TFRs, FDCs, and Maintenance (oh my)

Pilots,

As you are no doubt aware, TFRs are lurking for firefighting activity, the big one being directly northeast of El Toro. Please remain well clear, and it is best to consider El Toro Practice area off-limits for the foreseeable future.

(TFR is the red/green hatch - red/red hatch is the Disneyland TFR)



===

FDC NOTAMs have been rolled out for IFR Pilots which affects numerous approaches in the LA Basin. It's more than someone just screwing up the printing in this batch -- minimums are being tweaked all across the southland, procedures are being discontinued, and all sorts of changes abound. Here are the ones that may affect local pilots, including the biggie, Corona's MDA and Missed altitudes have been raised a whopping 200' for the local altimeter and 550' (!!) for KONT altimeter. Something strange is going on, so pay attention to that preflight briefing for a bit!



FLIGHT DATA CENTER NOTAMS
FDC 7/0111 AJO FI/T CORONA MUNI, CORONA, CA.
VOR OR GPS A, AMDT 4...
CIRCLING CAT A/B MDA 1680/ HAA 1147. VIS CAT A 1 1/4, CAT B 1
1/2.
ONTARIO ALTIMETER SETTING MINIMA: CIRCLING CAT A/B MDA 2100/
HAA 1587. VIS CAT A 1 1/4, CAT B 1 1/2.
MISSED APPROACH: CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO 3100 DIRECT PDZ VORTAC
AND HOLD.

FDC 5/1807 CNO FI/T CHINO, CHINO, CA
ILS RWY 26R, AMDT 6...
S-ILS 26R DA 886/HAT 250 ALL CATS. VIS 1 ALL CAT.
FDC 6/3170 CNO FI/T CHINO, CHINO, CA.
VOR OR GPS B, AMDT 3C...
PROCEDURE NA.

FDC 6/3172 RAL FI/T RIVERSIDE MUNI, RIVERSIDE, CA.
VOR OR GPS RWY 9, AMDT 9B...
VOR OR GPS A, AMDT 5B...
VOR OR GPS B, ORIG-B...
PROCEDURE NA.

FDC 7/9271 RAL FI/T RIVERSIDE MUNI, RIVERSIDE, CA.
ILS RWY 9, AMDT 7A...
COUPLED APPROACHES NA BELOW 1440 MSL.

FDC 7/7000 CCB FI/T CABLE, UPLAND, CA.
VOR RWY 6, AMDT 7A...
MINIMUM HOLDING AT POMONA VORTAC 3700 FEET.
COVIN TO POMONA VORTAC 3700 FEET.
S-6: MINIMUMS NA
CIRCLING CAT A MDA 2080/HAA 636, CAT B MDA 2160/HAA 716, CAT C
MDA 2200/HAA 756 VIS 2 1/4.
AIRPORT ELEVATION: 1444
VGSI AND DESCENT ANGLES NOT COINCIDENT NOTE NA.
VISUAL DESCENT ANGLE AND TCH NA.

FDC 6/7348 POC FI/T BRACKETT FIELD, LA VERNE, CA.
ILS RWY 26L, AMDT 2C.
S-ILS 26L CATS A/B DA 1342/HAT 340.

FDC 5/0156 FUL FI/T FULLERTON MUNI, FULLERTON, CA.
TAKE-OFF MINIMUMS AND (OBSTACLE) DEPARTURE PROCEDURES....
NOTE:
RWY 24, CHANGE: TOWER 1.3 NM FROM DEPARTURE END OF RWY,
485 FEET RIGHT OF CENTERLINE, 795 FEET AGL/820 FEET
MSL, TO READ: TOWER 1.3 NM FROM DEPARTURE END OF RWY,
5042 FEET RIGHT OF CENTERLINE 759 FEET AGL/ 820 FEET
MSL.
ALL OTHER DATA REMAINS AS PUBLISHED.

FDC 7/2384 SNA FI/T JOHN WAYNE-ORANGE COUNTY, SANTA ANA, CA.
ILS RWY 19R, AMDT 11A...
S-ILS 19R DECISION ALTITUDE 267/HAT 212 ALL CATS.
DYERS FIX MINIMUMS:
CIRCLING MDA 720/HAA 664 ALL CATS.
TEMP CRANE 6204 FEET NORTH OF RWY 19R THLD, 315 AGL/359 MSL.
TREE 1429 FEET NORTH OF RWY 19R, 112 MSL.

