Prez Sez
Are you current? Have you taken advantage of the nice weather yet to do a little flying? May looks like it will be a great month to do some flying. A lot of you have already told me about your plans for this years trips and it looks like we will have a great year. Some people are planning to go to the air shows around the area. This is always a fun time especially if there are a few planes going. Some people are talking about going to Canada fishing for a few days, others are looking at a golf trip for a day or two. The choices are limitless. Being a pilot allows you many choices to take a plane and have some fun.
Training
Student Pilots: the summer season is upon us and you are all working to do your solo flights and get the requirements for your private licenses completed. This is a big step in your training and requires a lot of things to fall into place at the right time. The biggest variable is the weather. Not only are ceilings and visibility a concern, but we also have to contend with the wind. Although these variables are out of your control you should watch the weather and schedule an airplane when it looks promising. Mornings and late afternoon are sometimes the best time for flying, especially since it stays light so late. Even if the forecast is for bad weather, get on the schedule; the weathermen have not been very good on their forecasting. The morning may be bad but by late afternoon the sun is out and it is beautiful. Work with your instructor on weather prediction, it will speed your training along. On a similar note the Front Desk cannot dispatch an airplane for solo flight unless all the required paper work and endorsements are in place. Be sure that you have reviewed the flight with your instructor and have the proper endorsements in your log book. You should also check with the Front Desk to see if your instructor or another instructor will be here to sign you out when you are ready to solo. This is especially important on a busy day when the weather is perfect for flying.
Upcoming Events
5/12 Dinner Fly-out is on May 12th to Sheboyan (SBM). We will depart at 4PM on Saturday. Check out all the fly-outs and trips at the web site.
5/26 DVI Aviation, a firm specializing in aircraft accident investigations, has offered to share with our flying club a professional training program on General Aviation Command Training. DVI Aviation has developed this unique program to allow general aviation pilots the opportunity to explore and understand their own behaviors and reactions to unexpected circumstances. Contrary to popular opinion, good judgment can be taught. It's a known fact of aviation that, every year, approximately 75% of all aircraft accidents are caused by pilot error, with a very large number the direct result of poor decisions. The good news is that making superior decisions about flying doesn't require superhuman skill or exceptional judgment—just the ability to anticipate and recognize basic problems, and then take timely action to correct them. Practice, planning, and good judgment can improve the odds tremendously.
Command Training is divided into: 1) half day event (ground school) that focuses on developing individual command skills and gaining an in-depth perspective on the how Human Factors relates to air safety, and 2) applying these techniques in the cockpit (in-flight) to solve scenarios based upon accident statistics. The space is limited for this class and a charge of $350.00 for the ½ day ground school will be charged. The flight portion will be with your instructor and charged at the aircraft and instructor rate. The ground class will be scheduled for May 26th at 9AM in the Museum. If you are interested let the front desk know, pre-registration will be required.
5/28 We will be closed Memorial Day, Monday May 28th.
6/2 6/3 The A&M Aviation, Inc. Open House and Cavalcade of New Airplanes will be held June 2nd and June 3rd at the airport. We are expecting a very good turn out this year and we will have many new planes on display. This year we will also have a used airplane display (aircraft for sale). The Museum will also be open with many neat items. Food will also be available. The Cavalcade continues to grow each year; we expect this year to be even better than last year. Mark your calendar and we hope to see you on the ramp.
Pilot Reminders
Summer is almost here and the next few months we will have daylight well into the evening. The evening is a great time to fly. Schedule those 6PM and 8PM slots they are great during the week. The winds start to subside, the sun starts to go down and the temperature cools off a bit. Get checked out in one of the Cessna 182, Archer, Bonanza, or the Beech, these are usually available and are great trip airplanes. They can be booked for multiple day trips.
Mentoring Program – Want to go on a trip but you’re uncomfortable with the weather, flying solo, the airspace or going someplace new for the first time? Our solution is to rent an instructor for the day. For only $250.00 a day plus expenses you can have the qualified co-pilot to assist you or provide training on your flight. Remove the anxiety and uncertainty that may be keeping you from that next trip. Build up your confidence and get the most from the pilot license you worked so hard to get.
We also offer accelerated Instrument, Private, and Multi-engine courses along with accelerated CFI courses. These are designed to get your rating in a time frame that matches your goals. Our instructors are flexible and can work with you to complete your next rating. Why go to Florida or Arizona to do what you can do in your own back yard? Stop in and see me to discuss your needs and my staff and I will make it happen.
Join us on Facebook, become a friend and be kept up to date on events each day. Newsletters from previous months are available on our web site, if you missed a month. Both of these are available in the left column.
Happy Flying,JIM