Archive
for April, 2011
First Solo – Dick Chang!
Apr 21 2011Dick Chang
Congratulations to our brave CFI Dick Chang who, not satisfied with his wings being fixed, went and soloed a helicopter. Well done Dick!
Question of the day: “If helicopters are safe, how come there are no antique helicopter fly-ins?” 😉
News: Garmin GTN 650 coming for Cessna 98485
Apr 19 2011We are installing the new Garmin GTN 650 touch screen WAAS IFR GPS in Cessna 485, and we plan to install them in our other GPS challenged Cessnas over time. The first unit has arrived, we re just waiting for the CDI display and the shop slot. Hopefully 98485 will be done before the start of May.
Garmin GTN 650
What is the GTN 650?
It is Garmin’s replacement for the GNS430W. No more twiddling knobs, everything is accessed from the touch screen! Full WAAS capability including LPV and GPS approaches as well as all the usual ILS/VOR and communications capabilities. So instrument students and instrument rated pilots will not be limited to airports that have an ILS or VOR approach, but virtually any local airport will be open to them.
For example, Salinas has a GPS approach to runway 13 with minimums of 455′ agl and an LPV approach to 31 with a DA of 200′ agl, Hollister has an LPV approach with minimums of just 323′ agl, Reid Hillview LPV 31R minimums are only 379′ AGL)
Of course, VFR pilots can use it too.
There will be a learning curve, so I suggest you start preparing now:
Here’s a link to the Garmin manuals download page.
Here’s a link to Garmin’s training center videos.
I am looking forward to trying it out!
News: Presidential TFR in Bay Area April 20-21
Apr 18 2011The Commander In Chief is coming!
What does that mean to us? It means that wherever he is there is a 30 nautical mile ring with flights restricted, and inside that a 10nm ring where flights are prohibited.
You can still fly, just check the NOTAMS before you go. If you are a student, or just unfamiliar with these TFRs, this is a great opportunity to go up with your instructor and learn what is involved.
You do not want to see one of these on your wing! Read on for what you need to do.
F-16 Fighting Falcon
If the NOTAM published today stays unchanged, Reid Hillview will only be inside the outer ring, and then only from 1pm to 4:15pm on Wednesday April 20th. But remember, politicians have a way of not sticking to their published schedules 😉
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ACTUAL NOTAM
Since we will only be in the outer 30nm ring, flights are not prohibited, but they do have some restrictions.
In particular, patternwork, loitering and maneuverinmg flights are not permitted. You can leave the area and you can return. But you must have a valid activated flight plan and a transponder with Mode C and your assigned code BEFORE you take off, or before you reenter the 30nm ring on your way back. You cannot just call ground for a code, you must have filed your plan beforehand with Flight Service. The plan has to be activated before you take off – no taking off first and then calling FSS. You can ask Ground to activate it if they are not too busy, or you can use your cell phone to tell FSS when you will be taking off.
When no longer in contact with RHV tower it would be best to be in contact with NORCAL for flight following. If that is not practical, don’t just switch off your radio, be sure to monitor 121.5. Even if you do not get called, you may well hear the Air Force calling some hapless pilot who forgot.
If you fly into the outer ring of the TFR without following the rules, you WILL be intercepted and you WILL lose your license for at least 90 days. You might like to review the intercept procedures. Don’t ask what happens if you cross the 10nm line!
So please, we do not like to read about our pilots in the papers, at least not for this sort of thing.
And remember the Pilot in Command is responsible for ensuring the flight can be conducted safely and legally.
New Pilot: Arnold Failano
Apr 02 2011
Arnold Failano Private Pilot
Congratulations to Arnold Failano who joined the ranks of certified pilots after a checkride with Examiner Sherry Diamond in Salinas. Arnold trained with Tom Conklin and Mike Popovitch in a Cessna 172. Well done Arnold, and also thanks to Tom and Mike.
Cherokee 180
Not only that, but Arnold has bought a Cherokee together with another AeroDynamic graduate, Richard Miller. We wish them both many happy hours of flight in their new airplane!