FDC 7/2386 SNA FI/T JOHN WAYNE-ORANGE COUNTY, SANTA ANA, CA.
RNAV (GPS) RWY 19R, AMDT 1...
LNAV/VNAV DA 757/HAT 702 ALL CATS. VIS 2 ALL CATS.
LNAV MDA 660/HAT 605 ALL CATS. VIS CAT C RVR 6000, CAT D 1
1/2.
CIRCLING MDA 720/HAA 664.
ALTERNATE MINIMUMS: 800-2 1/2 ALL CATS.
VDP NA.
TEMP CRANE 6204 FEET NORTH OF RWY 19R THLD, 315 AGL/359 MSL.

FDC 7/2390 SNA FI/T JOHN WAYNE-ORANGE COUNTY, SANTA ANA, CA.
LOC BC RWY 1L, AMDT 10B...
CIRCLING MDA 720/HAA 666.
VDP NA.
TEMP CRANE 6204 FEET NORTH OF RWY 19R THLD, 315 AGL/359 MSL.

FDC 7/2391 SNA FI/T JOHN WAYNE-ORANGE COUNTY, SANTA ANA, CA.
LDA RWY 19R, AMDT 1C...
GAUER FIX MINIMUMS:
CIRCLING MDA 720/HAA 666 ALL CATS.
TEMP CRANE 6204 FEET NORTH OF RWY 19R THLD, 315 AGL/359 MSL.

FDC 7/2149 LGB FI/T LONG BEACH/DAUGHERTY FIELD, LONG BEACH, CA.
TAKE-OFF MINIMUMS AND (OBSTACLE) DEPARTURE PROCEDURES ...
TAKEOFF MINIMUMS: RWY 25L, 400-1 1/2 OR STANDARD WITH MINIMUM
CLIMB OF 387 FEET PER NM TO 600. TEMPORARY CRANE 7236 FEET FROM
DEPARTURE END OF RWY, 2102 FEET LEFT OF CENTERLINE, 300 AGL/349
MSL.
ALL OTHER DATA REMAINS AS PUBLISHED.

FDC 7/0653 HMT FI/T HEMET-RYAN, HEMET, CA.
RNAV (GPS) RWY 5, ORIG-A...
MISSED APPROACH: CLIMB TO 2500, THEN CLIMBING LEFT TURN TO
7100 DIRECT SETER WP AND HOLD, CONTINUE CLIMB-IN-HOLD TO 7100.

FDC 7/1831 HHR FI/T JACK NORTHROP FIELD/HAWTHORNE MUNI, HAWTHORNE,
CA.
VOR OR GPS RWY 25, AMDT 15A...
S-25 MDA 680/HAT 620 ALL CATS. VIS CATS A/B 1, CAT C 1 3/4,
CAT D 2. VDP NA.
CIRCLING MDA 680/HAA 614 ALL CATS. VIS CAT C 1 3/4.
MSA FROM LAX VORTAC 345-090 7700, 090-230 2900, 230-345 5300.
ADD NOTE: INOPERATIVE TABLE DOES NOT APPLY.
ADD NOTE: VISIBILITY REDUCTION BY HELICOPTERS NA.

FDC 7/6162 HHR FI/T JACK NORTHROP FIELD/HAWTHORNE MUNI,
HAWTHORNE, CA.
LOC RWY 25, AMDT 10A...
DISREGARD ALL REFERENCES TO DEMON INT/LAX 7.8 DME.
S-LOC 25 MDA 740/HAT 680 ALL CATS, VIS CATS A/B 1 1/4,
CAT C 2,CAT D 2 1/4.
CIRCLING MDA 740/HAA 674 ALL CATS, VIS CATS A/B 1 1/4,
CAT C 2, CAT D 2 1/4.
MSA FROM LAX VORTAC 345-090 7700, 090-230 2900, 230-345 5300.
ADD NOTES: INOPERATIVE TABLE DOES NOT APPLY. VISIBILITY
REDUCTION BY HELICOPTERS NA.
MISSED APPROACH: CLIMBING LEFT TURN TO 3000 VIA HEADING 210
DEGREES AND LAX R-170 TO LIMBO INT AND HOLD.

