Boy oh boy it's great to see the beginnings of spring weather. Planes buzz around the skies, CFIs stop moping and start looking forward to flying with a full schedule of students. As the hours pick up, so do the work load and the hours put in by employees. We have a lot of exciting summer programs ahead such as aerobatics, glass panel training days, summer fly-ins, member BBQs and a heck of a lot more. Please keep your eyes on the activities section of the newsletter for more information.

A membership regulations update regarding retractable aircraft:

We have restricted those aircraft from "touch and goes." Touch and goes are particularly hard on airplanes. This is particularly true with the extra workload that is put on the prop and landing gear. Both of these mechanisms need time to cool down, which is something the taxi-back part of full stop landings allows for. Please forward any questions you may have to the Chief's office.

I would also like to draw people's attention to the BBS site. We are looking to update our pilot supplies. The goal is not to become a pilot shop, but instead to supply key items that our members need to have consistently available at all three locations. Please go to the BBS site and note the top five items you would find useful (excluding sectionals, area charts and pilot log books.)

Let's hope for a bright, safe spring and summer.

I was talking to Mike Shiflett (FAA Designee) who reminded me that one could go to the web at http://afs600.faa.gov and look at what is required for any PTS test.

There have been many occasions that members and CFIs have wrongly used the squawk sheet to explain discrepancies. We have placed a separate sheet in each book to alert MX to items that need to be looked at.

It is important to remind each of us that the squawk sheet is a permanent record of the aircraft, and we need to use it only when necessary.

One could go to MX and consult with them if one is unsure if the item is squawkable or something that can be resolved without a squawk.

I will be on vacation from 3/6/2005 until 3/21/2005, but members could call one of the assistant chiefs or, in a pinch, the General Manager. The reason that I bring this to your attention is that many people - CFIs, members and even the FSDO - have made mistakes dealing with the TSA. The people who have used the Chief's office to work through TSA issues have concluded the TSA requirements without incident. (Hint Hint… please call the Chief's office, even during my absence, if you have TSA or other questions.)

During the past month, West Valley has been fortunate enough to bring a couple of really fine airplanes to the fleet. The older of the two planes is a Duchess. It's probably the finest Duchess in the US, and is without a doubt the cleanest and nicest one I have flown. It has less than 2000 total hours and looks new inside and out. The avionics currently include an HSI, and the owner is upgrading so it will have an approach approved GPS as well. This will take a bit, since all the local avionics shops are booked out several months. In addition, it has a Low Thrust Detection System to alert the pilot to the loss of some engine power. It will let the pilot know earlier than the wicked slewing to one side that accompanies a total engine failure.

I've flown this plane several times already, and I'm certain that any multi-engine student will fall in love with it. Now that we have two Duchesses on line, it's easier to be sure of availability. In the short time it's been on line, two club pilots have passed their Commercial Multi-Engine practical tests in it.

The second new plane really is new. It's a Cessna 182 with the new Garmin 1000 avionics. For those of you familiar with the Primary Flight Displays (PFD) in our Cirruses, the Garmins will be pretty intuitive. In one sense, they are just huge Gamin 430s with PFD and MFD functions added. The Garmin 1000 PFD operates very much the same as the one in the Cirrus, with tapes for Airspeed, Altitude, and Vertical Speed. The Turn Coordinator is incorporated into the Attitude indicator in the same way as on the PFDs we're already used to. And the Electronic HSI has selectable nav sources.

There are a couple of significant differences, however. First, you'll notice that the nav sources are Nav 1, Nav 2, and GPS. Not GPS 1 and GPS 2, just GPS. That's because the two panels are so closely tied together that entering a flight plan on one enters it on the other. Similarly, one can use the VOR or Comm functions on one panel, and it will set the appropriate frequencies on both. This takes a bit of getting used to, and can result in a surprise or two when a panel dies, and the remaining one goes into "composite" mode. If you're listening to Comm 1 and the left panel dies (regardless of the fact that you set Comm 1 by using the right panel), you've lost whomever you've been listening to. During my checkout, this happened while vectoring on an ILS approach. After a really long period of silence, I realized something was wrong, and dialed the Norcal frequency into Comm 2. The instant I did that, Norcal gave me a vector, and never knew I'd been off-line. Timing is everything.

