Friday, April 30, 2010

Step aside!

Pilots!

El Piloto Machino's assembly line is going strong!

Joining Chris, Ricardo, and Cris -- please welcome the newest U.S. Private Pilot in the world, one Pilot Fernando P., who sailed to victory in Cessna 739 with DPE Mark D. at Chino!

Fernando was able to stay cool as a cucumber despite some attitude from 739's Alternator. (thanks a lot, 739 -- the Alternator is being replaced today) Talk about double Maverick points!



Nice work, Fernando!!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Monday, April 26, 2010

Grungy weather, new wings and ridiculousness

Pilots!

First things first:

Please join me in congratulating the newest Private Pilot in the world! (Sorry Chris and Ricardo!) -- one U.S. Private Pilot Cris C., who earned his wings today in Cessna 739 with DPE Andrea E. at Chino. Cris turned 17 yesterday, and we look forward to all of the hot dates he will get to brag about now that he has an airplane. Woo woo!

Way to go, Cris!!



For those who missed our Paso Robles trip, you missed a fun and casual gathering, tasty lunch, and the chance to fly F-18s... (simulatedly). Of course, the best laid plans never turn out as desired, and the clouds were slow to adios themselves.. here was our final tally:

Skylane 073: Had to shoot IFR to a 300' ceiling! First one there, nice work Elian and company!

Bonanza 5R: Had to shoot IFR to a 500' ceiling! Piece of cake.

Bonanza 11N: Decided clouds were for suckers, went to Big Bear instead.

Cessna 739: Asked SoCal for diversion to SMX, no, SBP, no, SBA, no, L35, no.. SMX, really. Joined up 20 minutes later after the OVC005 turned to CLR. Ha ha.

Skylane 7N: Orbited the clouds right where PRB should have been. Peeked in when the time was right. That's precision, ninja-like flying. Nice work, Peter!

Cessna 17J: Figured it would be better to be sipping a milkshake at Bobby A's, wishing they were flying, than to be flying in the scud wishing they could have a Bobby A's milkshake instead. Hard to argue with that logic!

Archer AC: Decided life was better at Harris Ranch altogether, amongst steaks and clear skies for miles around. I think he was the cleverest pilot of us all!

The museum was a lot of fun, and so was the sim and the random assortment of planes to look at / crawl around. A nice saturday afternoon diversion, and thanks to all who made it! We look forward to doing something like this again soon, hopefully with better results. :)

I'm sure any pics we have will make their way to Facebook. :)



it was foggy because F-18s make clouds

Are you out of challenges? Wish you could come up with a story that really impresses the leatherfaced old pilots on the bench -- instead of being trumped by "well there I was, flying an improvised coconut husk glider out of the guam POW camp..."

If you're a knucklehead with an airplane and a free afternoon, there's really only one thing you need to do.

Fly a C150 into LAX.

Imagine the side-splitting laughter SoCal Approach must have dished out when they heard this on the radio:

"SoCal Approach, Cessna 11630, 150/U, landing LAX"

Imagine the serious-faces they suddenly wore when the pilot answered their query with

"No no, really, landing LAX. Ready to copy my reservation number, SoCal?"



I'll wager they made this face

I have mixed feelings about this one, but the pilot who did this flight-planned it masterfully, and despite the $65 ramp fee, the absolute lack of 100LL fuel available, and the fact that he only got one cookie from Landmark Aviation (the General Aviation FBO at LAX, where the ante usually starts at a Citation X) -- he seems to have been real happy to write in "KAJO KLAX" into his logbook.

That must've been one hell of a cookie.

Landing 25L, which is a 200 foot wide by 11,095 foot long patch of asphalt... I think I'd get lost just taxiing. I think you could land sideways in a C150 if you were real good. I also think LAX Tower needed a microscope to find our poor little 630. Good thing she's bright yellow!

Cool pictures, though. :)

Thanks for not earning us a phonecall from the FAA, Jake!



Cessna 630... cleared to do... whatever it is you think that thing can do.

That's all I know at the moment. Oh! How about some maintenance news:

Cessna 68U has an overhauled nose strut. Someone's landing lacked pizazz. :)

Cessna 25R is hoped for this week. (shh, don't jinx it)

Cessna 17J's transponder is (sigh) acting up again. We are out of people to punch for this, but it will probably return to the cave-trolls at Tom's for service later this week.

Cessna 630 probably could fit inside of an A380's Engine pod.

Cessna 739 isn't bothering anyone. Thanks, 739!

==

Blue Skies!

- Mike

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Room for one more...

Pilots!

Just a wave of good times around here lately!

Please join me in congratulating the newest Private Pilot in the world! (Sorry for the short-lived title, Chris :) ) -- one U.S. Private Pilot Ricardo C.! Ricardo soared to victory yesterday in Cessna 17J with DPE Andrea Eldridge at CNO!



Nice job Ricardo! (por fin, amigo!!) :)

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Monday, April 19, 2010

Stay East, Young Man!

