@rflier177
What is your occupation?
Manager, Embedded Software Development (Retired)
What is your home airport?
CZBB
What year did you start flying?
1985
Where did you learn to fly?
Sun ‘n Fun Ultralight Aviation, then Western Avtech for PPL, following instructors next door to PFC.
Why did you start flying?
As a 5 year old there was this kid in the neighbourhood who used to fly balsa wood models. I loved watching it fly around the front yard. Flash forward 23 years and I saw an article in a Canadian governmental publication about ultralights and had to try it out. Spoke to Heinz Hammer at Sun n Fun on 152nd St in Surrey, booked an appointment and was hooked. Looking at prices of new ultralights like the Beaver RX550, they were the same as a used C-172, $25k in the mid-80’s, so I decided to get my PPL and eventually plan to buy a certified aircraft instead.
What airplane did you learn to fly in?
Too many to list here, suffice to say almost every Cherokee currently in the Langley Flying School fleet. Several of the Cessnas still in PFC’s fleet
What airplane do you fly now?
C-177A, Cardinal. Took me 21 years after getting my PPL to be able to afford a plane. I’ve owned the Cardinal for 7+ years now
What is your favorite kind of flying or place to fly to?
Flying to several destinations in a day and meeting other pilots is a favorite activity. I also like flying to airports I’ve not visited before. I also like being at any airport, on the apron. Just the vibe of being there is almost as good as flying. At airports, I especially enjoy chance meetings with other pilots.
What is your favorite feature on the BCGA website?
If I can only pick 1, then the knowledge bank. Better still, the very existence of the site itself
In a few words describe what the BCGA is to you:
BCGA is a nearly perfect organization for general aviation. It embraces membership without putting expectations on members, it has good, strong, knowledgable leadership, good membership participation. Overall an organization to be proud of. Doesn’t even have membership dues! How can you go wrong?
What other aviation organizations / clubs are you affiliated with?
Westview Flying Club in Powell River. That club came to my rescue when the Cardinal had a prop strike there and I’m happy to be a member there.
COPA
What is your favorite quote?
Never confuse motion with action
Other interests:
Linux, embedded software, BC,
