Page 1 of 14 Fitchburg Pilots Association EAA Chapter 1454 Newsletter Inside This Issue FPA / EAA 1454 Officers FPA / EAA 1454 Committee Members and Chair FPA Membership News: March 2016 Upcoming Events Oshkosh Planning New Experiences !! Crossword !! Have you Been There, Done That? Flight Safety Corner Classifieds Next FPA Meeting is: Tuesday March 8th at 7:00PM (6:00PM food) Key Organization Links www.fitchburgpilots.org www.meetup.com/fitchburgpilots www.fitchburgairport.com www.eaa.org www.aopa.org www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_c ertification/aircraft_registry/reregistration/ www.massdot.state.ma.us/Aeronautics Monthly Featured Link www.aopa.org/aopalive/ www.skyvector.com Key Weather Links www.aviationweather.gov www.usairnet.com Key Reference Links www.fltplan.com www.airnav.com www.flightaware.com www.pilotgeek.com www.skyvector.com March 2016 President’s Welcome Let’s go fly and have some fun! Mark Estabrook - N79818 President, Fitchburg Pilots Association EAA Chapter 1454 It has been an interesting set of weather patterns as we yo-yoed up and down the thermometer this past month. Add to that snow, rain and ice and we’ve had a rough time progressing the hanger construction. I’m optimistic that March will bring in more consistent weather and we will move more quickly towards completion. Thanks to the continued support of various people and companies (Autumn Air) to help with snow clearing in particular. All the help is appreciated. Bill Gruber did an amazing presentation at our last meeting on flying to and from Canada. He learned from the intrepid Dave Murphy who has a great deal of international flying experience. Fortunately for us, Bill was kind enough to pass his knowledge and experience on to us. Bill’s presentation slides and a pre- prepared checklist are up on the Meetup site so if you missed the presentation live you can, at least, review the slides. If anyone is inspired to fly to Canada this year be sure to let us know how it went. We are always looking for more “Pilot Stories”. At our March meeting, we will have our first WINGs program of the year: “Are you Losing Control” presented by FAAST team representative Kenneth MacDonald and hosted by FAAST team manager Jim Adams. The focus of the presentation is on loss of control accidents in GA and their prevention. As usual dinner is at 6PM, presentation at 7PM in the Bullock hanger at KFIT. Please join us – and bring a friend. Don’t forget to register on the Meetup site (so we can plan food) and also pre-register on the FAA website for wings credit. Thanks to Jim Bisson for setting this up for us!
Transcript
P a g e 1 of 14
Fitchburg Pilots AssociationEAA Chapter 1454Newsletter
Inside This Issue
FPA / EAA 1454 Officers
FPA / EAA 1454 Committee Members and Chair
FPA Membership News: March 2016
Upcoming Events
Oshkosh Planning
New Experiences
!! Crossword !!
Have you Been There, Done That?
Flight Safety Corner
Classifieds
Next FPA Meeting is:Tuesday March 8th at 7:00PM (6:00PM food)
President’s WelcomeLet’s go fly and have some fun!
Mark Estabrook - N79818
President, Fitchburg Pilots Association EAA Chapter 1454
It has been an interesting set of weather patterns as we yo-yoedup and down the thermometer this past month. Add to thatsnow, rain and ice and we’ve had a rough time progressing thehanger construction. I’m optimistic that March will bring in moreconsistent weather and we will move more quickly towardscompletion. Thanks to the continued support of various peopleand companies (Autumn Air) to help with snow clearing inparticular. All the help is appreciated.
Bill Gruber did an amazing presentation at our last meeting onflying to and from Canada. He learned from the intrepid DaveMurphy who has a great deal of international flying experience.Fortunately for us, Bill was kind enough to pass his knowledgeand experience on to us. Bill’s presentation slides and a pre-prepared checklist are up on the Meetup site so if you missed thepresentation live you can, at least, review the slides. If anyone isinspired to fly to Canada this year be sure to let us know how itwent. We are always looking for more “Pilot Stories”.
At our March meeting, we will have our first WINGs program ofthe year: “Are you Losing Control” presented by FAAST teamrepresentative Kenneth MacDonald and hosted by FAAST teammanager Jim Adams.
The focus of the presentation is on loss of control accidents in GAand their prevention. As usual dinner is at 6PM, presentation at7PM in the Bullock hanger at KFIT. Please join us – and bring afriend. Don’t forget to register on the Meetup site (so we canplan food) and also pre-register on the FAA website for wingscredit. Thanks to Jim Bisson for setting this up for us!
