Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Greetings from Oshkosh...

Pilots!

It may be warm in Corona, but imagine if it was 90% humidity also! Yuck! Even so.. it's not all bad. :)

I am late in reporting two exciting events:

First, please join me in congratulating US Private Pilot Giovanni F, who scored his wings in Cessna 1ES with DPE Mark Dilullo! Nice work, Gio!




And, second, please join me in congratulating US Private Pilot Ryan S, who scored his wings in... surprise... Cessna 1ES with DPE Mark Dilullo! Nice work, Ryan!




Our 3 planes (68U, 20U, 739) are in South Dakota by way of Seattle and Boise. Wow! Talk about an epic journey!

Not much else (that I know of) going on around the ranch. Stay cool, fly safe, etc.

Cheers,

- Mike

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Another addition to the fleet...

Pilots!

I made you look, sorry about that. Our new friend is neither Cessna, Piper, nor Beechcraft.... but she IS a welcome addition to the fleet!

Please meet Isuzu 13505, aka "Lonestar One", who joins us from Burbank Airport:



Procedures will be adjusted soon to account for this new contraption, which will speed refuelling and aircraft turnaround times, and make a more pleasant place for operations all around!

==

In other news...

We are actively seeking additional planes for our lonely lineup.



Cessna 17J completed her 100hr.



10 FlyC Pilots will be making the pilgrimage to Osh Kosh this year, leaving on Saturday morning (at 3am no less!) -- The office will be measurably reduced in power all of next week -- please be nice to them, and know that they can reach us, even in the humid dairy swamps of Lake Winnebago, should something unusual arise.



Blue Skies,

- Mike

Friday, July 17, 2009

Some new money-wings!

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating the newest CSEL-rated pilot in the world, one Commercial Pilot Pauline P.!

Pauline earned her wings in Cessna 739 with DPE Tom Hamm. Way to Go, Pauline!



In other news,

Cessna 1ES's wingtip is repaired from a taxi mishap.

Cessna 17J is cruising.

Cessnas 68U, 20U, and 739 are all taking a 3-week cruise across the country. We are seeking additional planes to fill the void.

Cessnas 630 and 25R are due any day now.



The restaurant refurbishment has dragged on longer than anticipated. Bobby A's is expected to open August 1. While they have been gracious about use of their restroom during remodelling, please remember that it is a construction and work zone, and use extreme caution. You may consider the midfield restrooms as an alternative.

More as I know it. Stay cool!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Schedule Shenanigans...

Pilots!

Our planes are up to no good. Here's what I know:



Cessna 630's engine is being worked on.

Cessna 68U is booked for a very long set of flights. These bookings were actually made months ago, however, some folks are now realizing what was afoot and are grumbling. Sorry! First come first serve :)

68U is due shortly to go down for 100Hr anyway.

Cessna 20U is cruising along. We have heard reports of easy plug foulling in 20U -- keep that mixture lean! 20U will be on a long country tour with 68U

Cessna 739 will be down for 100Hr at the end of this week -- we are nursing her hours to save a checkride. She may also be on a long country tour.

Cessna 1ES was taxiied very fast and off of the yellow centerline. Guess what happens when you do that? ...



We have a new wingtip on order for Cessna 1ES (the rest of the wing is fine -- the pic was just funny to me), which will be installed tomorrow morning, first thing.

Pretend I just waggled a finger at those of you who taxi off-center. Please don't do it, it's dangerous. This is a $750 mistake this time, but it is very easy to make a multi-$thousand mistake like that. I have references available. :)

Cessna 17J is cruising.

Cessna 25R's engine will follow behind 630's.

Piper 85Y... we are looking to trade 85Y for a Duchess. Details are very preliminary.



We are shopping for either another C150 or a C172.

We are officially available and insured to do outside maintenance.

We have ordered our fuel truck.

==

Bobby A's, the restaurant next door, should be open for biz soon -- I'll make an announcement and a pirep when it does, as we'll be one of the first in line to check out the pigeon-free menu.

It is HOT! Be sure to grab a cool bottle of water before each flight. Soak up the A/C when you return. Ask a lineman to hit you with the garden hose -- I do. It's silly, but it works!

There is a very real risk of suffering from heatstroke in conditions like this, especially if you are working hard at your training. If you start to feel lightheaded, put the plane on the ground and rest. There is no shame in keeping your noodle from turning into tapioca -- and it's no fun trying to learn to fly with a dizzy head.

Fly to the practice areas over the ocean. It adds maybe 0.5 to the flight, but you'll shave 20 or 30 degrees. Plus it is more scenic.

Fly higher than normal. The plane will hate you, but you'll trim 10 degrees.

If all else fails, douse yourself with that bottle of water. There are no style points in getting cooked. :)

Fly Safe!

- Mike

Thursday, July 09, 2009

A new set of wings...

Pilots!

Please join me in celebrating the newest U.S. Private Pilot in the world! One Private Pilot Alexander N., who soared to victory in Cessna 739 and DPE Ed Matthews out of Hemet-Ryan Airfield!

Way to go, Alexander!!



Blue Skies,

- Mike

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Restaurant remodelling...

Pilots!

(ahem, no more 2am news updates from me :) )

Our neighbors at the restaurant next door are closed this week for renovations. We understand that Bob's Chili and Chow Hall, a fixture at the Corona Airport, will be transferring management and changing its name. Additionally, the new eatery is rumored to offer a more upscale menu, a "beer garden", patio seating in view of the final approach, and extended hours and dinner service.

I can't wait! This is a welcome change, and any improvement to the airport is to the benefit of us all. We look forward to spending many a lunch hour in the new airport restaurant.



In other news...

Cessna 20U is in for her annual, with an expected completion later this week.

Cessna 1ES will be having her primary GPS looked at sometime shortly, as the photo sensor seems to be inop.

We have heard whispers that 11630's power section parts are back from the various shops which recertify them as airworthy. Maybe July will see the return of our 150. No promises, of course. :)

Similar rumors are floating around over 25R's engine. Hmm!



We are opening our maintenance operation to outside work officially on July 14, which is next Tuesday. We have been noodling around over here.

We are expecting to obtain an Aviation Refueller in the next few weeks, which will aid our ability to refuel our aircraft. The savings on starters alone should pay for the thing.



A friend of ours is flying his Cessna 182 to Osh Kosh from Fullerton, and has one pro-rata seat available if you are interested in flying something with a high-wing, and not in the Beech Bonanzas we're all going in. His dates may correspond better with your plans than our trip did -- feel free to email me if you'd like details, or know someone who might wish to go.

That's about it for now. More as I know it.

Blue Skies,

- Mike