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JCRC COMMUNITY OUTREACH REPORT Several months ago the Palo Alto Airport Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC) commissioned a Community Outreach Report to gather community opinions on the airport’s operations and future. Among other issues the report details options for siting and development of a new terminal building, and related community and environmental considerations. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to be informed about current and future issues relating to the Palo Alto Airport. A pdf version of the report can be downloaded at http://www.zachary.com/jcrc/.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
ACHIEVEMENTS
Solo
Private
Instrument
Single Engine Commercial Add-On
Single Engine Sea
The Proud CFIs:
Other Good News:
NEW MEMBERS
Beth Fleming
SUGGESTION BOX
Do you have a suggestion or a bit of feedback for the club? Send it to whatsup@wvfc.org.
THE FLYER
The Flyer is the monthly newsletter of the West Valley Flying Club. For more information about the club, please call our Palo Alto office at (650) 856-2030, or our San Carlos office at (650) 595-5912. For information about the newsletter, or to submit an article, contact the Editor at whatsup@wvfc.org.
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by Josh Smith, General Manager
I have to admit that some of these gorgeous days have passed me by, as it seems I fly a desk a lot more than a plane these days, which, by the way, is easy for the straight and level but very hard in steep turns. This is not some passive aggressive attempt at sympathy; I actually do still get to slip the surly bonds of earth 1-2 times a week, which keeps a smile on my face and keeps my mind in the instructional frame. What has kept this time particularly busy is the work that goes into planning for this organization in fiscal 2004. There are a lot exciting things that we are looking at for the next fiscal year:
The prepayment of dues option ended January 31. Those who participate in this program lower their monthly dues to $45 a month. In addition, if you fly 3 hours in a month, you also receive the $10 safety incentive the following month. These two combined can keep monthly dues at $35 per month. Finally, if you enroll with the AOPA card and charge your monthly dues to this card, you receive 5% back on your flying and your dues, maxing out at $200 per year. Participating in as many of these programs as possible can significantly reduce costs.
I am looking forward to the new year. We have a lot on our plates, and a lot of exciting things to implement. As always, this is a community, and we are always looking for suggestions and elbow grease.
In making these plans we have found that are several areas we could use some help in. These are described in the following list, along with contact information for the person managing that project. If you are interested in volunteering, please get in touch!
The open board meeting was held on January 27. At that meeting the initiation fee was lowered permanently to $75. Initiation will still be free to students and to those joining from other flying clubs. In addition, the Associate dues will be lowered back to $10/month starting February 1.
A NOTE FROM THE FRONT DESK
by Joel Harris, Operations Manager
March is just around the corner and the desk is gearing up for spring flying.. We will be closing at 5pm until late March, then will be moving to a 6pm closing for the spring.
A large project in the works for winter and early spring is a major facelift for the SQL office. We are working now on a more efficient floor plan, space utilization, and more attractive decorating. If any members have some thoughts, suggestions or are willing to help with painting, carpeting, etc. please contact Joel at extension #103.
The Club is having some specials for aircraft checkouts, a 10% discount on pilot supplies, and membership promotions for new members coming from other flying clubs. Please call the desk or check the website for details.
We have hired a new Front Desk staff member for Palo Alto. Her name is Joanne, and she is a college student working Monday through Friday. Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself
See you around the Club.
A NOTE FROM ACCOUNTING
by Alex Hansen, Membership Coordinator
Accounting has some good news for WVFC pilots. The best one is the considerable reduction (50%) of Associate monthly dues starting February 1. What used to cost $20/month is now only $10.
The initiation fee and security deposits for new members have also been reduced which, combined with an aggressive advertising campaign, should increase our membership numbers. It is easier to join WVFC now and we plan to get more new students and pilots as a result.
The last day for the Annual Prepayment option for 2004 monthly dues was 1/31/04. Last year’s prepayment campaign was fairly successful with 36 people opting for it and thus helping the club’s cash flow in the slow time of the year. This year we have even better results with at least 61 sign-ups. That’s almost double last year’s number, which Accounting considers to be some very positive feedback. Save money and help your club at the same time… you can’t beat a deal like this.
Forms 1099 have been sent out to aircraft owners with proprietary ownership.
Overall the department has a pretty optimistic outlook and a lot of hope for 2004. We had quite a few improvements applied to our procedures last year and are planning more for this one. And as usual Accounting wishes all the WVFC pilots the best of luck, great weather, and plenty of nice flights.
THE CHIEF’S CORNER
by Ken Frank, Chief Pilot
Technically Advanced Aircraft. This is the FAA wording for Cirrus or any other aircraft like Cirrus. It is located on FAA.gov AFS-600. In part, this says that a section will be placed in the PTS, and that people who get new licenses in this type of plane will have to be tested to this level.
