Saturday, October 23, 2010

We aint afraid of no clouds...

Pilots!

Please join me in giving a rousing hurrah to the newest Instrument-rated Pilot in the world!

Too cloudy for a checkride? I don't think so! Not if you're IFR-rated Gerd E., who brassed up to the cumulus and showed it who's boss. Gerd was joined by DPE Mark D in Cessna 17J for a proper set of approaches and other blindfolded stunts behind the yoke.

Nice work, Gerd!



In other news...

Cessna 630 is cruising.

Cessna 68U's oil consumption is running at appx 1 qt per 2-4 hours. Please keep an eye on the oil levels in the motor. We may give her a final re-seal before the new motor is installed.

Cessna 739's "one day turnaround" promise from the avionics tech seemed to be a pack of lies. 739 is running around with only one nav head. We'll send the brute squad over on Monday. It's not like we're all *that* surprised.

Cessna 17J is humming along.



Bonanza 11N is not offending anyone.

Skylane 073 is still stylish.

==

We are performing a pre-purchase inspection on both an A36TN and a G36TN for the club.

We are stilllllll hunting a good 172R or 172S for the line.

No word on the Archer we were considering.

...why it is so difficult to buy planes, I'll never know.



We have an old friend, Olivier, staying with us to build some time this winter, as well as work on his English. Olivier is a French pilot who will be flying on an FAA conversion license -- he's a good pilot, but he's here primarily to talk like we do -- if you see a young fellow sitting around, hiding in some charts, please feel free to introduce yourself and stretch his "Anglais" a little bit, he will be appreciative.

You may see Olivier working on the line. We thought we could start his vocabulary off with the phrase "aircraft belly wash" -- a most important pilot term. :)

==

That's all I know about for the moment. I am ready for the better weather we usually get right about now.

Blue Skies.... we miss you.

- Mike

Friday, October 22, 2010

Stay East, young man!

"Cessna 17J, traffic, 12 o'clock, converging, an F16..."

Pilots!

El Presidente is in town, and you know what that means... its TFR time!



FDC 0/1912 ZLA PART 1 OF 5 .. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 22, 2010 LOCAL. THIS NOTAM REPLACES NOTAM 0/1878 DUE TO CORRECTION TO DESCRIPTION OF RINGS TO PARAGRAPHS A AND B. PURSUANT TO 49 USC 40103(B), THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS 'NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE'. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DETAINED AND INTERVIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST A PILOT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OR ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR PROCEDURES ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTAM: A) THE FAA MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AIRMEN CERTIFICATES; OR B) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARGES UNDER TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 46307; OR C) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT. PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 91.141 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL END PART 1 OF 5 FDC 0/1912 ZLA PART 2 OF 5 .. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, REGULATIONS, AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN A 35 NMR OF 340500N/1182018W OR THE SMO038007.3 UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1010221730 UTC (1030 LOCAL 10/22/10) UNTIL 1010222359 UTC (1659 LOCAL 10/22/10). WITHIN A 8 NMR OF 335638N/1182429W OR THE LAX046001.4 UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1010221730 UTC (1030 LOCAL 10/22/10) UNTIL 1010221900 UTC (1200 LOCAL 10/22/10). WITHIN A 8 NMR OF 340126N/1181421W OR THE SMO071010.9 UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1010221800 UTC (1100 LOCAL 10/22/10) UNTIL 1010222230 UTC (1530 LOCAL 10/22/10). WITHIN A 10 NMR OF 341216N/1182134W OR THE VNY085006.7 UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1010222130 UTC (1430 LOCAL 10/22/10) UNTIL 1010222345 UTC END PART 2 OF 5 FDC 0/1912 ZLA PART 3 OF 5 .. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, (1645 LOCAL 10/22/10). WITHIN A 8 NMR OF 335638N/1182429W OR THE LAX046001.4 UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1010222300 UTC (1600 LOCAL 10/22/10) UNTIL 1010222359 UTC (1659 LOCAL 10/22/10). 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 NMR 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 END PART 3 OF 5 FDC 0/1912 ZLA PART 4 OF 5 .. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 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 NMR 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 END PART 4 OF 5 FDC 0/1912 ZLA PART 5 OF 5 .. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 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, SEAPLANE 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. END PART 5 OF 5
==

Or said another way... "come into my sky, you'll get the pew pew!" -- this is for today from 10:30am until 5:00pm.

So please stay outta that ring of fire.. lest the fighters pay you a visit.



In some other news,

Cessna 630 is cruising happily.

Cessna 68U's new engine is being constructed in our hangar. Expect downtime in the next few weeks to install.

Cessna 739 has undergone some significant radio work recently, with a new DME, and now a new GS receiver.

Cessna 17J is having her flight plan tuning knob changed up.

Bonanza 11N is having a new landing light switch installed. Also a new tire.

Skylane 073 is just cruising.

We expect to add a Bonanza A36 to the club in the next 4 weeks. We are doing due diligence on 3 specific aircraft now.

==

The clouds are leaving. This weather has been nuts.

Blue Skies!

- Mike

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Well now, that's more like it...

Pilots!

Enough of this rain and gloom nonsense -- how about something worth toasting and high-fiving about?

Check this out:

First, a huge round of applause and congrats to the newest US Private Pilot in the world, one Pilot Pat Wirt -- who sailed to victory today with DPE Mark D in Bonanza 11N!

That's right... Pat got his license in a HP/Complex. Nice.

Way to go, Pat!




And second... grab your skis and bindings, as we're about to go sloosh into Hades... as our own Mr. Carlos C has earned his blindfold and IFR Rating. Waaaay to go, Carlos!

(The numerous betting pools on this topic will be resolved later this week :) )

Carlos earned the IFR with DPE Mark D in Cessna 17J -- and just in time for all of the clouds to depart.

Nice one, Carlos!



In some other news:

No tomatoes were thrown at the FAA Safety Seminar on tire changes today.

Cessna 68U has a weak magneto making her more susceptible to foulled plugs and hard starts. We will have her in service cautiously, and we will swap out the mags on Monday.

Cessna 739 goes in for her Annual Inspection next week

Cessna 630 doesn't seem to be bothering anyone.

Cessna 17J should have her PFD knobs fixed next week -- time permitting.

Skylane 073 is cruising along.

Bonanza 11N is rocking out.



Such nice weather this weekend, and in fact, all next week. Grab some air therapy!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Goofy weather...

Pilots!

Who got some tasty actual in the last week? At least it's better than 114 degrees F, eh?

Here are a few things I know:




The Aircraft Spruce SuperSale is this Saturday! Usually some decent deals, always some free lunch, and I'll be discussing preventative Maintenance, and speaking about tire changes ... something we do quite a lot, and are qualified to discuss. It's a fun way to kill an hour or two.

If that's not your bag, the 99s are hosting a Poker Run! Fly to 5 airports, collect a hand, and support aviation donations for the 99s, a great outfit.

Check it out here: http://coyote99s.com/pokerun.htm



Not much to report in maintenanceland.

Cessna 739 will be receiving a new alternator today. :)

We came very close to getting a 1989 Turbonormalized Bonanza A36 in Wingfleet this week. The search continues. For those interested, the monthly will be appx $450, with dry rates running appx $99. The machine is loaded to the nines, and ready to cruise 205kts up to 25,000'. We will only have a few slots in this one, let us know if you'd be interested.



That's all I can think of. :)

Blue Skies,

- Mike