A second difference is that the altitude bug on the PFD has no effect on the autopilot. The Autopilot altitude preselect is the only thing that counts. As I understand it, Garmin is working on its own autopilot (to replace the King) and intends to use the PFD bug as the driver, but that's in the future. At that, the King 140 Autopilot is (in my estimation) a bit more intuitive than the S-Tec and involves only a single box rather than the two used by S-Tec.

Like the Cirrus PFDs, there is a fair amount of redundancy in the Garmin 1000. A single Avionics Bus failure or electrical source failure won't cause either panel to drop off line. There are a couple of very nice features related to panel failures. First, if one panel fails, the other automatically goes into a "composite" mode, thus containing both the PFD instruments and the engine-related gauges. This gives the pilot complete instrument capability despite the loss of one panel. You'll have to learn to fly by looking across the cockpit, but that really isn't too hard.

If the left panel is merely corrupted, the composite mode can be forced either by pressing the big red button at the bottom of the audio panel or by pulling the two PFD 1 circuit breakers at the top left of the circuit breaker panel. They're a lot easier to reach and to see than the ones in the Cirrus.

As I understand it, the Garmin 1000 is also in the Diamond four seat plane that is slated to come on line in a few months, so getting familiar now will help the checkout process on that plane as well.

The new Cessna 182 really is a great plane, and well worth checking out.

We've done some rearranging of the office in Hayward in anticipation of the new pilot shop, which should be available very soon. We're also installing a CATS testing center for written pilot exams. For those members of the club who haven't yet come to the HWD office, come check it out! We've got nine aircraft, including two Cirrus and the Boeing Stearman, a WWII era biplane trainer! If you've never experienced the thrill of an open cockpit, now is your chance! Hayward is also another good option to keep in mind when the weather is marginal on the peninsula, as the ceilings are sometimes higher on this side of the Bay. Next time the weather keeps you grounded, consider getting a briefing for the East Bay and flying out of HWD. If you have any questions about specific procedures for the field (such as noise abatement), please contact one of the HWD CFIs or Sandy at the front desk at 510-781-0101.

Please join your fellow club members at the 2005 BAY TO BREAKERS on the 15th of May! We're making this one a club event for runners and non-runners alike, so grab a pair of comfortable sneakers and your loved ones and come join us for the best street party you have ever attended. You can run, walk, crawl - whatever- and you can also come in costume, and compete in the Southwest Airlines Costume Contest. For more information and to register, check out: http://www.baytobreakers.com. To sign up, call or email Sandy at Hayward, either by email or phone (syzygy2002@mac.com, 510-781-0101). And don't forget to bring tortillas.

If you read last month's column, you're probably wondering if I actually went through with it and bought an airplane. A cursory look at my bank account and the stack of paperwork on my desk would say that I did. Despite all the warnings, I took that leap and will never be the same (and will never have a savings account to speak of either).

And what better time to have bought an airplane? Last weekend when I picked it up was the first gorgeous weather we've had in months! Last time you bought a new car, do you remember that first wash you gave it? The car will never get as thorough a washing as it did that first time when its owner smiled proudly each time another speck of dirt was removed, having made the car that much prettier, as it should be. That's exactly the way I was at the washrack on Sunday. Being a first time airplane owner, I was not at all prepared. I realized this by watching the two other owners at the washrack before I taxied mine over. They had brushes on long handles to wash the wings, special window cleaner, and step ladders to reach everything. Quick trip to the closest car supply shop, and I had me some brand new washing supplies. I figured a ladder would not be necessary this time since I could climb up on the cowling step and the wing strut and reach with the long-handled brush. Of course, you never realize just how much surface area an airplane has or how large the wingspan is until you have to wash the damn thing. So, needless to say, I could only reach about half of the top of the wing. Now we move onto the bottom of the wing. I'm a whopping 4' 11 ½". I was on my toes and could just barely reach the bottom of the wings, and let's not even talk about the wing dihedral! Barely reaching, as you might imagine, does not allow a person to effectively scrape off that wonderful accumulation of bug guts and various other detritus that I never seemed to notice before I owned one of these bug magnets. Could I somehow will the guts off? Hours and hours in a standing position, stretched out as far as I could reach, and looking straight up does quite a number on one's feet, back, and neck. This only became apparent when I tilted my neck down to talk to someone. Still not done washing the plane, it was difficult to get my neck back into the staring straight up at the underside of the wing position. I will vote at the next owner's meeting to not only include water and so-called "soap" (I use quotes because I think it would have been more effective for me to spit into the bucket and use that rather than this mysteriously similar looking to dirty dishwater "soap") but also a stand-by masseuse. I never thought anything would make me appreciate washing my car.

