Awards! Annual Wings Banquet

Each year the Brampton Flight Centre honours the accomplishments
of our graduating pilots at the Annual Wings Banquet.

Graduation Festivities

BFC celebrated our graduates on Sunday April 14, 2024, and we could not have asked for better weather! We are grateful for each and every one of you who contributed to making it such a memorable and joyous occasion. Your presence, support and enthusiasm truly made the event a success. From the heartwarming speeches to the lively conversations, from the laughter shared to the congratulatory embraces exchanged, every moment of the celebration was filled with warmth and camaraderie. It was inspiring to see friends, family and mentors come together to celebrate this significant milestone in their lives. We wish all our graduates much success in the next chapter of their lives!

Pictures of graduates or award winners will be emailed once available. Our photographers are currently busy editing the pictures and will email them once received.

Are you a Graduate who did not attend? Certificates for those that were not able to attend will be mailed to their current address on file.

Thank you to our Graduate Sponsors: Apex Aircraft Sales & Brokerage, Barking Dog Studios, The Crump Group, First Base Solutions, Levent Tinaz, IT Pilots, Magnes Insurance Brokers, SNDAviation(FleetCaptain), Taylor Leibow.

Thank you to our Door Prize Contributors: Aeorcourse, Aircraft Spruce, CAE, Humphrey’s Pilot Shop, Threshold Aviation, VIP Pilot Centre.

Previous Graduates

For a list of 2022 Graduates please visit Wings Banquet 2023

For a list of 2021 Graduates please visit Wings Banquet 2022

Previous Annual Award Winners

We have listed the names displayed on each one of our award trophies below. It is fun to see who the award winners have been over the years and to know what direction their career paths they have taken. Many of you may recognize the names, as many are current members and instructors at the Brampton Flying Club today. Congratulations to all! 

The R.A.A. Award

Presented Annually to the Youngest Pilot who has graduated in the previous year.

• Hamza Rizvi – 2023
• Giulian Carnovale – 2022
• Saffiy Sheikh – 2021
• Spencer Tinkham – 2020

Bonnie Rampulla Memorial Award

Awarded Annually to Brampton’s Top Female Graduate of the Private Pilot Course. Based on highest average score, based on the flight test mark and the written examination mark within the previous year. The following are some of the recipients of this award:

• 2023 – Amira Khalifa
• 2022 – Jocelynn Theriault
• 2021 – Jennifer Song
• 2020 – Meera Bissonauth
• 2019 – Heather Hills,
• 2018 – Kristen Holm,
• 2017 – Caitlin MacGillivray,
• 016 – Jennie Paznar,
• 2015 – Monica Del Solar,
• 2014 – Stefanie Pemberton,
• 2013 – Hiral Patel,
• 2012 – Teresa Zasowski,
• 2011 – Jessica Saigle,
• 2010 – Carolyn Marshall,
• 2009 – Holly Johnson,
• 2008 – Marta Siekanowicz,
• 2007 – Astha Kapoor,
• 2006 – Sara Rependa,
• 2005 – Courtney Adams,
• 2004 – Marsha Mallo,
• 2003 – Yoon Jung Lee,
• 2002 – Janice Vernon,
• 2000 – Melonie Friesen,
• 1999 – Kathy Sutton,
• 1998 – Nanci Thomas,
• 1997 – Kathy Wallace,
• 1996 – Carole Smith,
• 1995 – Jennifer Beverley,
• 1993 – Eila Doma,
• 1992 – Leili Foster,
• 1991- Name Undisclosed,
• 1990 – Pat Bechberger,
• 1989 – Sharon McCleave,
• 1987 – Melissa Kahle,
• 1986 – Ann Macdonald,
• 1985 – Deborah Horen,
• 1984 – Teresa Dixon,
• 1983 – Nancy Warren,
• 1982 – Shannon Flemming,
• 1981 – Carisa Burton,
• 1980 – Marlene Case,
• 1979? – Louise Blais,
• 1979 – Susann Horvath,
• 1978 – Tricia Warriner,
• 1977 – Heather Bonfield,
• 1975 – Sue Horner,
• 1974 – Kim Goodine

Brampton Flying Club Top Private Graduate Award

Presented annually to the pilot who has the highest average score, based on the Flight Test Mark and the Written Examination Mark within the previous year. The following are some of the recipients of this top award:

