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IN-FLIGHT REVIEW
Flying High
Helijet Celebrates 25 Years
of Scheduled Service
Scholars
& Cents
Financing a Private
School Education
Workplace
Workout
The Profitable Side of
Employee Fitness
WINTER 2011/2012
ISSN 1916-5080
COMPLIMENTARY COPY
You’ll never be left stranded
with an expert on board.
·
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No fixed term contracts
24/7 emergency support
Always reach your personal Travel manager
Best product knowledge, fare construction
and customer service
Competitive credit terms
Travel plans can change,
our consistent service offer
will not.
Call1 877 238 5406
corporatetraveller.ca
As your dedicated
Travel Manager,
Alexandra Massarsky
provides you with:
As a Business
Development Manager,
Mitch Jarvi provides
you with:
A vast
and understanding
of a business
Asknowledge
your dedicated
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traveller’s needs focusing on the most convenient
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and
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and change policies. Every Corporate Traveller client
you with:
receives 24 hour World Wide emergency assistance and
personal service from a dedicated Travel Manager, like
Alexandra, who knows her client’s travel needs inside
and out. Alexandra also provides personalized leisure
product solutions all with the same perks as booking as a
business client. Benefit from our all-inclusive flat booking
fee which means you’re never charged for extras - a great
way to manage your costs per booking. Personalized,
one-on-one service levels are what we are known for –
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CUSTOM DESIGN
REMODELING
ALL JEWELLERY
HANDMADE IN-HOUSE
PRE-OWNED ROLEX
phone: 250.384.7611
617 broughton st.
victoria, b.c.
www.francisjewellers.ca
francis jewellers ltd.
Est 1921
celebrating 90 years of superior craftsmanship
IN-FLIGHT REVIEW
WINTER 2011/12
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 04
DEPARTMENTS
06
IN-FLIGHT RE VIEW MAGA ZINE
Publisher/Editor Garth Eichel
EDITORIAL
Helijet celebrates 25 years
in business
Above: A Helijet S76C+ air
ambulance helicopter returns to YVR
airport after a patient transfer.
BY ALISTAIR MACLENNAN
Art Director Jacalin Jefferson
Account Manager Garth Eichel
Contributors
Sue Denham
Garth Eichel
Sue Kernaghan
Maureen Licata
Bob Loblaw
Heath Moffat
Danny Sitnam
For information on display
advertising opportunities,
contact Garth Eichel at:
garth@archipelagomedia.com
Published by
08
NEW & NOTABLE
New offerings
BY SUE KERNAGHAN
10
‘APPENINGS
Smart phone apps
BY SUE KERNAGHAN
FEATURE ARTICLES
16 BLUE & WHITE
TURNS SILVER
Helijet celebrates 25 years
in business
BY GARTH EICHEL
140 Government Street
Victoria, BC V8V 2K7
Tel 250.380.3961
Fax 250.380.3962
www.archipelagomedia.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEATH MOFFAT
22 SCHOLARS & CENTS
Financing a private school
education on a budget
Please send comments
and suggestions to
Garth Eichel, Publisher:
garth @ archipelagomedia.com
In-Flight Review (IFR) is a quarterly
magazine published by Archipelago
Media Ltd. for Helijet International Inc.
All published material is the copyright
of Archipelago Media Ltd. No part of
this publication, in whole or in part,
may be reproduced without the written
consent of the publisher. The written
and photographic material published
in In-Flight Review does not necessarily
reflect the views of the air carrier or the
publisher. Information and images produced in the magazine are believed
to be accurate and truthful, but the
publisher assumes no responsibility
for errors..
BY MAUREEN LICATA
12
INVIGORATE
The profi table side
of employee fi tness
BY SUE KERNAGHAN
29
EPICURIOUS
Pairing for your palate
BY GARTH EICHEL
Advertising in In-Flight Review magazine
does not indicate an endorsement by
Helijet International Inc. or Archipelago
Media Ltd. ISSN 1916-5080
Two Helijet S76C+ air ambulance helicopters fl y in formation over
Vancouver. Helijet recently acquired three of these state-of-the-art helicopters
specifi cally for service with the B.C. Ambulance Service. PHOTO BY HEATH MOFFAT
ON THE COVER:
EDITORIAL
BY ALISTAIR MACLENNAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, HELIJET
Sore Losers Make Winners
The value of people, perseverance and sound principles
convinced a good business model is doomed to fail.
In for a penny, in for a pound, as they say.
Danny didn’t disappoint. He drew a number of
talented people into the company who shared our belief
that Helijet could provide better customer service and
operating standards than what was available.
At the same time, we remained steadfast in our belief
that professionals will always need to meet face-to-face to
do business. Honestly, how many significant agreements
are reached by email or teleconferencing? The only way
you can truly get a read on someone and show you’re
serious about doing business together is to press flesh.
Helijet’s passengers get that better than most. Over
the years, they’ve come to appreciate that Helijet is the
Alistair MacLennan, Chairman of the Board, Helijet.
safest and most reliable way to commute quickly between
Vancouver and Victoria. As professionals they also
I’VE LEARNED A FEW THINGS over the years working
recognize that Helijet offers a superior and consistent
in a range of industries, from technology to mining, but
customer experience. For that reason, many are regular
my involvement with Helijet and the aviation industry for
customers and familiar faces on our flights.
the past 25 years has been a tremendous education
We’ve got a lot to show for 25 years in business and
experience, underscoring the value of recruiting good
I’m very proud of my relationship with Danny and the
people, persevering against the odds, and adhering to
people of Helijet. We’ve overcome every difficulty we’ve
sound business principles.
