2025
A Year of Challenges
and Triumphs

This year began and ended with some significant threats to the very existence of the club. Despite this, our amazing community has once again come together and demonstrated the skill and dedication that makes the Qualicum Beach Flying Club so special.

Our Members

We closed the year strong with over 150 members. A huge thank you goes to Bev Rhodes (Secretary), Wolfgang Carolsfeld (Treasurer), and Terry Greene (Past Treasurer) for their tireless work managing memberships, payments, and member inquiries throughout the year. 

Defending Our Future

The year began on a concerning note with a proposed bylaw that would have banned flight training at CAT4 - a direct threat to aviation education and the next generation of pilots in our region. Thanks to a strong and coordinated response from our members, supported by COPA and Sealand Flight, we successfully convinced the Mayor and Council to abandon the proposal.

In March, we faced another serious challenge when the Town proposed lease changes that would have prohibited our ability to sublease. This would have undermined our partnership with Sealand Flight and placed long-term pressure on the club’s financial viability. After many hours of board preparation and a formal presentation to Council during an in-camera meeting on April 9, we were relieved to receive our signed lease back from the Town on May 20 - without the restrictive language.

The year concluded with yet another test. In December, the Town proposed amendments to the Airport Establishment and Operations Bylaw and the Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw, set to take effect in early 2026. These changes would result in a 28% increase in our lease rate, along with an additional $242 per month sub-lease fee. Combined with other proposed airport user fees, these changes once again place pressure on the financial viability of Sealand Flight operating from our facility.

QBFC board member Brendon Smith-Hu undertook a herculean research project, surveying over twenty regional airports and compiling comparative data on fees and charges. His work clearly demonstrates that the Town’s proposed rates are out of line with similar airports, and it will be critical in our efforts to reduce the proposed increases.

I would like to sincerely thank all QBFC members who attended and presented at the Committee of the Whole - Airport meetings in both June and December. Your informed and thoughtful participation made a real difference.

As we transition into 2026, I am confident that we will once again meet these challenges with the same determination and unity that have carried us through the past year.

Social Highlights

Our Social Directors - Mike Andrews and later Brendon Smith-Hu - kept our spirits high. Aviation Jeopardy Night in February was a standout success and may well become an annual tradition.

In April, Dave McElroy delivered an epic presentation at our potluck dinner, sharing stories and insights from his flight around the world in a Piper Comanche.

While rain dampened the camping portion of our Gillies Bay Fly-Out on Saturday, May 17, the weather cooperated just in time for a beautiful lunch and beach visit on Sunday.

We hosted our AGM and BBQ in June, followed by another General Meeting and BBQ in September. Both were well attended. Many thanks to Clare Neufeld for once again tackling the BBQ cleanup!

November brought a fun Movie Night, and we wrapped up the year with our Christmas Party on December 5.

Our Wednesday Morning Coffee tradition continues to be the social heartbeat of the club, thanks to Doug Durrant and Chris Holloway. Donations fund the cleaning of the club. Special thanks to Howard Exner for providing AED training at Wednesday Coffee on December 10.

Community Engagement

We were thrilled to host a COPA Discover Aviation Event. Originally scheduled for September 27, weather forced a postponement to October 4 - but it was well worth the wait. The event introduced aviation to youth in our community and showcased the best of our club. Over 25 club members, friends, and spouses volunteered, providing flights for 70 passengers - and one teddy bear.

We also commemorated Remembrance Day with a fly-over on November 11, honouring those who served.

In September, David Lamb organized an Air Rally that unfortunately had to be cancelled due to low enrolment. We plan to try again next year with more lead time, improved promotion, and a clearer explanation of the event’s purpose.

The Flying Program

Nick Temos organized a Flying Program Meeting in January, followed by an Airspace Safety Seminar presented by Mike Andrews. A recording of the seminar is available on the Stories page of our website.

