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HELP MISSING LOGS Mr. Kishore Seshadris is missing his pilot log books. If you find them, or picked them up by accident, please return to the front desk or email Chuck Hellweg. Thanks! Chuck Hellweg chuckh53@comcast.net.
CFIs WANTED !!!
WVFC is seeking out CFIs interested in flying out of E16. There are more students than can be handled. Please let me know if you or someone you know is interested.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Brian King (T-6)
The Proud CFIs:
NEW MEMBERS
Bette Gardner
FLEET UPDATES
New to the Fleet:
New at KPAO will be N162WB, a T-34 Mentor. N162WB is painted in the Navy color schemes and should go well to compliment our aerobatic, unusual attitude, and war-bird flying programs. From what I hear, these planes are tremendously easy to control and fun to fly. Look forward for them to show up on the rental boards soon.
Also new to KPAO is N60337 a G1000 172S. This aircraft will be on the boards in the next week, providing a less expensive package for training in glass panels.
On the horizon are a couple of twins. I tend not to count my eggs before they are hatched, so as those aircraft are delivered, data will come forward. The rep at Diamond has stated that the DA-42 that is being purchased by one of our members is delayed and will be delivered some time before the end of the year. Those of you who have test flown the aircraft and are aware of its flying characteristics have stated that it is worth the wait.
In the mean time, we just signed up a Seneca TBD by the end of the month. Looking forward to seeing a cruising twin back on the flight line. This is a fully loaded Turbo Seneca II. More to come as it arrives.
Aircraft we are looking for: we are always on the hunt for new and interesting birds. An Archer II at E16 would fly very well. Much needed for the fleet are the following: SR20s @ KPAO and SR22s @ E16 and a training twin, preferably a Duchess or Seminole. If you have any questions about ownership, please let me know… jsmith@wvfc.org.
Maintenance Woes: 8127J and 725SB. We continue to apologize for the long delay on the SR20s. We are trying to do everything we can to expedite the repairs with Continental. We are calling them on a weekly basis and will do everything we can to expedite these repairs.
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, our San Carlos office at (650) 595-5912, our Hayward office at (510) 781-0101, or our South County office at (408) 683-4102. For information about the newsletter, or to submit an article, contact the Editor at whatsup@wvfc.org.
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BOARD ELECTIONSby Phil Sih, Board Secretary
What follows is the list of candidates and their statements.
Mike Atwood Candidate Statement:
My name is Mike Atwood, and I am running for re-election to an at-large seat on the Board of Directors. I have been a board member for four years now and chairman for two of those years. I enjoy serving, enjoy flying, and ask for your vote.
My background is in software engineering. I have been COO or VP/Engineering at several Bay Area startups. My platform is more of the same. My position statement is my statement from this year's annual
report, copied below. Thank you for your support.
Annual Report Statement 2005
We continue to broaden the service offerings to our members, with the addition of seven new aircraft types. We have significantly strengthened our acrobatic and glass-panel offerings and added a G1000 simulator to support that growth.
We have also continued to make flying more convenient for our members by offering more airport choices. Our strong reputation in the Bay Area led to us being offered the opportunity to take a monopoly position at South County airport. We hope that this expansion provides additional choices for flying away from some of the bayside fog, congestion, and occasional TFRs. We also hope that this site will be an engine of growth for us in the South Bay.
Flying hours at HWD continue to grow, although that site still loses money most months. We plan to work hard to bring this location to profitability this year.
The new accounting system is in place, finally! We plan to use it as a tool to improve our processes and costs. One success already – the majority of our members are taking their billing statements electronically, which saves the club a lot of postage.
We also will continue to work on our event and social offerings. We think that these are important to maintain the club atmosphere and help us attract new members disaffected by competitive “lockbox” clubs.
Going forward, we will continue to offer our members the safe & enjoyable flying experience as promised in our Mission Statement.