P a g e 2 of 14
FPA / EAA 1454 Officers
FPA / EAA 1454 Committee Members and Chair
FPA / EAA 1454 Key Contributors
Please note: Any member can be emailed through the Members Section of our FPA Meetup Site
THIS WEATHER IS, WELL, JUST WEIRD. We’ve had a few minus 15 degree days and a week later a few 60-degree days
with howling winds. Daylight savings time is just a week or so away and it’s then time to think about Wednesday night
flyouts for dinner! Ah, Katama here we come…
DUES ARE PAST DUE!As of January 1, your $30 annual dues were due. If you haven’t paid yet, it’s an easy breezy process to take care of dues
by credit card. Just go to www.fitchburgpilots.org, select the membership tab and click on the “Pay Now” button. No needfor a PayPal account. Just a credit card. If you’re unsure of whether you’ve paid for this year, please send me an email at
[email protected] and I’ll let you know the status of your membership.
NO NEW MEMBERS have joined in the past month, but that often happens in February when things are a little quiet on the
flying front. The FPA hangar will be finished soon (have you checked that out yet?) and by the time we are in there for
meetings, we hope our focus will be back on flying and membership activities, such as flyouts.
YOU MIGHT READ ABOUT AERO DAY somewhere else here, but repeating the information is a good thing. Scheduled for
Sunday June 19th from 9-2, it’s our annual open invitation to area residents to visit their airport and introduce children toaviation through the Young Eagles Program. Come and join us!
PLEASE CONSIDER attending the Airport Commission meetings on the third Wednesday of the month (though it’s been
changed a few times to the fourth Wednesday, so watch the Meetup announcements). The commission isdifferent…VERY different. New commissioners are Clayton Raymond (connected with aviation maintenance) and
Richard Liberatore, who has also served on the City Fire Department. In addition, the new City of Fitchburgadministration is represented, including Mayor Stephen DiNatali, Council President Michael Kushmerek and City Solicitor
Vincent Pusateri. It’s been close to wonderful (certainly enlightening) with them all there during the past two months and Ithink there’s a real promise approaching on the horizon toward a better airport. Stay tuned…
Miscellaneous notes:A link to our new FPA merchandise site is on Meetup (lower left side of the home page showing an FPA hat). Check itout! You can see hats, shirts, jackets and other neat stuff all with the FPA logo. The items are priced reasonably and
really nice. Note to women: the sizes run a bit small, so if you wear a small, try a medium this time. See more athttp://fitchburgpilotsassoc.qbstores.com/ where special pricing is shown – 25% discount!
If you’re interested in reviewing the monthly treasurer report – I post it every month on Meetup in the “files” section andbring copies to meetings.
We’re showing 115 members in FPA/EAA 1454 (only 50 who are current with their 2016 dues), and most of those are
registered on our scheduling/event web site at www.meetup.com/fitchburgpilots. All of us are involved in aviation onsome level and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know most of you.
Our somewhat flexible policy about Meetup: FPA uses Meetup to schedule its activities and is a benefit open to FPA members
only. However, a three-month trial membership on Meetup is offered to new people who are interested in aviation but not sure about
joining FPA. It provides an opportunity to learn what kinds of events and activities FPA has to offer.
Our future, as well as the future of aviation, lies in the participation and creative action of all members. We welcome area pilots,student pilots, pilot wannabes, their families and others interested in aviation. We especially welcome the new ideas that come in thedoor with every one of you.
Future Scholarship Program in Jeopardy.FPA members have supported an annual aviation scholarship for about a decade and it is one of the keytenants of our mission statement.
P a g e 4 of 14
However, that was all before we began our ambitious work on the hangar project. Because of the cost of ourfuture hangar, funds contributed earlier, in part directed toward scholarships, were by necessity diverted to the
hangar project. That decision was fiscally responsible. But, without added scholarship funds, that decision hasreduced the current balance in potential scholarship donations to approximately $1,200, or enough for one more
full year ($1,000) of an FPA scholarship.
With FPA leadership doing everything in their power to fund our top priority project, members should also beaware of the concern of the members of the Scholarship Committee that 2017 may see the end of one of our
key missions, offering scholarship support to students aiming toward aviation-related careers.
To forestall the demise of FPA scholarships, the Scholarship Committee has applied for a grant from theCommunity Foundation of North Central Massachusetts to serve as a "bridge" until FPA is in a better financialposition to reinstate our own support for the program.
The $3,000 grant request is in line with other scholarships supported by the Community Foundation for areastudents attending Fitchburg State University, Mount Wachusett Community College and similar institutions. Ifawarded the grant, we would be able to continue to support our scholarship effort for four more years.