The upside to all this sweat and pain is that apparently a lone female (i.e., without a husband or boyfriend who would be assumed to own the plane) washing an airplane is quite the dude magnet. If only I had known that's all it took, I could have spent all that money on buying an airplane at a younger age rather than all those witch doctors, voodoo mystics, and psychotherapists and their respective spells, hexes, love potions, and hypnoses all guaranteed to land me a man. I swear, the entire airport of men came over of their own volition and introduced themselves. I had offers to help wash my plane and now have standing offers to go for a ride in all the other planes on the tarmac. I got to talk about the plane to prospective new sierra papas and to the old hanger rats. As you can see, I didn't enjoy myself at all that day. So despite not being able to pay the phone bill this month (who needs outside contact when you own a plane?), I think this whole airplane ownership thing might be alright.

FSS TOUR
Tuesday, March 15
Club CFI Jim Roach has arranged for a Flight Service Station tour over the lunch hour on March 15. This event is full, but contact Jim at kunafloat@yahoo.com if you want to be on a waiting list. Contact Patti Andrews at whatsup@wvfc.org if you'd like to volunteer to head up a second visit in April.

CLASS BRAVO TRANSITION CLINIC & LUNCH
Sunday, April 10, 10:00 am ground session; lunchtime fly-in to Petaluma
Whether you're out of currency or just feeling a bit rusty on the mic, this Clinic will be a fun way to get yourself back in the cockpit in time for summer. WVFC CFI Patti Andrews will host a ground session at SQL, followed by a group fly-in to Petaluma for lunch at the 29'er Diner. CFIs will pair up with members for the flight as needed. If you're current and want to come along without a CFI, that's fine, too. Members participating will pay the CFI they're paired up with for the approximately 1-hour flight, and will pay the hobbs time they put on the aircraft. The ground session is free. To reserve a place or to get paired up with a CFI, please contact Patti Andrews at whatsup@wvfc.org.

PACIFIC COAST DREAM MACHINES
Sunday, April 24, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, HAF
The club will have a booth at this year's Dream Machines airplane and auto show at Half Moon Bay. Contact Tammy Tran if you'd like to participate, ttran@wvfc.org.

NASA AMES AERO EXPO @ MOFFETT
Wednesday April 27 - Saturday, April 30, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm daily
Once again, WVFC will be participating in NASA's Aero Expo, an annual celebration of aviation and flight history held at Moffett Field and visited by more than 4,000 students, teachers and parents from all over Northern California and Nevada. One of the highlights of this event is having airplanes that the kids can actually touch and sit in; for a few minutes, each kid gets to touch the controls and pretend to be a pilot. The club will be providing at least one airplane for kids to dream in, but we need two volunteers per day per airplane to help the kids in and out and make sure they don't damage anything. We'll also need ferry pilots for the long flights from Palo Alto to Moffett and back. If you're interested in helping out, please contact Patti Andrews at whatsup@wvfc.org asap.

BAY TO BREAKERS
Sunday, May 15, San Francisco
Join your fellow club members at the 2005 Bay to Breakers on the 15th of May! We're making this one a club event for runners and non-runners alike, so grab a pair of comfortable sneakers and your loved ones and come join us for the best street party you have ever attended. You can run, walk, crawl- whatever- and you can also come in costume, and compete in the Southwest Airlines Costume Contest. For more information, and to register, check out: http://www.baytobreakers.com. To sign up, call or email Sandy at Hayward, either by email or phone (syzygy2002@mac.com, 510-781-0101). And don't forget to bring tortillas.

