September 26th marked the first meeting of the 2018/2019 Vancouver IMC Club Season.

The Vancouver IMC Club is sponsored by Maxcraft Avionics and meets at their Pitt Meadows facility on the last Wednesday of each month. The IMC Club has become a flying club in its purest form in that all the discussion is about flying. At each meeting, pilots gather to discuss scenarios and engage in a group discussion as to what one might do if faced with the various scenarios in an aircraft. There is no membership fee, and anybody is welcome to attend. You don't even need an instrument rating. At least half of the pilots that attend the regular meetings do not hold in instrument rating and they are still active participants in the dialogue as many IFR concepts inevitably spill over into a discussion of general aircraft handling and airmanship. 

It has also become somewhat of a tradition that once the meeting is finished, those that are so inclined migrate down the street to Foamers Folly Brew Pub and enjoy a few pints of their microbrew. 

Here is a small sample of the topics that were discussed at the September 26th meeting. Keeping in mind that all this discussion stemmed from two simple scenarios which organically end up branching into other related subject matters. 

Scenario #1
This was the "official" EAA IMC Club scenario provided by EAA HQ. It involved a C182 that needed to reposition to an airport about 100nm away. It was on the ground at an airport on the coast that did not have any published IFR approaches or departure procedures. The visibility was limited. The reason for the flight was to get it to a maintenance facility to get a small oil leak taken care of. 

This scenario lead to discussions that included:
- Go / No Go Decisions
- IFR Departures from non-assessed aerodromes
- Personal minimums
- How the oil leak might affect decision making
- IFR Departure Terrain Clearance responsibility
- How to asses a departure
- Spatial Disorientation
- Appropriate use of cockpit tools such as heading bugs
- Automation dependency

Scenario #2
We discussed a scenario with a lot of grey area. It involves an IFR aircraft that has been cleared for a visual approach to a controlled airport. The approach controller instructs the aircraft to contact the tower. The pilot switches to the tower frequency but can’t get a word in edgewise and is nearing the airport. What should the pilot do in this case?

Scenario #3
After a short break we were treated to IMC Club Member Jim Fairweather's account of an IFR cross country flight that he completed this summer. He very eloquently shared his thought process in the planning and execution phases of the trip and shared some lessons that he learned. One of the interesting lessons from Jim was the realization that a yoke mounted iPad is not balanced and can cause un wanted control forces that could lead to disorientation. Jim shared his solution to this problem with us. 

Conclusion
As we embark on this new IMC club season we are looking forward to members taking part in sharing their experiences and lessons learned so that the entire group can benefit. One thing that makes the IMC Club special is that we treat the meeting as a safe space where pilots can share openly without fear of judgement or consequence. Stories that are shared at the IMC Club meeting stay at the IMC Club meeting. 

After the meeting about a dozen members retreated to Foamers Folly and enjoyed some of their latest brews while continuing the discussion over pizza and wings. Some of the group even used pizza boxes to draw diagrams while debating what is meant when the tower says "report a 3-mile right base" but we'll leave that for next time. 

Please see the attached information that has been provided to us by the family of Geoff and Judy the pilot and passenger aboard the RV6 that went missing between Edmonton and Chilliwack. We are sharing this information at the family's request. 

We ask that all members keep an eye out for evidence of this aircraft if they happen to be flying in the area depicted in this map. As always, fly safe, file a flight plan and don't try and be a hero.

Our thoughts are with the Pickard family during this difficult time. 

Previous Article: Stay Vigilant and Watch For Missing Aircraft (B.C.)

Introduction
In 2018 a group of pilots located in Nevada and Utah called The Flying Cowboys began a campaign called #HeavierOut. The idea was to leave remote areas heavier than they arrived by hauling out any garbage that they came across in the backcountry. Inspired by The Flying Cowboys, the BCGA is bringing the #HeavierOutBC campaign to British Columbia. 

The Contest
For the next year we will run the #HeavierOutBC contest. The rules are simple and the only tools you need are a few spare garbage bags in your flight bag.  If you are flying to a remote area, airstrip, beach or gravel bar and find any garbage, trash or material that shouldn't be there simply bag it up, fly it out and dispose of it properly, always respecting your weight and balance limitations of course!

Take a picture of the garbage with your aircraft and email it to us and post it to Facebook or Instagram if you wish with the Hashtag #HeavierOutBC and be entered into the draw for Avgas. The only requirement for an entry is the emailed photo, not the Facebook or Instagram Post.

