Nice weather abounds, oh my.
The VFR Waypoint puzzler from earlier has created quite a bit of chatter in the office. 4 of us finally sat down yesterday and sorted out some definitive answers.
In fact, wouldn't you know it, the answer was already on the chart itself!
Oh ho ho, so here's the deal from AOPA:
VFR waypoints should be used as a tool to supplement current navigation procedures. Pilots are strongly encouraged to rely on aeronautical charts published specifically for visual navigation. If operating in a terminal area, pilots should take advantage of the TAC available for that area.
Any waypoints intended for use during a given flight should be entered into the navigation receiver in sequence prior to departure. Once airborne, pilots should avoid programming routes or waypoint chains into their receivers.
When filing VFR flight plans, pilots may use the five letter identifier as a waypoint in the "route of flight" box if there will be a course change at that point or if it is used to describe the planned route of flight. This procedure is similar to the way VORs would be used in describing a route.
Finally, pilots must use the waypoints only when operating under VFR conditions. Anytime cloud clearance or flight visibility diminishes below minimums, VFR flight should be terminated immediately.
And some things you are NOT to do:
VFR waypoints should not be used as a sole or primary means of visual navigation. Use of these waypoints, as one of many supplemental sources to navigation, will increase proper situational awareness.
The five-letter identifier shall not be used in communications with ATC facilities. ATC will not be required to be familiar with VFR waypoint positions or identifiers. However, in communications with ATC, those waypoints used in conjunction with VFR reporting points shall be referred to by the visual reporting point name (e.g., "Cessna 12345 is over Blue Lake").
VFR waypoints shall not be used to plan flights under instrument flight rules (IFR). These waypoints will not be recognized by the IFR system and will be rejected for IFR routing purposes.
VFR waypoints used improperly may lead pilots through airspace that requires the pilot to obtain an ATC clearance or airspace that may be restricted or prohibited from civilian operations. Pilots are responsible for using VFR waypoints to ensure a route of flight that is safe and clear of any restrictions.
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More information available here. It is interesting that this initiative is 10 years old...
Some maintenance updates:
Piper 85Y is expected to complete her Annual sometime next week.
Cessna 20U has had her spark plugs cleaned and rotated.
Cessna 17J goes in for 100hr inspection next week.
Cessna 04H is apparently the property of the insurance company while we sort out issues pertaining to a hard landing. Downtime remains indefinite at this moment. More as I know it.
Some office updates:
The Office has changed up staffing for summer:
Beth has returned from San Diego, and will be in the office 5 days per week.
Carlos remains and will be in the office 5 days per week.
This means there will be some overlap with the office power, and we expect communication glitches to be reduced.
In maintenance, our superstar Kamau K is back from his Sophomore year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautics and will be all over the place keeping the planes well-behaved.
It's an all-star cast this year. I'm looking forward to it.
We are evaluating our fleet composition for the year, and 04H's "question-mark" has accelerated this process.
We are considering the following:
04H repaired or replaced with another 172M/N/P of similar make
20U taken offline and replaced with another 172R (like 1ES)
Addition of another 172M/N/P or another 150L+
This result in a single 172F, 1 or 2 150s, 1 or 2 mid-age 172's, 2 R models, and the balance of the fleet.
I'm interested in any thoughts on the matter. We are early and open to ideas on the matter -- but I think we all know that we're due for an addition to the line.
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Until next time --
Blue Skies,
- Mike