FDC 7/1435 TOA FI/T ZAMPERINI FIELD, TORRANCE, CA.
TAKE-OFF MINIMUMS AND (OBSTACLE) DEPARTURE PROCEDURES...
TAKEOFF MINIMUMS: RWY 29R, 200-1 1/2 OR STANDARD WITH MINIMUM
CLIMB OF 277 FEET PER NM TO 400. TEMPORARY CRANE 7018 FEET FROM
DEPARTURE END OF RWY, 2103 FEET LEFT OF CENTERLINE, 160 AGL/273
MSL.
ALL OTHER DATA REMAINS AS PUBLISHED.

FDC 7/2945 TOA FI/T ZAMPERINI FIELD, TORRANCE, CA.
ILS RWY 29R, AMDT 2...
S-ILS 29R DECISION ALTITUDE 381/HAT 284 ALL CATS. VISIBILITY
3/4 ALL CATS.
LOS ANGELES ALTIMETER SETTING MINIMUMS
S-ILS 29R DECISION ALTITUDE 405/HAT 308 ALL CATS. VISIBILITY 1
ALL CATS.
INOPERATIVE TABLE DOES NOT APPLY TO S-ILS 29R, S-LOC 29R, AND
LOS ANGELES ALTIMETER SETTING MINIMUMS.
TDZ ELEVATION: 97
AIRPORT ELEVATION: 103.

FDC 7/9928 ZLA CA.. FI/T AIRWAY ZLA.
V27-V208-V458 SANTA CATALINA (SXC) VORTAC, CA TO OCEANSIDE
(OCN) VORTAC, CA CHANGE OVER POINT OCN R-264 20 NM.

===



We are suffering a Mutiny of aircraft this week, and many students and CFIs are walking the plank while we sort it out. Here is what I know:

Cessna 08V continues her thorough Annual. At this rate, we expect her to emerge as a 172, or possibly a LearJet. Apologies for continued delays.

Cessna 68U will be down for Annual next week, and we will fix the Mode C Transponder at that time.

Cessna 20U has undergone an Alternator conversion and has a new Battery.

Cessna 04H is at Western Avionics for an Radio/Nav tune-up. Expect her back on the line early next week with new radio superpowers.

Cessna 1ES is running just fine. Thanks, 1ES!

Cessna 17J has her on-board tach sender acting up. We have installed a backup tach until we can get her to Long Beach for warranty repairs (likely Mon/Tue)

Piper 85Y is down to investigate an inop Left Aux Fuel Pump.

===

We are drawing heavily on our 3 mechanics, both shops on the field, and shops at 2 other airports to get through this mess. We hope to emerge soon and in good shape for Winter. Apologies for the rocky schedule.. but better safe than sorry, for everyone involved!




Blue Skies, no TFR busts!

- Mike

A new set of wings...

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating the newest Pilot in the world, U.S. Private Pilot Ryan F., who earned his wings with DPE Tom Hamm in Cessna 1ES.



Nice work, Ryan!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Presidential TFR in San Diego

It's that time -- if ever there is a regulation that the FAA has zero sympathy over your violating, this is it - the presidential TFR. Pilots enforcing this no-fly-zone have authority to shoot you out of the sky if you are deemed a threat.



Check with FSS before every flight, EVEN FOR LOCAL TRAINING FLIGHTS, because an F16 in your window is no laughing matter!

==

-------------------------------------------------------------------
AOPA ePilot Special Airspace Bulletin October 24, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------


Special notice: TFR over San Diego for President Bush's visit on Thursday


==> ATTENTION PILOTS <==

FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER SAN DIEGO ON THURSDAY
AOPA is sending this message to advise pilots in and near San Diego,
California, that the FAA is expected to issue a notam restricting
flight in the area during President Bush's planned visit on Thursday,
October 25.

Based on information from the FAA, the president is scheduled to be
in the San Diego area sometime on Thursday to survey the wildfire
damage in California. AOPA anticipates that the notam will establish
a large 30-nautical-mile-radius temporary flight restriction (TFR)
with one or more smaller GA no-fly zones.

The FAA stressed that the TFR is subject to change with little to
no advance notice.

AOPA will post the notam, along with a plain-language explanation
( http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html ), as soon as possible after
it is issued. A graphical depiction will also be available.

