I just heard my old alma mater is going through tough times!
They have just lost their second GM in a year.
They suddenly dumped their old AMO [edit: TC pulled the AMO] and their new contract AMO apparently is not very happy.
Their highly publicized diploma program was suspended by the local college amidst threats of lawsuits from students.
They sold most of their 150s, are wanting to sell their twins and dropped a bunch of leased planes.
Another casualty of the times?? I thought they were once amongst the biggest and best!!
TC pulled Winnipeg Flying Club AMO and other upheavals!
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, I WAS Birddog
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Corporate Pilot
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TC pulled Winnipeg Flying Club AMO and other upheavals!
Last edited by Corporate Pilot on Sun Mar 27, 2005 12:01 am, edited 2 times in total.
to be honest I always thought they were crooked. I thought CLUBS were supposed to be NON-PROFIT and I couldn't believe their outrageous prices. I sent my fiance's sister there so she could take her guy for a flight on his birthday, like a one-time thing, I couldn't believe what they charged her when she called me back. Nothing like the club I used to work at in Calgary.
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Avro Arrow 206
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Captain Crunch
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Corporate Pilot
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Never instructed, got my private there 30 odd years ago when the club was still at YWG.flyboy wrote:Hey corporate, did you work there, or did you just get your licence there. I instructed there some time back, wondering if I know you.
BTW, it seems club suffered from Slyward's disease: Transport pulled their AMO!
winnipeg flying club
1. I heard the other day that the WFC didnt get the cadet contract this year does any one know or can shed light on that issue?
2. Arrow as you know I know a whole lot about the BFC i wouldnt say they arent doing so well The term you are looking for is restructuring. If in doubt ask. avro do not take offence to this you can call me on it you have my ph#
2. Arrow as you know I know a whole lot about the BFC i wouldnt say they arent doing so well The term you are looking for is restructuring. If in doubt ask. avro do not take offence to this you can call me on it you have my ph#
ULTOR UN UMBRIS
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sprucemonkey
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sprucemonkey
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highlander
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I used to be a member and was later an employee.
Here's my two cents. There is nothing wrong with a club. I think club's are great. But WFC lost touch with the club ideology. I can't really explain it. If you know the history than you know that for a short time WFC was known as the Wpg. FLight Center.......trying to get away from the "club" term?
1) I think it was a big mistake to sell airplanes but maybe they needed cash
2) Board of directors has always needed people who are pilots, people who know the industry. But few on the board are.
3) I heard this last GM was no good. I didin't know him so I won't say much on that.
4) Finally, they simply bit off more than they could chew. A college program is a huge deal and I don't think enough time was spent developing it or researching it. It began when quite frankly the industry demand was already low??????
Here's my two cents. There is nothing wrong with a club. I think club's are great. But WFC lost touch with the club ideology. I can't really explain it. If you know the history than you know that for a short time WFC was known as the Wpg. FLight Center.......trying to get away from the "club" term?
1) I think it was a big mistake to sell airplanes but maybe they needed cash
2) Board of directors has always needed people who are pilots, people who know the industry. But few on the board are.
3) I heard this last GM was no good. I didin't know him so I won't say much on that.
4) Finally, they simply bit off more than they could chew. A college program is a huge deal and I don't think enough time was spent developing it or researching it. It began when quite frankly the industry demand was already low??????
The Winnipeg training market is seeing some changes that have been coming for a while.
Aviation markets in this country are so intolerant of error that you're lucky if you get a second chance - all it takes is one or two bad moves and the whole thing is done, over, finished. The lag time though between that mistake and the date on an employee's EI application is what prmopts people to say things like "What? I thought they were doing good?"
In reality, it was just the time until the credit was maxed and money ran out.
It's no secret that WFC was top-heavy for a long time. They had great facilities and good airplanes, along with the easiest name to google if you were looking for a flight school in Winnipeg. They're not for profit, member supported, and you'd assume that at least most of the fleet was piad for long ago. You'd think they'd be positioned to kick the crap out of the competiton.
The college program got a lineup of studentsout the door thanks to Red River's credibility, and all they had to do was train them, just like any other student. Go back into the old forums to read about what the students actually got. I think they got greedy and forgot that the customer calls the shots. The fact that they are selling planes because no one is flying them now is proof of that.
Obviously the others are going to profit from this. Flying Colors went out over a year ago. Winnipeg Aviation has been under new managment, although the same management style. I think they'll be in a position to benefit in a big way from this; not becuase they necessarily do everything right, but more because they don't do everything wrong. They know what makes them money.
Harv's will no doubt take another bite into the MB market, they'll probably need a bigger apron. They've been importing new aircraft and lighty upgrading their current ones. The fact that people will drive an hour from the other side of the city out into the country for an hour of flying (where they fly back to the city to show their friend thier house) has to say something.
It's sad to see, but I think it would take something spectacular to keep the club from dying off. When it does though, it's going to leave a gap in the market; there is room for 3 schools, and it can be done better in YAV than it has been in the past.