SKYDIVE!!!
Saturday, May 21, Lodi
Ever been cruising along at 13,000' and wondered what it would be like to simply step from the aircraft and fly like a real bird, (except without wings, vertically, and a whole lot faster)? Well, here's your chance! On Saturday, May 21st, staff, members, and CFIs from WVFC are going to do just that. We will be flying into the Lodi Airport (1O3), and jumping from nearly perfect aircraft. The cost of a tandem skydive is $100, and a video of your jump (highly recommended) is just $35 more. The whole process can take as little as two hours from the time you land your airplane to the time you land under canopy. If you are not interested in skydiving, there are shade trees right next to the parachute landing area, just right for a picnic. Or for $15, you can ride along in the airplane as an observer, and watch your loved ones as they exit the plane--pretty cool!

We are organizing a pre fly-in safety seminar to be held in late April--date to be announced. At this seminar we will talk about all the elements related to the tandem skydive, as well as the ins-n-outs of flying into an active drop zone--we will even be pulling apart a parachute, (rig). Oh, and this seminar will also count towards the "Wings" program! If you have any further questions, please contact CFI Logan Frasier at freeflyguy66@yahoo.com
Yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaw, and blue skies!

BRUNCH FLY-IN TO MATTHEW'S @ PASO ROBLES
Sunday, May 22
Matthew's at the Airport, www.matthewsattheairport.com, is a highly rated restaurant at Paso Robles Airport. Join us for the easy 80 minute flight to breakfast. http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPRB Meet at base Airports @ 9:00 am for final weather check. Contact Terry Slocum at terry_slocum@mindspring.com.

Dumb things smart people do a.k.a. How to pass your checkride
Wednesday, March 9th 7:00pm, Palo Alto
Pesenter: Mike Shiflett, DPE - SJC FSDO
Mike Shiflett, San Jose FSDO Designated Pilot Examiner will share how pilots can improve the odds for passing the checkride.

Flying to and in Canada - tips for US Pilots
Wednesday, March 16th, 7:00pm San Carlos
Presenter: Ross Oliver
Ross Oliver will describe flying his two-seat Grob 115C on a round-trip journey from San Jose to Nanaimo, BC, Canada. Find out what it takes to plan and execute an international flying adventure, including routing, stopovers, weather, and logistics. Ross Oliver is an instrument-rated private pilot with 15 years flying experience. Ross's Grob, N115AG, is a former West Valley aircraft, which Ross has owned for the past 4 years.

Little known FARs that can ruin your day
Wednesday, March 23rd 7:00pm, Hayward
Presenter: Cassandra Wiedemann, CFI
Come find out what Federal Aviation Regulations you need to be aware of to keep you safe and legal. We'll go over relevant regulations as well as some strategies to remember what you need to know. Cassandra Wiedemann works at West Valley Flying Club. She holds a CFI certificate and has been teaching students in the Bay Area since 2000.

SQL Private Pilot Ground School meets Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm with instructors Justin Warren and Peter Long. The cost is a $200 one-time fee, after which you may re-attend as often as you like. For information, contact Justin Warren at justinwarren@sbcglobal.net or Peter Long at plong@outback-aviation.com.

PAO Private Pilot Ground School meets Thursdays from 6:30 pm with instructor Kyp Kypta. Current session runs through April 21. 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. Contact Kyp at lkypta@earthlink.net.

HWD Private Pilot Ground School meets Tuesday nights from 6:30-9:30 pm. Cost is $200 per student. Contact instructors Sandy Wiedemann at syzygy2002@mac.com, or Eric Jewell at eric@flywitheric.com.

PAO Instrument Ground School meets Tuesday nights 6:30 to 9:00, and runs February 15 through April 5. Cost is a one time fee of $200. Please email instructor Linda Monahan at lindajmonahan@hotmail.com, or Ali Ashayer at aashayer@aol.com.