About the KFC

The Kamloops Flying Club has been in existence for over 35 years offering local pilots a home away from home. It has been a source of knowledge and great social events over the years. You don't have to be a pilot to join just an interest in general aviation.

A brief history from George Vernon

This is actually the third Flying Club in Kamloops. The first one being in a small building on the North Side of the Airport in the vicinity of the Mountainair hanger west of the present Fire Hall. It operated in the late sixties and it is not known if it was incorporated nor why it closed. It was called the Kamloops Pilots Association. The second one was called the Crosswind Flying Club and operated without a building of their own, for about a year, in 1970 or 1971 and closed due to lack of members and participation.

Then Kamloops Flying Club started up in early 1972 and built a building which is now our kitchen, bathrooms and adjoining room. The Club was incorporated in August 1972.

It 1977 it was decided to build a new building, which would become our Lounge and Meeting Room and would be attached to the old building. A sale of $100.00 debentures was created in June 1978 to help finance the new building and construction was commenced in July 1978. The delay was caused by trouble over the lease and location of the building.

To give an idea of the status quo in those days I quote the following figures.

In November 1978 there were 94 paid up members.

Meeting of April 1976 – 51 members attended

Meeting of July 1977 it was 41 members.

There was also more than 20 or 25 members who owned airplanes parked out in front. Now in the year 2003 there is only about 4 or 5 and our attendance at a regular meeting, except on occasion, is about 10 to 15 if we are lucky.

The new building was completed and usable in about September 1980. However, it caught FIRE in November of 1980 and the entire interior of the new building was completely gutted. The figure for repairs was about $18,000.00 which fortunately was covered by insurance. The repairs and replacement was mostly completed and the new section was re opened in the spring or early summer of 1981.

The annual membership dues at the start of the year 1978 were $25.00 and since have climbed, by year 2002, to $90.00 per annum.

In June of 2000 the Kamloops Flying Club joined COPA and became COPA Flight #82.

On October 3rd 1982 we had the first, and so far, the only wedding take place in our Lounge room. This was our member Larry Fuller’s daughter Bonnie Fuller to Larry Knous. There however, have been several wedding receptions held there over the years.

The Clubs first President, Rob Gibson, took office at the time of Incorporation in August of 1972 and also served the full year of 1973. In its 32 years of existence there has been a total of 24 Presidents (see separate list) Three others served two terms these being Holly Schweiger 1982 and 1990, Jim Mead in 1983 and 1996 and Sid Cope in 1984 and 1991. Then we have Trevor Bentz, who at time of this writing, is serving his fifth consecutive term starting in 1999 and through to this year of 2003

Note: We have had only two Lady Presidents, the first being Caroline Robertson in 1980 and the second one being Sonja Wilford in 1995.

Where we live

• The clubhouse is on the south side of the airfield at the Kamloops Airport. Turn left on Aviation Way and follow around past Inland Communication and the house is on right.
• Any inquiries can be forwarded to me at cj4me@shaw.ca .
• Membership dues are $90/year. Just show up at the next meeting on the first Monday of the month and sign on.

George has been a member of the club for decades and has given more than his fair share of time to establish and maintain the club. Here he is manning the breakfast table.