Friday, May 29, 2009

Osh Kosh Anyone?

Pilots,

As some of you may recall, we did a trip to Osh Kosh, aka "Aviation Mecca" last year. 4 FlyC Hooligans took the trek in my S35 Bonanza, pro rata, sharing flight time and accommodations. We rented a gorgeous house right next to the airport (within easy walking distance to the show), and stayed for 5 days, making a nice 8 day trip out of it.



The cross-country flying is glorious, and we took about 22 hours there and back, encountering bumpy cumulus, a nasty thunderstorm with 40kt gust front, crossing the rockies, UFO hunting over Roswell, and of course, the simply insane 32-page AirVenture Arrival NOTAM.

It's something to add to your bucket list, for sure. Here's what I know at the moment:

The show starts Monday, July 27 and ends the following Sunday, August 2. We typically will plan to depart California on Sunday morning on the 26th, although it will depend on everyone's schedule.

We will plan to fly 3 or 4 legs there, at 3 hours apiece, either over 1 or 2 days, depending on stamina, selection of mp3s and in-flight movies, and fatigue levels. Weather will dictate much of the actual plan.




We can use either 85Y (if she's out of maintenance - ha ha) or my Bonanza, or if another aircraft owner wants to go and has something better to offer, that.

We can plan to leave Wisconsin Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Headwinds dominate the return, typically, however, if it's anything like last year, we will do it in one day because we all wanted to go HOME.

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Last year, with fuel at rude prices, the pro-rata portion was just under $500 apiece, and the lodging was $100 per night in a shared 5-bedroom house. Everyone got 6 or 7 hours' time (I flew right seat the entire time, except for the arrival and departure), with safety piloting or actual IMC available if you are in training for your IFR rating, and you will log either High Performance + Complex time, or Multi-Engine time, depending on the ship we use.



Anyway, if you are interested in going, drop me a line at mike@flycorona.com and I'll see if we have a serious headcount to get things going. It was a blast, and we'd love to do it again this year.

For photos from last year, and to get an idea of what 200 acres of Aviation nuts, plus hourly airshows that defy description, along with a constant stream of 12-at-a-time landings with 8-at-a-time departures... check out the following link:

http://flycorona.com/thumb/

And click on "osh2008"

Blue Skies,

- Mike

New wings!

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating the newest U.S. Private Pilot in the world, Lisa L., who earned her wings yesterday with DPE Ken Earl in Cessna 1ES.

Way to go, Lisa!



In other news,

The planes are making a maintenance face at us. Here's what I know:

Cessna 630 is down pending investigation of low oil pressure. We expect downtime either through tomorrow (Saturday) or potentially next week if we find something nasty.

Cessna 68U is wrapping up her 100hr, and we hope for a return early next week. We have been delayed by parts.

Cessna 20U is running great. Thanks, 20U!

Cessna 1ES is running great. Thanks, 1ES!

Cessna 17J is humming along fine. Thanks, 17J!

Cessna 25R continues to baffle mechanics both here and in Oakland where she has been vacationing for 3 weeks now. There is talk now of opening the engine to investigate, and if we do that, we will continue to a full overhaul, which will spell 4 more weeks of downtime.

Why would we overhaul an engine before it is due? Opening an aircraft engine, and the necessary inspections amounts to an $8,000 undertaking. To replace necessary parts while we are there, and convert it to a full major overhaul, only adds an additional $5,000. We think 5 grand now will provide proven reliability later -- so we may just bite the bullet. 25R's engine is just past mid-life at 1,300 hours.

More as I know it on this topic.

Piper 85Y is wrapping up her Annual. If our distractions subside, we expect her return in 2 or 3 weeks' time.

Woof.



To add insult to injury, June Gloom is here! Mornings through 11 or noon have been socked in with fog, which returns later in the night at around 10. Limited opportunities for blue skies, but the instrument flyers are lapping it up!

Fly Safe!

- Mike

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tee Eff Arr!

With an accent on Arr!

Pilots!

The Federal Airspace pirates have seized a juicy slice of sky for a "VIP" TFR, centered over LAX tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday this week. Stay east, or Maverick will be paying you a visit. You know the drill.



I am scratching my head as to why it is now a "VIP Notam" instead of a "Presidential TFR". Strange.

==

In other news,

Negotiations continue on 2 different aircraft.

Cessna 68U is in for 100hr. Downtime is expected to last throughout the week, as we have some major preventative items we would like to tackle while June gloom is around.

