Osh Kosh Anyone?

Pilots,

As some of you may recall, we did a trip to Osh Kosh, aka "Aviation Mecca" last year. 4 FlyC Hooligans took the trek in my S35 Bonanza, pro rata, sharing flight time and accommodations. We rented a gorgeous house right next to the airport (within easy walking distance to the show), and stayed for 5 days, making a nice 8 day trip out of it.



The cross-country flying is glorious, and we took about 22 hours there and back, encountering bumpy cumulus, a nasty thunderstorm with 40kt gust front, crossing the rockies, UFO hunting over Roswell, and of course, the simply insane 32-page AirVenture Arrival NOTAM.

It's something to add to your bucket list, for sure. Here's what I know at the moment:

The show starts Monday, July 27 and ends the following Sunday, August 2. We typically will plan to depart California on Sunday morning on the 26th, although it will depend on everyone's schedule.

We will plan to fly 3 or 4 legs there, at 3 hours apiece, either over 1 or 2 days, depending on stamina, selection of mp3s and in-flight movies, and fatigue levels. Weather will dictate much of the actual plan.




We can use either 85Y (if she's out of maintenance - ha ha) or my Bonanza, or if another aircraft owner wants to go and has something better to offer, that.

We can plan to leave Wisconsin Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Headwinds dominate the return, typically, however, if it's anything like last year, we will do it in one day because we all wanted to go HOME.

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Last year, with fuel at rude prices, the pro-rata portion was just under $500 apiece, and the lodging was $100 per night in a shared 5-bedroom house. Everyone got 6 or 7 hours' time (I flew right seat the entire time, except for the arrival and departure), with safety piloting or actual IMC available if you are in training for your IFR rating, and you will log either High Performance + Complex time, or Multi-Engine time, depending on the ship we use.



Anyway, if you are interested in going, drop me a line at mike@flycorona.com and I'll see if we have a serious headcount to get things going. It was a blast, and we'd love to do it again this year.

For photos from last year, and to get an idea of what 200 acres of Aviation nuts, plus hourly airshows that defy description, along with a constant stream of 12-at-a-time landings with 8-at-a-time departures... check out the following link:

http://flycorona.com/thumb/

And click on "osh2008"

Blue Skies,

- Mike

New wings!

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating the newest U.S. Private Pilot in the world, Lisa L., who earned her wings yesterday with DPE Ken Earl in Cessna 1ES.

Way to go, Lisa!



In other news,

The planes are making a maintenance face at us. Here's what I know:

Cessna 630 is down pending investigation of low oil pressure. We expect downtime either through tomorrow (Saturday) or potentially next week if we find something nasty.

Cessna 68U is wrapping up her 100hr, and we hope for a return early next week. We have been delayed by parts.

Cessna 20U is running great. Thanks, 20U!

Cessna 1ES is running great. Thanks, 1ES!

Cessna 17J is humming along fine. Thanks, 17J!

Cessna 25R continues to baffle mechanics both here and in Oakland where she has been vacationing for 3 weeks now. There is talk now of opening the engine to investigate, and if we do that, we will continue to a full overhaul, which will spell 4 more weeks of downtime.

Why would we overhaul an engine before it is due? Opening an aircraft engine, and the necessary inspections amounts to an $8,000 undertaking. To replace necessary parts while we are there, and convert it to a full major overhaul, only adds an additional $5,000. We think 5 grand now will provide proven reliability later -- so we may just bite the bullet. 25R's engine is just past mid-life at 1,300 hours.

More as I know it on this topic.

Piper 85Y is wrapping up her Annual. If our distractions subside, we expect her return in 2 or 3 weeks' time.

Woof.



To add insult to injury, June Gloom is here! Mornings through 11 or noon have been socked in with fog, which returns later in the night at around 10. Limited opportunities for blue skies, but the instrument flyers are lapping it up!

Fly Safe!

- Mike

Tee Eff Arr!

With an accent on Arr!

Pilots!

The Federal Airspace pirates have seized a juicy slice of sky for a "VIP" TFR, centered over LAX tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday this week. Stay east, or Maverick will be paying you a visit. You know the drill.



I am scratching my head as to why it is now a "VIP Notam" instead of a "Presidential TFR". Strange.

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In other news,

Negotiations continue on 2 different aircraft.

Cessna 68U is in for 100hr. Downtime is expected to last throughout the week, as we have some major preventative items we would like to tackle while June gloom is around.

Cessna 630 will be in for her 100hr this week or next.

Cessna 20U is humming.

Cessna 04H was trucked out to Dallas, never to return. :( That was a sadder day than when Rose, Corona's DC-3 left in 2007.

Cessna 1ES is cruising along, finished with her 100hr.

Cessna 17J is styling after her 100hr.

Cessna 25R is still trapped up north. We have ordered a box of middle fingers to be delivered to those mechanics, who are taking advantage of our remoteness, and are being incredibly rude over the affair.

Piper 85Y is continuing her annual, with completion hinted at a week or two, but probably three..

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Mornings are gloomy of late -- book accordingly!



We are wrapping up a lot of our operational procedure rework, and are now ready to entertain some summer projects. Any ideas (and you may post them here anonymously in the comments if you like, or drop us an Email) you might have on how to improve Fly Corona and keep it the most friendly and fun place to fly -- we'd love to hear them!

Projects we are about to complete include:

New "no-show" policy restrictions on the CFIs.
New maintenance procedures in the hangar.
Adding Recurring AD's to the AVIATE sheets.
Adding pilot credentials to the schedule, and restricting bookings accordingly.
New "grounded away from home base" procedures, contacts, and policies.

What else have ya got?

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Blue Skies,

- Mike