The Pacific Flying Club was formed on 14 July, 1965.  In those days, the world's airlines were crying for pilots.  Entrance requirements were a high school graduation, a commercial pilot licence, and a keen desire.  Canadian Pacific Airlines (known as Canadian Airlines today) was undergoing major expansion and jet aircraft conversion between 1964 and 1967.  The immediate result was a flurry of activity for local Fixed Base Operators.  The new second officers were out flying as often as possible, trying to build up their command time to the 150 hour mark so when they obtained their first instrument rating on a DC 6 they would have met all the command requirements of the rating.  There were also a number of relatively high-time ex-air force pilots who lacked the 25 hours night cross-country requirement for the Airline Transport Licence.  Do you realize how many night flights in darkest December and January -- flying from Vancouver to Victoria in a C-150 are required to obtain 25 hours?

   There were so many people in this category, and would be pilots from other departments in the airline, that a group of enthusiasts was very quickly formed.  The object was to provide flying for the least possible cost (contrary to rumours, the starting salary in 1965 prior to line checkout was two hundred and fifty dollars per month).  Other advantages were soon realized: some people had money to invest in aircraft; some knew how to organize an office; some knew of accounting; others helped in maintenance; and everyone was taking pride in the fleet -- a rudderless Ercoupe, and a post-war Navion.

   Our selection of names was unnecessary because everyone knew we were the "Canadian Pacific Airlines Flying Club."  Well, that was alright with everyone save the legal department of the airline.  Several other names were put forward at the general meeting.  The sixteen members present voted to be known as the "Pacific Flying Club."

   From humble beginnings in 1965 we have grown to the point where we now have a very successful flying school, employ full-time instructors and staff and operate an impressive flight line that is constantly being improved upon.  Our biggest step was taken in May of 1976 when we acquired the Cessna Pilot Centre.

   Each of the achievements along with trials and errors of by-gone days was due directly to the members themselves.  With more than three decades of experience under our belts, we are happy to have you with us, and we are all anxiously awaiting your contributions to influence the direction our club will be taking from this point forward......