What is C-FLUG?

Bill Vandenberg
Bill Vandenberg

Brief History

C-FLUG is a Cessna 150 owned by  the Manitoba Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, International Association of Women Pilots (99s). The plane was donated to the RAA for the Manitoba 99s by Bill Vandenberg with help from Jill Oakes and Rick Riewe (see Canadian Aviator March 2014 article pages 20-23), for women to fly. Once approved by International 99s, C-FLUG ownership was transferred to the Manitoba 99s. The primary purpose of C-FLUG is to increase the % of women in the aviation industry from 6% in 2013 to at least 50% in the future by providing an affordable aircraft for building time and a supportive aviation community environment. 

 

Thank you to Jim Aitkens (AME) for volunteering to get C-FLUG into good working condition after she sat outside for a few years. Leon Woychuck (AME) has generously volunteered to be C-FLUGs AME, he has 30 years of experience working with C150s at Harv’s Air and knows C-FLUG intimately. Thanks to the 100% support from the aviation community, essential for providing economical hour-building options for women. C-FLUG is available for Private and Commercial Pilots at $20/hour. 

 

Where

Women fly C-FLUG locally, nationally, and internationally, including Oshkosh. You’ll see C-FLUG flying overhead, across Canada, and into the USA. Send womenflyfree@gmail.com a photo of C-FLUG at an airport other than her home base (Lyncrest Airport on outskirts of Winnipeg); your photo will be published on Facebook and you’ll get a free ride in C-FLUG.

 

Free Training

Women Pilots and Pilots in Training hold work parties and ground school sessions to learning more about:

 

a. Basic aircraft maintenance and management of aircraft systems,

b. Specific flight operations including flying on skis, floats, wheels on snow

    covered runways, winter flying and search & rescue systems,

c. Scholarships, aviation related organizations, recreational aviation

    opportunities and career opportunities.

 

In addition, women interested in getting their pilots licence are invited to sit in C-FLUG, practise running through check lists, learn how to do a walk around, and participate in work parties and ground school sessions – all for free – so they can get a strong foundation on which to build their formal flight training experience at one of the local flight schools. Women pilots with non-Canadian pilots licences are welcome to attend any of the local flight schools to get their Canadian licences and then build hours on C-FLUG.

 

C-FLUG is the only aircraft in North America that provides below cost flying opportunities and ongoing support for women in aviation. All International 99s are welcome to apply to fly C-FLUG.

 

C172 C-FMRG 

C-FMRG is a club plane owned by Blue Skies Flying Club Manitoba. Women and men flying C-FMRG are required to be members of either the Manitoba 99s or Friends of the 99s. Once approved to join the Blue Skies Flying Club, MRG is available to rent for $80/hour. This aircraft is available for long cross countries, as well as local flights. C-FMRG is based at Lyncrest and follows a modified version of FLUG's Standard Operating Procedures. Pilots interested in joining the small team (3 pilots) flying C-FMRG are invited to contact the Manitoba 99s.

C-FLUG is also supported by