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Thursday, June 10, 2004
Vol. 1 No. 2 |
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Welcome to the inaugural issue of Over the Airwaves aviation newsletter. This irregularly published e-mailing is being sent to members of the Western New York E-Pilots listserv. The aim of this e-publication is to promote flight safety, encourage students and new pilots, enhance pilot awareness of upcoming events, and to build enthusiasm for aviation in general. New York State Airports Threatened by Gov. Pataki's Aggressive Security Measures: The following message was just received on June 9 from AOPA's Vice President of Regional Affairs. It was sent to me as Akron Airport's Airport Support Network Volunteer.
We need your help, please, on a critical issue facing New York pilots. As you can now read on AOPA's website (www.aopa.org), Phil Boyer is strongly urging Governor George Pataki to drop a range of unnecessary and costly security measures now under active consideration by New York state officials. These rules could include airport access, ID badging requirements, and other new “airline-style” restrictions on general aviation pilots even at the state's smallest airports. Since these new rules could cost each airport millions of dollars for additional security equipment and personnel, local communities and the pilots using these airports will be saddled with absorbing these new and unnecessary costs. We recommend you contact your local airport manager to alert them to the potential for these new state-imposed rules, and that airport management and your local elected leaders should contact Governor Pataki, state Senate President Joe Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to work with -- not against -- the general aviation community in keeping the state's airports secure. I have attached a copy of Phil's letter, which underscores the burden to dozens of cash-strapped communities. Please contact AOPA's Northeast Regional Representative Craig Dotlo (914) 631-4051 or craig.dotlo@aopa.org with any questions or feedback from your local officials. [Click HERE for a copy of AOPA President Phil Boyer's letter to Gov. Pataki.] As always, thanks for your support of AOPA and for your vital work serving New York's general aviation pilots.
Roger Cohen Airspace Worries: Prior to 9/11 and the paranoia that quickly ensued, we could pretty much fly where and when we wanted. We obtained our pre-flight briefing including a quick NOTAM check and we were off. Following 9/11, we were led to believe that flying IFR protected us from airspace violations on the assumption that ATC would not clear us through restricted airspace. Sadly, this is no longer true - as the record of airspace violations incurred by pilots on IFR flight plans is beginning to show!
I do things differently now. First, I never launch outside of the local traffic pattern, VFR or IFR, without a call to FSS to specifically request NOTAMs and TFR impacting my planned route of flight. Remember . . . this is a presidential election year. After the Democratic primary in August, Mr. Kerry will be afforded the same PFR restrictions that President Bush is now afforded. That will double the problem of last minute PFRs. For graphic portrayal of current NOTAMs, check outHERE Remember - Air
Traffic Controllers are our friends:
Airspace worries are NOT
caused by air traffic controllers. They are doing the very
best they can under very stressful conditions. Internal
communications within the FAA is notoriously poor. The NOTAM
distribution process is known to be a mess. In most cases, IFR
airspace busts occur because the controller simply did not receive
Here's the good news. . . . If you call FSS, give your N number, and request a STANDARD BRIEFING covering your entire route of flight - you'll have an excellent defense in the event of a bust. It will not, however, remove or prevent the anxiety precipitated by a nervous, 23 year old 2nd Lieutenant with acne and marriage problems piloting a Blackhawk helicopter gunship along side of you with his right index finger on the trigger of dual 20mm cannons aimed at your left ear. Be prepared . . . that's the Boy Scouts marching song!
June 6 Reading, PA WWII Airshow - Featuring the Greatest Generation: One of wonderful benefits of owning your own airplane is the opportunity to get up and go anytime you like. This past weekend, for example, Pete Treichler and I flew a couple of our flight students (Greg Barnhart, age 14 and Erica Miller, age 14) in my T-210 down to the famous Reading, PA WWII airshow and display. There, we visited with distinguished members of the "greatest generation." The photo, below left (click on it to enlarge) shows Erica with Col. Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb over Hiroshima. The next photo to the right shows Erica and Pete at the controls of the world's last remaining flying B-29. The remaining photos below show the B-29 and the B-24 that will be coming to Buffalo in early August. Members and spouses of the Aero Club of Buffalo will be afforded private access to each of these vintage WWII aircraft on a special evening of music and barbeque delights (Thursday, August 5). Watch this publication for details.
Oshkosh AirVenture '04: One of life's greatest would have, should have, could have's is your visit to the famed Oshkosh AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! Missing this is like missing your daughter's wedding (well, almost). No other aviation event in the world is like it. The smell of high octane aviation fuel in the morning as a flight of B-17s pass over the aircraft camping area is one of life's indescribable pleasures. The photos below were taken at last year's Oshkosh AirVenture.