Pilots!

It's that time again! The License-eating TFR monster has descended upon LAX and threatens your flying privileges! The FSDOs are exercising a "zero tolerance" policy for busting these TFRs, so please ask the briefer if you'll be affected.

The "STAY OUT" sign can be delivered personally via F-16 should you stray into the red ring shown here:



Details of the TFR:

==

Issue Date : April 16, 2010 at 1617 UTC
Location : Los Angeles, California
Beginning Date and Time : April 20, 2010 at 0001 UTC
Ending Date and Time : April 20, 2010 at 1800 UTC
Reason for NOTAM : Temporary flight restrictions for VIP (Very Important Person) Movement
Type : VIP
Replaced NOTAM(s) : N/A

No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).

Except as specified below and/or unless authorized by ATC in consultation with the air traffic security coordinator via the domestic events network (DEN):

A. All aircraft operations within the 8 and or 10 NMR area(s) listed above, known as the inner core(s), are prohibited except for: Approved law enforcement, military aircraft directly supporting the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the office of the President of the United States, approved air ambulance flights, and regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under one of the following TSA-Approved standard security programs/procedures: aircraft operator standard security program (AOSSP), full all-cargo aircraft operator standard security program (FACAOSSP), model security program (MSP), twelve five standard security program (TFSSP) all cargo, or all-cargo international security procedure (ACISP) and are arriving into and/or departing from 14 cfr part 139 airports. All emergency/life saving flight (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) operations must coordinate with ATC prior to their departure at 858-537-5900 to avoid potential delays.

B. For operations within the airspace between the 8 and or 10 nmr and 35 nmr area(s) listed above, known as the outer ring(s): All aircraft operating within the outer ring(s) listed above are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airfields, and workload permitting, ATC may authorize transit operations. Aircraft may not loiter. All aircraft must be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan with a discrete code assigned by an air traffic control (ATC) facility. Aircraft must be squawking the discrete code prior to departure and at all times while in the TFR and must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC.

C. The following operations are not authorized within this TFR: flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, sightseeing operations, maintenance test flights, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

D. FAA recommends that all aircraft operators check notams frequently for possible changes to this TFR prior to operations within this region.

==

Fly Safe and stay out of Gitmo! :)

- Mike

Sunday, April 18, 2010

And... the hat trick!

I don't know how hockey works, so maybe I should use a different metaphor -- do they yell GOOOAAAALLL like soccer hooligans, or do they just punch one another?

No punching for these two fine fellows, however, but let's give some stylish fist bumps out:

Please join me in congratulating TWO new pilots:

Newly-minted IFR Pilot Nick K. earned his blindfold yesterday with DPE Mark DiLullo in Cessna 739.

Newly-minted Private Pilot Chris A. earned his wings yesterday with DPE Ken Earl in Cessna 17J.



Way to go guys!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Perfect weather... to make pilots!

Gang,

Please join me in congratulating the newest pilot in the world -- one Private Pilot Todd S., who earned his wings yesterday in Cessna 739 with DPE Tom Hamm!

Way to go, Todd!!



April is always checkride month around here, and we have no less than 7 more scheduled in the next 4 weeks. As you may or may not know, a checkride is the only time we will ask you to change a booking -- it is tough to align aircraft, instructors, and the busy FAA examiners, and we sometimes need to shuffle lessons around to accomodate everything. Rest assured that when it is time for your checkride, we will be able to "make things happen" also! We appreciate your understanding with this policy!

==

The bugs are awakening. Every flight may result in a yucky leading edge and cowling -- please let the line know, we will work hard to keep things from getting out of hand with a quick application of a soapy sponge..

(gross)

==

Cessna 25R has rejoined us at the home court. We will be putting the finishing touches on her early next week. We are literally one FAA inspection away from her return to service.



Some other updates while I'm here:

Cessna 630 is wrapping up a rather extensive annual, and we expect her return today or tomorrow.

Cessna 68U is cruising. She will be going down in appx 6-8 weeks for an engine swap, with downtime appx 2-3 days. This will coincide with a 100hr inspection, so added downtime should be minimal.

Cessna 739 completed her Annual and is humming along.

Cessna 17J is not bothering anyone.

==

A word about starting 17J... and other fuel-injected Cessnas...

As many of you know, Cessna Aircraft are made by hand in Wichita, Kansas (technically Independence, KS since 1997) -- and for those unaware, Kansas is a mystical place filled with corn... and the Cessna aircraft factory, and which enjoys frozen snowy winters AND blistering hot summers.

I mention this because the start procedure for 17J is designed to work even in the frozen -10F Kansas winter. That's fine for them, but for those of us who live where shovelling coconut slurpee off of our cars every morning is not done -- it's overkill.

Specifically, if you omit the "boost pump" priming step from your start procedure altogether, or if it's a crisp early morning, you limit it to ~1 second only, you will find that 17J starts much easier. Give it a shot next time.