Cessna 630 will be in for her 100hr this week or next.

Cessna 20U is humming.

Cessna 04H was trucked out to Dallas, never to return. :( That was a sadder day than when Rose, Corona's DC-3 left in 2007.

Cessna 1ES is cruising along, finished with her 100hr.

Cessna 17J is styling after her 100hr.

Cessna 25R is still trapped up north. We have ordered a box of middle fingers to be delivered to those mechanics, who are taking advantage of our remoteness, and are being incredibly rude over the affair.

Piper 85Y is continuing her annual, with completion hinted at a week or two, but probably three..

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Mornings are gloomy of late -- book accordingly!



We are wrapping up a lot of our operational procedure rework, and are now ready to entertain some summer projects. Any ideas (and you may post them here anonymously in the comments if you like, or drop us an Email) you might have on how to improve Fly Corona and keep it the most friendly and fun place to fly -- we'd love to hear them!

Projects we are about to complete include:

New "no-show" policy restrictions on the CFIs.
New maintenance procedures in the hangar.
Adding Recurring AD's to the AVIATE sheets.
Adding pilot credentials to the schedule, and restricting bookings accordingly.
New "grounded away from home base" procedures, contacts, and policies.

What else have ya got?

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Blue Skies,

- Mike

Monday, May 18, 2009

June gloom...

...in May!

Pilots,

Here are some updates for things around the ranch lately:

Cessna 630 plugs along.

Cessna 68U has had some work done to her intercom system. She will go down for 100hr inspection this week or next.

Cessna 20U is cruising.

Cessna 04H will be departing Corona tomorrow, and will no longer be a part of the Fly Corona line-up. Farewell, 04H!

Cessna 1ES is in for 100hr inspection now. She should emerge tomorrow.

Cessna 17J completed her 100hr.

Cessna 25R remains stranded with a ridiculous maintenance shop. It has been 2 weeks now. Current estimates are "tomorrow maybe". Perhaps they specialize in piper twins. :)

Piper 85Y continues a big mean annual. Downtime is estimated at "mucho", as is par for anything involving that plane.



We have made two offers on new planes for the line to replace 04H, both 172s (surprise!), however, we were only seeking one -- so now we're in a pickle! The situation should resolve itself in the next week or two, and reward us with maybe one, maybe two, and possibly zero sets of new wings -- sending us back to the drawing board. Stay tuned!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Monday, May 11, 2009

A new blindfold...

Pilots!

Please join me in congratulating the newest Instrument-rated pilot in the US, one Eric O., who earned his cloud chops in Cessna 1ES and DPE Mark Dilullo out of Chino airport.

Nice work, Eric!



In other news,

Cessna 17J is expected to return from a quasi-lengthy 100-hr inspection tomorrow (Tue)

Cessna 1ES is expected to go in for her 100-hr inspection this week.

Piper 85Y continues her Annual.

Cessna 04H has been officially "totalled" by our insurance agency.



Doh!

We have two replacements in mind for 04H, and we may also elect to repair her for continued service on the line. The repairs would likely take us 6 months, so an immediate replacement is currently being sought.

The insurance underwriters have offered to let us re-purchase 04H at $15,000. The repairs are estimated at ~$38,000 -- at shop rates. There is a lot of "sweat equity" (about 300 hours' worth, or ~$24,000 of the estimate) a person could invest in this project and likely come out ahead, particularly if you are good with sheet metal tools, or are interested in learning. Please let me know THIS WEEK if you are interested in acquiring 04H this way, or in partnering up on her repairs with us -- could be a fun (if lengthy) summer project. If you have the labor time, we can provide the hangar space, expertise, tools, and would gladly split the investment with you. We just don't have the time this summer to tackle a large project of this nature.

We have our eyes on two aircraft to replace her in the near-term (and we may get both), a 172L model, and a 172SP model. We are doing pre-purchase inspections now. More as I know it.

As always,

Fly Safe!

- Mike

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

VFR Waypoints...

Pilots!

Nice weather abounds, oh my.

The VFR Waypoint puzzler from earlier has created quite a bit of chatter in the office. 4 of us finally sat down yesterday and sorted out some definitive answers.

In fact, wouldn't you know it, the answer was already on the chart itself!



Oh ho ho, so here's the deal from AOPA:

VFR waypoints should be used as a tool to supplement current navigation procedures. Pilots are strongly encouraged to rely on aeronautical charts published specifically for visual navigation. If operating in a terminal area, pilots should take advantage of the TAC available for that area.