Mike Atwood
Candidate Statement for Board of Directors Seat for West Valley Flying Club
Jim Blum – Member #8718 - May 26th, 2006
I am very much dedicated to the smooth and successful operation of the club. But I would like to go beyond that and offer a venue for all members to communicate to each other, not only to resolve issues but also to form a better understanding between members who rent aircraft, members who own aircraft, CFIs, and WVFC staff, especially the maintenance department. Each of these groups has different agenda. Members who rent from owners have certain expectations concerning the condition of the aircraft - not only concerning airworthiness but also ideally renters would like everything in the plane to work properly such as fuel gauges to be accurate (beyond their requirements) or equipment that is currently marked INOP to be fixed, etc. Owners who rent to other members need to keep the cost of their maintenance down. Otherwise, it will either be too expensive to rent the aircraft or they will have to raise the price and make it unattractive to rent. Renters need to be sensitive and aware of treating the plane as if it were their own but aren’t always made aware of how to do that. An example of that is renters may tend to leave the landing light on all of the time because other aircraft might be able to see them better. Normal landing lights draw a lot of current, and the wiring is not designed to handle that kind of load for long periods of time, so lower wattage bulbs are installed to accommodate this. So at night when you really want a bright light for landing, you don’t have one. These kinds of issues need to be communicated and understood by all, and I hope to open a better vehicle for communication.
Another area of friction is the squawk process. I will be joining the Squawk Committee to try to help resolve some of the issues concerning squawks. This is a very difficult area to resolve, because many members don’t really know whether to squawk a concern or not. There can be different interpretations of whether a concern in an aircraft makes the aircraft un-airworthy. Each time a squawk is entered in the key-book, there is a legal liability not only to the maintenance department and therefore to the club but also to the pilots. If an incident or accident occurs and a pilot has flown the plane with an open squawk, he or she can be held responsible. I am not trying to scare anyone and discourage squawks, but I want to make the point that more communication is necessary among the members.
In keeping with my agenda to promote better communication, I have suggested an “open hanger talk” by the maintenance department, and Kevin will be giving this talk in the maintenance hanger on Saturday June 24th from 10:00 am till noon, which I am helping to organize. Following the talk, there will be a BBQ from noon till 1:30 pm.
So, in summary, by serving on the board, I see my contribution to the club as not only performing the normal board activities required but also promoting a venue for better communication among all of us.
Thank you for nominating me. Please vote for me.
Statement of Gary Waldeck
My name is Gary Waldeck.
I am running for election to one of the At-Large seats on the WVFC Board of Directors.
For the past four years, I have been the Owner’s Representative on the board I hope that my tenure in that role has been well received by our membership. In the past year, I have moved into the realm of individual renter pilot and so seek to continue my relationship with the club by participating on the Board in an At-Large capacity.
Four years ago, the club faced grave challenges. The overall health of the club was at a low ebb, and a major lawsuit seemed to be inescapable. The board was fully involved during these issues, and we not only survived but also did so with good strategic and business guidance by the board and a great new General Manager. We have turned from despair to prosperity!
In the past two years, we have recreated a fun club atmosphere, one where people like to meet and talk about flying. The lawsuit was dismissed, maintenance practices have materially improved, we have expanded from two to four operational locations, have nearly 100 airplanes on our line, and have become one of (if not THE) largest flying club operation in the country. And our fiscal position has moved from one of dire straits to a position of relative strength. I like to think that I have been a part of that success story. I hope that you do, too.
As the Owner’s Representative, I instituted a regular Owner’s meeting forum where the owners could get together to discuss their unique issues. As an ex-Owner, I can no longer hold that seat. Instead, I hope that the membership will favorably consider my application for one of the at-large seats that are available in this year’s election.
My aeronautical background includes 1,100+ hours of flying (Glider, Complex Single, and Instrument skills). As a West Valley Flying Club multiple aircraft owner for more than 16 years, I believe that I know what the members, CFIs, and Owners would like to see – a wide variety of well-maintained airplanes, a training program that is second to none, a variety of locales from which to operate, excellent business and maintenance practices, an informed membership, and good financial health for the club’s operation.
