Hello, Mike here again --
I'm working on a feature for the schedule which seems to be in high demand: The ability to add yourself to a "standby" list. Our intention will be to allow you to put your name in a queue and seize opportunity to fly cancelled time slots, or to squeeze into popular times (like Saturdays) without having to camp on the schedule waiting.
Maintenance Week
72F Remains down for starter replacement. Poor 72F was sidelined by the other planes, which were crying for some attention this week. 72F should return on Saturday, 12/17.
08V is down for a propeller overhaul. Sorry, it's just that time. 08V will likely be down through next week.
04H has a new starter.
08F has a new alternator.
While we're unsure why our alternators and generators are on strike, there is something you can do to help us promote starter health! When starting any aircraft, please crank the starter for no more than 5 seconds at a time, and then allow 5-10 seconds for the motor to cool. A properly primed engine, with correct mixture, throttle, and mags, should be able to start in 2-3 blades of the prop (1.5 revolutions!)
Aviation starter motors are lightweight, and not "heavy duty" devices, and they heat up very rapidly when overcranked -- resulting in premature starter failure. At $650 a pop, we would be very grateful for some thoughtful cranking on the part of our pilots :)
New Pilots!
Kevin G passed his PP-ASEL checkride with flying colors. Look for him to be sharing your skies. Kevin has ~46 total hours, and "enjoyed" a 2 hour ground exam and 1.7 hours of flight with FAA-DPE Ken Earl - earning him a U.S. Private Pilot airman certificate. Congratulations, Kevin!
CFI Holidays
As you may have noticed, many of our CFIs are taking time off for the holidays. The current schedule reflects this, however, if you are left out in the cold with nobody to fly with, and you would like to switch CFIs temporarily, please let the office staff know so that we can ease the transition. (we're quite good at managing CFI shuffles)
Misc.
The new Los Angeles TAC/Sectional Charts have arrived. These are legal and required for aircraft navigation from Dec 22, 2005 - Jul 06, 2006. Get yours while they're hot!