Optimistically speaking, FPA should be able to resume support of our scholarship awards thereafter.
Officer’s Report
Treasurer: The detailed list of cash in and cash out is in the last month’s Treasurer’s report that can
be found at: http://www.meetup.com/fitchburgpilots/files
Secretary: The meeting minutes can be found at: http://www.meetup.com/fitchburgpilots/files/
Note: Only FPA members have access to this site
P a g e 5 of 14
Upcoming EventsFor the latest details including new additions visit the FPA Calendar at meetup.com/fitchburgpilots
Fly into Logan - STEM Expo 2016 Program – April 6, 2016
Do not miss the fly in
opportunity of New
England. Once again,
FPA has been invited
to fly into Logan for the
STEM Expo 2016.
They are asking any
and all of us to fly in.
We are hoping the city
mayors will have their
schools participate
which may mean we
have a few extra
passengers.
All landing fees are
waived and food is provided. If you
would like a co-pilot, put it in the
question box upon signing up on
Meetup.
Making this flight annually is a great
way to kick off our flying season as
well. The photo above was taken as
we overflew Boston early in the
morning on our way to Logan.
Come along, and take your own
photos of this rare opportunity!
The sign up deadline for STEM Expo
event is March 25, 2016.
P a g e 6 of 14
Upcoming Events - ContinuedFor the latest details including new additions visit the FPA Calendar at meetup.com/fitchburgpilots
Rusty Pilots Seminar – April 23, 2016
Have you been thinking of getting back into the air, but just can’t find the motivation? Have you been wondering how and where to
start? I was there 3 years ago. After a nearly 10 year hiatus, I’ve became re-involved after my daughter (15 at the time) told me she’d
“like to go flying sometime”. I can personally attest that it is a bit scary to get back into the cockpit after such a long break. But now I
am flying nearly weekly and loving it!
Life may have gotten in the way, but the dream of flight can be yours again. Returning to the skies is not as difficult as most rusty
pilots think. We’re inviting you back in the cockpit and will help you get there. Come and participate in a FREE Rusty Pilots program
with fellow lapsed pilots. We will help you understand what has changed in aviation since you’ve last took the controls and brush up
on your aviation knowledge. The Rusty Pilots program is developed by AOPA in partnership with local flight training providers in
order to create the best environment for getting you back in the air and a part of the general aviation community.
Coming next month, the FCA Flight Center will hold a FREE Rust Pilots Seminar with their very own Chief Pilot/Instructor Jim Powell
(CFII, MEI). The seminar includes 2 hours of ground school that will count for that portion of the Biannual Flight Review (BFR) and
$10/hour off flight instruction (up to 3 hours) for FPA members. If you are not an FPA member,join for $30 and get your money back
while you complete your BFR through FCA while using the $10/hour off discount. The seminar provides Wings program credit.
If you’re a non-flying FPA member or a non-member who wishes to become more involved with a great group of pilots, come get
back into the air to enjoy the amazing freedom of flight like you remember from your first solo!
P a g e 7 of 14
Oshkosh PlanningCary Weber
For all of you Oshkosh-bound folks: now is the time to begin your planning for the summer. Don’t let July 25th sneak upon you! Check out the website: http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure.Things to think about this month are:
Travel arrangements: how will you get there?o Personal plane – anyone offering or needing ride sharing, let me know. There is also a ride share tab on the
Oshkosh website.o Commercial airline – make your reservations; let me know if you’re interested in sharing transportation
to/from Boston and to/from Milwaukee, and we’ll see if there’s a match-up.o Driving – again, ride sharing – let me know.o Horse – you’re on your own…
Lodging:o We can accommodate one more full-time person in the house, and potentially some sleeping bag areas. The
basement is still available Sun through Wednesday. Cost per person will vary depending on how manypeople we have in the house. Let me know. We will, again, be hosting the annual Thursday eveningbarbeque party.
o Camping: UTW (Under The Wing) for those flying in or at Camp Scholler for those coming in on a commercialairline or driving: please make your own arrangements – check the Oshkosh website for information.
o Hotel/motel: please make your own reservations ASAP – the Oshkosh website has information.o College dorms? Don’t know much about that – anyone have any info they’d like to share?
Trivia: Mystery Aviation Person (MAP) of the Month (answer next month):
Check out the pics from Oshkosh 2002 (a younger and thinner version of me was part of an Electric Airplane projectgroup). Who is the guy in the red shirt? Hint: he attempted and failed to break the time-to-climb to 12000 meter recordfor a single-engine, home-built airplane at Oshkosh 2002 but succeeded later that same year in Palm Springs, CA. Healready held the absolute altitude world record in class, and beat that by 11%, also in Palm Springs, CA. (He was slated tobe one of our test-pilots but alas, our plane never flew).
