMA airworthy and safe and to leave some of the more cosmetic repairs for a later date.
On behalf of the aircraft maintenance committee have a safe holiday and enjoy and protect our aircraft.
Safe flights,
Clark, AFC Aircraft Maintenance
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For Remembrance Day ceremonies three members of the Flying Club as well as a former member got together a couple of weeks before Remembrance Day and began practicing formation flying in the practice area. They did several practice runs before taking off on November 11 as well as several hours of  briefings and de-briefings. The weather was watched carefully and there was talk about cancelling the flight even up till the morning of the flypast due to weather concerns. Luckily on the morning of November 11, the ceiling was high and even though the wind was blowing it was not enough to prevent the fly past.
After completing a briefing the pilots made their way to their planes only to find one had to delay. This resulted in a two plane formation over the Abbotsford Cenotaph. The third plane was able to catch up and the three plane formation was able to do a fly -by over the Sardis Cenetoph.
I was at the Sardis Cenotaph when they flew over and i have to admit, it looked good. The onlookers who also saw them pointed the planes out to each other and there was an applause and a couple of tears of joy and thanks in the crowd.
I would like to say thanks to:
Yellow Sonex. Owner Dan Renaud Pilot Ken Campbell
Red and Silver Sonex owner and pilot Rene Robertson
Vans RV7A owner, builder and pilot Bevan Tomm
and Adrian Renkers, Spotter and Organizer
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Former AFC member (1962 & 1963) Bernhard (Bernie) Ratzlaff passed away on Saturday December 10, 2022. He was 83 years old. Eldest daughter Cheryl (and Bevan) Tomm thank the AFC for the flower arrangement delivered by President Chris Palmer.
Our condolences to the Tomm family.
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Ever wondered who just walked into the club, or wondering how to break the ice with a member. This is the place. Every month we will be focusing on 2 or 3 members a month to write a little about themselves so that we can get to know who our membership is and break down walls. We will set-up a random selector and will notify the members as soon as possible to get them in the newsletter.
Feliciano Choi
How long have you been a member?
3months
Why did you join the flying club?
To learn more about flying and stay motivated
Do you fly and if so what do you fly?
I have flown C152 in flight school
Tell us a little about yourself
I got my PPL this February in Manitoba. I am an AME at Conair. My hobbies are reading, hiking, climbing, exercising.
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You come to the airport to fly one of the planes and you see a hangar door open and see someone working on something. Ever wondered who that is and what they are working on. We will shine the spotlight here on projects that are being worked on by your fellow members. This will be an opportunity for you to learn what we are working on and maybe lend some expertise or hand if needed or just to learn some interesting tips and tricks.
Ken and Devin's Sonex Project
Their Sonex has flown several circuits now problem free. For the first time last week it was taken out of the circuit and did an hours worth of orbits over and just to the north of the airport at 2,500 ft. There have been no major problems found at this point.
Kevin Lacroix's Hangar Project
The foundation has been poured and the forms have been removed.
John Palmer's Zenith Project
John's zenith project has been moved temporarily into a hangar while he works on the wiring and interior. He has been supported by his son, Joseph and Guy Brown.
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You have something you want to sell or are looking for something and want to reach out to the members? This is the area for you. Please reach out to the Newsletter Editors (Devin Campbell, Laurens Bosman) and we can add it to the monthly newsletter.
Glass Puffin Stained Glass
 Adrian Renkers offers classes on working with stained glass. Vanessa Campbell (Devin's wife) has been taking the beginner class for the last 6 weeks and has been enjoying it and looking forward to coming on Tuesday. She admits she is a little slow but Adrian has been a lot of help and works with all students no matter their skill level.
If you would like more information please reach out to Adrian Renkers.
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What is happening at TGIF? Where is the Sunday Morning Fly-out group heading this month? Are there any upcoming social or volunteer activities coming? If you have an event you want to advertise to the membership, or you are wondering the answer to the questions about, this is the spot to it.
Ongoing Events
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Wednesdays: Dutch Lunch
12:00 - 13:00
Fridays: TGIF
18:00 -
Sundays: Breakfast Fly-out
08:30 - 12:00
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General Meetings: 19:30 Second Wednesday of the Month
Executive Meetings: 19:30 Fourth Wednesday of the Month
Programs:
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Upcoming Events
Dec 17 @10:00am - Education Seminar (Formerly IMC) - Winter Prep for Flying at the Clubhouse
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AFC 2021 Executive
Chris Palmer - President
Gerry Visser - Vice President
Bevan Tomm - Secretary
Devin Campbell - Treasurer
- Newsletter
- Fly-out
Adrian Renkers - Membership
Clark Closkey - Aircraft Maintenance
Ledell Kendall - Social Director
Ken Campbell- Hangar Maintenance
Richard Bauch - Director
Laurens Boseman - Webmaster
- Newsletter
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AFC Airshow Directors
Steve Stewart
Tom Timm
Ruth Wiebe
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