been faced with and we’ve raised the bar for providing air
When Danny Sitnam, Helijet’s President and CEO,
service in this province. Along the way we’ve expanded
first approached me with the exotic idea of investing in
into the air ambulance, tourism and utility markets, and
a scheduled helicopter service between Vancouver and
we’ve done so with an emphasis on safety and operational
Victoria I should have turned on my heel and walked
standards. What is more, we’ve made lasting friendships
away. Thing is, I liked what I saw in Danny: he’s a forceful
and worthwhile achievements while earning a paycheque.
personality and a quick study who balances intelligence
I look forward to participating in the company’s
with a clear appreciation for those he works with. More-
evolution in the years ahead, and if ever I need a
over, he has optimism and determination to spare. Such
reminder of the value of my initial investment, well, I just
entrepreneurial qualities are attractive to investors.
have to count the number of children at our annual staff
Sometimes too attractive. We took a financial thrashing
Christmas party: when we first began this journey
in Helijet’s first few years of operation and more than once
together everyone was single and there were no kids;
I seriously considered cutting my losses. Luckily for Danny,
now we’re a family with a new generation in the wings.
I hate losing and I have to be hit over the head before I’m
And that’s perhaps the best legacy of all.
IFR 6 archipelagomedia.com
Rich Harvey, CGA
Hockey Finance Manager
Bauer Canada
Certified General Accountants see more than numbers. When it comes to leadership, we see
the impact and opportunity behind those numbers. That’s because, in this fast changing economic
climate, innovative leadership is seeing how numbers impact our business – before they do.
CGA-more.org
Alonzo King Lines Ballet’s Keelan Whitmore. Photo by Marty Sohl
NEW & NOTABLE
Fly Helijet to Victoria,
See the World
The world’s best dance companies
are coming to Victoria
DanceVictoria.com
SEASON SPONSOR
DONNA EICHEL
Multi Media Abstract Work
VIEWING
BY
APPOINTMENT
140 Government Street, Victoria
tel: 250.360.0939
www.donnaeichel.com
IFR 8 archipelagomedia.com
CRAZY RUMORS LIP BALM
Organic, vegan and nut-free
isn’t just about food anymore.
What you put on your body
matters, too. The folks at Crazy
Rumors make their lip balms
and colours with organic,
vegan, gluten- and nut-free
products, including organic shea butter and jojoba oil.
The flavours, inspired by tea, coffee, ice cream and other
favourites, are fun too. crazyrumors.com
THE WHISTLER
SLIDING CENTRE
You too can slide
headfirst down a
mountain at 90 km
per hour. Just
book a spot at the
Whistler Sliding
Centre, an Olympic
Games legacy now open to speed-loving
members of the public. Join three teammates and a
professional pilot for a taste of high-velocity bobsledding,
or take that dare and try the head-first skeleton run; it’s a
truncated version of the professional route, but still whips
through six corners and reaches speeds that would
otherwise get you a ticket. whistlerslidingcentre.com
THE BEDOL WATER CLOCK
Drip drip, tick tock: keep perfect time
and divert a few batteries from the
landfill with this nifty timepiece.
The Bedol Water-Powered Clock
works on nothing but ordinary
tap water. No batteries, outlets,
or Perrier required. Just top up
the tank every three or four
months and this little ticker will
get the electrical current it needs
from ions in the water. And, if you
ever need to, the whole thing is
completely recyclable. bedol.com
PACKIT
Brown-bagging it (or schlepping
snacks on a plane) will never be
the same again. This nifty
invention, developed by two
sandwich packing moms, skips
the need for coolers and ice
blocks because this bag is the
cooler. Pop it in the freezer,
unfold it, fill it, and your
goodies are good to go
for up to ten hours. PackIt can be a lifesaver on
longflights, road trips, commuting, and other
nutritional wastelands. packit.com
OKANAGAN VINEGAR BREWERY
There’s vinegar, there’s balsamic vinegar, and
then there’s Okanagan Vinegar Brewery’s line of
luscious balsamics. Brewed and barrel-aged in
Summerland, it just might change your ideas
about salad. Try the Aceto Toscano, the Raspberry
Balsamic, or the thick and rich Solera 2000 Pinot
Noir. Available at Village VQA wine shops and the
Edible Canada shop on Granville Island.
SAUL GOOD
GIFT BASKETS
What’s better than
buying local? Giving
local, of course.
Saul Good Gift
Baskets are filled
with eco-friendly
B.C.-made products. Food gifts, like CocoaNymph’s candied
Agassiz hazelnuts and Denman Island Chocolate, are as
organic, sustainable and fair-traded as they come. Choose a
ready-made kit, or create your own. Top sellers include the
Office Party in a Box and the Hard Day’s Night: six local
microbrews in a carved wooden box. www.itsaulgood.com
archipelagomedia.com IFR 9
‘APPENINGS
IFISH BC
The iFish series, from Edmontonbased AppDoor, is stocked with
information about thousands of
lakes, streams and fishing holes
across the country. Versions for
B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and
Ontario, plus a newly launched
iFish USA, detail regulations,
real-time weather, species
references, maps, depth charts,
and more, plus feedback from
fellow fishers about almost
anywhere you’d care to cast a
line. $4.99 from AppsForAnglers.
com or the iTunes store.
EVERY TRAIL
Trailblazers rejoice. This fastgrowing trip-sharing app lets
you upload route details and
photos from your favourite walks,
hikes or bike rides, and search
for great trips posted by others.
The options cover the planet and
include cultural and city walks,
ATV, skiing, bird watching,
boating, skating, riding and even
hang-gliding routes. It’s available
free from the iTunes store.
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB LIVE
Heading for the hills? You’ll need
this. Whistler’s official app has
real-time mountain information
direct from the source: lift status,
trail conditions, weather, maps,
webcams and more. You can track
your vertical with the GPS and, if
you really want to rub it in, post
your stats on Facebook or Twitter
for you deskbound buddies to
enjoy. It’s free from iTunes and
Google’s Android Market.