2023 – Sean Boychuk
2022 – John Awad and Jason Chenier (TIE)
2021 – Damon Crane,
2020 – Aidan Ellacott,
2019 – Jason Chan,
2018 – Anthony Wang,
2017 – Thulasiram (Tom) Kumaran,
2016 – Darren Moorcroft,
2015 – Jason Hoffmann,
2014 – Bryan Halfyard,
2013 – Scott Heyman,
2012 – Gulishan Abaz Khan,
2011 – Sailesh Varsani,
2010 – Carolyn Marshall,
2009 – Elliott O’Brien,
2008 – Sacha Djordjevic,
2007 – Andrew Midcalf,
2006 – Russell D’Souza,
2005 – Francis Yannuzzi,
2004 – Gregory Haupt,
2004 – Daniel Bernier,
2003 – Ken Broekaert,
2002 – Jeff Wraight,
2001 – Jeff Sensenstein,
2000 – Tony Frank,
1999 – Jason Fournier,
1998 – David Ridding,
1997 – Tim Middleton,
1997- LinoPortelli,
1996 – Ray Neill,
1995 – Doug Thompson,
1993 – Miguel Calvin,
1992 – Brian McCabe,
1991 – Wayne Bagnell,
1990 – Andrew Kent,
1988 – Chris Aylesworth,
1987 -“Ted” James Miller,
1986 – Gregory Taylor

Brampton Flying Club Charter Members Award

Highest Average Mark on Commercial – Written Flight Test. The following are some of the recipients of this award:

• 2023 – Alen Bekanovic
• 2022 – Damon Crane
• 2021 – Peter Hunt,
• 2020 – Michael Aucoin,
• 2019- Thomas Varep-Popov,
• 2018- Erik Bazant,
• 2017- Jonathan Littler,
• 2016-Darren Moorcroft,
• 2015-Allan Paige,
• 2014-Stefanie Pemberton,
• 2013-Daniel Bovair,
• 2012-David Price,
• 2011-Lindsay Bellinger,
• 2010-Andrew Ball,
• 2009-Brick Henderson,
• 2008-Trishul Solanki,
• 2007-Sandeep Nagpal,
• 2006-Francis Yannuzzi,
• 2005-Melanie Brouillette,
• 2004-Larry Gayowsky,
• 2004-Andrew Bilyk,
• 2003-Skip LaBelle,
• 2002-Ali Sadeghi,
• 2001-Rob Klein,
• 2000-Tony Frank,
• 1999-Jason Whitfly,
• 1998-Ian Wilson,
• 1997-Tim Middleton,
• 1995-George Hawkes,
• 1994-Ulf Hermansson,
• 1993-Craig Avis,
• 1992-Robert Mangoni,
• 1991-Mike Krupka,
• 1990-Michael Griffin,
• 1989-James Manning,
• 1988-Martin Gyoroky,
• 1987-Richard McDole,
• 1986-David Ahmad,
• 1985-Marvin Hicke,
• 1984-Ed Struzynski,
• 1983-S. Henderson,
• 1982-John Whittaker,
• 1981-Lucas Dmysh,
• 1980-Reid Walfer,
• 1979-Susann Horvath,
• 1979-James Anderson,
• 1978-Richard Morgan,
• 1977-Bob Harkness,
• 1974-Graham Wilkinson,
• 1972-Doug Carnegie

The Ryan Sumere Memorial Award

This award was created to recognize a pilot/student who shows dedication, passion and perseverance no matter what obstacles may arise. The following are the recipients of this award:

• 2023 – Amira Khalifa
• 2022 – Lev Gissin
• 2021 – Paneche Patel
• 2020- Bomi Kim,
• 2019- Anumol Vincent,
• 2018- Madeeha Khan,
• 2017- Thomas Varep-Popov,
• 2016-Rodney Millington,
• 2015-Anthony Dipietrantonio,
• 2014-Odulaja Olasubomi,
• 2013-Prateek Konnur,
• 2012-Louis Nyarko-Mensah,
• 2011-Farhan Ali Khan,
• 2010-Teesha Pradhan,
• 2009-Bryan Gordon,
• 2008-Veronica Draghici,
• 2007-Dilshan Bhandal,
• 2006-Anand Roopchand

The Rick Wynott Aviation Memorial Award

Created to recognize the Commercial pilot/student with an outstanding effort learning to fly or upgrading skills with a passion for aviation at the Brampton Flying Club. The following are some of the recipients of this award:

• 2023 – Matthew Kuttschrutter
• 2022 – Thomas McCusker
• 2021 – Alexander Cieslak
• 2020- Daniel Zombori,
• 2019- Erica Joung,
• 2018- Marco Febbraro,
• 2017-Anthony Luna,
• 2016-Carlo Carestia,
• 2015-Neil Mont,
• 2014-Patrick Colman,
• 2013-Zachary Lewycky,
• 2012-Christine Seepersad,
• 2011-Farhan Khan,
• 2010-David Lewis,
• 2009-Daniel Cumming,
• 2008-Andrew Midcalf,
• 2007-Paul Day,
• 2006-Michael Caspar,
• 2005-Sundeep Nagra

This award was created in memory of Rick Wynott and his contributions to the Brampton Flying Club for more than three decades. Rick began working on flight line in 1974, learned to fly and became CFI in 1976. In 2003, Rick moved into the position of General Manager. Rick was an outstanding flight instructor. He managed tremendous growth of the BFC flight school, and he was a driving force in shaping the face of flight instruction within general aviation in Canada. He met his wife Brenda at the flying club. Together the couple worked for the members of the Brampton Flying Club for nearly 60 years. 

The Porter Star Award

The Porter Airlines Star Award goes to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, and more importantly finds the time in their busy schedule to help others succeed and achieve their academic and flying goals.

• 2023 – Alen Bekanovic
• 2022 – Thomas McCusker
• 2021 – Matthew Vandermay,
• 2020- Turan Isikdogan,
• 2019- Jared Hill,
• 2018- Shuzhou He,
• 2017- Luca Di Bratto,
• 2016-Darren Moorcroft

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism

Awarded to a full-time student in the final year of the IATPL program for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism.

• 2023 – Christian Guillaume
• 2022 – Thomas McCusker
• 2021 – Matthew Vandermay,
• 2020 – Turan Isikdogan,
• 2019 – Olivier Dyason,
• 2018 – Shuzhou He,
• 2017 – Peter Audia

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity

Awarded to a full-time student in the final year of the IATPL program who has self-identified as an Aboriginal, a person with a disability, a visible minority or female and for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism.

• 2023 – Harman Bagarhy
• 2022 – Charndeep Singh
• 2021 – Rebecca Van Snick,
• 2020 – Heather Hills,
• 2019 – Rushabh Shah,
• 2018 – Calvin D’Souza,
• 2017 – Sarah Azrak

The Sunwing Uplift Award

The Uplift – Sunwing Airlines Award, is presented by Sunwing Airlines and The Office of Collegiate Engagement at Sunwing Airlines. Recipients of this award are recognized for exemplifying excellent interpersonal skills, positive work ethic and demonstrating a safety about all attitude in all areas of their academics and flight training.

Presented Annually by the Chief Flight Instructor to Brampton’s Most Outstanding Flight Instructor. This award was created to honour Bud Young, the first Flight Instructor of the Brampton Flying Club. The following are some of the recipients of this prestigious award:

• 2023 – Vincent Fung
• 2022 – Turan (Sam) Isikdogan
• 2021 – Arthur Bazarsky,
• 2020 – Anton Salduskin,
• 2019 – Kathleen Nazareth,
• 2018 – Ron Hamang,
• 2017 – Veronica Draghici,
• 2016 – Mohammed Nakhuda,
• 2015 – Bryan Halfyard,
• 2014 – Wilfred “Skip” LaBelle,
• 2013 – Trishul Solanki,
• 2012 – Giuliana ‘Julie” Marzoli,
• 2011 – Nick Faber,
• 2010 – David Shakespeare,
• 2009 – Jon Isaac,
• 2008 – Andrew Midcalf,
• 2007 – Charles Rampulla,
• 2006 – Ryan Sumere,
• 2005 – Jeff Wraight,
• 2004 – Brian DuSart,
• 2004 – Ken Lam,
• 2003 – Robert Klein,
• 2002 – Robert Carney,
• 2001 – Mark Cameron,
• 2000 – Shayne Jacobs,
• 1999 – Trevor Hoffman
• 1998 – Haro Salatian,
• 1997 – Edward Pasquale,
• 1996 – Michelle Pulley,
• 1995 – Ken Vella,
• 1994 – Steve Cantwell,
• 1994 – Sarah Stephens,
• 1993 – Catherine Thomas,
• 1992 – Mike Krupka,
• 1990 – Mark Yandle,
• 1989 – Chris Flood

Brampton Flying Club Top Recreational Graduate

The following are some of the recipients of this top award:
2008 – Craig Trimble
2006 – Walter Korobalo
2005 – Tamara Caldwell
2004 – Colin MacKenzie
2003 – Alex Kaminskyi
2002 – Tiffany Shaw
2001 – Rob Horodenka
2000 – Clare Wright
1999 – Wayne Harvey
1998 – George Lunys