Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Julie makes her first pilot!

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating US Private Pilot Colin Y. on the successful completion of his Private Pilot checkride!

Colin was flying our own 17J, and this is her first. Amongst the blustery weather and storms in the vicinity, Colin prevailed with DPE Tom Hamm to score his wings. Well done, Colin!

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In other news,

Cessna 17J has had new main tires installed. (her first new shoes)

Cessna 20U had her oil filter attachment bracket replaced and reinforced.

Cessna 08V is likely to go down for 100hr this week.

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Great comments on the departure puzzle from last week. The official word, which most of you agreed with, is that the question is worded in a tricky fashion -- since the propeller of an aircraft works against the air, and not against the ground, a conveyor belt cannot counteract the forward thrust of the motor, therefore the wheels will free-spin while the aircraft departs normally - rendering the conveyor belt useless and powerless to "move in the opposite direction at the exact speed"

That one made my head hurt. Nice analyses and commentary -- it seems I wasn't the only one with an exercised brain. :)

Blue Skies!

- Mike

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Departure Puzzle...

Pilots,

This is something that has been going around for ages, but I stumbled upon it only recently, and it has been baking my brain as I pore over it.

I present to you, this interesting physics puzzle:

A plane is standing on a runway that can move (some sort of conveyer belt). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in the opposite direction). Can the plane take off?


Interesting question... please assume the following:

1. The drag on the wheels caused by the friction of the opposite-moving conveyor belt-runway is negligible, perhaps creating as much as a soft-field departure.

2. The runway is long enough for a soft-field departure (let's even give it 5,000')

Will the plane depart?

:)

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Maintenance updates

Hello Pilots,

Been a sleepy week around the ranch, but thought I would update you on some maintenance that has ben going on:

Cessna 68U completed her 100hr this week and returned to service.

Cessna 04H went in for radio work at Cable Airport yesterday, to correct some inop radios. She should return this morning.

Cessna 74U is trying out a new digital radio

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In other news, CFI Jeremy has been discharged from the hospital, and is now in Physio. He will make a full recovery. Phew!

Thanks for all of the warm wishes for Jeremy's condition. We will advise as we know more!

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Blue Skies,

- Mike