IFR 10 archipelagomedia.com
HISTORY PIN
This charming app was initially
designed to encourage people of
different generations to spend
time together. It also adds a
timeless dimension to a walk
around your local town. As you
stroll through pretty much any
neighbourhood on the planet,
click on History Pin to see historic
photos taken near the same spot.
You can even layer the old photos
over the current scene. Upload
your own photos, or explore
thousands of historic photos and
stories from around the world.
BEHR COLORSMART
White, eggshell or flaming
magenta? Use this app to snap a
photo of your room and see how it
would look in a new colour. It can
even find a colour match for your
favourite vase or sofa, calculate
how much paint you’ll need, store
your ideas, and see what your
Facebook and Twitter friends think
of your decorating plans. You still
have to paint, but this does make it
more fun. Download for free from
the iTunes store.
MEAL SNAP
If healthy eating is on your 2012
resolution list, this clever app
can help. Just snap a photo of
what’s on your plate and Meal
Snap will calculate the nutritional
breakdown, including an estimate
of calories. You may want to take
the totals with a grain of salt, but
all that snapping will help keep
you honest, and you can use the
time saved counting calories to hit
the gym.
A TOURER
OR
A NAKED
CUSTOM
2012® Dyna
Switchback™
STEVE DRANE HARLEY-DAVIDSON®
2940 Ed Nixon Terrace, Langford, BC V9B 0B2
250-475-1345
SteveDraneHarley.com I Sales@SteveDraneHarley.com
archipelagomedia.com IFR 11
INVIGORATE
WorkplaceWorkouts
THE PROFITABLE SIDE OF SHAPING UP
DO YOU REALLY WANT your employees doing yoga in the
that, he says, “there is plenty of research that proves the
conference room, hitting the gym between meetings, or
overall health of employees is important for so many
even rolling those annoying fitness balls around the office?
reasons, including improved productivity and workplace
Well, you might.
morale, as well as reductions in sick leave, absenteeism,
Even in these austere times, plenty of organizations see
workplace injuries and extended health claims.”
an array of tangible, bottom-line benefits to investing in the
health and wellness of their staff.
“When you feel better about yourself you are a happier,
To that end, many British Columbian businesses
and government organizations are installing impressive
on-site fitness facilities, or providing gym memberships,
healthier and more productive employee,” says Lloyd
personal fitness trainers and lunchtime nutrition
Richards, President and CEO of Aloyd Fitness, a Vancouver
seminars and other fitness incentives to employee perks
Island-based provider of fitness equipment. In keeping with
packages.
At the same time, many gyms and rec centres are
responding to the needs of employers and their
employees.
“It’s not all about getting people to the gym.
Sometimes it’s about helping people fit fitness into
their lives, however they can,” says Lee Cassells,
Regional Corporate Director at Steve Nash
Fitness Clubs.
Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports Clubs,
which operates 17 fitness facilities in Metro
Vancouver and Victoria, has worked with
such major employers as
London Drugs, Coca
Cola, and KPMG.
Cassells says corporate
memberships have
grown to account for
40 per cent of the group’s
business in recent years, and
he expects that trend to
Stay Fit
Stay Healthy
Stay Productive
BY SUE KERNAGHAN
continue. In response to that, the fitness company offers
a two-pronged approach: corporate memberships to help
employees get onto those treadmills, and workplace
seminars to encourage them to do so.
Of course, we all know we should get fitness into our
lives. The personal benefits, from increased health and
productivity to reduced stress and injury, are well
documented. But is it a workplace issue?
In short, yes.
“Coca Cola, for example, calculates that for every dollar
spent on employee fitness, they get five bucks back in
increased productivity and other savings,” says Cassells.
Not surprisingly, a majority of B.C.’s Top Employers of
2011 (an annual competition organized by the editors of
Canada’s Top 100 Employers) offer fitness perks of one
kind or another. Witness the on-site fitness facilities at
Vancouver’s Great Little Box Company, whose offices also
boast a nap room, a sand volleyball court, and a dock for
kayak commuters. Then there is HP Advanced Solutions
in Victoria, which boasts its own gym and meditation
Aloyd Fitness has the largest
selection of fitness equipment in
Western Canada, offering everything from entry-level equipment to
high-performance training machines
for the home and the workplace.
Visit our website at www.aloyd.com
or visit any one of our three
locations to learn what we can
provide you and your employees.
room. Several employers, including the Vancouver Island
Health Authority (VIHA) and Sophos Inc., offer secure
lockups and shower facilities for bike commuters, and who
can beat the indoor bouldering cave at North Vancouver’s
Arc’Teryx Equipment?
If all this sounds a bit, well, frilly, consider the perks
offered by an organization that knows a thing or two about
cost benefit analysis. The Certified General Accountants’
Association of Canada (CGA Canada), named one of
Canada’s Top Employers for the last four years running,
has an on-site fitness facility as well as access to a fleet of
communal bicycles.
Their 800-square-foot fitness facility, built as part of
Victoria
Langford
Nanaimo
7-415 Dunedin St.
250.480.0222
victoria@aloyd.com
880 Atree Road
(Next to Wal-Mart)
250.478.0225
westshore@aloyd.com
101 - 6560
North Island Hwy
250.390.1200
aloydfitness@shaw.ca
CGA Canada’s new Burnaby headquarters in 2008, is used
regularly by about 70 per cent of employees. The bikes,
archipelagomedia.com IFR 13
UNPARALLELED
MEMBERSHIP
EXPERIENCE
In every city there is one club that distinguishes itself from
the rest - one club where the facilities, service and tradition
combine to offer an unparalleled membership experience.
In Vancouver, it is Terminal City Club.