There are only four CSIP instructors in California, and three of them are here. Don Styles, Chuck Hellweg and I have all been trained to this level by Cirrus.
Earlier this month I hosted a meeting of the Phase Check pilots, sales personnel, West Valley maintenance personnel, the person who writes our Cirrus phase checks, and members of the Chief’s Office. We tested and brought ourselves to a higher level of understanding of Cirrus, the FAA’s new requirements, and the flight characteristics of the plane. Those attending will ensure that members presenting themselves for phase checks in the Cirrus also have a better understanding of the plane.
Next, we made the information available to the instructor pilots, and finally we have scheduled a class for those members who have already been checked out. All members who have already been checked out in the Cirrus should attend this free class, which will be held on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm, in the back classroom at Palo Alto.
I have received some emails from members who would like more information on the aircraft. Please give me a call to resolve those questions, or to RSVP for the February 24 class.
ARE YOU LEGAL TO TAKE THE CHECKRIDE?
by John Pyle, DPE
You have aced all your phase checks. You are able to answer any question your CFI throws at you. You fly like an angel. Can you take the practical test now?
WHAT, ME WORRY?
When an applicant does not meet the experience requirements, most DPEs will simply tell him/her that he/she is not ready for the test. Often, the applicant has to pay the full fee for the DPE’s time. Most DPEs do not issue a Notice of Disapproval (pink slip) at that point. FAA inspectors, who also may give checkrides, usually do issue a pink slip when an applicant shows up without all requirements met. It doesn’t work to suddenly remember a flight that you forgot to log that meets the requirement. It must have been logged.
OK, HOW DO I KNOW I AM LEGAL?
KNOWLEDGE TEST
If you are applying for a different class or category rating on your private or commercial certificate, you do not need to take a knowledge test. Say you already hold a Private Pilot Certificate with the rating: Airplane Single Engine Land. Now you want to add multi engine land. In that case, you do not need take a knowledge test. The same holds if you want to add Rotorcraft-Helicopter to your certificate. No knowledge test required.
Keep the knowledge test report. You will need to give it to the pilot examiner when you take the checkride.
CFI’S ENDORSEMENT
I prefer that the CFI write out the words; e.g. “John J Jones has received and logged three hours flight training time within the preceding 60 days in preparation for the practical test.” That is better than “John J. Jones has met the requirements of FAR Part 61.39 (6).” Writing out the requirements tends to help us CFIs review and confirm in our minds that those requirements have indeed been fulfilled. Also it helps me as the DPE, since I can never remember which section/paragraph refers to what.
FLIGHT AND GROUND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
The specific areas of operation that need to be covered in ground and flight training are in 61.107 (private pilot) and 65.65(c) (instrument). It is important that, as with all training received from a CFI, the ground and flight training must be recorded and signed by your CFI in your log book. The ground training (pre- and post-flight) can be recorded in the same entry as the flight, or it can be recorded separately on another page of your log book. In the past, some CFIs were used to logging only flight hours. That has changed.
THE ANSWER
Surely it is the flight instructor’s responsibility to ensure that all the experience requirements have been met. Yes. However, CFIs are human; well, some of us are. As a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) I have more than once had the frustrating experience of an applicant showing up without the required cross-country dual training. Or the solo cross-country did not meet the distance requirements.
The answer is in that regulation that governs pilot testing: FAR Part 61. The FAA’s authority to give the tests is 61.33. The prerequisites for all practical tests (checkrides) are in 61.39. The individual test requirements are in following sections of Part 61. Let’s have a look at some of the 61.39 requirements.
You need to have passed the knowledge test within the preceding 24 calendar months. That’s the test you can take at the WVFC Palo Alto office on one of the three computers in the back room. Usually the knowledge test is required, but not always.
You will usually need 3 endorsements in your logbook, specifically for the test. They are listed under 61.39 (a)(6)(i-iii). The third one is not necessary if you got 100% on your knowledge test or if you did not require a knowledge test.
The experience requirements are covered separately in the section that applies to the certificate or rating you are applying for. For the Private Pilot Certificate it is listed in 61.109. For the Instrument Rating it is in 65.65(d). These are the minimum hours of flight and/or flight training device time.
You are legal to take the checkride if you have met the requirements laid out in Part 61. Whether you are actually ready to take the test is another question that you and your instructor must decide.
HOW TO TELL A FLYING STORY
by Dave Fry, Aviation Safety Counselor.
