News and Comment

Congratulations to Steven Blackwood, Stephen Keays and Weston Nicholson on obtaining their float plane rating within the past 2 weeks.

Steven Blackwood after his Float Plane solo.

Stephen Keays being congratulated by CFI John Porter after his Float Plane rating

Weston Nicholson on the float plane and gets his rating.

Way to go guys.... all the best!!

Matthew Little soloed today! Congratulations to both Matthew and his instructor Larry Nurse.
Post Solo: Matthew Little being greeted by Mark Rogulski after Matthew's first solo flight, 20 September 2010.Hero: Matthew Little posing by C-GLLM following his first solo flight.Getting Sprayed: Our Assistant CFI, Andrew Simpson, shows his behind-the-back style in celebrating Matthew's first solo.Splash: Not to be outdone, Jeff Davy helps with the celebration.Wet but Happy: Matthew smiling after his first solo. What was more fun, the soaking or flying without the instructor for the first time?Post Solo Paperwork: Mark Rogulski leads Matthew Little through the post solo paperwork after Matthew's first solo flight.

Ali Basmaci soloed today under the tutelage of Morgan Ross. Congratulations to you both!
Ali Basmaci Solos: Ali poses following his first solo flight, 18 September 2010.Student and Instructor: Ali with his instructor Morgan Ross following Ali's first solo flight.

Joshua Shea flew his first solo today. Joshua is the first student in the September Class to do so. Congratulations! In all fairness to the other students, he did start back in July, but still managed to get solo in about 20 hours. Keep up the good work!

Touch Down: Joshua Shea about to touch down after his first solo flight.Smile!: Joshua Shea and his proud instructor Chris Busch.Wet Welcome: Joshua getting congratulated by his classmates.Paperwork: The solo flight ends when you fill in the log book with your first flight as pilot in command.

An early morning flight in C-GJFE ended suddenly when the plane landed with a collapsed nose gear. Both props struck the runway and the aircraft slid to a stop on its nose. No-one was injured.

Double Prop Strike: C-GJFE after landing without a nose gear. The nose was raised successfully but the damage to the props is evident.

With DMO also off-line from a prop-strike in Rochester, OFC will be without any twin engine aircraft for the next few weeks. Rest assured we will be doing out utmost to return one of the aircraft to service as soon as possible.

Dimitrios Pavlou flew his first solo today. Dimitrios is a private student with an interesting background. He is the head chef at Costco and is responsible for all their ready to eat meals. Congratulations to Dimitrios and his instructor Tony Tiefenbach.
Hero Shot: Dimitrios Pavlou following his first solo.

Patrick Allard flew solo this afternoon. Congratulations to Patrick and his instructor Chris Busch.

About to Touch Down: Patrick Allard about to land in JZP after his first solo flight. A beautifully smooth landing is a great way to end the first solo.
Happy: Patrick after his first solo, records the flight data on the Hobbs board.
Heros: Patrick and instructor Chris Busch after Patrick's first solo.
Celebrate: A well deserved soaking following the first solo.

5 instructors and 10 students have made it to St. John's Newfoundland this evening.The adventurous group led by instructor Terry Otsuji left the Ottawa Flying Club on Monday August 23 in 4 Cessna 172's (FEUH, GCVO, GCOH and FVZN) and the Beech Duchess (GJFE). Their route consisted of Ottawa (CYOW) to Québec City (CYQB) to Fredericton (CYFC) for the night. Tuesday to Moncton (CYQM) to Charlottetown (CYYG) to Sydney (CYQY) to St. John`s (CYYT).

Congratulations to:

Instructors:
Jeff Davey
Cameron Johnston
Kristian Kismarczi
Terry Otsuji
Cory Raby

Students:
Mark Abramenko
Ryan Braid
Jacob Burns
Niko Grosdanis
Chris Kinkade
Liam Ludlow
Chris Scrivens
Dave Thompson
Dan Whitaker
Shane Wilson

Newfoundland Trip: The OFC makes it to "The Rock"

Private pilot student Quichen Zhang flew her first solo flight on Thursday August 19, 2010. She started her quest for her license this past winter. Congratulations Quichen.... keep soaring!
Quichen coming in for her solo landing on runway 22...: After her first solo circuit, Quichen Zhang comes in for successful landing.
Quichen stands proudly in front of Cessna 150 GLKN: An important landmark in a pilot's life... first solo...
Quichen gets her ceremonial soaking: You just can't escape the Solo H20

Our private pilot students and our Algonquin Aviation Management Program students come various walks of life as well as from around the globe. It truly is a great mosaic of the skies.

Flying is something you have to have a passion for. Not anyone can say they can't wait for that moment when the wheels leave the ground and you are doing something that a person has always dreamed of doing. How many people can say that they fly over the Grand Canyon, or the wheat fields of Saskatchewan or the beauty of Lake Superior as the pilot in command? You have not lived until you have soared off into sunsets you can't even begin to image. Or the feeling of looking out over the world at night from 9,000 feet and seeing the lights of Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto or New York. But perhaps the greatest feeling of being a pilot is the absolute freedom you feel. You are on top of YOUR world. The sky IS the limit. And coming in on finals in the last waining moments of the day and knowing that in the morning you get to get up and do it all over again, I can't think of a better job in the world.......

These two students are well on their way having started their studies in the Algonquin program and the Ottawa Flying Club in May 2010... CONGRATULATIONS Charles & Brent!!
Brent CrooksCharles Shaw