Monday, September 28, 2009

A Completely New Curriculum!

Private Pilots & Students!

Some very exciting things are afoot. Today we have received our first installment of the new Cessna Multimedia Training system -- dubbed the CTA -- which is a Web-based training system much like your CDs.

Imagine being able to grab a lesson on the road, on a plane (cool!), at work, or at Panera -- universal access for your dose of Martha!



This is very cool, and we have a kit for you to check out, and at some point, we'll be able to demo the online curriculum for you. And here's some better news:

If you have purchased your existing CD-based kit after May 15, 2009, King Schools will offer you a free upgrade to the new kit! Inquire with the office for details.


King is still selling the CD-based kits, and will be moving them to DVD format shortly, so we will be training on both for the time being. IFR is slated for 1Q 2010, with Commercial to follow shortly thereafter, pending FAA FITS approval.

Come check out the new hotness in the office!

Blue Skies, (cooler temps! Huzzah!)

- Mike

Sunday, September 27, 2009

New Blindfold!

Pilots!

Please join me in congratulating the newest IFR-rated pilot in the world, one Jim M., who sailed to a no-eyed victory in Cessna 1ES with DPE Mark D.

Nice work, Jim!



In other news,

The new restaurant, Bobby A's, is expected to open tomorrow! Expect some pireps around the ranch.

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Snug the chains!

Pilots!

Is it that time already?

Santa Ana winds have crept into the area, with a blustery runway 7 the active, and some amusing landings to enjoy... fun!

If the winds are out of the east, please pay particular attention to the tiedown chains when you secure the aircraft, making them snug, and chained on all 3 points, and please let us know if the fuel tanks are less than half full. Keeping the planes heavy with fuel helps keep them on the ground.

We'd prefer not to repeat the 72F incident of 2007...



(Doh!) -- 72F was actually chained on all 3 points and was having a new engine mounted, but she was completely empty of fuel... which means her stall speed was likely in the high 30kt range... and when the Santa Anas blow, they frequently gust to 50kts or more.

72F uprooted the tiedown cables (the 1/4" thick steel cables that the chains attach to), and snapped them like a spaghetti strand. Yikes! Even a 150 is strong like bull under the right circumstances.

Some maintenance tales:

Cessna 630 has some tuning done on her oil pump. Please keep an eye on oil pressure, particularly at startup. If it does not register within 10 seconds, something is amiss. We'd like to keep oil running through the motor if at all possible.

Cessna 68U has finally gotten a crack at the hangar.

Cessna 20U is out cruising around.

Cessna 739 may emerge this weekend from her annual with new plastics on the panel, and a slug of refinements.

Cessna 1ES will be going in for 100hr here shortly.

Cessna 17J just came out of her 100hr.

Cessna 25R will be going in for 100hr next week or the week after.





Hot hot hot! Grab a water from the fridge! Climb High, Fly West, pour the water on your head! Whatever it takes to not bake out there!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Saturday, September 19, 2009

A fistful of wrenches

Pilots!

I've been a mite tardy with the updates of late, please forgive me. Here's what I know:

Bobby A's is the new restaurant next door, and they are finally providing a confident date of September 28! That's in 2 weeks!

We are very excited at having a proper and classy restaurant on the field. Initial hours will be for breakfast and lunch, with a later expansion to dinner! Patio seating will be coming later on, with beer and wine, and a good view of the final approach.

Sweet!



Some maintenance faces to make:

Cessna 630 showed up with some low oil pressure on a recent run-up. We didn't like it, and it is off to the engine shop to scrutinize. We expect her back on Tuesday.

Cessna 68U is awaiting her crack at the hangar. We still contemplate selling her off and replacing her with something more saucy.

Cessna 20U is cruising.

Cessna 739 is due out of her mega-100hr inspection midweek next week.

Cessna 1ES has a new CHT probe -- sorry for those of you wondering if the engine was trying to melt :) but good catch, pilots!

Cessna 17J will go in for her 100hr Monday, with an expected release on Tuesday.

Cessna 25R is running great!

Piper 85Y has had her price reduced to $59,999 :) Tell a friend.



There is talk on the ranch, again, of replacing 85Y with a 182 instead of a Duchess - and partnering with a local school for shared twin use instead. Hmm!

There is also talk, again, of replacing 68U with another 150 instead of a 172M/N/P model.

Hmm... ideas!

More as I know it -- warm out, grab some water before flying! Cooked pilots make crummy landings... ask me how I know :)

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Doings...

Pilots,

Sorry for the lag in posting -- things have been nutso around here, and sadly, almost none of it relevant to the flightline. You're welcome to buy me a drink and listen to me unwind at length about the state of capitalism and fuel trucks at the Corona airport. :)

Anyway, here's what I know regarding the fun stuff:

Cessna 630 is cruising along. We have moved her intercom box and apparently this new placement is liked, as you can now fly with your knees. Cool!

Cessna 68U remains down pending 100hr.

Cessna 20U is out cruising around. She will be in for maintenance in a week or two.

Cessna 739 is wrapping her Annual. Hopefully she will emerge early next week.

Cessna 1ES is wrapping her 100hr, and may emerge tomorrow. (cross fingers)

Cessna 17J is humming.

Cessna 25R is done with her engine break-in, and has been released into the wild.

Piper 85Y's price has been lowered to $59,999, if you know someone who wants a twin. :) We had to pass on our Duchess since we are a contingent buyer. Doh.



The front parking lot has been re-striped and re-sealed - however, we do not know how long the cones will be out. I'd think that paint was "quite dry" by now. :)



Not much else to report -- the weather is much cooler! Gotta love that!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Tweaks...

Pilots!

20 degrees cooler today. You'd think that would have us leaping for joy, but it seems to have been replaced by humidity. Yuck.

Here are some things I know:

They are re-paving the front parking lot area. All cars should remain west of the "security trailer" (cough) -- the affected areas are roped off with cones, and it will be sticky hot tar for a few days. This affects our front parking area also. Feel free to park in the back if you like, but please keep the taxiways clear.

Cessna 630 had her intercom replaced with something foolish and ineffective, for reasons I am unclear about. We have returned the old working box, but we have moved it out of everyone's kneecaps and onto the floor.

Cessna 20U has a new starter solenoid.

Cessna 25R appears to be progressing very well, with an anticipated return tomorrow or Thursday. (touch wood)

Cessna 739 and Cessna 1ES are being de-squawked.



Please check Firefighting TFRs -- they pop up with very little notice. If you see a fire, it's wise to remain about 10nm clear just in case. While breathing smoke and ash is bad enough, breathing a firefighter helo's rotor wash is even worse. Give them room to work, and admire them from afar -- it's amazing work!



That's it for the moment. More as I know it!

Blue Skies,

- Mike