As you hang around the club, or anywhere pilots gather, for that matter, you will hear flying stories. Some are told by folks with loads of flying experiences. Some are told by less experienced pilots, and their stories can be just as interesting. It’s more in how the story is told than in what actually happened.
Now don’t think for a minute that I’m saying that the facts presented in a good flying story truly differ from reality. I’m shocked that anyone would think such a thing! However, there is a certain amount of poetic license that goes with the territory. But first a couple of rules.
THE SETUP
THE HOOK
THE LINE
The two most common forms of story are the procedural/sequential, and the environmental. In the first, the storyteller describes a series of actions or circumstances that lead to the event of interest. Typically, these are routine actions that one wouldn’t expect to result in anything unusual. The purpose is to lead the listener toward one conclusion while actually setting up a swerve to what really happened – the sting.
Similarly, in the environmental variation, the storyteller describes the environment in which the flight took place, which may seem innocuous until the curveball is set up, and you can proceed with the sting. The environment may be a particular type of weather, a training situation, a flying partner, passenger, ATC controller, instructor or student, or even an unusual bit of geography.
THE STING
The question has the advantage of forcing the listener to continue the dialog rather than boring you with HIS story. It also affords the opportunity to turn a story into a learning experience. Instructors have been known to use this as a method of teaching judgment and emergency procedures.
Rather than a question, one can describe the result of the actions or environment – preferably in a single sentence. Done correctly, it will lead either to another story opportunity, either for you or for one of your listeners.. The one-liner should paint as compelling a picture as the hook does. Examples:
A good flying story has the same elements as a good con or scam (it wouldn’t do to inquire too closely into how I know this).
This is actually the easiest part. Any flying club has the right group of folks hanging around, and if they are already telling flying stories, the entire setup is done. You don’t even need someone to be the cannon, all the marks are clearly visible
The hook takes some serious planning. It should be short, preferably a sentence, and should get the listener to ask the question that allows you to tell the story. Here are some examples that have been known to work:
And these days, you may want to be careful about asking something like, “Have you ever had a couple of F-16s try to fly formation with you? When properly done, the hook is set, and your prospective mark asks the question that allows you to dive into the story.
The line is your chance to tell the majority of the story and, like a good con, is mostly true. It should be based upon the truth, but since your listeners are required to play the game and (at least pretend to) believe you, a certain amount of embellishment is in order. I mean, THEIR stories will certainly bend, stretch and contort the truth, so one needn’t be TOO careful about accuracy at the expense of the story.
This may not be the most important part of the flying story, but just as in the case of the con, it is the object. The sting requires the same level of planning as the hook. The two forms of sting are the question (in which the listener is required to respond to the story with what he or she would have done), and the one-liner (my personal favorite).
CONCLUSION
Finally, it’s important to remember the difference between a fairy tale and a flying story. A fairy tale begins, “Once upon a time...” A flying story begins, “There I was...”
A PROPER INTRODUCTION
by Alex Hansen, Membership Coordinator
That’s what you need when you enter the realm of Aviation for the first time. What do I mean? Well, let’s say you live a normal, regular life but every now and then when you hear an airplane flying overhead you look for it. You search the sky for the source of the sound. Not that you think of flying but you just can’t help looking. Or let’s say you are a teenager who likes roller coasters and fun rides and, you know, that kinda stuff.
Whatever or whomever makes you drift towards it, somehow one day you find yourself at some GA airport all set to find out what it feels like for real – that extolled thing called FLIGHT. No matter who you are, if you do it for the first time (airline flights don’t count) you are at least a little excited. What will it be like – that initial ride?
Recently I had the honor of making such an introduction for a young lady you might know. We all meet her, or at least talk to her on the phone every so often – Joanne Black. Yes, she’s the one who says “West Valley Flying Club” lately if you call the PAO office. One of the advantages of being a WVFC employee is an option of getting a free airplane ride every now and then.
So there she was, standing by the tail of 723CL, bright red parachute on her back. I went on with my spiel of “In case you need to deploy it here’s your D-ring, make sure to pull it all the way forward with both hands…” and so on. This part of acro preflight instruction for passengers never fails to put that apprehensive look on their face, something along the lines of “how in the heck did I allow myself to get into this!”
Still her enthusiasm never failed. We proceeded with the intricacies of getting her into the back seat and strapping that 5-point harness that makes one think back to the times of Flying Fortresses and Mustangs. A 5-pointer has that magic touch, as you might know if you ever tried one on. We get in, put all those belts and buckles together, yell “Clear!” and we are on the roll.
