students

The Ottawa Flying Club welcomed the new intake of students from the Algonquin Aviation Management Program today. Approximately 50 students are enrolled in the program which prepares the students for a career as a professional pilot.

Today was the first day of the 16 month program, with briefings in the morning and classes starting in the evening. Although a few students have been flying with OFC for a while, the majority will start flight training on the 4th of September.

In the program, the students will achieve their commercial pilots license with additional ratings for instrument flight rules and multi-engine aircraft operation or flight instruction. On graduation, the students will be able to seek employment in the aviation industry with a goal of becoming an airline pilot.

The first milestone in the training is being able to fly solo, which most of the class should manage by the end of October.

The students in this class come from all across Canada. There are also a few international students as well. Please welcome them to OFC and encourage these new pilots in their training.

OFC is focused on providing you with good value for your dollar. While we try to keep costs as low as we can, we are also keeping our quality and safety at a very high standard. Try as we might, it is hard to avoid the increasing costs of operating a flight school. One thing is certain, we make a poor bank.

Over the last year we have been lenient in letting members and students maintain a small balance owing with us but we can no longer do so. In the last month you may have noticed Dispatch asking you to pay the outstanding amounts before you fly and we appreciate that you have.

In the next week, we will be instituting a more rigorous dunning process. (Dunning refers to the process of collect money owed to us.) You will notice the following:

• As currently happens, Dispatch will be asking for payment of outstanding amounts before they provide you with the key to the aircraft for your next flight. After the flight they will also be collecting payment.
• If this is not possible, Dispatch will try to collect the payment using the credit card information kept on your file later that night. Where the credit card on file is not able to make the payment, an e-mail will be sent to you asking you to fix the situation and make the payment
• After seven days, another e-mail reminder will be sent and again after 30 days.
• If the account is still outstanding after 60 days, we will sell the amounts outstanding to a collection agency.

I realize the last point sounds a bit severe in a friendly club. However, experience shows that if we don't receive payment within 60 days, the chance of ever receiving payment is pretty low. We have a number of accounts outstanding that are approaching two years and I don't want the number to grow.

The vast majority of members and students keep their account at zero or even maintain a positive balance on their account. We really appreciate this as it helps us run the business effectively while we provide you with value for your money.

If you have any concerns on this policy, please contact me through the contact form.

Mike McKay
CEO

Students and Members can now take advantage of our new agreement with Central Airways/Esso Avitat at Kingston Airport (CYGK).

Any C-150 or C-172 rented on the standard wet rate at the OFC can now fill up at Kingston Airport’s Central Airways/Esso Avitat at no charge to Students and Members.

After filling up, just let them know that you are from the OFC and to send the bill to us- we’ll take care of the rest*.

*This applies to CYGK ONLY.

Dispatch

Congratulations to Patrick Lajeunese who completed his First Solo on October 14th 2010.

Patrick and His Instructor Alex Cameron

A Happy-Looking Patrick, Just After His First Solo

Patrick Getting a Soaking Following His First Solo

Well Done, Patrick!

Peter Campbell becomes an Instructor: Peter, centre, with John Porter, CFI, and Mike Mckay the CEO after Peter received his Instructor Rating.Peter Campbell earned his instructor rating today. A career pilot with the military, he has a variety of experience flying aircraft and helicopters. Now retired, he is interested in giving back to the community that has given him so much over the last thirty years by passing the torch and helping to train new pilots.

We look forward to having Peter on our staff as he brings a significant amount of experience and has a very professional attitude which our students would do well to emulate.

Congratulations, Peter.

Peter's conversion training has largely been funded by Veteran Affairs. Other veterans or military who are interested in post career training should look into the possibilities.

Job well done Brendan Williams! Congratulations are in order after Brendan completed his first solo mission. Best of luck in your training from all of us at OFC.Brendan in Action: Taxiing back to the apron after some steady flying.Brendan: Standing next to a call sign he is not soon to forget!

Jason Francoeur has flown his first solo today. Congratulations to him from us at OFC and all his Algonquin classmates.Take Off: Jason takes off for his first solo flight in JZP.All Smiles: Jason's reaction to his first solo landing.Laura and Jason: A proud day for instructor and student.

Cameron Thompson has reason to be proud after his First Solo Flight was a success. From all of us here at OFC good job and good luck!Airborne: Cameron up amongst the blue and white.Cameron and Frank: Congratulations on a job well done you two!Cameron and Mike: A handshake from OFC CEO Mike McKay while Cameron's still dry.

Today was a big day here at OFC and Mike Jarret's success at his first solo attempt was a big part of that. Congratulations Mike from all of us here at OFC!Mike Solo Take Off: Tracking the centre line of runway 04.Jeff and Mike Victory: Congratulations Mike and to Jeff as well!Mike and Mike: Nothing like a firm handshake from OFC CEO Mike McKay to seal the deal.

Congratulations to Jeff Stout on his first solo flight. Quite a crowd had gathered for Jeff's flight to make sure he was properly rewarded for his efforts.Happy Camper: Feels great to be back down on terra firma after your first solo!Jeff and Morgan: Good work fellas!Jeff's Splash: It was a good day for the customary soaking that comes along with Jeff's first solo flight.