A very wet and windy Saturday March 2^nd 2013 at the Nanaimo Flying Club

A group of young women, mostly pre high schoolers from our Nanaimo School district and intrepid parents braved the weather to see what the world of aviation has to offer women. The event was organised and led by NFC’s VP Andrea Trepanier with able if damp assistance from Jenny Janecek and Nanaimo Airport’s Sheri Barker.

They were introduced to the facilities at the NFC clubhouse before walking across the wet grass to enjoy a spirited talk by Willie & Company at Nanaimo’s NavCan Flight Service Station. 

They were treated to at least one arrival in the poor weather as well as visuals from the computers at Tofino and Victoria. The girls enjoyed the view from the tower windows then left to brave the rain across the ramp to the airport terminal building where they saw the CATSA operation the baggage checks and went into the departure lounge to see the departures and arrivals before the highlight of the visit to the operations hangar. There they were given a short talk about the operations and maintenance of the airport by Reg Brady. He demonstrated the loading of the truck’s water tanks much to the amusement of the girls when the tank overflowed (deliberately Reg says).

Then the real fun – rides in the airport fire truck up front and saw the long thrust of the powerful water gun. Then another wet walk back to the NFC clubhouse and a quick look at a C-172. Weather was too poor to fly so the girls had to forego that pleasure Andrea had planned for them. A short talk and some gifts conclude an unfortunately wet Saturday. Kayla won the draw for a flight accompanied by dad Tyler and friend Jayda with Andrea the weekend after, thanks Autumn, for the use of his aircraft.