If you DO over-prime the engine, the trick is to advance the throttle full, mixture out, start, and then with 3 hands flailing every which way, set mags to both, mixture back in, and throttle back out. The book "flooded start" procedure will extract you from an over-boosted engine start every time.



...and they can keep their "snow"

That's all I know at the moment... suuuuuch nice weather, though! Enjoy it before the summer haze arrives!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Thursday, April 08, 2010

The return of good weather...

Pilots!

Who ordered up all of this funky wind? Yuck. Intrepid aviators were caught playing on runway 7 and enjoying the spirited use of flight controls in pursuit of a landing... we were able to point and chuckle at some of the better attempts... but now it's time for normal flying again! Whew!

Here are some things I know:

Cessna 17J has a new starter

Cessna 1ES is in the throes of an engine overhaul. We'll check back on her in May.

Cessna 739 completed her 100hr this morning and returns to market.

Cessna 68U is cruising along just fine.

Cessna 630 goes in for annual next week sometime.

Cessna 25R's gear doors have arrived from Australia! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now -- we are awaiting FAA approval for the ferry flight, and then FAA approval on the gear door repairs, and then... we'll have 25R back! Neat!



The owner of the club 182, N92073, has extended use of the aircraft to FlyC folks for the next 2 months, while the club membership ramps up and her interior refurbishment proceeds. I have gone ahead and added both to the FlyC schedule for now -- and so as to not annoy those who see club as a 4-letter word, I have activated the filtering mechanism for them as well :) The wet rate is $139/hr with no fuel surcharge. This is a lower cost-per-nm than 17J! Who said there is no such thing as a free lunch?



We have 1 seat left for the Paso Robles fly-out in the big planes, and a few pro-rata seats in the 172s. Let Beth know if you'd like it! beth@flycorona.com

We are preparing our next FAA-Safety Maintenance Seminar -- "How to change an aircraft tire!" Ever hear of anything so boring? Me neither -- yet, it's one of the most detailed, intricate, and critical operations a pilot can do to his own airplane... scary! Look for this to debut sometime in May, hosted by yours truly. (lord knows, nobody else would do it!)

Simply gorgeous weather abounds. Let's hope it holds for the weekend!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Friday, April 02, 2010

Wine Country...

Pilots!

We have some details now for the Paso Robles trip that Beth and friend of the school Ryan F have been plotting. Here is what I know:

We plan to mount a social expedition to KPRB on Saturday, April 24, at 8am. This will be a pro-rata flight, with some cool things they've cooked up, to wit:

We have devised a number of strategies to get everyone equal leg time, and all legs will count as XC time for those contemplating their IFR rating!

Here's the plan:

1 or 2 FlyC 172s with up to 3 pilots each can pro-rata their flight, using any route they find acceptable (we have some to suggest)

For those interested in the club aircraft, here's a chance to try your hand with a CFI:

Bonanza 11N has 3 slots available and will be flying with CFI Marlon

Skylane 073 has 3 slots available and will be flying with CFI Elian




The Aircraft Museum at Paso Robles will provide a BBQ Lunch, as well as time on their Flight Simulator! Cool!

Costs for those interested in a club aircraft: $115 per person!

Costs for those in a FlyC 172: Flight time pro-rata and $15 per person!

Admission to the museum, lunch, and the simulator is included!

For 3 in a Skyhawk, plan on 4 hours' flight time (1.3 apiece)

For 3 in a Skylane, plan on 3 hours' flight time (1 apiece)

For 3 in a Bonanza, plan on 2.5 hours' flight time (0.8 apiece)

...we will be leaving at 8am on Saturday, and will plan to return to Corona by 4pm. A fun outing filled with planes, mountains, and cool views!

Give Beth a ring in the office (she volunteered to do the logistics -- I'm hopeless at it) at 951-272-3942, or email fly@flycorona.com to secure a spot!

Friends of FlyC -- have your own plane? Wanna join us? We'd love to have you along! You're welcome to tuck in on our group rates for the sim, the lunch, and the museum as well -- only $19 per person! (hey, we subsidized the others ;) )

Hope to see you there!



In other news...

Cessna 68U wrapped her 100hr.

Cessna 17J wrapped her Annual.

Cessna 739 is due for 100hr. She starts Monday -- and is available for SOLO ONLY this weekend. Her new audio panel seems to be the cat's meow.

Cessna 25R will be ferried back to KAJO either tomorrow or Monday, pending FAA inspection and ferry permit.

Cessna 630 is cruising. Thanks, 630!

Skylane 073 is undergoing some interior and avionics refurbishment, as planned.



We are getting serious about some "Written Test Cram" ground school sessions. The format would likely be a long 2-day weekend, and would include the written exam at the end. .. any interest, written-exam laggards? (You know who you are... Carlos!)

When the wind stops annoying us, it's going to make some mighty fine flying weather. I can't wait!

Blue Skies & Have a Hoppy Easter!

- Mike