Also, AOPA reminds pilots that the FAA has issued numerous notams
( http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html ) restricting flight in Southern
California to provide a safe environment for aerial firefighting
operations. See the bottom of the Interagency Airspace Coordination Web
site ( http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/fire/aviation/airspace/web/index.html )
to view a map of fire-related TFRs in California.

Because TFR airspace frequently changes, AOPA strongly encourages
pilots to obtain a briefing and CHECK NOTAMS before every flight.
TFR violators will be intercepted and forced to land.

Avionics Witch-hunt

Pilots,

Some assorted news:

Cessna 68U has a new turn coordinator. Her second navcom is on order. Her mode C will be investigated shortly.

Cessna 04H is at John Wayne for a complete avionics overhaul

Cessna 08V is having her new windshield installed. Her annual, which is taking forever, should be over by next week.

Cessna 20U and Piper 85Y have new VOR indicators on order.

Cessna 1ES completed her 100hr

Cessna 17J is in for her 100hr, we are doing evening inspections for her.



==

Twin Insurance Policy

We've now perfected the oddity of solo in the twin, and it is as follows:

Renter pilots holding a CFI rating or better may solo the aircraft after a checkout.

Renter pilots holding an MEL but not a CFI rating will require an insurance approval. We have done this now with a few students, and it takes between 3-7 days. Fly Corona will absorb any increase in insurance cost. For new renters, we will require a 20 hour block to be prepaid before adding you to insurance, and if you are refused by the underwriter for any reason, the unused portion of this block will be refunded to you on request.

===

Change in CFI Block Rate, effective November 15

Due to the phenomenal uptake in regional airline hiring, we are finding it difficult to retain CFIs. As such, pay rates are going up across the flight training industry, especially within our own instructor ranks.

As such, we will be doing the following:

CFI Block Rates will be eliminated effective November 15, 2007. All CFI time will be at the single rate of $49/hr.

Aircraft Rates will remain unchanged.

Since we do not like surprises, we grandfather old rates whenever there is a change. As such, the following applies:

All money on account as of November 15 will be grandfathered and remain at the CFI Block rate ($39) for a period of 2 months.

All full prepaid accounts as of November 15 will be grandfathered and remain at the CFI Block rate ($39) for a period of 6 months.

--

This new policy will allow us to retain good CFIs, and with luck, hold on to them longer before they pin on some epaulets and a tie and fly jets around.




Blue Skies!

- Mike

Plane shopping...

Pilots,

Like all things, after summer is buying season for all manner of toys, including RVs, boats, and yes, even the humble airplane. (coolest of the lot) Without the summer buyers snapping up winged toys, prices soften just enough to make sense.

We have a number of students who are toying with the idea of ownership for inexpensive flying, and we would like to get them talking amongst themselves. Sometimes partnerships make sense, sometimes someone has inside knowledge or access to a joyride in a certain type -- sometimes it's just nice to shoot the breeze and ponder ownership. We figure we're in the middle of some 200 or so frequent flyers at Corona, so who better to make a bridge?



If you're interested in the idea of plane ownership, and would like to get in touch with others who are currently shopping, drop me a line at mike@flycorona.com, and I'll try to get everyone talking with everyone else. I'm of course always around for individual buying advice, which should be taken along with every other resource out there for aircraft buying -- it's a big step, but it's not complicated when you break it down.

Current shopping that I've heard going on include planes like:

Cessna 172 R/S (like 1ES or 17J)
Cessna 182 Skylane II (Q+ model)
Beech Bonanza 285hp (C33A+ or S35+)



and possibly some others. Partnership can make sense if you want to spread out the fixed expenses. Leaseback *could* make sense under specific scenarios (ask me if you're thinking about it or want more information on aircraft as rental properties)

If you drop me a line, let me know what sort of mission or aircraft you have in mind, and what sort of other buyers you'd like to get in touch with, and I'll play matchmaker. :) The more people talking with one another, the less scary this sort of thing becomes, and the more flying we all get to do! a win-win!

(for the record, Fly Corona does not sell aircraft)



Okay, enough soapbox -- on to maintenance updates.

Piper 85Y completed her 100hr earlier this week.