P a g e 8 of 14
New ExperiencesMark Estabrook
I travel quite a bit for work, but a recent trip to New Zealand was a first for me. I’ve often readthat New Zealand is quite GA friendly. So, with the encouragement of Glen Reinhardt, I decidedto do something new, take an afternoon off from work, rent a Cessna 172 (with instructor) andtake an hour ‘tour’ of the island. Ok – it’s a country, not just an island. My tour would be of the
local area which included a few islands off the coast as well.
The water in the toilet bowl may swirl counter clockwise (it really does – I checked!) butGA in New Zealand is pretty much the same as here in the US. The process of rentingand flying was easy and informal, with friendly, competent people, well maintainedaircraft and a nice airport with two flight schools and even a DC-3 hanging around. Irented Cessna 172 ZK-TAP w/160 HP engine from the Ardmore Flying School at ArdmoreAerodrome (about 20 miles south of Auckland center). Although the runway was listedin meters, the 172 gauges were all feet and knots (whew!). The experience was great.
With the instructor (Alex) handlingall the radio communications andnavigation, I could just enjoy theflying and scenery. To top it off, Igot to make my first grass striplanding on our return to Ardmore.Mooney’s do not like grass landingstrips – or at least my insurancecompany doesn’t!
I’ll look to do this again, even if it’s just within the US in a newstate. It’s a great way to stay in touch with flying even whentraveling, see more of the local area, and gain new experiences. It’sall about the flying and the fun!
Let’s all have fun and fly no matter where we are!
A Sense of CommunityShelby Scorse
I distinctly remember the first time I was with a group of pilots and an airplane flew overhead.The sound of engines in the sky made the entire group look up. There was this moment wherewe were all thinking the same thing – “Oh, Cool!” and…more special, “I’m not the only one who
looked up!” For many of us, that day in Oshkosh, with a bunch of Air Academy campers, was the first time I had beenaround that many other people interested in what I was interested in – aviation – and it was inspiring. We quicklylearned that we had a common ground. Some wanted to be pilots, some already were, others were interested inmaintenance, ATC or just weren’t sure yet. It didn’t matter. Those who knew WWII aircraft taught those who did not andthose who had fixed float plane experience explained the associated complications.
It was during this trip that I first realized that there really is an aviation community. I wasn’t the only person on theplanet trying to get my pilot certificate. Now, on days when I don’t think I can handle one more weathered flight or Iwant to tell somebody about the crazy transmission I heard over the radio, I have people to talk to. That kind ofcommunity is critical in the world of aviation. The flying groups we belong to, in one way or another, EAA, AOPA, FPA,etc. end with the key word - association. That sense of community and association is critical to maintaining our interestand excitement in this amazing gift we call aviation. Keep up the good work FPA!
P a g e 9 of 14
!! Crossword !!
Every newsletter should have a crossword, right? I just had too much fun with this, so here’s one for you to try.
Answer key at the end of the newsletter. Good luck!
Across5. airplane body6. clothes for your legs8. yaw control13. you are here14. engine cover16. not spelled with an "e"18. the end19. plane boss20. conventional21. pitch control22. fuel eater25. kerosene burner26. tail feathers27. castering?29. less is only better when you’re on fire30. roll control31. airport business32. intentional cross control
Down1. round oil eater2. electromagnetic transducer3. lift control4. lift maker5. our home base7. good on the cake, not the wings9. paved or grass?10. I can see11. fuel control12. true, pressure, density15. pilot cooler17. I can't see20. power control23. steam or glass (plr)24. clear dome overhead28. VFR map
P a g e 10 of 14
Have you Been There, Done That?Thanks to our friend Dave Dion, we have a new section in our Newsletter. I encourage all members to submit their aerial
photos of places you’ve been to see if your fellow pilots have Been There, Done That?
A - The first one, I can personally say that, yes, I have
been there, done that. You?
Bring your crampons or ice skates!
B - Next we move south. Hint: about 1 hour South of FIT
near coastal waters. Name the big boat and its location.
C - Finally, a bit more south. Hint: less than 1 hour
Southeast of FIT on a river. What are those shadows
lurking in the depths and where are they located?
P a g e 11 of 14
Flight Safety CornerPilot items of interest to support your refresher training and flight safety
Emergency DescentBy Dave Dion, FPA Safety Committee Chair
The situation: You are at altitude when you smell something burning and then there is smoke in the cockpit so youMUST descend ASAP. What is your plan for an emergency descent?
After a brief hiatus from the Practical Test Standards (PTS), the latest PTS version includes the requirement to performan emergency descent (the idea is to lose altitude as quickly as possible while still maintaining aircraft control andsafety).
Excerpt from page 63 of the PTS:
Emergency Descent (ASEL and ASES)
Objective: To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements relatedto an emergency descent.
2. Recognizes situations, such as depressurization, cockpitsmoke, and/or fire that require an emergency descent.
3. Establishes the appropriate airspeed and configurationfor the emergency descent.
4. Exhibits orientation, division of attention, and properplanning.
5. Maintains positive load factors during the descent.6. Completes appropriate checklists.
Google search “emergency descent” and you’ll finddifferent views for performing an emergency descent,including:
A straight ahead or turning descent not to exceed Vno (maximum structural cruising speed - normal operatingrange upper end of the green arc), or if in turbulent air, at Va (rough air maneuvering speed)
An idle, flaps down (high drag) circling spiral at 30 to 40 degrees bank not to exceed Vfe (flaps extension speed)
Please consult our FPA CFIs for their trusted views on emergency descent… and have a plan for your emergency descent if needed.
You would rather be taking this photo than the alternative in thissituation.
See this link for this guy’s story.
P a g e 12 of 14
Classifieds
Practically new Harley-Davidson Motorcycle2012 - FLD - DYNA Switchback. $13,500.Only 1,480 miles from new.Sunburst Red6 additions:V & H muffler. Have new original.Harley - chrome side panels.
Have new original.Harley - speedo/tach combined.Harley - oil pressure gauge.Harley - backrest.Harley - twin passing lights.I will ride it to show it.
Contact Peter Kettle – 978-868-6508
For Sale by Louise Anderson: Tom and I will be downsizing this summer and we have some really nice items forsale. Please email me at [email protected] for details
Full-Sized Bed 54x75, made by This End Up.Perfect condition, we’ve used this as anoccasional guest bed. Linens included if youwould like them. $200
Book cubbies: These have been sitting on a shelf for awhile and have held all our children’s books, photoalbums and reference books. Perfect for this application,they can be rearranged any way you want. $100
P a g e 13 of 14
Classifieds - continued
Crossword - Answer Key
Across5. airplane body - fuselage6. clothes for your legs - pants8. yaw control - rudder13. you are here - navigation14. engine cover - cowling16. not spelled with an "e" – hangar (you had to be at the last
meeting to get this one)18. the end - terminal19. plane boss - PIC20. conventional - tailwheel21. pitch control - elevator22. fuel eater - engine25. kerosene burner - jet26. tail feathers - rectrix27. castering? – nose wheel29. less is only better when you’re on fire - fuel30. roll control - aileron31. airport business - FBO32. intentional cross control - slip
Down1. round oil eater - radial2. electromagnetic transducer - antenna3. lift control - flaps4. lift maker - wing5. our home base - Fitchburg7. good on the cake, not the wings - icing9. paved or grass? - runway10. I can see - VMC11. fuel control - mixture12. true, pressure, density - altitude15. pilot cooler - propeller17. I can't see - IMC20. power control - throttle23. steam or glass (plr) - instruments24. clear dome overhead - canopy28. VFR map - sectional
Desk—30x60 metal with wood grain top, nicecondition. We bought used and it’s done well.Keyboard drawer and one file drawer. With chair,$100 Without chair $50
Bunk bed set made by This End Up. Used very sparinglyover the past several years, this is a perfect set forchildren, teenagers or a dorm room. Excellentcondition and virtually indestructible. Includes twobunks, bureau and ladder. Shown is the L-Shapeconfiguration, but it can be set up in the traditionalway. Linens included if you want them. $750
P a g e 14 of 14
Sponsor Page
FPA Store
Buy your FPA Merchandisehere!
WX at KFIT by US AirNet.com
Quick look at current Wx. We ago/no go on fly outs?
FCA Flight Center
Flight Training 7days a week.BFR's, IFR, Wings, Online
Scheduling
BABINEAU Insurance Agency
An experienced team who cananalyze the various options
open to you
Autumn Air Services
Autumn Air Services maintainsall types of aircraft.
WEBSTER FIRST Federal Credit Union
One of the strongest creditunions in Massachusetts.
JN Phillips Auto Glass
Because there's a lot morebehind your windshield than
you think.
Charley Valera, Laer Realty Partners
Service only another pilot canoffer.
EAA
Our parent organization.
FAA Safety Wings Programs
This Wings site that has had anoverhaul. Looks and flies easy.
Try it!
GA Serves America
Go here to learn more aboutAOPA's GA Serves America.