Professionally, my training includes a BSEE (UC Davis) and an MBA (Santa Clara). My experience spans Engineering along with major Business Management in programs ranging from (~$100k) to (~$2B). The key to success in these roles is a mix of Strategic thinking and tactical execution employing know-how, learning, vision, tenacity, attention to detail, and a passion to do the job rapidly and to get it right the first time.
As a 16 year WVFC member, I have assisted the club in a variety of roles ranging from various member forums and management selection committees to active board member participation to reform our Club’s structure to the efficient and pleasant operation that is in place today.
While we now have a successful business, my primary objective is to ensure that our “CLUB” continues. This is our heritage. We have developed a strategic plan that addresses growth and improvement on a variety of fronts to include:
I ask for your support and your vote.
Thanks,
Statement for Andy Geosits
My name is Andy Geosits, and I am running for the Board of Directors Owners seat with West Valley Flying Club.
A brief history: I have been with WVFC since 1996. Over that time, I have experienced the club as a member and as an owner or part owner of several aircraft that have been online. Additionally I have owned a total of 6 aircraft not on lease-back and understand both commercially and non-commercially what is required to keep a safe and economically viable aircraft online. Recently, I became a flight instructor with the organization.
Personally, I have owned a very successful cabinet making business (Renaissance Cabinet Makers) since 1979 until 2006 when I recently sold it to become fully involved in my love of aviation.
During the time I have spent with WVFC, I have seen the club go through various ups and downs. I think the keys to its success have been a well thought out and balanced approach to keep the club continuously evolving without forgetting its primary mission.
I feel that both my history with this organization as well as having been a business owner provide me with the necessary skills required to provide this oversight by being a member of the board.
I look forward to working with the other members of the board and feel they have done a great deal of good work, and I look forward to adding to that success.
Votes will be accepted starting at 0000 PT on Monday, June 12, and ending at 2359 PT on Sunday, June 18. You can vote via the website, regular mail, or in person.
The following times have been reserved for in-person “Meet the Candidates” sessions. These meetings are open to all members and provide the opportunity to meet candidates in person.
The following links will take you to the WVFC Bylaws. They contain the rules that govern the board and the club.
http://www.wvfc.org/b/dload.php?action=file&id=39
For any election related questions, please contact Phil Sih, board member, at psih@wvfc.org.
List of Candidates:
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, was a successful one for the flying club. We have managed to protect the club’s financial position by significantly increasing the numbers of members, planes, and charged flight hours. Even with the wet winter, we made a modest profit of $36,101, which was enough to move our end-of-year balance sheet into the black for the first time in many years.
Chairman, WVFC Board of Directors
matwood@wvfc.org
Jim Blum
If elected, I will use my prior Board experience and continue to define, plan, and achieve these and other strategic objectives we have in mind for our club.
Gary
Votes will be accepted starting at 0000 PT on Monday, June 12, and ending at 2359 PT on Sunday, June 18. You can vote via the website, regular mail, or in person.
http://www.wvfc.org/b/pafiledb/uploads/bylaws.pdf
THE COMMUNITY OF FLYING
by Josh Smith, General Manager
What a bunch of beautiful days we are getting to go flying. Make sure you keeping up to date with the calendar. There are a lot of fun flying and educational events going on at the club. Hopefully these events will provide for all sorts of new reason to justify some fun flying time. Additionally look for special promotional seminars and checkouts.
The office’s at SQL will be moving back across the field. WVFC has been offered a new lease hold with San Mateo County that will provide us with additional teaching space, membership meeting area, closer aircraft parking, and freeway signage. The new address is 795 Skyway. The projected move time is based on when the current tenants leave, however should be no later than Aug. 1. 2006. If you are interested in helping move furniture or taxi the aircraft over to the other side please let us know.
Finally SQL will be updating the runways. They are adding in over-runs and new pavement. As a result the airport will be shut down for (6) 24 hour periods, and several evenings. For the complete day shut-downs, we will more than likely move most of the aircraft to another facility. Our two choices would be either HWD or KPAO. For evening only shut-downs the aircraft will remain at SQL.
Thanks for your time I look forward to seeing you around the club and up in the air.
THE CHIEF'S CORNER
by Dominique Marais, Chief Pilot
A little piece of France surrounded by lagoons, tropical fish, wide beaches with white sand bordered with lazy coconut trees… check out the picture! Well, when the newsletter is ready for publishing, I will be either scuba diving with colorful fish or sipping cocktails in a hammock suspended right over the lagoon in Tahiti. Maybe Bora Bora or Rangiroa, if not Morea… Somewhere in the Tuamotus!
Until next Newsletter, happy safe flying!
A NOTE FROM OPERATIONS
by Shannon Doyle
Congratulations to all the new CFIs who are now on board here at West Valley! Jeff Zacharias, Bruno Ighmouracene, Tom Nevin, Cory Lovell, Chris Tavenner, Gabe Somma, and Gianni Manganelli have all passed their checkrides and are now part of the West Valley team. Don’t forget to congratulate them when you have a chance!
Gabe Somma has taken on the responsibility of running the safety seminars. He has presented quite an impressive package to the West Valley management we are thrilled with his level of motivation and attention to detail and feel that this will be a very successful program. Check the calendar for dates and topics. If you have an idea you would like to see presented, send him an e-mail at gabe@flybayarea.com or check the bbs thread.
Attention Hayward flyers! If you have some new students who live in the East Bay and don’t want to commute for ground school, guess what? They don’t have to! Chris Tavenner has put together a brand new program and will be taking over the ground school at the Hayward facility. He has great energy and is very excited about drumming up some new business on the East side of the Bay. If you are interested in joining his ground school, you can contact him at Tractorking@hotmail.com or just show up! Classes will start June 20th from 6:30-9pm and will run for 12 weeks consecutively.
Hey, hey, it’s very exciting how many events we have on the calendar so far this summer! If you have any interest in volunteering, go ahead and give me a call at PAO, ext 304. Or, if you have ideas for events, the next meeting is coming up on June 12th. There is going to be quite a buzz going on at West Valley, and we look forward to all of your participation.
Look for our new location at SQL coming soon. It will be on the freeway side next to Bel-Air. We have a much larger facility, and the tie-downs are right outside the door. We will also be offering CATS testing and will have a huge patio for those ever-popular Saturday afternoon barbecues. This is an exciting change, and we look forward to seeing all of you there.
Just keep flying!! Don’t forget to pick up your Terminals and Sectionals they will expire August 31, 2006.
AS THE WRENCH TURNS
by Kevin Pinger, Director of Maintenance, Carrie Ferguson, Maintenance Coordinator, and Dominique Marais, Chief Pilot, dominm@wvfc.org
As they say, knowledge is power. However, factual knowledge is probably the best possible power setting as compared to mythical knowledge and pure speculation. To be more to the point, what we are specifically talking about is the Aircraft Flight Manual or otherwise known as a POH. Part 91.9 of the FARs refers to this fact and takes it one step farther and says that “no person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the AFM.”
As a part of the WVFC checkout, we require members to fill out the ground review form, which in its essence is a document created to make people familiar with the AFM and the limitations that are provided for by the manufacturer. I would highly recommend that people take the time to look these documents over and over. Refer to them often as the knowledge that is provided in there will empower you as a pilot and further demystify some of the myths that have been handed down through lore, many of which in fact harm aircraft more than help.
Empowerment: A great example is the check ride. All maneuvers that you are asked to perform will be based on the how the AFM outlines the maneuver if specified. This includes flap setting, speeds, etc. if not specified, then it is left up to the approach and safe teaching of your CFI.
Dispelling myths: the myths often show up in checklists A great example of this is the run-up. Throughout time we have seen people verify alternator operation by shutting it down and restarting it while the aircraft is at run-up power settings. In reviewing a half dozen AFMs, not one refers to this as the appropriate methodology in normal operations. Doing an alt check this way will do more damage than good. As an example, go to your house, leave all the electrical devices on and shut the main power buss off an on several times a day.