Any waypoints intended for use during a given flight should be entered into the navigation receiver in sequence prior to departure. Once airborne, pilots should avoid programming routes or waypoint chains into their receivers.

When filing VFR flight plans, pilots may use the five letter identifier as a waypoint in the "route of flight" box if there will be a course change at that point or if it is used to describe the planned route of flight. This procedure is similar to the way VORs would be used in describing a route.

Finally, pilots must use the waypoints only when operating under VFR conditions. Anytime cloud clearance or flight visibility diminishes below minimums, VFR flight should be terminated immediately.


And some things you are NOT to do:


VFR waypoints should not be used as a sole or primary means of visual navigation. Use of these waypoints, as one of many supplemental sources to navigation, will increase proper situational awareness.

The five-letter identifier shall not be used in communications with ATC facilities. ATC will not be required to be familiar with VFR waypoint positions or identifiers. However, in communications with ATC, those waypoints used in conjunction with VFR reporting points shall be referred to by the visual reporting point name (e.g., "Cessna 12345 is over Blue Lake").

VFR waypoints shall not be used to plan flights under instrument flight rules (IFR). These waypoints will not be recognized by the IFR system and will be rejected for IFR routing purposes.

VFR waypoints used improperly may lead pilots through airspace that requires the pilot to obtain an ATC clearance or airspace that may be restricted or prohibited from civilian operations. Pilots are responsible for using VFR waypoints to ensure a route of flight that is safe and clear of any restrictions.

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More information available here. It is interesting that this initiative is 10 years old...



Some maintenance updates:

Piper 85Y is expected to complete her Annual sometime next week.

Cessna 20U has had her spark plugs cleaned and rotated.

Cessna 17J goes in for 100hr inspection next week.

Cessna 04H is apparently the property of the insurance company while we sort out issues pertaining to a hard landing. Downtime remains indefinite at this moment. More as I know it.



Some office updates:

The Office has changed up staffing for summer:

Beth has returned from San Diego, and will be in the office 5 days per week.

Carlos remains and will be in the office 5 days per week.

This means there will be some overlap with the office power, and we expect communication glitches to be reduced.

In maintenance, our superstar Kamau K is back from his Sophomore year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautics and will be all over the place keeping the planes well-behaved.

It's an all-star cast this year. I'm looking forward to it.



We are evaluating our fleet composition for the year, and 04H's "question-mark" has accelerated this process.

We are considering the following:

04H repaired or replaced with another 172M/N/P of similar make
20U taken offline and replaced with another 172R (like 1ES)
Addition of another 172M/N/P or another 150L+

This result in a single 172F, 1 or 2 150s, 1 or 2 mid-age 172's, 2 R models, and the balance of the fleet.

I'm interested in any thoughts on the matter. We are early and open to ideas on the matter -- but I think we all know that we're due for an addition to the line.

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Until next time --

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Friday, May 01, 2009

Just flying, not bothering anyone...

Pilots!

Not much going on lately. Here's what I know:

Piper 85Y has begun her Annual Inspection. We refuse to estimate downtime, because we're just bad at it with that plane. More as I know it.

Cessna 17J is humming along.

Cessna 1ES is all smiles.

Cessna 04H remains down indefinitely. More as I know it.

Cessna 20U is looking stylish on the ramp.

Cessna 68U isn't complaining.

Cessna 630 has completed her engine break-in, and while there were a few glitches (mainly regarding too-high oil pressure), we seem to have things ironed out. Please watch the oil pressure gauge on runup and departure!

Cessna 25R shows her frog-legs to all the boys.



I was asked a question in the office today which I do not know the answer to. It is another charting mystery, and right here in our backyard this time. I submit it to the group's awe-inspiring wisdom.

Or at least your Google-Fu, which certainly exceeds my own chops.

Here is a snippet from the San Diego Terminal Chart, as found at SkyVector.com.



You'll see just offshore from Oceanside Municipal Airport, a 4-pointed ninja star, which they have helpfully called VPOCN.

Some of you may recognize the VP prefix. I won't spoil the easter-egg hunt if you wanna chase down what VP might be.

For the rest of you -- what's the deal? What's a VPOCN? :)

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Simply gorgeous today. Man oh man. Weather coming in tomorrow -- let's hope it stays high and dry here for the weekend.

Blue Skies,

- Mike