History
Lansdowne Airfield, circa 1931.
Curtiss P-40 “Kittyhawk” Fighters 111 Squadron lined up at Patricia Bay during WW2.
Dave Duncan, the Victoria Flying Club’s first instructor.
Mae Frame, one of VFC’s earliest members, takes her first flight in the club’s Fleet Canuck, 1947.
VFC members and the club’s original Tiger Moth.
Making aviation glamorous at VFC.
A well-dressed group of fliers pose on the ramp.
The Wings Banquet - A long-held tradition at VFC.
In front of the newly acquired Victoria Flying Club hangar.
Making news at VFC.
The Victoria Flying Club grows and attracts many new members through the years.
More than one way to get around!
$5 Discovery flights in the 1970s.
VFC has always been a place where friends meet.
The Victoria Flying Club Open House is a long-standing tradition, opening our doors to the community, and welcoming new members.
Under the direction of Colonel Jack Kaiser, the VFC Formation team performs at the Oak Bay Tea Party.
Welcoming a number of new neighbours to the area over the years.
In 1996, the Victoria Flying Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary with an open house, and plays host to a number of interesting aircraft.
VFC is proud of the cadets we have worked with and trained. The Air Cadet Power Scholarship program continues to be an integral part of our summer operations.
After many years of involvement with VFC as manager and CFI, Dave Lehan hands over the reins to Graham Palmer in 2000, who still leads the instructor team as CFI today.
Evan Sudul celebrates his first solo in 2001 with CFI Graham Palmer (left), and Evan’s grandfather Mike Sudul, also a long-time pilot and VFC member.
In 2011, Evan Sudul returns to VFC as a RCAF member and F-18 pilot.
The Victoria Flying Club continues to provide great social flying opportunities through the resurgence of the fly-out program, in conjunction with the local COPA Flight 6 group.
In 2013 VFC retires a number of beloved Cessna 152s and Cessna 172s, upgrading the new standardized millennium fleet of Cessna 172 S Models.
1920
January 1 1928 – British Columbia Airways Ltd starts a flying school at Lansdowne Air Field with three small training planes.
May 1928 – British Columbia Airways begins regular air service between Victoria, Vancouver, and Seattle. This is the first international air service in Western Canada.
1930
1938 – RCAF Station Patricia Bay site is selected amid concerns of Japanese naval operations along the coast. The first buildings of the base, originally belonging to the Jones family farm, stand on the site of the current terminal building. Eventually the RCAF occupies the West side of the airfield, and the RAF the East Side (current site of the VFC hangar).
1940
October 1945 – With the end of WW2, Patricia Bay is quiet for the first time since 1939.
August 1946 – The Victoria Flying club begins operations after securing temporary lodging with the RCAF at Patricia Bay.
- Victoria Flying Club letters of incorporation.
- Mae Frame, one of VFC’s earliest members, takes her first flight in the club’s Fleet Canuck, 1947.
1950
- Making aviation glamorous at VFC.
- The Wings Banquet - A long-held tradition at VFC.
1960
1965 – The Victoria Flying Club fleet consists of three Fleet 80s, one Cessna 150, one Beechcraft 23, and a leaded Piper PA-23. Hangar 4E is deemed surplus, and after extensive negotiations with the federal government, The Victoria Flying Club purchases the hangar for three installments of $3000. This becomes the permanent home of the club.
- In front of the newly acquired Victoria Flying Club hangar.
1970
1976 – The VFC fleet grows to include six Cessna 150s, two Cessna 172s, one Piper Apache, and one Piper Commanche, with a Cessna Aerobat on order.
- The Victoria Flying Club relies on a volunteer Board of Directors to carry on operations on behalf of its members. A new board is elected each year at the club’s Annual General Meeting.
1980
- The Victoria Flying Club Open House is a long-standing tradition, opening our doors to the community, and welcoming new members.
1990
- In 1996, the Victoria Flying Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary with an open house, and plays host to a number of interesting aircraft.
- The Victoria Flying Club is known for its social and flying events.
2000
- After many years of involvement with VFC as manager and CFI, Dave Lehan hands over the reins to Graham Palmer in 2000.
- The Victoria Flying Club continues to provide great social flying opportunities through the resurgence of the fly-out program, in conjunction with the local COPA Flight 6 group.
- In 2013 VFC retires a number of beloved Cessna 152s and Cessna 172s, upgrading the new standardized millennium fleet of Cessna 172 S Models.
