Pilots fly in for training

Photo: vernonflyingclub.org

Pilots of small aircraft are driving or flying into Vernon airport Saturday for the annual Rust Remover seminar at the Vernon Flying Club hangar.

“Students have already cleaned out the hangar, washed the aircraft, cleaned up the ramp and helped set most things up,” said Hal Hobenshield, instructor with Northern Lights College's aircraft maintenance engineering program.

The event, which takes place every year, is a must for pilots who are required by Transport Canada to update their skills biannually.

“They get safety tips, maintenance tips, regulatory tips and learn about minor changes to procedures around airports,” said Hobenshield. “For example, there are some amendments to Vancouver's airspace.”

This year's lectures include:

• challenges of flying within the boundaries of visual flight rules in B.C.
• instrument flight rule procedures and sector changes at Vancouver's YVR
• visual flight rule routes and local procedures, phraseology and best practices
• mountain flying and forced approaches
• aircraft batteries – procedures and care
• search and rescue/wilderness survival

Air traffic controllers from Vancouver and Kelowna international airports will be giving some of the talks as will Pete Wise of Vernon Search and Rescue.

About 160 people are expected to attend the all-day seminar which starts at 8 a.m.