 Rules

• Always respect your weight and balance limitations
• Secure all loads.
• Flying out trash that you flew in does not count.
• One entry per-flight, per location, per day.
• Photo must be submitted for each entry. 
• Winner will be randomly drawn from all entries on October 1, 2019 at 18:00.

Prizes
​First Prize: $300 Avgas Voucher
​Second Prize: $200 Avgas Voucher
​Third Prize: $100 BCGA Store Credit

​To Enter, click on the "FLYOUT GARBAGE FOR AVGAS" page in the News & Events Dropdown Menu

British Columbia is home to some of the most ruggedly beautiful and unforgiving terrain on earth. As pilots we are fortunate to have this vast landscape to fly in. With rugged remote wilderness and mountains comes an enhanced need to be prepared and to have a set of plans and backup plans to:

1. Reach the destination.
2. Divert to an alternate airport.
3. Increase the chances of being found should an en-route accident occur. 

There are currently several open files of missing aircraft in British Columbia. This article serves to provide some basic information on the routes that they were flying and also gives some tips and information on how to increase your chances of being found.  

​On September 22, 2018 we had the opportunity to sit down with BCGA Member and CASARA Deputy BC Director Fred Carey to discuss some of the work that CASARA does and he shared some valuable information and tips that pilots flying in British Columbia should know.

In our conversation with Fred Carey of CASARA we were reminded that once a search is initiated, the primary focus will be on the flight planned route. If the pilot indicates that they will fly direct, then the initial search will be concentrated on the direct path from the departure point to the intended destination considering any last known position. 

If the pilots indicate, on the flight plan that they will follow the published Mountain VFR Route then the search will be focused on the published VFR Route.

The searchers will consider the possibility that the pilot deviated from the filed routing however, deviating from the intended routing significantly reduces the chances of being found. 

When it comes to flight planning:

1. File a Flight Plan.
2. Ensure the routing is specific.
3. When possible follow the published Mountain VFR Route (Details to follow).
4. Notify the FIC or ATC of any changes to the filed routing.
5. File an updated and detailed position report with the FIC or ATC every 30mins to update your last known position.
6. If you reverse course or divert for any reason notify the FIC or ATC immediately.
7. Close your flight plan as soon as possible after landing.

Mountain VFR Routes are published on the VFR maps for British Columbia and are depicted using a string of purple diamonds on the chart. It goes without saying that the fastest route from Point A to Point B is a straight line and published Mountain VFR Routes may add some time and distance to your flight.  It is your choice as the pilot in command to fly whichever route you prefer however we ask that you consider the following:

Advantages of published VFR routes:

1. Often follow highways or roads that make emergency landings possible.
2. Often link small towns. 
3. Often follow the lowest and widest valleys.
4. Often provides an escape route or room to turn around.
5. Offers a predictable path for searchers to follow.
6. Higher likelihood of other aircraft flying the same route.
7. Cellphone reception in remote areas favours towns, major highways and roads.
8. Often associated with better radar coverage.

CASARA's Fred Carey is retired from a major cellular provider and has some unique insights on how your cell phone can help you be found. 

Fred shared that there are cellular towers scattered all over the province in order to optimize cellular coverage. Priority cellular coverage is given to municipalities, major highways and roads. It just so happens that the VFR routes give you the best chance of having cellular coverage. Why is this important?

The software in your cellphone is programmed to "check-in" with or search for the nearest cellular tower at certain intervals. For the purpose of this article lets say every 15-30 minutes. When your cell phone checks in with a cellular tower also referred to as a "ping" the approximate location of your phone is recorded and stored for 24-48hours. 

This data could prove critical when it comes to a search and rescue effort. In some cases where the cellphone pinged a tower not only can the specific tower be identified but the quadrant from that tower can be identified which assists in narrowing a search area. 

Leaving your cell phone on isn't a magical solution but it is one more tool that could help you be found. When asked about the practice of turning the phone off to save battery, Fred advised to leave it on when possible as LTE signals are entirely digital and use very little battery. If necessary carry a battery pack and keep your phone charged, turned on and with cellular mode enabled.

That said, a fully charged cell phone is still not a replacement for an ELT or GPS tracker. 

Here is a list of things that you can do to greatly increase your chances of being found in the event that your aircraft is reported overdue in British Columbia's remote wilderness. 

