KF History
Barry Lapointe was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Barry graduated with honors from the Aircraft Mechanic Engineer (AME) course in 1966 as class president. Upon completing his commercial pilot’s license in 1967, Barry gained invaluable experiences by working his way through various small air-charter companies. In 1968, he was rewarded for his hard work by becoming the Chief Engineer at Air West Airlines, which would later become Air BC.
Barry moved to the Okanagan Valley in 1969 and together with Jim Rogers founded Kelowna Flightcraft in 1970. They identified that there was a niche market opportunity in the Okanagan for an aircraft maintenance company. Their company initially performed inspection checks, maintenance and other various tasks on assorted small aircraft throughout the Okanagan from the back of a truck. Over the years this expanded to commercial courier and charter services.
While there is significant financial risk with any new venture into a global markets like aviation, Barry is proud to acknowledge a recorded profit annually since the inception in 1970. KFL offers its clients true, one-stop service. KFL can fly, maintain, modify, engineer, paint and train both crew and mechanics. This includes mechanical, avionics, engines, stretching Convairs, adding cargo doors, and military upgrade programs (T-33, MI-17).
At a young age, Barry demonstrated his leadership and management skills with an instinctive ability to lead and inspire others. It’s a success story of a single AME, with confident optimism, which has now grown to over 1000 employees, a fleet of over 50 aircraft and significant operations across Canada. These include 3 main bases in Kelowna, Hamilton and Southport (Portage la Prairie), and as well as 9 satellite bases that stretch across Canada from Vancouver, BC to St. John’s, NFLD. In addition, KFL purchases, upgrades and sells aircraft worldwide
KFL has been the exclusive air cargo carrier for Purolator Courier (PCL) for over 20 years. KFL owns the night sky with a fleet of Boeing 727’s and Convair 580’s, providing the capability of moving approximately 500,000 lbs. of freight nightly. In 2008, in conjunction with PCL, KF began support operations for Canada Post with the purchase and operation of the two largest dedicated freighters in Canada (DC10-30F). In addition, KFL provides executive jet service.
In 2002 KF led an all Canadian Team to bid on the Canadian Forces Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) contract. This included CHL, B&M and Atlantis to provide a turn-key operation for the Canadian Air Force. In 2005 KF was awarded the 22 year, $1.8 billion dollar contract as the prime contractor.
2005 to 2009 was a period of tremendous growth in Kelowna. The base was expanded including Hangars, Engine and Landing Gear Shop facilities.
KF now completes heavy maintenance and/or modifications on over 80 aircraft annually. In 2009 KF was awarded a contract to maintain and modify the Buffalo and Twin Otter Search & Rescue aircraft based in Western Canada.