Our club aircraft, IEO, faced significant maintenance challenges this year. What began as a routine annual inspection in January expanded into a major project involving magnetos, control cables, mufflers, and brakes. The aircraft returned from Victoria Air Maintenance in February, but additional trips were required throughout the year to diagnose a hard-starting issue, repair a cargo door latch in May, and address other maintenance items.

The “eye-watering” maintenance bills we faced prompted changes to the Flying Program fee structure in August. By separating fixed and variable costs, we’ve put the program on a more sustainable footing for the long term. Mike Andrews and Wolfgang Carolsfeld did an outstanding job developing detailed financial models and spreadsheets. This followed by a video explanation and an online vote by Flying Program members to approve the new fee structure.

Despite these challenges, we welcomed new Flying Program members throughout the year, and the program continues to thrive.

Many thanks to the volunteers who ferried IEO for maintenance. Special recognition goes to Greg Walz, Mike Andrews, Nick Temos, and Greg Howard for their dedication to keeping our aircraft safe and airworthy.

In July, we also met with our new AME, Dean, who did a great job with a 100-hour inspection and successfully got us back in the air after a flat nose tire. This new maintenance relationship is underway and very successful so far.

While Cyril Rogers has unfortunately retired, we have welcomed Sigmund Bering Sort and Brendon Smith-Hu as our Flying Program check-ride instructors.

Facility Improvements

Chris Holloway (our Facilities Director), continued his impressive run of practical upgrades:

  • Efficiency: Installed new LED overhead lights in the hangar in March, with help from Patrick Horsfield - thereby answering the age-old question of how many electricians it takes to install a lightbulb.

  • Technology: Mounted a Reolink web camera on the roof for weather assessment. The feed became available on our website in August.

  • Maintenance: Re-welded IEO’s tow bar in April and kept our hangar doors in good working order throughout the year.

  • Safety: Installed a new First Aid Kit in October and an AED in November. Sincere thanks to all members who donated toward the AED and to those who contributed cash for the First Aid Kit at the AGM. 

  • Fun: We added board games to the clubhouse cabinet to provide more rainy-day activities for members.

Process Improvements

Beyond our facilities, we continued to strengthen our internal operations:

  • New Bank: Following the AGM we successfully transferred the club's bank accounts from Royal Bank to Coastal Community Credit Union to benefit from lower costs and improved transparency of account balances and transaction approvals.

  • New Tools: In November, we signed up for the free Google Workspace for Nonprofits, which will significantly improve communication and collaboration among board members in the future.

  • Video Updates: We have started to produce quarterly YouTube video updates to keep our members informed.

  • Better Governance: Beginning in February, Bev and Wolfgang undertook a comprehensive review of our club bylaws to ensure our governance remains current and effective.

  • Supporting the Airport: In March, the club submitted a Letter of Support for a BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) grant application to develop an airport master plan for the Town of Qualicum Beach.

  • Improved Feedback: In October, Mike Andrews added a new online Suggestion Form to our website, allowing members to easily share ideas and feedback.

A New Hangar Mate

In May, we welcomed Ken Fyfe’s magnificent Boeing Super Stearman biplane as a new long-term tenant. It fits neatly behind our club aircraft - with just a bit of room to spare. Earlier this year, this very aircraft appeared on the cover of COPA Flight magazine, bringing positive attention to our airport.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up this remarkable year, I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to our success. Whether you attended a meeting, donated toward the AED, presented at a Committee of the Whole meeting, ferried IEO for maintenance, organized an event, or simply shared a cup of coffee - you are the reason QBFC continues to thrive.

I would also like to acknowledge the BC Wildfire Service’s use of the airport and clubhouse facilities in August, as well as BC Hydro helicopter training conducted at CAT4 in October - important reminders that our airport serves a wide range of aviation needs in the community.

Thank you for your unwavering support. You make the Qualicum Beach Flying Club a truly special place.

Happy Holidays, and I’ll see you at the airport in 2026!

Tony

Tony Puerzer
President, QBFC

P.S. Have you renewed your 2026 membership yet?
If not, please visit the club website for instructions:
https://qbflyingclub.com/renew