Contrary to persistent rumors, flying into Wittman Field during AirVenture is no more difficult than arriving at any fly-in breakfast. In fact, a team of friendly,patient, and highly skilled air traffic controllers working Oshkosh arrivals and departures make the whole process quite simple. I typically file and fly in IFR - which is a "walk in the park." VFR arrivals requires a bit more vigilance - but it works just as well. I will be arriving on Sunday, July 25 (two days prior to the show) to reserve tie-down spaces in the aircraft camping area. Please let me know if you plan to fly in and camp and I'll be sure to reserve a good spot for you with the rest of us from Upstate New York. Click HERE for your 2004 AirVenture Planning Guide. For those of you who have not yet been to Oshkosh, here's a couple of tips: 1. Carefully read the aircraft arrival procedures NOTAM. Click HERE to download the32 page PDF NOTAM file. 2. IFR arrivals and departures are easier and faster than VFR. If rated and current, definitely file IFR. Remember to make your slot reservation by calling 800-875-9694 three days prior to your departure date.
3. Lake Michigan
Crossing: Lake Michigan is approximately 60 miles wide.
You can avoid a lo 4. Pack for All Weather Conditions: July/August weather at Oshkosh is hot, cold, dry, wet, and oftentimes windy. Having plenty of drinking water on hand when you arrive can be a great relief when making camp in the heat of the day. 5. Groceries: Don't bother. There is a large supermarket (Piggly Wigly) within walking distance of the a/c camping area. Piggly Wigly also stocks a full liquor, beer, and wine inventory. Definitely bring and ice chest to keep things cool. 6. Meals: There's lots of great eating resources at Oshkosh, ranging from campfire hamburgers to gourmet meals at the Hilton (again, walking distance from a/c camping). Note: All the VIPs are housed at the Hilton. Dinner there will likely bring you face to face, or elbow to elbow at the bar with greats like Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, and actor/aviator Harrison Ford. 7. Entertainment: Aside from the afternoon airshow and a gazillion airplanes to gawk at, there is nightly live entertainment at the "Theater of the Woods." I generally find my way back to the campsite around 4pm each day for happy hour, then freshen up for dinner and a few at the Hilton, then a hitched ride to the Theater of the Woods" for a great show. This year we will be hosting a chicken and corn barbeque at the campsite on Thursday evening of Oshkosh week. 8. Daily Activities: Be sure to download the AirVenture Forum Program from the EAA website, http://www.eaa.org several days before leaving home. Study and mark the various forums you would like to attend ahead of time. Even if you arrive two days early, as I do, there's still plenty to do including, for example, the world's largest aviation flea market. I especially like sitting by the flight line with my hand held radio and watch the thousands of arrivals that land, three at a time, from all over the country. There's nothing like that in the world! I plan on convening an Oshkosh planning meeting at TGI Fridays, Main and Transit in Amherst, the week before Oshkosh for those who would like to discuss their Oshkosh travel plans. Watch this e-publication for details. For Sale:
A Summer Packed with Fly-In Breakfasts: There is no shortage of fun activities for local pilots and other aviation enthusiasts this summer. Click HERE for a chronological list of upcoming fly-in events. Over the Airwaves is being sent to over 150 local pilots and various members of the aviation community. Please forward this link to your aviation friends and invite them to sign up to receive their own regular copies of Over the Airwaves. To sign up (free), click HERE. Wonderful World of Flight: Be sure to visit the Wonderful World of Flight website at http://www.rjma.com/flight/homepage.htm. Quotations Worth Pondering:
I'd hate to see an
epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I
needed training." . . . How do you train for the most dangerous game
Balancing the essence of safety with the need to prepare pilots for the unexpected challenges awaiting them is one of the most challenging aspects of flight instruction. The pursuit of realism taken to excess is downright dangerous. On the other hand, cancelling flight instruction when the winds kick up, the clouds descend, or a "chance" of thunderstorms is predicted leaves the student dangerously under-prepared. It is far better for a student pilot to learn to deal with the beast with a qualified instructor aboard than to confront the beast for the first time by himself. Obviously, it is best to avoid the beasts altogether, but that's like saying we shouldn't drive in the rain or snow. Safe Flying,
Bob Miller, CFII
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Until recently, I
would file GPS direct to just about any place east of the Rocky
Mountains, believing that ATC would keep me clear of any TFRs, PFRs,
or hot MOAs. I paid attention to NOTAMs effecting my departure
and destination airports. Beyond that, I found it difficult to sort
through endless extraneous detail of FDC and other enroute NOTAMs
produced in the DUATs printouts. Likely, some of the FSS
specialists found this difficult as well! 
the
NOTAM . . . or it was buried in a mountain of extraneous detail that
s/he didn't see it. Still and all, it's our responsibility as
pilots to uncover this information in our pre-flight briefings.
ng crossing by navigating north around the
northern end of the lake, or fly south around Chicago. I
always fly directly across the lake, with life jackets and a raft
kept close at hand . . . and eye on boats as I cross.