Pilots!
I have news.
First, and very importantly, the following note from Airport Management:
The airport should be back open to normal hours tomorrow, Wednesday the 26th. Double check NOTAMS to be sure. Lights are to be fixed for night operations however double check with the office or check the ATIS & NOTAMS
Game on!
I also have news in maintenanceland:
Cessna 526 is ready to fly.
Cessna 630 has had a radio adjustment.
Cessna 68U has completed her 100hr inspection.
Cessna 739 has completed her 100hr inspection.
Cessna 17J will be down tomorrow for AD compliance and a phase check.
Skylane 073 is shiny and wants to fly more.
Bonanza 11N isn't bothering anyone.
The astute pilots in the crowd may have noticed a Cessna in the list which doesn't belong. Here is the story:
Due to overwhelming and unexpected demand on our schedule, particularly with Cessna 630, we have secured access to a C150 on a limited basis for time-building and extended full-time usage.
The rules for Cessna 526 are: long-term time-building only. Dry rate only. Minimum 5 hours per day.
We are hoping that having access to 526 will avoid the 2 and 3-month-long chunks of time which time-builders are eating out of the schedule, and this will free up the normal fleet for training service. If our experiment goes well, we will make a C172 or two available under the same procedure, and we will have a nice and tidy schedule.
Comments are welcomed, as always. Inquire with the office if you have a desire to fly Cessna 526, and we will provide additional details.
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We are currently performing a Pre-buy on a new 172 of "739" caliber as we speak.
We are #2 in line to perform a Pre-buy on a 172R of "1ES" caliber. Fingers crossed!
It's Osh time again!
(already? geez!)
As you may or may not be aware, every year we lead a pilgrimage to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin, also known as Mecca for Pilots, and drink in aviation, hideously bland salsa, and perfect margaritas for 24 hours a day, over the course of an amazing week. We rent a house at the North 40, have a selection of rental cars, and really do the week up right.
If you don't know what Osh Kosh is, stop. Read here. Then return, more excited.
As usual, we are looking for a preliminary headcount so that we can arrange aircraft and house(s). Here is the drill:
We make our aircraft available for the cost of fuel only to everyone. This year, I am anticipating possibly the S35, maaaybe the G36, and if needed, the E33 or a B33. Yes, we travel in Beech Bonanzas to Osh.
We share "leg" time in both directions, and if we have multiple planes, will fly in loose formation.
We will leave on Saturday, July 23rd, early AM, and will return by the following Friday, July 28, or Saturday July 29 at the latest -- only one week off of work, and a day or two to recoup.
I expect that this year, the fuel kitty will be ~$600 per person. A private room in the air-conditioned party house runs $500 for the 5 nights, and camping "under-wing" is possible for $125 per plane, pooled amongst those who are camping. Typically a pilot will fly 6 or 7 legs, earn 8-10 hours of HP/Complex time, and see the USA from somewhere between 3,500 - 15,500 feet!
If you would like to reserve an "interest" in the flight, please drop me a line at mike@flycorona.com.
It will be helpful if you can let me know:
1. Your interest in flying with us to Osh Kosh, and number in your party if more than one.
2. Your interest in the house or underwing camping.
3. Whether you will need a High Performance or Complex endorsement prior to flight.
4. Any specific training items you would like to tackle during your flight leg (IFR enroute, approach practice, mountain flying, night flying, making crop circles, etc.)
I will start a list, and we will circle back around April or May with some planning and will request confirmation and funds at that time!
I hope you can join us on a truly epic adventure!
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That's about everything I know for the moment. Let's kick off a great year of flying!
Blue Skies,
- Mike