– 5,000 sq.ft. newly renovated Fitness Centre
– 25-metre indoor ozone treated pool
– award winning culinary team
– 10,000 sq.ft. of state-of-the-art meeting space
²ORFDWHGLQ9DQFRXYHU·VGRZQWRZQÀQDQFLDOGLVWULFW
– complimentary early morning, evening and weekend
parking
– social networking opportunities
– luxurious 60 room boutique hotel
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worldwide
– wireless internet service
...wouldn’t you like to join us
837 West Hasting Street
604-842-8926 ‡ tcclub.com
supplied to help staff — many of whom commute by transit
— are also hugely popular.
“Being accountants, we said, ‘how are we going to
measure our success?’”, observes Baldev Gill, CGA Canada’s
Vice President, Finance and Human Resources. “When I
joined CGA Canada in 2005 we had an outside firm measure
our engagement scores — how involved staff feel with the
organization — and they were very low. In 2010, in the latest
4
4
Top
anti-aging
treatments
Cornerstone
non-surgical
anti-aging
treatments:
survey by an independent firm, our scores were substantially
higher than the national average. One of the big factors in
that was the fitness facility we installed,” says Gill, who notes
that a gym was high on employee focus group wish lists.
In addition to having healthier and happier employees,
Gill says an on-site workout room helps build relationships
across departments in their organization: “Connections are
made and networking takes place. That helps foster a more
positive work environment and culture and ultimately better
morale.” He adds, “on a qualitative basis, employees seem
more relaxed; there’s a lot of respect in the office, and a lot
of trust. We had a good culture to begin with, but it’s really
elevated in the last few years. People just feel more alive.”
The numbers look good, too. Since 2009 full-time
permanent staff turnover at GCA Canada has dropped from
18 to 10 per cent, while sick days have seen a 25 per cent
reduction, trending downward.
Gill acknowledges that it is tricky to calculate a return
on investment for something like an on-site fitness facility,
but, as far as he is concerned, such an investment is central
to attracting and retaining high quality employees.
But what if an on-site gym isn’t practical for a particular
business, which may not have the necessary budget
resources or workplace environment?
No matter: there are plenty of personal fi tness trainers
and yoga instructors who specialize in providing on-site
training sessions for employees, and leasing fitness
equipment is also an option. As well, many companies
organize fitness teams outside the workplace, be it running
groups or dragon boat teams. At the same time, there are
several free resources from non-profit organizations, as
well as national and provincial agencies, that can provide
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Leading this category is
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Dr. Mark Lupin, MD
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assistance developing workplace health and wellness
programs.
With so much to gain and so little to lose, one might
think every organization would be racing to introduce its
own fitness program. Still, human nature, such as it is,
SUITE 207-1990 FORT STREET, VICTORIA, BC, V8R 6V4
WWW.COSMEDICA.CA
sometimes means people procrastinate and take a while
before committing and taking that all-important first step.
archipelagomedia.com IFR 15
BLUE & WHITE
TURNS SILVER
Helijet celebrates 25 years of success
in a tough marketplace
A pair of Helijet S76C+ air ambulance helicopters
bank over Stanley Park in Vancouver. Helijet operates
three dedicated air ambulance helicopters and a
Lear 31 jet on contract to the BC Ambulance Service.
BY GARTH EICHEL
AS IN MARRIAGE,
PHOTOS BY HEATH MOFFAT
a 25th anniversary in business is a milestone worth
celebrating. That said, surviving for 25 years and succeeding are two different things;
there are plenty of marriages and businesses that make it to a silver anniversary with
nothing to show for it but misery.
At the risk of stretching the matrimonial metaphor, Helijet’s first few years were
no honeymoon. To many, the idea of a scheduled helicopter service between
Vancouver and Victoria, seemed foolhardy, if not reckless. Making matters worse,
financiers showed Helijet all the warmth of disapproving in-laws.
“We were really ‘out there’ as a company doing something totally different,” says
Danny Sitnam, Helijet President and CEO. “A lot of operators just stood back and
waited for us to take a monster fall.” With a knowing smile, he adds, “You definitely
wouldn’t want to pitch a business idea like this on [CBC Television’s] Dragons’ Den.”
Above left: Carla Kovacs, Helijet’s Director, Passenger Services, is the woman tasked with maintaining the company’s standards of service.
Above right: Aircrew and paramedics transfer a patient from a Helijet Lear 31 at YVR Airport.
Nevertheless, a combination of determination, superior
service, and market agility allowed Helijet to find its feet
and ultimately prosper where so many expected it to fail.
FLEDGLING SERVICE: The dismal history of scheduled
helicopter services suggested Helijet’s chances of success
were slim from the outset. Indeed, there are now fewer than
a dozen carriers worldwide providing scheduled service with
helicopters, and every attempt in U.S. cities, such as New York
and San Francisco, faltered for a variety of reasons. How then
could Helijet presume to succeed where others stumbled?
That question might have been on the minds of Sitnam
and his founding partners, Alistair MacLennan and Stewart
Vorberg, on November 27, 1986, when Helijet’s inaugural
flight lifted off from Vancouver Harbour bound for Victoria
with only one advance booking.
“We didn’t know what we had gotten ourselves into; we
were totally unrealistic in our expectations and how much it
would cost,” says Sitnam. Still, Sitnam persevered because he
believed in the program: “I knew we could succeed by doing
better in terms of sales, marketing, service and operational
standards. That’s what got me out of bed in the morning.”
Faith and determination eventually paid off. Helijet became
a familiar sight in the Vancouver-Victoria corridor, which had
previously been dominated by seaplanes. Word-of-mouth
eventually spread among influential customers in B.C.’s
business community and provincial government. These highly
mobile executives were quick to appreciate the enhanced
safety and reliability offered by Helijet’s multi-crew, multiengine helicopters, which, unlike seaplanes, were not limited
by daylight hours and the dreadful weather the Pacific Northwest is infamous for.
IFR 18 archipelagomedia.com
“We were able to provide uneventful flights and a better
overall customer experience,” says Sitnam. “Once people
experienced the comfortable ride it became one of our
biggest sales tool.”