1. File an accurate flight plan and keep it updated.
2. Follow the VFR route when possible.
3. Ensure your ELT is in good working order. (406Mhz will reduce the search time).
4. Use a GPS Tracker with the most frequent tracking interval that you can afford.
5. Keep your cell phone turned on and out of airplane mode.
6. Carry a survival kit that you are familiar with and practice signalling techniques.

If you are able to utilize all six items on this list you will greatly increase that chances that you are found.

Searches for missing aircraft are the responsibility of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and involve the Canadian Forces, CASARA, the RCMP and Ground Search and Rescue teams. These agencies are specially trained in search techniques and safe operation in challenging mountainous terrain. They receive regular training and are the only groups that are sanctioned to conduct official searches.

General Aviation pilots are asked to keep an eye out for any evidence of missing aircraft while out flying. If any evidence of a missing aircraft is seen they should call the local RCMP or notify the FIC. 

CASARA and the BCGA ask that pilots refrain from conducting searches and limit their efforts to keeping a vigilant eye out during flights that happen to be over the routes taken by the missing aircraft.

September 14, 2018
Vans RV6
Edmonton - Chilliwack
Last Known Position: 5nm NE of Blue River

FINAL STATEMENT - 20 September 2018
After an exhaustive search for a small, private plane missing since September 14, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria (JRCC Victoria) has made the difficult decision to suspend their search today as of 15:00 PST and transfer the case to the RCMP.

Over the last seven days, Royal Canadian Air Force and CASARA aircraft have flown approximately 320 hours in challenging weather conditions, covering more than 14,000 square kilometres in the areas surrounding the last known location and filed flight plan of the missing plane. The JRCC Victoria acknowledges the support received from CASARA and the BC RCMP, as well as the information provided by NORAD and Telus, which greatly assisted in the search efforts.
​
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the missing pilot and passenger during this extremely difficult time.

-------------------------------------
SAR Information
At approximately 2:00pm on 14 September, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Pacific) was notified that a small, private plane with 2 persons on board travelling from Edmonton, Alberta to Chilliwack, British Columbia was overdue. 

A CC-130 Hercules fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft was dispatched and conducted a search based on the flight plan filed by the pilot and information gathered from air traffic control. A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter later joined the search. At the time, a low ceiling presented challenges to the search. 

On the morning of 15 September, the CC-130 was relieved by a CC-115 Buffalo fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and the search was joined by 7 aircraft from CASARA, the Civil Aviation Search And Rescue Association. 

The search is centred on the Highway 5 corridor between Chilliwack and Valemount, British Columbia. 
A low ceiling in some parts of the search area is creating a challenge to the search.

UPDATE 16 September
Today a second CH-149 Cormorant SAR helicopter from Comox has joined the search. That brings the total to 3 RCAF aircraft and 7 CASARA aircraft. 

The search continues along the Hwy 5 corridor between Chilliwack and Valemount but there is a focus on the Clearwater to Valemount portion based on radar and cell tower information. 
The aircraft is a White Vans RV6, 2 seat private plane. 

Weather, as usual for this region, is a factor. The search area is experiencing occasional low ceilings, low visibility and light rain.

UPDATE 17 September
The search continues with 1 CC-115 Buffalo fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and 1 CH-149 Cormorant helicopter on station this morning. They will be joined this afternoon by another Buffalo and Cormorant.

8 CASARA aircraft are also engaged in the search.

The search area is in the Hwy 5 corridor between Kamloops and Valemount with a further focus on the Blue River area based on the filed flight plan, cell tower, and radar information.
Low ceilings and low visibility continue to present a challenge to the search.

UPDATE 18-19 September
The search continues with two CC-115 Buffalo fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and two CH-149 Cormorant helicopter on scene this morning. There are also six CASARA aircraft engaged in the search.
The search area remains the same today, focusing on the Blue River area between Kamloops and Valemount based on the filed flight plan, cell tower and radar information.

The weather is improving with higher ceilings, increased visibility and light winds expected today.

UPDATE 20 September
The search continues today with one CC-115 Buffalo aircraft, one CH-149 Cormorant helicopter, five CASARA aircraft and one RCMP helicopter on scene this morning. 

The search area remains the same, concentrating on the region surrounding the Hwy 5 corridor between Kamloops and Valemount. 
​
Weather conditions are good this morning but could deteriorate during the day as a weather front is expected to bring rain, snow and ice to higher elevations.

We are excited to announce that this year's BC General Aviation Association AGM will be held in Kamloops, BC on October 27th thanks to our gracious hosts at the Kamloops Flying Club.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION