Alberni Flying Club

Alberni Flying Club's open house, June 23, 2013

The 2013 Alberni Flying Club open house dawned on variable overcast skies on June 24, but several planes made the flight in for coffee and barbecue. The event also drew dozens of people interested in checking out the airport and maybe going up for a flight.

There were some interesting aircraft that came in, like a 1943 Beech 18 owned by Jerry Janes and flown by Andy Wallace from Boundary Bay; a 1967 Nanchang owned by Brad Engbrecht and flown  in from Victoria; the Parksville Aero Club's plane, GIEO, and several other smaller planes.

Media coverage from both the Alberni Valley News and AV Times newspapers, PEAK FM and Shaw TV drew attention to the airport and the flying club's wish for a published GPS approach. Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District director Penny Cote attended the event.

Thanks to all the volunteers who showed up to make this event a success.

Here are a few photos, courtesy of director Susie Quinn:

Several members past and present gather to talk airplanes.

Cyril Rodgers and Jim Kitto, who first met at the Qualicum Flight Centre and are both members of the Alberni Flying Club.

The Beech 18 taxis to the Flying Club in the morning.

Club president Chris Duncan assists pilot Andy Wallace in parking the Beech 18 in front of the Flying Club's hangar.

Greeting some of the pilots who came in for the open house.

Chris welcomes Brad Engbrecht, who arrived from Victoria in his 1967 Nanchang.

Pilots greeting old friends at the clubhouse.

Andy Wallace and his grandson.

Vancouver Island Soaring Centre's Andrzej Roznowski, right, discusses his gliders. Roznowski took up several people for flights during the day, adding to the flying traffic for spectators.

The hamburger crew waits for business at the concession.

Happy passengers give the thumbs up before a flight in the club plane.

A visitor departs.

People line up along the taxiway to watch the Beech 18 depart.

Alberni's club plane, Cessna 172 C-GDNT waits its turn while the Beech 18 takes off. One of the Soaring Centre's gliders can be seen behind the Cessna.

Tom Parkinson stirs up the fried onions for the barbecue.

Club members and someone waiting to go up for a flight socialize at the tables set up in front of the clubhouse.

Club Cessna 172-C-GDNT takes off with some spectators.

posted by Canuck @ 10:13 PM