And while a few vocal critics regularly complain about
helicopter travel as a decadent perk for politicians and senior
executives, Sitnam says the reality is that Helijet “provides
glorified bus service for the province’s business community.”
CUSTOMERS, CO-WORKERS & COMMUNITY: Shuttle bus,
perhaps, but the Helijet brand is synonymous with superior
service. Be it the complimentary coffee bar, the hotel shuttle,
or the tireless professionalism of front-counter staff, Helijet
continually strives to meet and exceed the level of comfort
and convenience expected by executive travellers.
“We’ve succeeded for 25 years because of the standard
of service we provide,” says Carla Kovacs, Helijet’s Director,
Passenger Services. “We make a point of noticing minor details
and addressing them before they become a problem to make
sure customer experience is top-notch.”
Of course, a lot of companies talk about service, but Helijet’s
reputation depends on being able to walk the talk every single
day. As such, the company espouses a corporate philosophy
that puts a premium on the treatment of people in general,
be they customers, co-workers or community residents.
Indeed, Helijet’s management team recognizes that
employees who feel respected and appreciated will be more
committed to the company’s success.
This explains, in part, why Helijet has so many long-term
employees. Like Kovacs, who was hired in 1989, many
employees have chosen to make careers with the company,
several serving 20 years, plus.
Above: Helijet attributes much of its success to its employees. From lef:t Mike Nyiri, aircraft maintenance engineer, Danny Sitnam, President
and CEO, and Bob Neve, aircraft captain. Above right: Passengers board a Helijet S76A at Kamel Point in Victoria, bound for Vancouver.
It is also worth noting that Helijet’s commitment to treating
people with respect extends beyond customers and staff to the
communities its aircraft fly into and over.
Helicopters are inherently noisy machines and the company
knows there is no shortage of people in Victoria, Vancouver,
and the Gulf Islands in between, who would just as soon see
them gone altogether. This is, after all, the birthplace of
Greenpeace.
Nevertheless, in an effort to be sensitive to residents and
minimize irritation, Helijet has a fly neighbourly policy that
sees scheduled flights operate at higher altitudes and along
more than a dozen different flight routes on any given day.
What’s more, they’ve constructed a noise-attenuating burm
at the Victoria heliport, and the last flight of the day touches
down at 19:05 in both cities. Going a step further, the
company installed engine exhaust scrubbers on its S76 fleet
in 2010, and that same year it went carbon neutral when it
partnered with Pacific Carbon Trust, a non-profit B.C.
Government organization that buys and sells carbon offsets.
Taken together, these environmental measures add
significant costs each year, but Sitnam considers each an
investment in the company’s future, as well as the right
thing to do.
MARKET MINDFULNESS: Reacting and adapting to the
needs of the marketplace is another hallmark of Helijet’s
success. As Sitnam is careful to note, “You can never
underestimate the market, the communities you serve, or
the power of the consumer.”
With that in mind, the company continued adding additional
helicopters to its fleet and began exploring other scheduled
routes with fixed-wing aircraft. In keeping with that, Helijet
introduced commuter service between Abbotsford, Victoria
and Campbell River, as well as to Seattle, but abandoned the
B.C. routes due to weaker load factors, and the U.S. route
after 9/11 when trans-border issues became too onerous.
Around that time Helijet recognized scheduled service
was increasingly becoming economically challenging on its
core market between Vancouver and Victoria. As such, the
company diversified into new sectors.
AIR MEDICAL MARKET: Looking to its own backyard,
Helijet began exploring the air ambulance market, promoting
its S76A as a suitable choice for government air medical
contracts in B.C.
As a result of its efforts, Helijet secured the company’s
first air medical contract with the B.C. government in 1998,
operating one S76A helicopter for a five-year term. Since then,
the company has been awarded additional B.C. Ambulance
Service (BCAS) contracts for both rotary- and fixed-wing
aircraft — the most recent of which saw the company acquire
three state-of-the-art S76C+ helicopters for dedicated air
ambulance service in Vancouver and Prince Rupert as part of
an eight-year contract, with an extension for four years.
With three helicopters and a Lear 31 jet dedicated to
BCAS contracts, air ambulance work now accounts for more
than 50 per cent of Helijet’s business. Not surprisingly, the
company is pursuing additional air ambulance contracts in
the province and possibly seeking to expand outside B.C. as
provincial government attitudes towards joint ventures with
the private sector change across the country.
“We have a real strong understanding and appreciation
of the mission — what the paramedic and the patient need,”
says Sitnam. “Our crews have depth of experience and
archipelagomedia.com IFR 19
knowledge: they understand operational standards, flying in
varied environmental conditions, and the importance of the
relationship between flight crew and paramedics.”
HAIDA GWAII ON HIGH: Helijet is not content to rest on its
laurels. Having established itself as a scheduled carrier and
an air ambulance provider, the company began developing
new markets in the tourism and utility sectors.
Because summertime sees demand soften on Helijet’s
scheduled service, the company sought to redeploy its extra
capacity between June and early September. To that end,
the company negotiated a couple of contracts in 2006 to fly
guests and supplies into sport fishing lodges in Haida Gwaii
(formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands), a remote archipelago
of some 150 islands located 200 km off B.C.’s northwest coast.
The weather in Haida Gwaii can be ferocious even in
summer (trees grow at an angle on the windward side) and
sport fishing lodge operators can’t afford to have guests
stranded by high winds and bad weather. As with its
Vancouver-Victoria scheduled service, Helijet demonstrated
it could provide a more capable and reliable alternative to
float planes. Other fishing resorts took notice and soon
began hiring Helijet to support their own operations.