There are many examples, but the bottom line is knowledge is power, and that knowledge is found in the AFM. The checklists that are used should not conflict with the operating procedures as outlined in the AFM. For further info, there are AFMs for the avionics, engines, andautopilot systems all available for free borrowing at the front desk. Please take the time to check them out and gain the knowledge that will help you fly the aircraft.
Thanks, and this bolt is tightened.
PASSING YOUR CFII CHECKRIDE
by John Pyle, Designated Examiner
Checkride Success - John Pyle - June 2006 - CFI Checkrides
Recently I have had several sessions with the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) to prepare me to give Flight Instructor Airplane and Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane Practical Tests. Helicopter CFIs know that I have been giving Flight Instructor Rotorcraft-Helicopter tests for some years.
Present Western Pacific Region policy is that all initial CFI checkrides are to be given by an Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) from the local FSDO. However, that may change as the workload proves impossible for FSDO ASIs to accomplish. At any rate, I will be giving add-on and renewal/reinstatement checkrides to existing or previously certificated CFIs.
Here are some of the tips I picked up in the preparation and standardization sessions. They are meant for aspiring CFIs and the authorized instructors who prepare them.
1. Don’t ignore fundamentals of instruction (FOI). Any applicant who is going up for his/her first CFI checkride will be tested on FAA-H-8083-9 Aviation Instructor’s Handbook (AIH). That’s a pretty big book. You don’t have to memorize it, but you need to be able to demonstrate “instructional knowledge” by describing each element of the tasks (A through G) in I Area of Operation “Fundamentals of Instruction” in the Flight Instructor Practical Test Standard (PTS).
2. “Instructional knowledge” is defined on page 5 (bottom paragraph) of the Flight Instructor Airplane PTS. If you apply that definition and follow the PTS, you will be able to prepare adequately for the Practical Test.
3. Don’t be shy. Previously, for Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot checkride preparation, your instructor may have told you to answer the question or perform the maneuver the DPE specifies and then stop. Your CFI may have warned you that any additional discussion beyond the basic facts can get you into trouble. Now, you have to show instructional knowledge. You need to perform each task in a way that shows you can use the appropriate reference to provide “application or correlative level of knowledge” of the subject matter topic, procedure, or maneuver. And you have to proceed using teaching procedures and techniques explained in the AIH. So we are back to FOI.
4. Turn errors into teaching points. Nobody does a perfect maneuver each time. The second element of most CFI PTS tasks is to show instructional knowledge of common errors related to the task. Many tasks list the fourth element as analysis and correction of [simulated] common errors. If you miss the spot by more than the allowed distance on your short field approach (and go around, of course), analyze and explain why. Turn the lemon into lemonade. I believe my students learn as much from my mistakes as from my successful demonstrations. That’s why I make so many goof-ups, right?
5. If you have had multiple flight instructors in your flight training, review their techniques. Some have helped you more than others. Think of the way the best CFIs presented the material. Emulate their technique. You will present better on your checkride.
6. During the test, when the DPE is playing the role of a student, you play the role of a good instructor. Don’t worry about pleasing him/her. Teach your DPE / “student” the most effective way you have learned. Ask questions for feedback. Make sure he/she is following you. But be positive. Remember how much better you learned when your CFI was positive.
The pass rate for CFI applicants is typically lower than for private or commercial pilots. It seems the main reason is insufficient preparation for the test. The recommending instructor does not ensure that the applicant is consistently able to demonstrate instructional knowledge of each element of each task.
To thoroughly and sufficiently prepare for the Flight Instructor Practical Test takes time and effort. It is the checkride that the FAA believes to be the most important in aviation. That is why, when possible, the initial test is administered by an Aviation Safety Inspector.
Is it worth all the fuss and expense? As a flight instructor since 1970, I think so.