Aviation markets in this country are so intolerant of error that you're lucky if you get a second chance - all it takes is one or two bad moves and the whole thing is done, over, finished. The lag time though between that mistake and the date on an employee's EI application is what prmopts people to say things like "What? I thought they were doing good?"
In reality, it was just the time until the credit was maxed and money ran out.
It's no secret that WFC was top-heavy for a long time. They had great facilities and good airplanes, along with the easiest name to google if you were looking for a flight school in Winnipeg. They're not for profit, member supported, and you'd assume that at least most of the fleet was piad for long ago. You'd think they'd be positioned to kick the crap out of the competiton.
The college program got a lineup of studentsout the door thanks to Red River's credibility, and all they had to do was train them, just like any other student. Go back into the old forums to read about what the students actually got. I think they got greedy and forgot that the customer calls the shots. The fact that they are selling planes because no one is flying them now is proof of that.
Obviously the others are going to profit from this. Flying Colors went out over a year ago. Winnipeg Aviation has been under new managment, although the same management style. I think they'll be in a position to benefit in a big way from this; not becuase they necessarily do everything right, but more because they don't do everything wrong. They know what makes them money.
Harv's will no doubt take another bite into the MB market, they'll probably need a bigger apron. They've been importing new aircraft and lighty upgrading their current ones. The fact that people will drive an hour from the other side of the city out into the country for an hour of flying (where they fly back to the city to show their friend thier house) has to say something.
It's sad to see, but I think it would take something spectacular to keep the club from dying off. When it does though, it's going to leave a gap in the market; there is room for 3 schools, and it can be done better in YAV than it has been in the past.
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Captain Crunch
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Thanks Professor!CAPGEN wrote:The Winnipeg training market is seeing some changes that have been coming for a while.
Aviation markets in this country are so intolerant of error that you're lucky if you get a second chance - all it takes is one or two bad moves and the whole thing is done, over, finished. The lag time though between that mistake and the date on an employee's EI application is what prmopts people to say things like "What? I thought they were doing good?"
In reality, it was just the time until the credit was maxed and money ran out.
It's no secret that WFC was top-heavy for a long time. They had great facilities and good airplanes, along with the easiest name to google if you were looking for a flight school in Winnipeg. They're not for profit, member supported, and you'd assume that at least most of the fleet was piad for long ago. You'd think they'd be positioned to kick the crap out of the competiton.
The college program got a lineup of studentsout the door thanks to Red River's credibility, and all they had to do was train them, just like any other student. Go back into the old forums to read about what the students actually got. I think they got greedy and forgot that the customer calls the shots. The fact that they are selling planes because no one is flying them now is proof of that.
Obviously the others are going to profit from this. Flying Colors went out over a year ago. Winnipeg Aviation has been under new managment, although the same management style. I think they'll be in a position to benefit in a big way from this; not becuase they necessarily do everything right, but more because they don't do everything wrong. They know what makes them money.
Harv's will no doubt take another bite into the MB market, they'll probably need a bigger apron. They've been importing new aircraft and lighty upgrading their current ones. The fact that people will drive an hour from the other side of the city out into the country for an hour of flying (where they fly back to the city to show their friend thier house) has to say something.
It's sad to see, but I think it would take something spectacular to keep the club from dying off. When it does though, it's going to leave a gap in the market; there is room for 3 schools, and it can be done better in YAV than it has been in the past.
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Captain Crunch
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WFC closed their doors today, 77 years of history, gone - man aviation is doing great in Manitoba lately huh?
March 30, 2005
The Winnipeg Flying Club is suspending operations effective March 30, 2005.
The Winnipeg Flying Club has been in operation since 1927 as one of Canada 's largest flight training facilities.
Recent trends in the aviation training business, changes in our costs and a reduction in revenue commensurate with the current industry has compelled The Winnipeg Flying Club Board of Directors to suspend operations.
The aircraft and buildings of The Winnipeg Flying Club will be made for sale immediately. Pending the sale of our buildings The Winnipeg Flying Club will resume operations sometime in the future.
The Winnipeg Flying Club owns outright our clubhouse and hangar buildings at St. Andrews Airport .
Staff will be available to customers and students that require access to our facilities by appointment at 338-7927.
Media Relations Contact: Paul England - 774-3340
March 30, 2005
The Winnipeg Flying Club is suspending operations effective March 30, 2005.
The Winnipeg Flying Club has been in operation since 1927 as one of Canada 's largest flight training facilities.
Recent trends in the aviation training business, changes in our costs and a reduction in revenue commensurate with the current industry has compelled The Winnipeg Flying Club Board of Directors to suspend operations.
The aircraft and buildings of The Winnipeg Flying Club will be made for sale immediately. Pending the sale of our buildings The Winnipeg Flying Club will resume operations sometime in the future.
The Winnipeg Flying Club owns outright our clubhouse and hangar buildings at St. Andrews Airport .
Staff will be available to customers and students that require access to our facilities by appointment at 338-7927.
Media Relations Contact: Paul England - 774-3340