In 2010 Helijet went a step further and consolidated its
position in Haida Gwaii with the purchase of Vancouver Island
Helicopters’ assets there, acquiring a B206L helicopter and
fixed base facilities in Masset and Sandspit. As a result,
Helijet is now the single source helicopter provider in Haida
Gwaii, serving most all sport fishing lodge operators, while
also extending into the utility market to support an array of
industries, including forestry, mining and fisheries, as well
as environmental and hydroelectric projects.
While Helijet’s work in the utility market is rather limited
right now, it will surprise no one that the company sees
potential to grow these services and expand its capabilities
into new markets, particularly large construction and mining
projects in B.C., as well as other parts of the country.
“We’re interested in looking for joint venture partners in
oil and gas, mining and construction projects,” says Sitnam.
“We can already provide transportation services . . . and
we’re also considering heavier lift markets.”
Who knows what the next 25 years will hold for Helijet,
but the fundamental principles of grit faith, superior service,
and an ability to adapt to new and existing markets has served
it well thus far. And like any solid marriage, the company’s
experience suggests that those who truly believe, work hard,
don’t take people for granted, and are able to adapt to
circumstances — good and bad — stand to succeed. And with
a bit of luck, the love affair never ends.
You could be
here for the Holidays
Call and book your personal tour today and join us
for lunch, compliments of our Executive Chefs!
Amica at
Somerset House
540 Dallas Road
Victoria, BC V8V 4X9
250.380.9121
Amica at
Amica at
Douglas House
Arbutus Manor
50 Douglas Street
2125 Eddington Drive
Victoria, BC V8V 2N8 Vancouver, BC V6L 3A9
250.383.6258
604.736.8936
IFR 20 archipelagomedia.com
11-1579
Every day is a great day at Amica, yet when the holiday season is
upon us there is a stronger feeling of warmth and friendship that
only this season can bring. We invite you to consider making
your move before the holidays, so you can settle in and enjoy the
wonderful services, amenities and events.
Make Amica your new home for the Holidays.
BLUE,WHITE & GOLD
THANKS FOR THE LIFT!
Rugby Canada would like to congratulate Helijet on 25 years of service.
Our organization is very proud of its relationship with Helijet: the ongoing support the
air service provider offers of our men and women athletes makes it easier for them to
travel for training and competition, which in turn contributes to player development
and welfare. Our recent success at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico,
where Canada won its first ever gold medal in rugby sevens, demonstrates the success
our athletes are capable of achieving with support from organizations like Helijet.
SCHOLARS & CENTS
Financing a private school education on a budget
BY MAUREEN LICATA and GARTH EICHEL
THERE WAS A TIME not too long ago when most parents
FINANCIAL PLANNING: Independent school education
invested only for their children’s university education.
is a big financial commitment. Even with two working
Increasingly, though, parents are also investing earlier in
parents, and support from extended family, private
the formative schooling years, providing them with the
schooling can tax a family’s resources — especially so when
fundamentals necessary for success at the post-secondary
it starts in kindergarten and carries through to Grade 12.
level, and in life.
The pain doubles or triples with more than one child.
To that end, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland
“Parents should look carefully at their situation when
are home to some of the best independent schools in
deciding on a private school,” says Susan Hazell, Executive
Canada. From day and boarding schools, to single-gender,
Director of Advancement at Collingwood School in
special needs or religious institutions, families have plenty
Vancouver. “They need a financial plan — one that also
of choices to ponder.
takes into account annual tuition increases each year for
And while public school education is free, many parents
are enticed by what independent schools offer in the way of
inflation.”
To that end, it is worth consulting a financial advisor or
small class sizes, individual attention, post-secondary
accountant to determine the best course to follow. And
planning, character development, and other enhanced
while tuition payments won’t yield any deductions or direct
programs.
tax relief, indirect measures may be employed in some
Granted, private schooling can be costly, but more and
instances. For example, if grandparents want to kick in a
more families are finding creative ways to make it happen.
tuition contribution it won’t trigger a gift tax. And students
At the same time, schools are finding ways to help.
with a learning disability, or people who fund someone with
a learning disability, may also be able to claim a tax credit
for their special needs, including private education costs.
Parents also need to take a longitudinal view in any
financial plan: some enrol kids in independent school at
kindergarten; others opt for private school only in the final
high school years.
With a plan and budget in place, parents should then
consider schools with tuitions that resonate with their incomes
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and resources. For example, St. Patrick’s Elementary School
in Victoria costs just $4,704 for the current year (parents who
support their parish pay just $3,768), while Glenlyon Norfolk
School’s fees range from $13,575 to $16,785, depending on
what grade a child is enrolled in. As for boarding schools,
fees can be upwards of $40,000 per year at many institutions.
Of course, tuition shouldn’t be the lone deciding factor.
The culture and philosophy of each school should be factored
into any decision as well.
“Parents are recognizing that students need a good
educational foundation and are searching for the institutions
that can provide this in a values-based setting,” says Sherri Ko,
Principal at Discovery School in Victoria, which specializes in
teaching students with learning disabilities and special needs.
One of only six designated special education schools in B.C.,
Discovery is the most affordable, with tuition fees of $6,900
per year. “We make huge efforts to[financially] ‘hold the line’
in every way possible,” says Ko. Whatever the cost, most
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parents value private education and believe the investment
is worth it.
“Once parents make the decision to put a child in an
independent school it’s pretty rare for them to go back to the
public system for financial reasons. Once they recognize the
value, it’s the last thing they will cut from their budget,” says
Paul Silk, Interim Director of Advancement at St. John’s School
in Vancouver. We haven’t seen a decline in enrolment even
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during economic downturns.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Once considered accessible only to
wealthy families, private schools are now populated more and
more by students from families of varied financial
backgrounds. That is owed in part to more double-income
families making sacrifices for their children, as well as the
financial and physical support provided by extended family
members. Indeed, many parents choose to sacrifice
discretionary spending on things like vacations and home
renovations, while some parents take part-time jobs, get bank
loans, dip into RRSPs, or re-mortgage their home to
supplement tuition fees.