THE SIERRA PAPA (STUDENT PILOT) MONTHLY: AIRPORT HOPPING
by Erin "Flyby" Seidemann
One of the great pastimes I’ve found with flying is the art of airport hopping. This is a very fine art, and after days of being utterly mesmerized by my new best friend – a Roomba – following it around the house watching it clean instead of actually getting other stuff done, which of course is the whole point of getting a Roomba, I decided it was time I got out of the house. What better thing to do on a carefree weekend than go airport hopping?
Some people collect stamps, some people collect coins. Me? I’m collecting the much more expensive different airport identifiers to put in my logbook (and to brag about around the hangar). It’s not like I can even put my collection out on display for visitors to ooh and ah over, either. So what do I get out of it? A great day spent finding an airport I had never been to before. What more is there in life (other than the aforementioned Roomba)?
Pick a destination. Mine was supposed to be Sun River, Oregon, S21, but the weather up there had other plans (and here is where I curse my day job for interfering with my instrument rating). So I opted for another airport that came highly recommended, Shelter Cove, 0Q5. Shelter Cove does not have fuel, so we decided to stop along the way at Little River. Hop number one. It was really windy and was taking a while to get up to Shelter Cove, but there are plenty of great coast pictures to be had along the way! Nearing Shelter Cove, you can tell right away why it’s such a highly recommended airport. It’s way out on the tip of a point of land that juts out into the water. Hop number two. Very unique and very windy. It’s surrounded by a golf course, which made me a little squeamish parking my plane there while we ventured out for lunch. I mean, golf balls, strong winds, and my plane parked like a sitting duck don’t mix well in my imagination. Was I okay with knowing people are batting around golf balls to what they think is somewhere along the green but not really knowing what the gusty wind would do with their wayward ball? Oh well. I figured any errant drives would show up on the preflight, like “What’s that gaping hole in the side of my airplane?”
Hop number three on the way back was Ocean Ridge. What an inviting name. Yes, I also choose places to go based on the name of the airport (there are so many private ones that have great names that would be good conversation pieces like “Yea, I went to Hell’er High Water this weekend,” but I digress). Anyway, Ocean Ridge: an inviting name for a very uninviting, bumpy day. It was already a windy day, so we should have assumed that an airport perched atop a ridge right off the ocean surrounded on all sides by tall trees might make for a difficult approach. Luckily, this was when my fellow passenger (another licensed pilot) was flying. Bounced three times. Congratulations, graduate, you’re current! Not wanting to try a few rounds myself there, I figured we should start heading towards our beloved home port of San Carlos. The ATIS said winds 260 at 18 gusting to 25. Oh boy…and it’s my turn to land.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
TAILWHEEL TRANSITION SKILLS CLINIC
PRE FLY-IN SKYDIVING SEMINAR
HILLER VERTICAL CHALLENGE
HANGAR TALK, BBQ & TOWER TOURS
NIGHT XC SKILLS CLINIC & MIDNIGHT DINNER FLY-IN
SKYDIVING FLY-IN
We will be having a pre-fly-in seminar on Sunday June 22 @ 18:00 in the PAO back classroom. This discussion, with WVFC CFI Logan Frasier, will cover all the ins and outs of flying into a very active drop zone (DZ) as well as answer any of your questions regarding the tandem skydive itself. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Logan at freeflyguy66@yahoo.com
Saturday, June 10, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, PAO
Learn about tailwheel flying and the process of transition from Andy Geosits. Andy is a WVFC aerobatic and tailwheel instructor. Following the lecture will be a round table Q&A involving many of the WVFC tailwheel pilots. Refreshments will be available.
Sunday, June 11, 6:00 pm, PAO
WVFC CFI Logan Frasier will host a pre-fly-in seminar for members interested in attending the June 25 Skydiving Fly-In. Logan will cover all the ins and outs of flying into a very active drop zone (DZ) as well as answer any of your questions regarding the tandem skydive itself. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Logan at freeflyguy66@yahoo.com.