Cessna 1ES is completing her 100hr (not annual) this evening. This means that her Annual will be due on November 30, regardless of hours remaining on the 100. It was the best choice of numerous choices, given that there are checkrides scheduled in her imminently.

Cessna 08V is still awaiting parts. Our ETA is unknown now.

Cessna 17J will likely be in for 100hr next week.



==

CFI Chris has been picked up for charter service, and will be available to his existing students only on a pre-arranged basis. We are looking for another CFI at this time.

==

Nice weather abounds again -- Blue Skies!

- Mike

A fun faire

Pilots,

Despite frumpy weather, the Corona Air Faire was quite fun this year, with a large turnout and some fun displays. We fared much better than Miramar, who had to cancel their show. Many thanks to those who stoped by to say hello, and of course, the FlyC staff who were exceptional this year. (most notably Nick and Carlos -- thanks guys!)



Piper 85Y is nearly done with her 100hr. We discovered a part in the landing gear doors which needs attention. We expect her online by week's end.

Cessna 08V is still awaiting parts. ETA end of week for her also.

Cessna 20U is back in action this week

Cessna 1ES is due for her 100hr/Annual soon. We have checkrides scheduled in her, so we will be taking her down early and in the evening, and hope to sneak the inspection through with minimum downtime. If we find something we don't like, though, there is potential for downtime. Cross fingers.

Cessnas 68U and 17J keep on trucking. Thanks girls!



We are on an avionics witch-hunt this week. We aim to replace indicators and radios and things which have been "inop" over the course of the coming weeks. Our intention is to replace these items during inclement weather. Please alert the office if there are squawks which are bugging you with the planes, so they can be slipped into this scheme.

We expect to begin this work after we wrap up 85Y and 08V, and hopefully end the plane mutiny and move on to the small things which are piling up.

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Maintenance Challenges...

Pilots,

It seems the mechanics we outsource to are backlogged... would've been nice for them to mention that a week ago. Regardless, we're trying to force through the following squawks that have aircraft grounded:



Cessna 08V is awaiting an inspection of her stabilator bearings to complete her Annual. We hope for her to be done by Friday.

Cessna 04H is awaiting a Fuel gauge to complete her 100hr, we expect this today. We hope for her to be back on the line tomorrow.

Cessna 20U is awaiting a seat pawl to repair her broken copilot seat. We hope for her to be back online Thursday.

Piper 85Y is awaiting the rebuild of one of her aux fuel pumps to complete her 100hr. We hope for her to be back online Saturday.

We are tapping our foot impatiently at the various vendors which are holding us up. I apologize for the extended maintenance windows on all of these planes.

More as I know it.

---

Santa Ana winds are here. Morning winds have been favoring Runway 7 -- a nice and turbulent change of pace.

Blue Skies,

- Mike

A windy homecoming!

Pilots!

Please join me in congratulating the world's latest Pilot, newly-minted U.S. Private Pilot John R., who conquered 20kt winds in Cessna 1ES with DPE Tom Hamm today. Nice work, John!



In other news,

Cessna 20U is back in action.

Cessna 08V's annual inspection is taking awhile as we await parts.

Cessna 04H is awaiting a new fuel gauge, which is being shipped ASAP

Piper 85Y is awaiting new main gear door hinges.

Blah. You'd think aviation companies would know how to transport things quickly. :)

Cessna 1ES, 17J, and 68U are flying high this weekend. Apologies to those who got maintenanced in by the FedEx folks.

Nice, if windy, weather -- good time to practice those extra-credit landings! :)

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Schedule glitch...

Pilots,

Apologies for a glitch with the booking system today -- apparently bookings were throwing errors this afternoon -- a result of exceeding 250 emails (our backup) in a day -- and triggering our ISP's spam filtering.

We've worked around this and now enjoy a limit of 500/day. When I get bored enough, I'll bump this to 1000 or so. :)



In other news, Cessna 20U's window hinge was found to be lacking -- we are installing a new one and have grounded her preventatively. Also she has a new starter.

Cessna 04H should emerge from 100hr soon with some new work done to her door frames

Cessna 08V is in for annual.

Piper 85Y is in for 100hr.

--

Business as usual -- thanks to those who emailed me the error message for the heads up. :)

The Corona Air Fair(e) is coming two saturdays from now -- it's always a blast, plan on paying the airport a visit!

Blue Skies!

- Mike