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archipelagomedia.com IFR 23
From left to right: students at St. John’s school in Vancouver; Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan; St. Michaels University School
Grandparents are also an increasingly important part
want to invest in their grandchild’s education earlier, rather
of the equation. For many, the decision to invest in a
than bequeath an inheritance later.” To that, she adds, “The
grandchild’s education is more rewarding and lasting in
reality is that whole family support is critical.”
importance than a future inheritance. What’s more, they
get to witness a return on their investment.
BRIDGING THE GAP: Notwithstanding the best efforts of
Beyond writing cheques, many grandparents also
parents and grandparents, sometimes the cost of
participate in day-to-day school affairs, such as fundraising,
independent school education is simply not within reach for
volunteering and driving kids to and from school.
some families. Yet there are still ways to realize the goal,
“Grandparents are working within the Parents Association
thanks largely to various forms of assistance from schools.
at a level we’ve never seen before,” says Rebecca McKay,
“There’s a perception that [private school] is just for the
associate director, admissions, at Queen Margaret’s School
rich, and that it’s unattainable,” says Lindsay Thierry,
in Duncan. “They have hopes for their grandchildren and
director of admissions at St. George’s School in Vancouver.
COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL
This meaningful life . . .
Why do her parents choose Collingwood School? They know that she will benefit from a
balanced four stranded education where Academics always come first, with enrichment in
Arts, Athletics and Service. Because she will benefit from a group of teachers dedicated to working
with kids her age, in the Middle Years Program. Teachers who not only care about the grades she
achieves so she can attend the university of her choice, but genuinely care about her as a person.
Teachers who truly understand this challenging and exciting period of a young person’s
development. Working together in a nurturing environment she will grow to be a lifelong learner
and master the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. Her parents understand the
advantages of Collingwood’s Middle Years Program, and know that it’s the best place for her to
learn, grow and mature.
We are a co-educational, non-denominational, non-semestered university prep school serving
Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, located on two campuses in West Vancouver, BC
www.collingwood.org
IFR 24 archipelagomedia.com
in Victoria; and Collingwood School in West Vancouver.
“Our primary objective is to meet the needs of as many
of society, which was not positive for the school. We made
families as possible. There are opportunities, no matter
a philosophical decision to broaden financial aid as a way of
what the family’s socio-economic level.”
diversifying our student body.” The extent of that
Thierry notes that, in addition to entrance and leadership
philosophical decision is impressive. SMUS’s financial aid
scholarships, St. George’s offers assistance for the high
program is approximately $1.8 million a year, drawing from
school years, with 15 to 20 per cent of the student body
a combination of operating fees, endowment and the school’s
receiving financial aid each year.
annual fund.
It’s not just for the asking, though. Like many such
Financial aid isn’t just about altruism, though: “Fifteen
years ago we had little financial aid,” says Bob Snowden,
schools, SMUS offers bursaries and scholarships to students
head of school at St. Michaels University School (SMUS) in
who demonstrate a combination of academic performance,
Victoria. “We made the observation that that this resulted
character and willingness to get involved in school life and
in a very restricted band of children from a small segment
extracurricular activities. What’s more, most independent
WE TAKE OUR REPORT
CARD SERIOUSLY.
$1.92 MILLION
total financial assistance
distributed last year
Find out more:
www.smus.ca/report
D AY G R A D E S K-12
B O A R D I N G G R A D E S 8 -12
OPEN
HOUSE
Friday, February 17 9-11 am & 1-3 pm
admissions@smus.ca 250-370-6170
archipelagomedia.com IFR 25
schools channel requests for financial assistance through
Transforming disability
into ability.
a third-party organization, usually Toronto-based Financial
Aid for Canadian Schools, which assesses a family’s finances
(parents are required to complete a comprehensive and
confidential financial disclosure) and then makes
At Discovery School, learning disabilities are transformed
into valuable skills and abilities. Students work at their own
pace in small classes, with focused, individualized instruction.
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Enrolment is limited. For more
information or to arrange a tour,
visit www.discoveryschool.ca, call
Sherri Ko at 250-595-7765 or email
principal@discoveryschool.ca
recommendations to schools. While the maximum award is
60 per cent of fees, 40 per cent is more commonly allocated.
For example, if a family applying to Collingwood School
can demonstrate need, amounts ranging from $2,000 to
$15,000 may be awarded. And next year, the school plans
to introduce merit-based entrance scholarships for students
in grades 8 to 12.
Of course, endowments vary from school to school, with
some enjoying significantly greater resources than others.
As such, parents should interview admission directors about
financial aid, payment plans and cost saving possibilities,
such as discounts for alumni families or sibling groups.
Church organizations and service groups, such as Kiwanis
or Rotary Club, also have a reputation for helping students
requiring assistance, especially those with special needs.
(A 2010-11 Federation of Independent School Associations
B.C survey revealed that 15 per cent of independent school
enrolment in B.C. consisted of special needs students.)
There are also some novel savings to be had. Collingwood
School allows parents to pay using credit cards so they
St. John’s School
www.stjohns.bc.ca
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can accumulate travel rewards while paying down tuition
(no need to sacrifice that vacation after all), while Discovery
School in Victoria allows parents to save $200 a year by
doing volunteer assistance in-kind. Taking volunteerism
further, Discovery actually has a few parents each year who
pay zero tuition due to their proactive approach to seeking
community support for the school.
It goes without saying that most parents want to provide
their children with the best education possible. Many are
prepared to go to significant lengths to realize that, but so
to are a growing number of private schools that believe
socio-economic status shouldn’t be a barrier.