Have you ever introduced anybody to general aviation flying? I mean their very first flight in a small plane. I’d bet most of you have done it. Remember how you wonder what they will be like up there? This time I was about to do not just a regular discovery flight, but a full 3D acro discovery, pulling some Gs and rolling our little world around. The happy “Cool!” in my headsets at 500’ turning crosswind sounded enthusiastic. Cross the hills towards the ocean (and watch your altitude while filling the climb out time with chat) and here’s the coast and we are at 5000’. Clearing turn (make it some 60 degrees roll to hear that “WOW!”) and “Are you ready?” She was.
Nose down, 140, pull! “WOOOW!!!” “How do you feel, you OK?” “Yeah, this is AWESOME! This is better than any roller coaster ride ever!” You better believe it – I will sign this statement as many times as you want me to. “How about some rolls?” “Yeah, let’s go for it!” Point it South along the coast, 130, rock’n’roll! The horizon rolls right and comes back. “COOOOL!” What a girl! So far I’ve never had a more enthusiastic passenger. What else shall we pull today… “Want to do a hammerhead?” “What’s that?” We go straight and level while I use the pilot sign language showing the maneuver with my right hand. “OK, let’s do it.” Nose down, 140, pull and hold it. Nothing around but the Big Blue. “WOOOW!” (boy, I wish we had an Extra in the club, now – left rudder, stick right). We swing like a giant pendulum and the grass and the road swing into view as we point straight down. Now pull up gently – there you are. “How do you like it?” “THIS IS AWESOME! IT’S SO COOL!”.
Well brothers and sisters, isn’t it what we all hope to hear as we try to share our fun with the rest of the world? You bet it is. You hear it and you know that here is one of us. Whether Joanne ever decides on taking lessons and getting the license or not – she’s a natural. The way she picked traffic around – and that with all the rolls and loops – I wish I were that good even as I was well into my private pilot training.
I wasn’t brought up to know the formalities of proper introductions in high society. But I’ll bet that little demo flight was one of the most proper GA introductions ever. If you don’t believe me, ask Joanne.
GROUND SCHOOLS
The club currently has three ground schools in process or starting soon. You may join any ground school mid-session. These courses are open to anyone. Membership at WVFC is not required, so feel free to invite along a non-member friend or acquaintance who is also interested in learning how to fly.
PAO Private Pilot Ground School meets Thursdays from 6:30 pm with instructor Kyp Kypta. The cost for the course is a once-only charge of $100, after which you may attend any and all sessions as often as you like. Next session begins January 8. Contact Kyp by email at lkypta@earthlink.net.
SQL Private Pilot Ground School meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:00 pm with instructors Molly Davis and Lindsay Hanson. The cost is $200. Next session runs January 20 through March 23, 2004. For information, contact Molly Davis at molly_s_davis@hotmail.com; or Lindsay Hanson at linsgrins@hotmail.com.
Instrument Ground School meets Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at PAO with instructor Linda Monahan. The cost is a $200, one-time fee; you may then re-attend this Instrument Ground School as often as you like. Next session starts March 9, 2004. Contact Linda at lindajmonahan@hotmail.com.
SAFETY SEMINARS
GPS for VFR Pilots
Dave Zittin is a flight instructor at West Valley Flying Club. Among other things, he specializes in instruction for airplanes with integrated avionics, such as the New Piper and Cirrus products.
Presented by Dave Zittin, CFI, CFII
February 18, 19:00, San Carlos
The purpose of this seminar is to make the VFR pilot aware of important, easy to use features such as direct-to, flight planning, monitoring the progress of a flight, etc. Concepts presented will be generic to most modern aviation GPS receivers, but examples will be derived from the Garmin 430 and the KLN 89/94 receivers.
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE REPORT
by Torea Rodriguez.
The activities committee has worked hard this winter to plan out events for the entire year of 2004. In order to make these activities a success we need volunteers from the membership for the role of Activity Host or Skills Clinic Host. Being an Activity Host or Skills Clinic Host is really an easy job. Each comes with a handbook of documentation on how to host the particular event. The basic requirements are volunteering a few hours per event to help match people, planes and possible CFIs with the occasional restaurant reservation for Fly-Ins. In addition to the prepared handbook you will have the help of either Torea Rodriguez or Patti Andrews to assist you with the event. The reality is that Torea and Patti can’t host all these activities this year - so we need your help!
If you are interested in hosting an event or helping out, please send an email to Torea Rodriguez (globug@mac.com). The 2004 list of events which need hosts is included below. All event dates are tentative and are flexible. "SS link" denotes events that are planned to coincide with a Safety Seminar.
Thursday - 18-Mar - Tower Tour
Repeat Events needing hosts:
February Activities are as follows:
**Valentine’s Day Special (PAO or SQL) - 14 February**
**Movie Night – 21 February, 19:00**
**Cirrus Member Update – 24 February, 19:00**
**PAO Tower Tour - 25 February, 19:00**
**Ski Trip Weekend (TRK) - 27-29 February **
**2004 Hayward Proficiency Air Race - 13-15 May**
There have been entries from WVFC over the years, and since this is the longest running event of this type in North America, what better place to earn your bragging rights around the club? Participation in the race counts as credit under the FAA's "Wings" Pilot Proficiency Program.
Visit the race web site at www.hwdairrace.org for more information. You may also e-mail the race committee at info@hwdairrace.org. Chris Verbil is heading up this effort for the Hayward Air Race Committee.
Saturday - 10-Apr - Trinity Fly-In
Sunday - 30-May - Castle Open Cockpit Day/Fly-In
Saturday - 5-Jun - Acro Skills Clinic
Saturday - 12-Jun - Tahoe Fly-In - Mtn checkout (SS link)
Sunday - 20-Jun - Columbia Fly-In for Fathers Day
Saturday - 26-Jun - Bravo Transition Skills Clinic (SS link)
Saturday - 3-Jul - Landing Contest SQL
Saturday - 17-Jul - Soft Field Skills Clinic
Saturday - 21-Aug - Rush for Gold Scavenger Hunt
Saturday - 4-Sep - Location TBD Fly-In
Saturday - 9-10 Oct - Shelter Cove Fly-In
Saturday - 16-Oct - SFO Landing Clinic
Saturday - 6-Nov - Night Landing Clinic/recurrency
Saturday - 13-Nov - Mammoth Fly-In
Saturday - 18-Dec - Holiday Party (PA)
Friday - 18-Jun - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 2-Jul - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 16-Jul - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 30-Jul - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 13-Aug - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 27-Aug - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 10-Sep - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 24-Sep - 5:00pm - B&B Friday
Friday - 29-Oct - 7:00pm - Movie or Game Night
Friday - 19-Nov - 7:00pm - Movie or Game Night
Friday - 10-Dec - 7:00pm - Movie or Game Night
Need a plan for Valentine’s Day? Why not share your passion for flying with the person you’re most passionate about? Take your sweetie for a lunch, dinner, Bay tour, acro experience, or any other flight on Valentine’s Day, and the club will get you started with a little romance in the form of a red rose and chocolate truffle waiting for your guest on the passenger’s seat. If you would like your Saturday plane serviced with a rose and chocolate, please let us know by 10am Friday by emailing whatsup@wvfc.org.
Josh Smith will host a movie night on Saturday, February 21. Refreshments will be served, so bring a friend, bring your family, or just bring yourself. Title selection is down to a handful of classics. We will send out an events update to let you know the final choice. Email Josh at jsmith@wvfc.org.
On February 24, the Chief’s Office will provide an update to members previously checked out in the club’s Cirrus aircraft. If you have already completed a Cirrus checkout please contact Ken Frank to RSVP for this important meeting.
It’s been a while since we have been able to do tower visits. The controllers enjoy the company, and visitors get a first hand feel for what goes on in the tower and how flight coordination is done. If you've already visited the tower and want to go again, that's fine. It's fun (and enlightening) to sit back and watch them when they get busy, or to linger when it's slow, and get them to tell you their favorite near-catastrophe stories. If someone brings a box of donuts or a pizza to share, it really makes their day. Space is limited to 10 members. US citizenship is an FAA requirement for all tower guests. Please RSVP to Lindsay Hanson by February 21 via email: linsgrins@hotmail.com.
With any luck, the weather will turn to crud in late February. Hopefully not so long that it keeps us out of the air, but just long enough that Mother Nature can put some snow on the hills. Regardless, West Valley Flying Club is heading to the mountains to make some turns in the fresh powder. We are planning to be in North Lake Tahoe the last weekend of February, the 27th to the 29th. We have booked a block of rooms at Northstar, and will need to have individuals get them into their own names ASAP. A sign-up sheet has been posted at the PAO and SQL locations. If you have further questions, contact Logan Frasier. See you on the slopes, SWOOSH!"
Tired of the $100 hamburger? Looking for something different to do with your favorite airplane? Then consider putting your flight planning and piloting skills to the test in the 40th Annual Hayward Proficiency Air Race, to be held May 13-15, 2004. The race is essentially an airborne "road rally," with pilots graded on their ability to complete two 250-nm routes as close as possible to their pre-flight estimates of time enroute and fuel consumption.
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Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without the express written permission
of an officer of the club is strictly prohibited.