Saturday, June 17, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, SQL
The Hiller Vertical Challenge airshow allows visitors to see first hand helicopter operations. The show is devoted to educating the public about how helicopters affect our daily lives from traffic and news reports to their unique life saving ability to the national defense of our country. Go to www.hiller.org for more information. The club still needs volunteers to staff its booth at this event… it’s a great way to get involved as well as gain free entrance to the airshow. Contact Shannon Doyle at shannon@wvfc.org.
Saturday, June 24, 10:00 am, PAO
Kevin Pinger, West Valley’s Director of Maintenance, is going to give a "Hanger Talk" from 10:00 am till noon on Saturday, June 24th in the maintenance hanger. Following the talk, there will be a BBQ from noon till 1:30 pm and tours of the PAO control tower starting at 1:00 pm. Use the BBS thread about this event to suggest topics you would like for Kevin to cover. If you have questions about the Hangar Talk, please contact Jim Blum at jimblum@gmail.com. For questions about the tower tours, contact John Ferrell at JFerrell@carrferrell.com. Thanks to both Jim and John for organizing these activities!
Saturday, June 24, 9:00 pm, PAO-WLW-PAO
The long days of summer make it tough to stay night current at all, let alone satisfy night XC requirements for your rating. Since you have to fly late anyway, why not come out and celebrate the longest Saturday of the year, three days after the summer solstice, with a midnight dinner at Nancy’s Airport Café in Willows? Nancy’s is one of the great 24-hour airport diners, though it’s probably more well-known by truckers driving along I-5 than it is by pilots. Willows is more than 100 nm from PAO, so each leg can count as the required private pilot night cross country if you fly a 4-seat airplane, you can double up with another student pilot and both get your night xc flights done during this fly-in. If you’re working on your commercial rating, you can use this flight to satisfy some of your night requirements, too. West Valley CFIs will give a ground session at 9:00 pm in the PAO classroom, with dinner reservations for 12:00 midnight. The ground session is free. Pilots will be responsible for the hobbs time they fly plus the cost of an instructor if one flies with them. For questions or to get paired up with a CFI for this clinic, contact Patti Andrews at pandrewscfi@yahoo.com.
Sunday, June 25, 9:00 am, Lodi Airport
Have you ever been flying along and wondered what it would be like to simply open the door and step from the plane? Well, on June 25, WVFC members, staff, and CFIs will be doing just that. We will be flying into the Lodi Airport (1O3) for a day of skydiving under the warm California sun! Tandem jumps are $100, and a professionally edited video of your experience is an additional $35 or on DVD format for $55, (which is well worth it). Reserve your airplane early, and plan to leave the Bay Area around 09:00, returning that afternoon about 16:00. Friends and family are encouraged to join us as there is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch right next to the parachute landing area! And if jumping is not your thing, you can ride along as an observer for $15.00!
GROUND SCHOOLS
SQL Private Pilot Ground School meets Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm. The cost is a $250 one-time fee, after which you may re-attend as often as you like. For information contact the instructor, Dan Dyer, at dan@dkdyer.com or check out www.dkdyer.com/ground.html.
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. The next session begins June 4 however, you may begin the course at any time. Contact Kyp by email at lkypta@earthlink.net.
HWD Private Pilot Ground School meets Tuesday nights from 6:30-9:30 pm. The cost is $200 per student. Contact instructors Sandy Wiedemann at syzygy2002@mac.com or Eric Jewell at eric@flywitheric.com.
South County Private Pilot Ground School. By special arrangement, the South County Private Pilot ground school will meet Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, starting May 17, with instructor Charles Jackson, a retired airline captain and aviation instructor at the local community college. Tuition is $150.
PAO Instrument Ground School meets Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 9:00 with instructors Ali Ashayer and Lindsay Dillon. The cost is $200. Contact Ali Ashayer at aashayer@aol.com or Lindsay Dillon at linsgrins@hotmail.com for more information.
© 1998, 2006 West Valley Flying Club. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without the express written permission
of an officer of the club is strictly prohibited.