“If you’re really interested in an independent school
education for your child you should talk to admissions at
each and ask about scholarships, bursaries and ways to
Making a Difference
contribute through service,” says Graham Brown, Chairman
of the Board at Dwight International School in Shawnigan
Lake. “We try to be creative. If a student wants to come here
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2215 West 10 Avenue
Vancouver
IFR 26 archipelagomedia.com
604 732 4434
we’ll do what we can to help them. It’s not always possible,
but motivation and desire of the student and the family is
important. If you believe in our philosophy we want you to
be part of our community.”
Dwight International
School
The Dwight Philosophy
Dwight always puts the student - and their strengths and interests - first. No two
students are alike, and the School will go out of its way to find and nurture each
child’s unique “spark of genius”. One may be a budding photographer, another a future
architect or engineer, and still another a great comedian in the making.
At Dwight we recognize that no two journeys are the same.
Why Choose Dwight for
Your Child?
( Personalized learning – our teach-
ers help each student find their own
‘spark of genius’
( Small class sizes (average 10 per class)
Weekday Boarding
available!
Board at the school
during the week in an intensive
and supportive study environment and go home on weekend.
( 125 years of tradition and excellence
( Choice to pursue world renowned IB
Program or BC dogwood diploma. The
IB program is the preferred choice for
university. Graduates of the Dwight
IB program are guaranteed entrance
to university.
Contact Us!
2371 Shawnigan Lake Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC
250-929-0506
admissions@dwightinternational.org
www.dwightinternational.com
SE
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EPICURIOUS
Pairing for
Your Palate
BY GARTH EICHEL
WINE PAIRING IS A BLACK ART. Sometimes even seasoned
sommeliers struggle with recommendations. So what is a
mere mortal to do when trying to match wine to food?
With so many varieties and styles of wine, and so many
variations of cooking — to say nothing of people’s individual
palates — the permutations are limitless. Still, there are
some basic rules that can help reduce, if not eliminate, wine
pairing stress.
The first rule is that there are no rules. For that reason,
many high-end restaurants carry White Zinfandel (shudder)
on their wine lists for the simple reason that if a customer
wants it with their meal they should not feel obliged or
embarrassed about what to order.
Even so, there is something to be said for going beyond
White Zin. Wine properly matched with food is a yin and
yang relationship that can greatly enhance (or diminish)
the experience of both. Done right, it can give extra
meaning to life.
With Rule #1 in mind, don’t attach too much significance
to the perfect pairing. Focus instead on basic principles to
guide your selection.
First, consider the balance between a given food
and a wine in a particular meal. Put simply, complex food
should be paired with simpler wines, and vice versa. You
don’t want a complex wine competing with a complex meal.
In the same vein, match the weight of the wine to the food,
pairing light foods with lighter wines and heavy foods with
full-bodied wines. An example of this is matching a light
Sauvignon Blanc with salad, or a complex Syrah with
boeuf en daube.
The next thing to keep in mind is the acidity of a wine.
Acid actually cleans and refreshes the palate, making it an
essential component for matching wine with dishes high in
fat, sweetness or salt. Acidic wines also pair well with foods
that are naturally high in acidity because the acid in the
wine actually reduces our perception of acid in food. In
keeping with that, an acidic Pinot Gris will stand up well
to oysters on the half-shell, or a tomato-based pasta dish.
archipelagomedia.com IFR 29
Likewise, wines with sweetness, acidity, or a
combination of both, pair best with salty foods. But when
it comes to sweet foods, the wine should have levels of
sweetness equal to the food it is paired with. For that
reason, a sweet ruby Port can pair equally well with a salty
Stilton cheese or a chocolate-covered berry dessert.
Then there is the matter of tannins and bitterness.
Tannins are polyphenols in red wine that cause an
astringent drying of the upper cheek and gums. Protein
binds with tannin thus reducing a wine’s apparent
bitterness. Accordingly, tannic wines, such as Cabernet
Sauvignon and Tempranillo, are a good match with foods
high in fat and protein, particularly grilled red meats.
Finally, consider a wine’s alcohol content. Those with
high alcohol content create a burning sensation in the
throat — a perception exacerbated by spicy food. As such,
pair low alcohol and sweeter wines with spicy hot foods.
An off-dry Riesling is often a safe bet with spicy Indian or
hot Thai dishes.
Another, and perhaps simpler, approach to pairing
food and wine is what’s called “Classical” or “Regional”
matching. Prior to the 20 th Century, most people lived
and died within five miles of the place where they were
born. They ate and drank what was produced locally.
Over several centuries, regional food and wine influenced
Bringing them back,
stream by stream
the development of one another with basic food and wine
matching principles evolving along the way.
This explains why a Burgundian Pinot Noir pairs well
with coq au vin, a Rheingau Riesling matches bratwurst,
psf.ca
and a full-bodied Barolo from Piedmont pairs magnificently
with osso bucco.
While many of these matching traditions evolved in
Europe, the New World has been quick to develop its
own regional pairing principles. Notable among these
is California where “fusion” cuisine combines influences
from Mexico, Asia and Europe, paired with popular Napa
and Sonoma Valley wines.
Closer to home, many B.C. wineries offer products
that are well suited to local cuisine. There are plenty of
home-grown Cabernet Sauvignons to suit Saltspring
Island grilled lamb, Pinot Noirs to go with barbecued
Rocky Mountaineer President & CEO Randy Powell (far right) and his team doing their part.
Each year the Pacific Salmon Foundation supports
volunteer salmon restoration and regeneration projects
across B.C. with support from companies
like Rocky Mountaineer.
You can help by making a tax - deductible donation at psf.ca
Learn more: 604.664.7664 / support@psf.ca
Photo: Jeremy Lim
IFR 30 archipelagomedia.com
salmon, and Chardonnays to mate with Dungeness crab
dipped in butter.
In any event, pairing wine should be a source of
enjoyment, not angst. And if you’re ever in doubt about
what to pair with dinner, just opt for your personal
favourite wine — even if it’s a White Zin.
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