A what?

Pilots,

I just came across something very strange for you to ponder on a Friday. Check it out:

Pearson field (KVUO) is near Portland, Oregon. It is charted on the Seattle Sectional.

Here is a snippet. (click to enlarge)



Now here's the head-scratcher. Is Pearson a class D or class E/G airport?

Look closer.



What are your cloud clearance minimums? Who do you tell when you're inbound? departing? Do you need a landing or take-off clearance?!

Which frequency are you using?!

Where would you find the answers to this conundrum?

Questions questions... taking all guesses in the comments area. :)

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Two Zero Who?

Pilots,

Cessna 20U has returned from the maintenance doldrums. Huzzah!



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We are BBQing with Cessna on October 4th. Mark your calendar -- they have many winged toys to show off. More details when we know them.

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Not much else to report on. Nice weather abounds.

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Updates, new wings, and some buzz

Pilots!

Some things are on my mind today, and I'd like to share them.

First, please join me in congratulating the newest FAA-Certified Flight Instructor, Nicholas H. Nicholas proved he could teach a student this stuff, and did so under the watchful eye of DPE Larry Hovell, and in Cessna 25R. Nice work, Nicholas!



Cessna 630 jammed through her 100-hr inspection today. My apologies for the Saturday downtime, as this caught us much earlier than anticipated. Apparently the 150 is a popular girl, as we were hoping to skate on through to next week. Doh!. My thanks to the pit crew in the hangar, including Mike, Curt, Carlos, and Zach.

Cessna 04H is grounded pending some wiring issues. We suspect they were caused by 04H's desire to get a Harris Ranch steak -- as she diverted some friends of ours on their cruise back from the San Francisco Bay. Tsk, tsk, 04H -- you just had to ask if you were having a Big Mac Attack!

Downtime is TBD as we figure out the best way to replace this wiring. We may also take some time out to replace her nose fiberglass -- we have been eyeing this job for awhile now.

Cessna 20U is due back next Tuesday from her yearlong Annual. There were some strange glitches concerning her new windshield, and she required about 4 days of sheet metal work. Woof.

Piper 85Y is slated for next week. The engine is with Procraft now, and it's quite shiny.

Cessnas 25R, 1ES, 68U, and 17J are all behaving. Thanks, girls!



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Cessna would like to Barbecue with us! Our friends at Tom's Aircraft of Long Beach would like to bring out some sexy aircraft, including (hopefully!) The sleek Cessna 400 (formerly of Columbia Aircraft, based on the Lancair experimental). Cool stuff! We are considering October 4 at 11am for burgers, dogs, and the accoutrements that go along with them! Stay tuned.



Oh mama. The world's fastest fixed-gear piston single.

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We are considering acquiring another Cessna 150, since 630 is getting hammered. Perhaps one with proper IFR kit. Any interest?

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(warning: soapbox is on -- more than usual :) )

I joined Angel Flight West today. Some of you may have heard about the unfortunate business in Boston regarding an Angel Flight gone sour. I think it's tragic, and I also think that these flights are our best link with the community we share air with. There is no time like the present to support this cause.



Angel Flight West is a top-notch outfit worthy of your time and energy. They work hard to touch the lives that need our help the most. We're all fortunate to be able to fly -- so rather than go after another $100 hamburger -- maybe a $100 trip for someone who needs an organ transplant, or chemotherapy would be doubly rewarding.

As a bonus, many FBOs give significant fuel discounts to Angel flights, the flight is 100% tax-deductible, and you get to call up SoCal with "Angel Flight XXX", which commands respect in the system we all use.

We are figuring out a way to sponsor Angel Flights for rental aircraft, if anyone is interested. We are thinking along the lines of "Cessna 17J, $29/hr dry rate rental for all angel flights" If you have ideas on this front, I would be very happy to hear them.

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Okay, soap box off. Thanks for listening/reading.

As always, Blue Skies!

- Mike

Some new wings!

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating new U.S. Private Pilot Jose B., who earned his wings with DPE Tom Hamm in Cessna 1ES this morning.

Nice work, Jose!



Such nice weather lately.

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Updates...

Pilots,

Blustery weather and strange afternoon winds seems to be back in fashion -- bad, I suppose, but it only takes a peek over Banning to see that it's worse elsewhere -- those are some awful looking thunderstorms lately!

A few updates:

We have received word that Piper 85Y's engine is complete. We had a number of false starts here, including the prop governor needing replacement, mags, pushrods, a number of gears, etc. -- all of which were found during final assembly. Woof.

The engine is being delivered to Procraft for installation on Monday AM. We are told that this time is "really really for real real reals" by our engine gurus. Based on the worn parts that were being pulled out of the engine, I believe we're doing the right thing here and getting things tip-top. Another series of apologies to affected pilots -- but the end is nigh. We will all breathe a sigh of relief in the office when she's back.



Cessna 68U has had some parts replaced in her main landing gear.

Cessna 20U is on her second windshield. It's a long story. Procraft is officiating over this one, they suggest midweek next week is the new target date.

Cessna 1ES finally got a bath today. She has been flying nonstop, and we haven't even had time to hit her with the hose -- yuck. Our scrubmonkeys finally got an hour in edgewise, and 1ES has returned to her shiny livery. Please don't hesitate to report icky planes to the office, so we can make sure that they are attended to.



We are applying for Part 141 status with the Riverside FSDO (FAA Flight Standards District Office). We will continue to instruct under Part 61 -- so this doesn't really affect anyone, except that our curriculum may be undergoing some changes next year.

Lots of upcoming check-rides. Be nice to your fellow pilots in the air!

We had a constructive talk with our landlord today regarding the future of the airport and our area in particular. We are cautiously optimistic about what's coming for the future. If you have some constructive feedback to pass up the chain (above and beyond my recent hoof-stomping), please send me a note, and I will include it for his consideration.

Warm out there -- remember that the back-room fridge and freezer stock pilot relief -- help yourselves freely!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Downtime

Pilots,

The www.flycorona.com server will be brought down for appx 1 hour on Thursday night, around 9pm.

After running well nigh nonstop for 4 years, she needs a good cleaning and some systems maintenance. This will affect our site and the schedule itself, and I apologize for any inconvenience.



Blue skies,

- Mike

Drive-in

Pilots,

This evening marks a fun social event at Corona Airport -- hangar talk and a hangar movie! Come meet some of the local flyers we share the sky with, and swap tales in a hangar. From coronapilots.com:

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We are having an AJO activity this Saturday. The CPA is providing the hot dogs, and furnishings and popcorn. All you need to do is bring a chair and beverages! We are showing Flyboys. Come and say "hi" to old friends and make some new ones! Everyone is welcome! We will post the exact location on Friday night, but we will have signs at the gate and at the CAV office to direct you on Sat. We plan to get started around 7 pm, and the movie starting at dusk. Don't forget about the gate issues if you have friends coming after dark.




The event is being held on the west-end, address 2003 Aviation Dr, Hangar #4.

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We're back from Osh, but recuperation is taking place. Until I can get back into the swing of things, enjoy these excellent pictures from our friend Shahid R.: