In Flight USA February 2025

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Calendar of Events

To list your group’s event on a space available basis, please send your event notice with date, time, place w/city and state, contact name, and phone number to: Calendar, In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402, or email vickie@inflightusa.com

Note: Calendar includes only information available by our press date, Friday, Dec. 31.Confirm the status before attending.

FEBRUARY

Feb14-16: Buckeye Air Fare & AOPA

Fly-In, Buckeye, AZ

Feb16: WBCA Stars & Stripes Air Show

Spectacular Sponsored by Miller Lite, Laredo, TX, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

Feb 21-23: Wings over Wairarapa, Masterton, NZ

Feb 22-23: Swamp Cabbage Airshow, LaBelle, FL, Chefpitts Airshows, Doug Litton Airshows • J & J Aero, LLC

MARCH

Mar 8: 67th Cactus Fly-In, Casa Grande Airport, Ariz.

Mar 8-9: Shaw Air Expo /Thunder Over the Midlands (CANCELLED), Shaw AFB, SC

March 10-13: Verticon (By VAI), Dallas, Tex , 600-plus industry suppliers, 15,000 industry professionals from 85 countries

Mar 15: El Centrol Air Show, Free and open to the public

Mar15: Yuma Airshow 2025, MCAS Yuma, AZ, CAF RISE ABOVE, Commemorative Air Force, Darnell Racing Enterprises, Inc , Heritage Flight Museum, Jim Peitz Aerosports, Inc , Patriots Jet Team, Precision Exotics, Redline Airshows • Tora Tora Tora

Mar 15-16: Space Coast Warbird Airshow (CANCELLED), Titusville, FL

Mar 15: NAF El Centro Festival of Flight, NAF El Centro, CA, U.S. Navy Blue Angels, F-16 Viper Demo Team

Mar 15: Bluebonnet Airshow, Burnet, TX

Mar 22-23: Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ U S Air Force Thunderbirds, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Ace Maker Airshows

Mar 22-23: California Capital Airshow, Sacramento, CA, U S Navy Blue Angels, F-16 Viper Demo Team • USMC F-35B Lightning II

Mar 25-30: Australian International Airshow (AIA), Avalon, AU

Mar 27-29: Women in Aviation International Conference, Denver, CO, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Conference Center

Mar 29-30: Defenders of Liberty Air & Space Show, Barksdale AFB, LA, U S Air Force Thunderbirds • U S Army Parachute Team Golden Knights

Mar 29-30: NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular, NAS Key West, FL, U S Navy Blue Angels, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Skip

Apr 1-6: SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, Lakeland, FL, U S Navy Blue Angels, F16 Viper Demo Team, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Titan Aerobatic Team

Apr 5-6: Aviation Nation Air Show, Nellis AFB, NV, U S Air Force Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

Apr 5-6: Wings Over Homestead ARB, Homestead ARB, FL, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, U S Army

Parachute Team Golden Knights

Apr 12-13: Southern California

Airshow at March Field 2025, Riverside (March ARB), CA, U S Air Force

Thunderbirds

Apr 12-13: MCAS Beaufort Air Show, MCAS Beaufort, SC, U S Navy Blue Angels, F-16 Viper Demo Team, U S Army Parachute Team Golden Knights

Apr 12-13: Altus Air Force Base Open

House & Airshow, Altus AFB, OK

Apr 12: Thunder Over Louisville, Louisville, KY, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Starlight Aerial Productions

Apr 12: Great Texas FreedomFest, San Antonio, TX

Apr 19-20: Dyess 2025 Open House, Dyess AFB, TX, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Ace Maker Airshows

Apr 23-26: Feria Aeroespacial Mexico, Santa Lucia AB, MX

Apr 26-27: Air Power Over Hampton Roads, Langley AFB, VA, U S Air Force Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, U S Army

Parachute Team Golden Knights

Apr 26-27: Air Dot Show Augusta, Augusta, GA, U S Navy Blue Angels

APRIL MAY

May 2-4: Red, White and Blue Airshow, Monroe, LA, F-35A Lightning II

Demonstration Team, U S Army

Parachute Team Golden Knights, USMC MV-22 Osprey, GhostWriter Airshows, RJ Gritter Airshows, Titan Aerobatic Team

May 3-4: Air Dot Show Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S. Navy Blue Angels, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

May 3-4: Wings Over Wayne Air Space & Technology Expo, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, U S Air Force Thunderbirds

May 9-10: Wings Over South Texas (WOST), NAS Corpus Christi, TX

May 10-11: Gunfighter Skies Airshow (CANCELLED) Mountain Home AFB, ID

Stewart Airshows

RUKO TOYS OFFERS INNOVATION AND CUTTIN G-EDGE TEC HNOLOGY IN DRONES

By Annamarie Buonocore

Driven by a passion for aviation toys, Ruko offers family entertainment experiences through a variety of electronic toys, most specifically camera drones In Flight USA had the pleasure of interviewing Charlene Chan who described some of the company’s latest drones with the mission to “connect families” and “create joy ” Ruko drones are also excellent tools for aviation photographers and aviation enthusiasts

In Flight USA: What is Ruko and how did it get started?

Charlene Chan: Ruko is driven by a passion for connecting families and creating joy, with a deep commitment to the North American market We focus on enhancing family entertainment experiences by offering highly aesthetic, highperformance, and premium-quality consumer electronics backed by five-star service Designed to meet the imagination and love that users have for technology, Ruko invites you to explore, discover, and share moments of happiness With millions of products sold, we’ve earned

the

trust and affection

of customers across North America

Mr Luo, the founder of Ruko, is an aerospace and aircraft enthusiast Driven by his passion for aviation toys, he founded the Ruko drone series From the F11 to the latest F11PRO 2, we have consistently refined and iterated on our products

through dedicated research and development, aiming to bring even more people a better flying experience and endless joy

IFUSA: What drone or toy are you showcasing on the front cover?

CC: The cover showcases our latest drone, the F11PRO 2, from our Ruko brand, representing our commitment to

innovation and cutting-edge technology in the drone market

IFUSA: How does it work and what are the benefits?

CC: The F11PRO 2 utilizes advanced bidirectional GPS and dualantenna remote control technology to ensure precise navigation and seamless communication between the drone and controller Compared to traditional unidirectional GPS and single-antenna transmission, the F11PRO 2’s advanced remote control technology offers a more stable connection and smoother image transmission through bidirectional signal transmission. This cutting-edge digital transmission technology enables an impressive 10,000-foot range, providing an exceptional flying experience whether you’re flying long distances or exploring large areas

IFUSA: What is your price range?

CC: The suggested retail price is $569 99, but it is currently available for $459 99 on Amazon You can search for the Ruko F11PRO 2 on Amazon to learn more about the product and take advantage of this limited-time discount

Continued on Page 7

Ruko’s F11PRO2 represents the company ’ s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology (Courtesy Ruko)

RUKO TOYS OFFERS INNOVATIONAND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

IN

DRONES

StoryBeginsonPage4

AIRCRAFTIN ACTION AT SOCAL FIRES 2025

StorybyJohnYount

PhotosByBobMartinez Page20

ChrisRocheleauNamedActingFAAAdministrator............11 FAACommissionsNewATCTowerAtTeterboroAirport....13 SeanDuffySwornInAsDOTSecretary................................14 SanCarlosAvoidsGoingDarkOverWageNegotiations....16 NBAA’sNewCampusConnectProgramShapingFuture....18 CoalitionofAviationOrganizationsCommentonSafety....28 AOPARecognizesTopInstructors,SchoolsbyRegion......33 Hartzell’sCompositeTalonPropApprovedforGamebird..36 UNDApprovedForAirTrafficCollegiateTrainingProgram36 H55,AerovoltPartnertoRevolutionizeElectricInfrastructure ..37 PureflightAviationExperiencesBusiestYearEver..............38 TopAirshowPerformersCommittoEAAAirVenture..........40 AOPA’sASIReleases EarlyAnalysis VideoOnPhiladelphia Crash....................................................................................43

AOPAEditorial:ThePathAhead

ByDarrenPleasance,AOPAPresidentandCEO ................8

Editorial:NotAGoodWeekforAviation ByEdDowns .................................................................9

X-37BOrbitalTestVehicleonits7thMission ByLarryE.Nazimek ......................................................25

WhalenGoodTime:FlyingcoupleTieTheKnot ByMattOdenbrett ........................................................26

HeDaredto WriteWeDaredToFly ByAnnamarieBuonocore .............................................28

Wingmen:InterviewwithAuthorAdamLazarus ByMarkRhodes ............................................................32

IfIRanAFlightSchool:WhatBeginnersShouldLook For ByCynthiaWheatleyGlenn ....................................35

TheUpsand Downs ofFlightTraining:SageAdvice+ FAR+L/D=Beer

CoverPhotocourtesyRuko

The Ups and DOWNS of Flight Training

Lessons come in many forms, sometimes all grouped into a single experience This month’s “training thoughts” are contained in a single flight Yes, this tale may sound like just another “hangar flying” session, but perhaps there is something you can take away that will come in handy when least expected Let’s start with the three key elements that emerged

• Advice from a friend and longtime A&P … “The most dangerous airplane you will ever fly is one fresh out of major maintenance.”

• Per FAR 103 (a) “Have alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed ” This principle was explained to this writer by a mentor and experienced test pilot as, “Always plan your flight so that if you must put the airplane down, or bail out, you will end up within walking distance of a beer ” That may sound like sheer bravado, but translated, it means you are not injured, and help is close by

• Know your plane and how to get the most out of it

The year was 2003, the centennial celebration of the Wright Brother ’s first flight. This writer was running an airplane company that had just completed a new design, to be introduced at the 2003 EAA AirVenture event, a truly “big deal” in the world of aircraft sales As often is the case, the final FAA mandated flyoff time was completed just before departing for the event, but there were still some issues to be resolved with the turbocharger intercooler

The company show-team had already departed and this writer was to take off the morning of the last day in which the plane could be positioned in the show site cutting the arrival time very close The plan was simple, work all night to make sure all was good with the machine and take off shortly before sunrise, ensuring a full day for the trip The plane, typically equated to “low and slow” STOL flying, now had a cruising speed of almost 135 knots, endurance of more than 5 hours and a demonstrated absolute ceiling of nearly 30,000 feet, enabled by a turbo charger and specially designed, constant speed, high altitude prop With expected high altitude tailwinds, the 1,500-mile flight across the northern tier of states could be conserva-

By Ed Downs

“Always plan your flight so that if you must put the airplane down, or bail out, you will end up within walking distance of a beer ” But, hold off on that beer until you are at least eight hours away from your next flight (Olia Nayda, free image)

tively accomplished in one day with one fuel stop and time to spare Arriving at the plant early on departure day, this writer did a careful preflight and loaded about 200 pounds of promotional gear I did not pull the cowling to check my team’s last minute work done on the intercool, a failure which was later to prove the old A&P right. The climb out from southwest Idaho was brisk, reaching a cruise altitude of 17,500 feet in about 20 minutes I was hooked up to an advanced, high capacity, oxygen system Staying below Class A (not filing IFR) airspace allowed me more options in altering course, as needed, to remain within reasonable distance of major highways and towns keeping to the “beer” objective in mind Crossing the Teton Mountains just to the northwest of Jackson Hole was spectacular as the sun rose To the north were the great mountains and wildlife preserves of Yellowstone, with wisps of lenticular clouds beginning to form, an indication of predicted tailwinds Awesome scenery! Yep, a nasty job, but somebody had to do it!

Following a path roughly equated to highway 26 (keeping that beer in mind), my flight headed for the midpoint-refueling stop, Rapid City (KRAP, not making that up!) One flies over historic Native American country, the Little Big Horn River area, the Black Hills, and Mount

The Ups and Downs

Continued from Page 6

Rushmore Great flying for a dedicated history nut! An uneventful landing and fast refueling in Rapid City was followed by heading out on a direct route that kept me to the north (but in sight) of highway 90, offering the security of a “beer” for the remainder of the flight to Oshkosh

Having once again climbed to 17,500, this writer settled in to play with a newfangled toy, the panel installed moving map GPS (a relatively new gadget in 2003), learning while enroute how to locate airports and airport data

Tailwinds had increased the groundspeed to nearly 160 kts All was good! The tranquility of flight was suddenly interrupted by a liquid mist that began to appear on the windshield The coolant temperature (a liquid cooled engine) soared, along with cylinder head temps. Instantly, I realized the engine had lost its coolant. I shut down the engine and slowed to stop the windmilling prop, reducing drag Having done most of the flight testing in this plane, I knew the minimum sink speed (max L/D) was 54 kts, which I trimmed to quickly to optimize the demonstrated glide ratio of 14/1 I was now descending one foot for every 14 feet travel forward, good to know With the plane trimmed, it was time to

Cover Story

Continued from Page 4

IFUSA: How are these tools beneficial to aerial photographers?

CC: The F11PRO 2 offers 6K UHD photo resolution, paired with a Sony lens, making it your ticket to capturing the world from a fresh perspective It allows you to view waterfalls, mountain ridges, or secluded beaches from unique angles, offering an immersive experience of places that are hard to reach

Aerial photography often faces challenges like flight posture and wind, which can affect stability The F11PRO 2 addresses this with its 3-axis brushless gimbal

This enhanced stability, combined with superior image quality, makes the F11PRO 2 an ideal choice for capturing steady footage even in challenging environments

Additionally, the F11PRO 2’s largecapacity battery offers up to 35 minutes of flight time, giving you more time in the air to find the perfect angles and shots.

IFUSA: What other products do you offer that would be of interest?

CC: We also offer the Ruko charger, which provides optimal charging performance and efficiency for F11PRO 2

IFUSA: What are your future plans for company growth?

select “nearest airport,” but the results were poor, as only small airport options were available that would probably not have the maintenance I might need.

The answer was Sioux Falls, about 24 miles to my south The GPS disclosed a pattern altitude of about 2,400 feet, so I set a conservative “arrive over the airport” altitude of not less than 3,000 feet MSL as my target I had already turned towards Sioux Falls and was down to about 16,000 feet MSL, giving me some 13,000 feet to work with Flight test had shown that at optimum L/D, I would travel just over 2 3 miles forward for each 1,000 feet of altitude lost Rough “head math” was clear, I could make it I squawked 7700 and headed for Sioux Falls That beer was within range! About ten miles out, I called the tower and declared an emergency. The tower said center had picked up my squawk and had informed the tower I was headed their way Cleared to land on any runway, or taxiway, I chose a taxiway that adjoined an FBO so I could coast into the ramp (thanks, Bob Hoover!)

The FBO quickly helped pull the cowling, and the problem was immediately apparent Working on the turbo intercooler had required temporarily

Continued on Page 12

CC: In the future, we will continue to focus on the Ruko brand’s mission to “Connect Family, Create Joy,” developing more products that bring happiness to families.

IFUSA: What are your thoughts on the drone industry preventing access to areas defined as Temporary Flight Restriction (TFRs)?

CC: In recent years, the drone industry has made significant advancements, bringing exciting new possibilities across various fields However, we recognize that the establishment of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) is for important reasons, such as protecting public safety, national security, and the safety of other aircraft Whether for emergency response, large events, or military operations, TFRs play a crucial role

As a responsible drone company, we are committed to promoting safety and sustainability within the industry. In compliance with FAA regulations, we have upgraded all of our drones weighing over 250g, including the F11PRO 2, to include remote modules, ensuring a safe and efficient flying experience for our users

IFUSA: Thank you To learn more about Ruko, visit the company website at rukotoy com

a member of AOPA is more than a huge list of pilot benefits. Joining AOPA empowers general aviation with a louder voice, keeping skies safer and open to pilots everywhere.

By Darren Pleasance AOPA President and CEO

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, I was contemplating how I might find a career path back into general aviation after more than two decades of leadership roles in the world of business And now I find myself with the chance to not only get back into general aviation, but to do it on the largest stage in the GA industry:

AOPA

I couldn’t be more honored to lead this important and inspiring organization I’ve been a member for 36 years, joining as a teenager I didn’t know the exact path my future would follow, but I was certain that aviation would be central to it in some form or another.

I was fortunate enough to become immersed in many aspects of aviation, including flight instruction, glider towing, Alaska bush flying, competition aerobatics, warbird formation flying, corporate jet flying, and more I had the chance to lead the Northern California Aerobatic Club (Chapter 38) and to serve for years on the boards of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) I marveled at the

THE PATH AHEAD

inspiring experiences and compelling people that GA introduced me to.

In my early 30s, it became clear that my dream job with the airlines was not in the cards Many airlines were going bankrupt at the time, and I had a colorvision issue that made me less desirable, despite receiving a demonstrated ability waiver and a first class medical with no restrictions This reality led me into the world of business at a variety of global companies, which afforded me the opportunity to keep flying It also allowed me to travel to virtually every country in the world, and it was these travels that showed me how truly amazing and inspiring the U S aviation environment is

The breadth of our aviation infrastructure and resources is truly unique in the world and something we can’t take for granted. Yet this freedom is consistently under threat Real estate development continues to encroach on airports, local governments are looking to airports for new sources of revenue, concerns over 100LL fuel are creating uncertainty, and the rising costs of insurance and aircraft, along with increased fencing around airports, are making aviation less accessible than it once was

The good news is that if we act together, I believe all these challenges can be addressed. We can not only preserve but also enhance the vitality of general aviation AOPA’s efforts have achieved many notable successes, including BasicMed, light sport, low-cost ADSB, user fee avoidance, and increased FBO transparency These achievements benefit all of us and strengthen general aviation

Looking forward, I see the opportunity to do even more Despite accidents being at an all-time low, I believe we can improve on this even more through better education and new low-cost technologies Our high school aviation curriculum is introducing more young adults to the world of aviation Several promising unleaded fuels are giving us optimism that a successful migration away from 100LL can be achieved by 2030. And social media is making it easier than ever to connect and engage individuals who share a common interest in one or more of the many diverse communities within GA AOPA will continue to lead in all these areas, and more, to strengthen aviation for decades to come

With this momentum, AOPA can use our sizable scale to help the vast world of

non-pilots better understand and appreciate the value that GA brings to our economy and every community that has an airport nearby. Whether it’s training the airline pilots of the future, supporting medevac flights and firefighting efforts, providing free transportation to our community members in need, or enabling a wide range of aviation-oriented businesses that provide employment for hundreds of thousands of our community members, airports make it possible

As we do this, we’ll also be working to continuously enhance the services and benefits that we provide to you, our valued AOPA members We want to earn your continued membership while welcoming new members There’s strength in numbers when it comes to protecting and enhancing this world of general aviation that we all love so much. Your voice and support will be critical in helping us to do this well

As I turn back to “all aviation, all the time,” I couldn’t be more excited and honored to serve all of you On behalf of the entire AOPA organization, thank you for your membership and your support I look forward to the many opportunities we’ll have to connect in the months ahead Blue skies

FALCON FIELD AIRPORT COMPLETES RECONS TRUCTION OF ANZIO RAMP

Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Ariz , has successfully completed the reconstruction of a portion of the Anzio Ramp, a significant upgrade that enhances the airport’s infrastructure and meets current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards Reconstruction of the ramp started in August 2024 The final application of paint to surface-painted markings on Dec 24 wrapped up construction The project was funded by the Arizona Department of Transportation through an Airport Development Reimbursable Grant Agreement

The total cost of the reconstruction was $577,759, with Woolpert, Inc serving

as the design engineer, Neve Construction as the construction contractor, and the City of Mesa Engineering Department providing construction management services. The Anzio Ramp was initially constructed in 1992, named after the Battle of Anzio during World War II This was the first major reconstruction of the pavement on this apron At the time of reconstruction, the ramp’s Pavement Condition Index score was 51, indicating poor condition

As a result of this project, one new aircraft tie-down position has been created, with plans for two additional tiedown positions to be constructed in the future The public use ramp also serves

several businesses at the airport, including Rango Inc , Allen Air 2, LLC, and Together at the Landing.

“The completion of the Anzio Ramp reconstruction is a noteworthy achievement for our airport,” said Corinne Nystrom, Airport Director at Falcon Field Airport “This long-awaited upgrade not only modernizes our infrastructure but also strengthens the foundation for the businesses and operations that rely on us It’s a testament to our commitment to progress We greatly appreciate the financial support provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation, which made this project possible ”

Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Ariz , recently completed the reconstruction of a portion of the Anzio Ramp (Photo credit City of Mesa)

The reopening of the Anzio Ramp is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support the continued growth of Falcon Field Airport and its associated businesses

THE NINET Y-NINES ANN OUNCE SEARC H FOR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Ninety-Nines, a global organization of women pilots founded in 1929 by aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart and 98 fellow trailblazers, is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead the organization into its next century of empowering women in aviation

With nearly 8,000 members and chapters worldwide, The Ninety-Nines is dedicated to advancing aviation through

education, scholarships, and mutual support. The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership, foster partnerships, oversee operations, and drive the organization’s mission to inspire and support women pilots around the globe

“This is an incredible opportunity for a leader who shares our passion for aviation and our commitment to empowering women in this field,” said Robin

Hadfield, International President. “As we approach our 100th anniversary, we’re excited to find someone who will guide us into the future while honoring our rich history ”

For a detailed position profile, including responsibilities and qualifications, visit https://morancompany com /executive-director-ninety-nines/ Applications are being accepted

through The Moran Company, which is managing the search. Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via The Moran Company’s secure online portal For questions about the position, contact Jane Lampo at jlampo@morancompany com

For more information, visit www ninety-nines org

Editorial By Ed Downs

NOT A GOOD WEEK FOR AVIATION

The week of Jan. 27 was not a good week for aviation As this editorial opinion is being written, the tragic collision between a regional airliner and military helicopter at Washington National Airport (DCA) is still front line news The inexplicable crash of a Lear Jet just days later in Philadelphia added to the frenzy of “experts” trying to explain why flying safety has taken such a tumble It seems almost irresponsible for an aviation publication such as In Flight USA to not comment upon these events but where to start? Should an editorial add to speculation and play the “blame game?” Should more words be written about the “failures of the ATC system,” perhaps add to criticisms of technology that did not prevent the collision? Maybe criticize the almost instantaneous “politicalization” of these tragedies?

In pondering these different approaches to offering thoughts that might actually be of value, this writer looked to his own experiences of the last week or so As an active CFI and ground instructor who works with hundreds of students every year, the pace of my training activities does not stop following an, “it should not have happened” accident And yes, no matter what the eventual contributing factors turn out to be, they are accidents, not caused by malice or intent I have had numerous conversations with fellow aviators, students and individuals who have little contact with flying, even as passengers on airlines. Despite wide differences in their knowledge of the National Airspace System (NAS), there is a thread of ignorance shared by all It is reasonable to conclude that you, our readers, are aviation fans, pilots or in flight training of some sort It is quite likely that you will eventually be engaged in conversations regarding aviation safety Allow this writer to share some thoughts I have shared with pilots, passengers, and others who lack an understanding of fundamental truths of aviation safety and operations within the NAS

First, and admittedly philosophicaly, there is the reality that the greatest danger to life is life itself One must face the fact that the prospect of death belongs to the living. It is often thought that with careful planning, continuous caution, healthy living, and the use of technology, we will be guaranteed a long and safe life The reality is that all the care taken to be safe can end in a fraction of a second More than 50 years ago (three days before the launch of Apollo 13), this writer was totally in control of his life and “living the dream ” While driving home

from the airport on a fast moving highway, my car was stopped by flashing construction lights and flagmen, as construction equipment was being moved across the highway Moments later a drunk driver smashed into the rear of my car at nearly 80 mph, collapsing the fuel tank into the rear seat area, whereupon it exploded, engulfing me in flames Years of recovery and surgery followed, with my thoughts locked on placing blame and concentrating on injuries that are still with me Good fortune had me working with experienced WWII pilots, one of whom (having experienced the horrors of war and loss, firsthand) pulled me aside and offered his thoughts. “Ed, you must build a special room in your memory and place the terrors of life in that room, close the door and lock it Get on with your life without those memories You have the key to that room, if needed, but use it wisely ” We must simply accept that bad stuff can happen Do your best, learn what can be learned and keep moving forward to the best life you can have

One soon comes to dislike “experts” after a serious aviation accident takes place “Experts” of every shape and variety emerge to offer opinions within minutes after a tragedy News agencies will grab anyone who has ever been around an airplane to make meaningful comments, often ending up with a word salad of nothingness. When approached by friends or family (often the same) with fears based upon the “last guy they saw on TV,” you must remind that stressedout person that the media is in the ratings business, which equates to advertising dollars Advise them to be patient and wait for the NTSB (not the FAA) to start releasing information

It was amazing to this writer that none of the early comments and opinions regarding the DCA collision seemed to be aware that procedures regarding helicopter versus fixed-wing operations at DCA are readily available if one simply logs on to www skyvectors com (a great aviation chart website that is free), to pull up the DCA Terminal Area Chart, the Runway 33 GPS Approach Chart and Helicopter Route Chart. Potential conflicts are easily recognized. The news media presented a particularly disappointing image to this writer during a carefully thought out and presented news briefing by the NTSB to a room full of reporters The NTSB representative carefully explained what the altitude of the

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airliner was, determined with great confidence due to ADS-B technology. The NTSB spokesman then pointed out that there was a discrepancy in radar (not ADS-B) altitude data related to the helicopter “News experts” present jumped upon this discrepancy, demanding to know what the altitude of the helicopter was The NTSB explained that if the airliner was at a given altitude, which is proven, then the helicopter must have been at the same altitude or they would not have collided sort of logical, eh? But “news experts” pounded away at the same question at least three more times, attempting to prove their agenda of ATC deficiencies An excellent briefing was turned into a feeding frenzy of speculation Please do tell your friends and family that few “experts” can tell the different between and Cessna 172, a Lear Jet, and a regional airliner. Few know anything about military aircraft or how they operate in civil airspace Few, if any, so called “experts” truly understand the role ATC plays in the National Airspace System

Now, about the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system This is where you, as a person who has at least the expertise to fly an airplane, can step in to help spread the truth We, as aviators, must also acknowledge that in order to preserve the excellent safety record held by aviation, we must have a good understanding of how we are served by the ATC structure While perhaps tossing out unverified statistics, this writer would guess that 99 percent of the general population and up to two-thirds of all certified pilots do not understand the function of ATC services. Virtually all socalled “experts” have concluded that ATC was directly involved in causing the DCA collision, in that it is the function of ATC to ensure that all aircraft are separated from all other aircraft Of course, that is NOT the job of ATC, and to get even more confused, there is no single ATC function, as the Air Traffic Control system is several functions (departments within the FAA) that work together

seen ” The PIC is ultimately responsible for aircraft separation when flying VMC, even if executing IFR procedures and in contact with a tower or radar services. Management of the National Airspace System depends upon all pilots understanding this rule (and it is a rule!)

Technology is simply not able to track and safeguard every airplane in flight in the United States Requiring all aircraft to be positively separated by some form of ground-based system would result in more than 85 percent of all public airports being closed Aircraft enroute that wish to have positive separation from other enroute aircraft coordinate through Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), having filed an IFR flight plan It is only an IFR clearance, or participation in class “B” or “C” airspace, which ensures separation from other participating aircraft. But even when operating with an IFR clearance or in protected airspace, collision avoidance belongs to the PIC if VMC exists

Many pilots believe the VFR-flight following guarantees aircraft proximity alerts and/or positive separation IT DOES NOT! Local control (Approach/Departure radar within a 20 mile jurisdiction limit and a control tower with a four mile jurisdiction) have a primary function of “optimizing runway utilization ” Read that as “cram and jam ” Keep in mind, it is this “optimization” that keeps you, the passenger, arriving and departing on time, with local separation guaranteed to all IFR aircraft (that typically means airliners) It was this “optimization” that was in play in DCA, demanded by many politicians in order to make their travel plans easier. The helicopter was on a defined visual route and the Runway 33 GPS approach to DCA is charted as a visual approach

This lack of understanding was made evident just recently when local tower controllers at a small general aviation airport in the San Francisco Bay area threatened a work stoppage due to problems with contract negotiations. The local community went “nuts,” fearful that airplanes would be falling from the sky if controllers were not present to keep pilots from running into each other I doubt local pilots would have given a hoot One must first understand that the overall principle of in-flight aircraft separation in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) rest on the rule of “see and be

Does this mean both pilots hold some level of responsibility yes Does this mean local control holds some level of responsibility yes Does this mean the helicopter crew may have had perceptions of where their flight path was authorized to go yes yet to be determined Does this mean technology failed yes Does this mean the basic layout of airspace utilization holds some level of responsibility yes ATC, the pilots, flight plan bias, airspace design and technology, five safety backups, were in place to assure safety… and they all failed, simultaneously.

At least one of these five elements should have sounded the alarm, but it did not This is not good news for a political system that likes a big, single solution that can be addressed by tossing money at it There is no single solution from the ATC, pilot, military, or technological side

Continued on Page 13

C HRIS ROC HELEAU NAMED ACTIN G FAA ADMINIS TRATOR

Chris Rocheleau was named Acting FAA Administrator in Jan. 30, 2025 by President Donald Trump. He is responsible for leading the safe and efficient operation of the largest aerospace system in the world His appointment came on the heels of a tragic midair collision at Reagan Washington National Airport

Rocheleau previously served the FAA with distinction for more than 20 years in multiple roles including Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety; Chief of Staff; Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy, International

Chris Rocheleau was named Acting FAA Administrator on Jan 30, 2025 He is responsible for leading the U S ’ s aerospace system (Courtesy FAA)

Affairs and Environment; Executive Director for International Affairs, and Director of National Security Programs, Emergency Operations and Investigations.

Before becoming Acting FAA Administrator, Rocheleau was Chief Operating Officer for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), overseeing aircraft and flight department operations, as well as administrative, financial, and human resources functions

Prior to NBAA and his tenure at the FAA, Rocheleau was one of the first leaders of the Transportation Security Administration He also served as an officer and special agent with the U S Air Force, retiring from the USAF Reserve in 2010 as a lieutenant colonel

Rocheleau holds a bachelor ’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a master ’s degree from the City University of Seattle.

AOPA Applauds Appointment Of Chris Rocheleau

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) applauds the Jan 30 announcement by President Donald J Trump on the appointment of Chris Rocheleau as the acting administrator of the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

“Chris is very capable and brings a commonsense approach to solving issues. He understands all sectors of aviation and will provide strong leadership needed at the FAA,” said AOPA President, Darren Pleasance

“Given the midair collision last night (Jan 29) near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport between an Army helicopter and a commercial passenger region-

al jet, this appointment is timely and I feel confident that the agency will respond appropriately after the NTSB provides its findings,” said Pleasance.

NATA’s Statement on Acting FAA Administrator

On Jan 30, NATA (the National Air Transportation Association) issued the

Continued on Page 12

Buonocore

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Open Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet, Hiller UH-12 E Helicopter,T-39 Saberliner, Mustang P-51 3⁄4 scale, Cessna 0-2, and Mig-15.

Short Solent Flying Boat walk through tour for an additional fee.

Activities during Open Cockpit include:

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•Simulators available for an additional fee

FAA Administrator

Continued from Page 11

following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s announcement of Chris Rocheleau as Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“NATA appreciates Chris Rocheleau’s return to public service at the FAA during this critical time for the U S aviation industry, and we thank President Trump for appointing a steady leader to guide the Agency’s response to yesterday’s tragic events NATA and our members stand in solidarity with the victims’ families, the first responders, the commercial airline and military aviation communities, as well as the FAA and NTSB investigators during this time of tragedy,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna

“The NATA team has worked alongside Chris in his role as Chief Operating Officer at the National Business Aviation Association on many issues important to the business and general aviation communities Chris is a catalyst for change and a champion for preserving the safety and effectiveness of the NAS He truly understands our industry’s value, our aviation system’s challenges, and opportunities for increased Agency/industry collaboration to identify solutions We are thrilled to continue our close partnership with Chris in his service as Acting FAA Administrator ”

NBAA Welcomes Rocheleau’s Selection as FAA Acting Administrator at a Critical Time

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes the announcement, made on Jan 30 by President Donald Trump, that Chris

Rocheleau has been appointed acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as the agency responds to the Jan. 29 midair collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

“Chris is an outstanding leader who will be good for the FAA, good for aviation and good for the country, especially at this challenging time,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen “He has demonstrated excellence at every level in the government, military and aviation industry ”

Rocheleau comes to the FAA after serving the past three years as NBAA chief operating officer

“The call to public service resounds deeply with Chris,” Bolen said. “We recognize and appreciate his readiness to once again serve his country, and we wish him all our best ”

FAA Statements on Midair Collision at Reagan Washington National Airport

Editor ’s Note: The following statements from the FAA are subject to change This is the latest information In Flight USA received prior to going to press Please check the FAA website (faa gov) and the NTSB website (ntsb gov) for updates

Friday, January 31, 2025

With the support of President Trump and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, effective today (Jan 31, 2025), Continued on Page 14

The Ups and Downs

Continued from Page 7

removing a coolant line A hose clamp was not properly secured when reconected, and the hose had popped loose Lesson learned! Quickly repaired and refilled with a high quality coolant (always on hand for Sioux Falls winters!), I skipped the beer and completed the trip in time to meet all show deadlines Oh yes, given the exciting nature of arriving at AirVenture on the busiest day of the show, I ended up making another “taxiway” landing at the request of a frustrated controller! The long day ended with a team dinner at a local pub, wherein, with some ceremony, I walked to the bar and ordered that beer

So, there you have it, but where is the training lesson?

• A good preflight must go further

than just “wiggling” the control surfaces

Consider recent maintenance

• Flight planning is more than entering data into your tablet-based system and staring with wonder at the computed results This old CFI has yet to see a digital system that computes a “back door,” just in case the first act of digital magic does not work out

• Know more about your plane than just power settings and cruise speeds. When was the last time you did a simulated engine out, with a glide to an airport all the way to touch down This is a great training exercise and terrific confidence builder

• Finally, hold off on that beer until you are at least eight hours away from your next flight

FAA COMMISSIONS NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT TETERBORO AIRPORT

On Dec 11, 2024, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dedicated the newly commissioned and environmentally sustainable air traffic control tower at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey

The 157-foot-tall tower has a 750square-foot cab that provides air traffic controllers a bird’s-eye view of the airfield It sits atop a 19,000-square-foot base building that houses office space for controllers, technicians, and administrative staff Both are designed to accommodate current and future operations

The new tower is equipped with the latest state-of-the art technology to keep up with the current and future demand of the growing airfield. It replaces a 75foot-tall tower that was commissioned in 1975

“The new Teterboro tower will house our controllers and our technicians doing what they do best – keep our skies safe, organized and efficient,” said FAA Teterboro Air Traffic Manager Matthew Peterson

The new tower meets the Guiding Principles for High Performance Sustainable Federal Buildings by reducing energy and water use, conserving resources, minimizing waste and protecting indoor air quality among other things

A total of 41 FAA employees work at the Teterboro tower – 29 in air traffic services and 12 in technical operations. Technical operations employees install

Editorial

Continued from Page 10

of this story The NTSB will issue advisories, which are often ignored The FAA will not be able to pile up a bunch of new rules, advisory circulars, and policies to solve the problem It is this writer ’s view that major problems within the National Airspace System will not be solved by a big bureaucracy

Solutions will come from locking the real users of the system, pilots, controllers, airspace planners, avionics experts and representatives from the aviation industry in a room and letting them pound out real-world solutions Keep senior managers, unions, politicians, and senior bureaucrats and “aviation experts” out of the room If this team needs any of these excluded entities, they can ask for them Perhaps by understanding, or more

FAA recently dedicated the newly commissioned and environmentally sustainable air traffic control tower at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey (Courtesy NBAA)

and maintain air traffic control equipment

The tower became operational in late October 2024 The final cost of the project is approximately $73 4 million

Just 12 miles from midtown Manhattan, Teterboro Airport is considered a general aviation reliever airport As a reliever airport, it does not offer scheduled airline service, nor does it permit operations of any aircraft in excess of 100,000 pounds on any airport surface

Its goal is to remove the non-scheduled, general aviation aircrafts from the regional air traffic that would cause major congestion at the area’s commercial airports.

importantly, being able to explain, how the system works, you will be able to help stop a headlong “knee jerk” reaction that will only cripple the entire air transportation system while producing no measurable increase in safety

There is still much to know about the terrible events of the week of Jan 27

An entire nation mourns for the loss of life and what humanity may have lost when what promised to be remarkable futures were abruptly ended. This writer is truly saddened by events, as if I have personally been engaged in loss I will continue to try and figure out “how could such a thing happen ” I will take away painful lessons I will then lock the memories in my personal “room of remembrance” and hold the key close to my heart

Chris Rocheleau Named Acting FAA Administrator

Continued from Page 12

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restrict helicopter traffic in the area over the Potomac River around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and stretching to Wilson Bridge These restrictions will remain in place until the NTSB completes its preliminary investigation of the air carrier incident at which point it will be reviewed based on NTSB’s report Review the full announcement at https://www transportation gov/briefingr o o m / u s - t r a n s p o r t a t i o n - s e c r e t a r yannounces-new-faa-action-ensure-safetyairspace

“Today’s decision will immediately help secure the airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of airplane and helicopter traffic,” said U S Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “This is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding our nation’s skies and upholding the highest standards of air travel safety We will continue to support President Trump’s directive to achieve uncompromised aviation safety The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system and today’s action is a significant step towards restoring that trust ”

January 30, 2025

FAA investigators are supporting the NTSB-led investigation of Wednesday night’s (Jan 29) midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport The NTSB is leading the investigation and will provide all updates. We cannot comment on any aspect of open investigations The FAA will quickly take any actions necessary based on evidence from the investigation

January 29, 2025

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p m local time PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines It

departed from Wichita, Kansas The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.

Learjet

55 Medevac Crash in Philadelphia

Tragically and unfortunately, a second and separate crash occurred only two days later in Philadelphia

The NTSB is on scene investigating a Learjet 55 (MTS056) Medevac crash into a commercial and residential area shortly after departure from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p m ET on Jan 31, 2025

NTSB investigators are on scene documenting the wreckage, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. All aspects of this incident remain under investigation.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the date of the accident The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation A probable cause of the crash and any contributing factors will come in the final report, which is expected in 12 to 24 months

Editor ’s Note: As of Feb 1, this is the information In Flight USA has received regarding this accident Please check the NTSB (ntsb gov) website for updates

NTSB investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the Learjet 55 that crashed on Jan. 31 in Philadelphia. The CVR was located at the site of initial impact, at a depth of 8 feet NTSB investigators also recovered the airplane’s enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), which could also contain flight data Both components will be sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC for evaluation

NTSB investigators have recovered both engines Wreckage recovery continues All of the wreckage will be sent to a secure location in Delaware for further examination

Other Aviation-Related Government Appointments: Sean Duffy Sworn In as Secretary of U.S. Department of Transportation

On Jan 28, Sean Duffy was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Duffy was administered the oath of office by U S Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U S Supreme Court and was joined by his family Upon arrival at USDOT headquarters, Secretary Duffy’s first act was signing a memorandum directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will ultimately lower the price of a car for American consumers and eliminate the electric vehicle mandate

“I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me by President Trump to lead this important Department and for the Senate in swiftly confirming my nomination,” said U S Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy “We are already hard at work executing the President’s vision to usher in a golden age of transportation by taking immediate action to remove government overreach and lower costs for hardworking Americans ”

Duffy served as Congressman from Wisconsin’s 7th District in the U S Congress for ten years, serving on the House Financial Services Committee and actively leading on local transportation issues via his co-chairmanship of the Great Lakes Task Force

Prior to serving in Congress, Duffy was the District Attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin, for ten years. There he brought more than a hundred cases to trial with a 90 percent trial success rate After leaving Congress, Duffy hosted the Fox Business show, “The Bottom Line with Dagen and Duffy ”

Duffy was born and raised in Hayward, Wisc As the tenth of eleven siblings in a large Irish Catholic family, Sean learned the enduring value of cooperation and compromise Duffy also comes from a long line of lumberjacks, who helped build his beloved state of Wisconsin, and was a world-champion lumberjack athlete He holds a marketing degree from St Mary’s University, and a J D degree from William Mitchell College of Law.

He is married to Rachel CamposDuffy and have nine children together.

GAMA Statement:

General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce, released the follow-

U S Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was joined by his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, to be ceremonially sworn in by Vice President JD Vance (Department of Transportation)

ing statement regarding the confirmation of Secretary Duffy:

“GAMA congratulates Secretary Duffy on his confirmation and looks forward to working with him on the critical issues facing general aviation. Throughout the confirmation process, we have been impressed with Secretary Duffy’s policy knowledge and leadership credentials, which will serve him well as head of the U S Department of Transportation We are encouraged by his candor about the challenges facing our aviation system and his prioritization to implement the latest FAA reauthorization law We look forward to showcasing to the Secretary the important role that general aviation provides to the businesses and communities across the U S and are eager to work with him and his team to further advance aviation safety and innovation and build a stronger economy and manufacturing workforce.’’

NATA Statement

“NATA congratulates Secretary Sean Duffy on his confirmation to lead the U S Department of Transportation and looks forward to partnering with him to further the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System, while preserving the essential services our industry provides to thousands of diverse communities across the nation During his confirmation hearing, Secretary Duffy demonstrated a commitment to these shared goals and a willingness to engage with Congress and industry stakeholders to ensure continued U S global aviation leadership Secretary Duffy’s leadership will be critical to timely implementation of Congressionallymandated reforms to improve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) efficiency and modernize regulatory oversight for NATA’s more than 3700 members We stand ready to assist Secretary Duffy and his team with this important work,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna

SAN C ARLOS AIRPORT TOWER NEAR SFO AVOIDS GOIN G DARK

Less than 20 miles south of San Francisco International Airport, the air traffic control tower at the general aviation San Carlos Airport (SQL) was set to go dark Saturday, Feb. 1 after the entire air traffic control staff resigned over a contract dispute with the private company that employs them

Fortunately, the matter was resolved and the tower remained fully operational

After two tragic accidents just prior to the Jan 31 negotiations fall-out, residents in surrounding communities became alarmed that the tower would not be serviced

The FAA has contracted with Robinson Aviation (RVA) to staff the tower The company has a “standard” pay

scale that they use throughout the country to pay their air traffic controllers The contract did not take into account the significantly higher cost of living in the San Francisco Bay area and as a result, the controllers staffing the San Carlos tower where offered lower wages than they were currently being paid

However, RVA agreed to renegotiate and raise the SQL tower controllers’ wages to an agreeable amount, bringing the team back to work on Saturday, without interruption San Mateo County

Supervisor Ray Mueller became involved in helping to find a resolution in light of the Washington DC and Philadelphia accidents, calling the San Carlos situation urgent

The San Carlos Airport is home to approximately 500 aircraft and more than 25 aviation-related businesses Last year, San Carlos Airport generated over 90,000 aircraft “operations.” Approximately half of the operations are business related or revenue generating The Airport is an important business and transportation asset to the community Local businesses use their own aircraft or local air charter services to be more efficient, productive and competitive in their business markets

San Carlos Airport provides a variety of emergency service and response functions including Air-Ambulance, Medivac flights, law enforcement patrols and it provides a base for other important emergency service activities and govern-

San Carlos Airport Tower avoided going dark over pay negotiations

(Courtesy San Carlos Airport/San Mateo County)

ment agencies that add to the safety and security of the community

Learn more at https://www smcgov org/publicworks/sa n-carlos-airport

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH BEGINS ‘MOS T IMPORTANT DEPLOYMENT OF MY

By Jim Greenhill DOD News

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was sworn into his new role leading

America’s 3 5 million service members and civilians by Vice President JD Vance the morning of Jan 25, following Hegseth’s Jan 24th’s evening Senate confirmation

“When President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense,” Hegseth said during his Jan 14 confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser-focused on lethality, meritocracy, warfighting, accountability and readiness ”

Hegseth listed restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence as the ingredients needed to bring back warfighting

Calling himself a change agent,

LIFE’

Hegseth outlined a vision of a culture of accountability, high standards, performance, readiness, rapid innovation and merit across the Defense Department

“We share the same goals,” he told the committee “A ready, lethal military; the health and well-being of our troops; and a strong and secure America ”

He also said he would trim the bureaucracy and reallocate resources to the warfighter

“We won World War II with seven four-star generals,” he said. “Today we have 44. … There is an inverse relationship between the size of staffs and victory on the battlefield We do not need more bureaucracy at the top We need more warfighters empowered at the bottom So, it is going to be my job to identify those places where fat can be cut, so it can go toward lethality ”

A former Army National Guard officer, Hegseth, 44, served as an infantryman leading troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and guarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay His military awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge

Hegseth said his role as the 29th secretary of defense is “the most important deployment of my life.”

Hailing from Minnesota, Hegseth graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and earned a master ’s degree from Harvard University in 2013 He has led organizations advocating for veterans, served as a Fox News host and published several books

Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, have seven children

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was sworn into his new role on Jan 25 He will lead 3 5 million service members and civilians (Department of Defense)

NBAA’S NEW C AMPUS CONNECT PROGRAM: SHAPIN G THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION LEADERS

As demand for business aviation maintenance technicians continues to grow, the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) Maintenance Committee’s new “Campus Connect” program aims to reach students and faculty at their schools to showcase the industry and its benefits

“Hundreds of thousands of technicians will be needed across all sectors of the aviation industry in the coming years,” said Stewart D’Leon, NBAA

director of environmental and technical operations, and committee liaison. “This program enables us to engage directly with students, showcasing the diverse career opportunities in business aviation It complements NBAA’s ‘Collegiate Connect’ initiative, where students nationwide attend our annual convention, NBAA-BACE, to explore the wide range of professional opportunities in the industry ”

The committee was on campus at

Purdue University Jan. 14-16. Previous events have taken place at Western Michigan University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and other institutions that are considered feeder schools to business aviation

During the program, the committee meets directly with students, presents a discussion about the industry and allows students to meet with various committee members to hear directly from those in the field Additionally, faculty members

in these programs are invited to committee events and a dinner.

Up to 120 students have attended each on-campus event, said D’Leon

“The Campus Connect program was developed from an idea the Maintenance Committee had, and has evolved into an initiative that reignites our passion to help the next generation,” said Andrew Kiehl, committee chair and Purdue graduate

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“The Maintenance Committee works hard to mentor and develop those coming after us, and by visiting schools around the country in conjunction with our committee meetings, we’re able to get in front of more students than ever,” he added “We’re not just opening doors; we’re also guiding curriculum, educating the students on the benefits of a career in business aviation, and ensuring our pipeline of talent entering the industry remains healthy ”

While the Maintenance Committee is so far the only one to conduct such a program, D’Leon said the initiative is one all NBAA committees can take part in

“We must make every effort to showcase the advantages of a career in business aviation to the next generation,” he added “This is vital to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of our industry ”

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By John Yount

It was about Jan. 4, 2025 that weather monitoring stations (meteorologists) were starting to be concerned with the large weather gradient difference with a high pressure centered over the Great Basin and lower pressure near or off the coast of California What was to become was almost unimaginable California Department of Forestry, CalFire initiated moving the departments fire engines and crews from central and northern California to Southern California in anticipation of the forecasted winds Prepositioned in locations usually outside the City and County of Los Angeles, these additional resources would respond as requested to assist This prepositioning of fire equipment was also in or near other Southern California counties.

Weather January 7, 2025

Unlike previous wind events (Santa Ana) also known as “devil winds,” if wind velocity increased as predicted, control or even containment of any evolving fires would be a monumental challenge As predicted, the winds increased from an off shore breeze to 80 and in some area’s gusts near 100 miles per hour, in probably less than an hour It became almost immediately known that a major disaster was in the making Mother Nature had the upper hand

Initial Response

On the night of Jan. 7, 2025, helicopter aircrews with the City and County of Los Angeles were faced with what was occurring People’s lives and property were being destroyed Regardless, if you are a firefighter on the ground or in the air, the same mentality exists, intervene! We have seen this example many times in the fire service; Twin Towers of New York, 343 firemen lost their lives within an hour Both Los Angeles City and County Fire Departments helicopters begin aerial delivery of water in the early stages of the Pacific Palisades fire Flying in Santa Ana wind conditions at night was a challenge Helicopters assigned included L A City Fire Department’s Leonardo AW139 The AW139 copters have the capability to deliver 480 gallons of water utilizing a Simplex belly water tank. The city had predetermined ground fill locations for the copters to fill, usually within one minute to refill from a hydrant Los Angeles City operates five AW139

In addition, they operate two Bell 206 helicopters that are used for training and helicopter coordination, also known

SOC AL FIRES 2025

as HLCO over a fire. Both City and County Fire Departments utilize state-ofthe-art night vision technology It wasn’t long after the fire (s) started that additional night dropping helicopters would be needed Responding was Los Angeles County Fire Department Firehawks Si 70 A modified Blackhawk helicopter equipped with a 1,000-gallon belly tank and foam capability Capable of filling at a ground refill location or using a 12-foot snorkel with pump, the Si 70 has a “turn around” of about one minute from any water source that is at least two feet deep

Quick Reaction Force

Arriving on the evolving fire was a contract Coulson Chinook with a 3000gallon internal tank capacity and a Sikorsky S61 with a 1000-gallon belly tank Both helicopters are snorkel equipped and carry foam, which can be injected into the water tank; usually about one percent of class A foam per drop Coulson was awarded a year-round fire contract, Quick Reaction Force with Orange County Fire Authority to provide aerial fire suppression 24/7 The contract encompasses the counties of Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura with Southern California and Southern California Edison as part of the “deal ”

More aircraft are starting to arrive in the predawn morning of Jan. 8. First fixedwing airplanes start making drops, two Bombardier CL-415 known as Super Scoopers arrived over the Palisades Fire The CL-415 have a long-standing fire contract with Los Angeles County going back many (1970) decades The contract usually starts in late summer or fall depending on the weather The Super Scooper is an amphibian (built like a tank) with a capac-

ity to carry up 1,640 gallons of water. On board the CL-415 is a foam injection system that enhances water being delivered on fires The foam “breaks-down” the water into smaller droplets allowing the water to penetrate the fuel (grass-brushtimber) to assist in cooling of the fuel on fire The CL-415 delivers its 1,640-gallons load of water in seconds Each drop is about 250 feet long by 60 feet wide and in many cases the fuel burning in grass and brush are extinguished This is called direct attack Any water source (sea, lake, river) about three-quarters of a mile long is suitable for water pickup, which usually takes about 30 to 40 seconds

January 8th

New fires have started in several locations throughout the South The demand for aircraft is high as Command Centers (dispatchers) try to “fill” requests for both rotary and fixed-wing water and retardant dropping aircraft Another Los Angeles County Fire contract helicopter based at the Van Nuys Airport has joined in the battle The Erickson S64F has a capacity of 2,640 gallons of water, foam equipped, with snorkel and pump One unique feature of the S64 is it has fly and scoop water capability A probe with a small bucket attached is lowered into the water at about 40 to 60 miles per hour with the copter flying about 20 feet above the water surface. The fill time is about the same as a snorkel and pump. Why this unique option? Salt water, in hovering filling the powerplants are ingesting a mist of water, as is other copter components like the tail rotor also in the mist field Salt water is corrosive Fresh water is not a problem Shown in the media is a horrific scene of people fleeing for their lives

Although the wind is above the 30 milesper-hour limit for fixed-wing aircraft to drop retardant, it is now up to the flight crew to determine mission safety. Interestingly enough, the wind may be 60 miles per hour at the mouth of a canyon and only 30 on a ridgeline Fixed-wing retardant dropping aircraft are starting to join the battles This is a list of retardant dropping air tankers used on the fires: The State of California Air Program S 2T air tanker with a capacity of 1,200 gallons along with Cal Fire C130 (Tanker 122) which has only been in service a few months but is being used extensively on fires throughout California The C130 (T122) is one of seven the U S Coast Guard airplanes transferred to the State of California Cal Fire for conversion to 4,000-gallon air tankers. Two more C130s should be in service in the fall of 2025. Private fire aviation contractors made available two Douglas DC10s with its 9,400-gallon retardant capability Because of its size this was likely one of the first fixed-wing aircraft to join the battle dropping retardant in winds over 30 miles per hour

Other fires are now occurring at the same time as the Palisades fire Aircraft are being prioritized by life threat and impending loss of property by command centers, with this information being provided by airborne air bosses It would not be uncommon that helicopters and air tankers would drop on several fires as immediate needs arise The ATR 72, a sleek aircraft doesn’t look like an air tanker, with its “wrap around” tank, it joins the battle and carries 2,640 gallons of retardant The Bae 146 air tanker comes in two different configurations depending on the operator who designed and converted the aircraft for fire work One company has the tank fully enclosed in the fuselage The other company decided to wrap the tank around the exterior of the Bae 146 Both have 3,000-gallon capacity Also seen on the fires is the MD87, another 3,000-gallon air tanker The MD87 has the retardant tank within the fuselage however, in order for the retardant not to be ingested into the aircraft’s two aft power plants, a discharge point (small looking tank) near the leading edge of the wing allows the discharged retardant to remain clear of the powerplants. Other air tankers who may have been part of this fire siege are the Boeing 737 Fireliner a 4,000-gallon tanker and a private C130 another 4,000gallon tanker All the large air tankers (LAT) in the U S are converted airliners Private industry has provided this service

Continued on Page 21

The Erickson S64F has a capacity of 2,630 gallons of water, foam equipped, with snorkel and pump and has the capability to fly and scoop water (Bob Martinez)

SoCal Fires 2025

Continued from Page 20

since the late 1950s contracting with primarily the federal government. Although most of the air tankers are in for heavy maintenance, operators where able to immediately dispatch at least one or more airtankers Painfully missing was the Super Tanker 747 carrying 18,000 gallons of retardant, which was eliminated from air tanker contracting after three successful years of operation around the world More to come in a future article

Military Assets

With the current destruction continuing to escalate and the forecast calling for a slight break in the winds and more Santa Ana’s returning in a few days, the governor of each state has the ability to request Air Force Reserve Units to activate their MAFF program, as was the case in California MAFF (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting) systems are located throughout the U S A total of eight Reserve units can provide trained crews and two MAFF systems, utilizing the military C130 These specialized aircrews usually train and get certified in the early spring at one location This training is usually one week and includes not only flight crews but ground

support who provide maintenance of not only the MAFF unit but the aircraft With a notice to respond it takes about 24 hours to prepare for a MAFF flight to be on its way to their assignment. The MAFF system has an air pressure tank vessel that has to be filled after each drop (air or ground compressor) The retardant tank has a capacity of 3,000 gallons Unlike the private operator who uses gravity to release the retardant, the MAFF utilizes compressed air The discharge of retardant is released on the port side of the C130 utilizing a modified troop carrier door through a single-nozzle arrangement The Army Reserve and Air Force

Reserve supplement the private helicopter industry when all private helicopters operators are being utilized The Army Reserve provides trained Blackhawk crews utilizing a Bambi Bucket 620-gallon capacity attached to an external 58foot sling. The Guard also provides a CH47 Chinook with a 2,640-gallon Bambi Bucket with the same sling arrangement Unique to the State of California, both the Blackhawk and Chinooks are staffed with a CalFire aviation helicopter manager who flies with the Guard This manager is always on board and is well versed in air operations: Target identification, radio communica-

tion (if need be) and providing another level of safety. If the Guard helicopter is diverted to a new evolving fire, it is the manager ’s responsibility to make sure the arrival into the fires air space is a smooth transition with other aircraft assigned to the fire If a Guard ship has to remain overnight somewhere (usually the case), the manager arranges transportation, meals and lodging The manager is in constant contact with dispatch centers The Army Reserve Guard does not fly on fires at night California is the only State with a helicopter manager on board The Air Force Reserve have available rescue helicopters that are night certified with a winch for medical emergencies, on standby 24/7 located on or near an incident These Blackhawk copters are staffed with two pilots and two medics on board. A CalFire Manger coordinates their use.

Chemicals

Interesting that few media outlets have made an issue of the use of salt water being dropped on the SoCal urban interface fires The Super Scoopers are the primary airplanes delivering sea water on the

Continued on Page 22

Private fire aviation contractors made available a Douglas DC10 with 9,400-gallon retardant capability (Bob Martinez)

YOUR TRUSTED PERSONAL DRIVER

SoCal Fires 2025

Continued from Page 20

fires There is no evidence that seawater in such small amounts have any significant effect on the environment.

Also used are Surfactants, products that breakdown the surface tension of water, allowing water to soak into the material upon which it is applied This foam is not the kind used in aircraft fires; they are two different products Known as Class A foam, it is applied and used at a rate of one to three percent Some larger helicopters (Blackhawks, S61, S64, Chinooks) and the Super Scoopers have foam capability and usually drop directly on the flames to cool down the burning vegetation

The Boeing CH47 Chinook Helitanker operating for Los Angeles County Fire and California Edison features at 2,640gallon Bambi Bucket with an external sling (Bob Martinez)

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Long Term Retardant is the red stuff delivered mostly by fixed-wing air tankers The red color is a commercial rust, not a dye I don’t believe that a product (retardant) has been so extensively tested and retested as a forest fire retardant. Starting in 1954, a program called Fire Stop – with facilities and land at Camp Pendleton Marine Base – was initiated and that would become the foundation for research for aerial delivery of fire retardants In September 1954, the first known airtanker drop from a large airplane TBF on a fire was piloted by Paul Mantz, later partnered with Frank Tallman, which formed TallMantz Aviation, Santa Anna Airport Flying his modified Avenger with wooden tanks, about 600 gallons capacity, and a weather balloon inside the tank to prevent it from leaking, he dropped water only There are no recordings on how many sorties he made that day near Lake Elsinore, Calif. It was the Fire Stop program with commercial companies researching the development of chemicals to enhance water for application on vegetation fires

Looking into the future if water is good, a chemical slurry would be even better First product to emerge was an oil well drilling powder, borate; it was mixed with water at three pounds per gallon for aerial application, known as Fire Break Although it provided an adequate coating and fire stopping ability, it was heavy and was a soil sterilant Only used for less than two seasons, the term Borate Bomber started to be used by the press

Continued testing of numerous fire retardant chemicals by the U.S. Forest Service Lab in Missoula, Montana over the years is what is used on fires today. The testing for a better product is probably going to continue Long-term retardant is dropped just outside the fire to form a temporary firebreak, sometimes over a mile long on ridge tops Only one company produces this long-term retar-

dant known as PhosChek It is the only long- term retardant product approved for aerial application on wildland fires Air tankers don’t drop on homes or other structures. As a wildfire is encroaching on a structure the application of retardant between the fire’s edge and the structure is the only way to take the energy out of the flames There will be retardant drift surrounding the property In most cases the property is still standing after the fire becomes less threatening Washing and cleanup of retardant on the home and vehicles can be covered by insurance Numerous companies that do restoration work can assist Portable truck washing companies and private water tender companies could be a source, as are pool cleaners

As a side note, the first borate bomber retardant base was located at the Burbank Airport circa 1959 An air tanker company, AJ Tankers, flew two AJ Savages that were stationed at Burbank on a year-round contract with Los Angeles County The AJ’s carried 2,000 gallons of retardant

Editor ’s Note: As of In Flight USA’s press deadline, Jan 29, 2025, four fires remain active, which include the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hughes Fire, and Border 2 Fire However, amid wet weather, containment grew on all of Southern California’s wildfires The Palisades, Eaton and Hughes fires in L A County were 95 percent, 99 percent and 98 percent contained, respectively, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW

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BEECHCRAFT E50 TWIN BONANZA

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BOEING/STEARMAN A75 N1

New lowered price. Owner says sell now! Make your best offer. Thousands of WWII era pilots trained in this ubiquitous bi-plane. Fly low and slow and make a huge amount of noise. Nobody will miss you as you fly by. An older restoration, still mechanically very strong airplane owned and maintained by an A&P IA for many years.

A breath-taking total restoration of a classic WWII era primary trainer. Fly solo from the front seat. An absolute hoot to fly. Comes with a spare overhauled pickled engine. Add $2,500 to price with electric start.

X-37B ORBITAL TES T VEHICLE ON IT S 7TH MISSION

By Larry E. Nazimek

ABoeing X-37B was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Dec 28, 2023, to embark on its seventh mission The vehicle is also known as Orbital Test Vehicle 7 (OTV-7)

Its previous mission concluded with a landing on Nov 12, 2022, at the Space Shuttle Landing Facility on the Cape, after having been in space for 908 days

(The first three X-37B missions landed at the Vandenberg Space Force Base ) With the conclusion of this mission, the X37Bs, of which there are two, have accumulated a total of 3,774 days in space

That mission saw the space vehicle launched by an Atlas V rocket. This latest mission was the first aboard the more powerful Falcon Heavy rocket, so the vehicle can be expected to be going to a higher orbit

The X-37B is a classified project of the U S Space Force, so they will only provide information in general terms

The mission will have “ a wide range of test and experimentation objectives

These tests include operating in new orbital regimes, experimenting with space domain awareness technologies and investigating the radiation effects to NASA materials ”

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said about the mission, “This seventh flight of the X-37B continues to demonstrate the innovative spirit of the United State Space Force.”

In addition to the classified experiments and equipment, some unclassified projects are included One of the experiments on the last mission was from the U S Naval Research Laboratory, called PRAM-FX, which is designed to convert sunlight to radio-frequency microwave energy They have also tested the effects of long-duration space exposure to organic materials for NASA

Like other long-duration space vehicles, it generates electrical power from gallium arsenide solar cells with lithiumion batteries They are extended from the cargo bay by a long arm If a person on the ground sees the X-37 at the moment sunlight is reflected off the solar cell, it will appear as a bright flash, similar to the “Iridium flares,” that could be seen in the previous constellation of Iridium communication satellites, since de-orbited, that had three polished panels the size of doors (See In Flight USA, Dec 2016, pages 20-22 )

The X-37B bears a resemblance to

The X-37B orbital test vehicle concludes its sixth successful mission in 2022

(Staff Sgt Adam Shanks, U S Space Force)

X-37 with deployed solar array (artist’s conception) (U S Space Force)

X-37B performing aerobraking maneuver (U S Space Force)

the space shuttle, but is a lot smaller The X-37B is 29-feet, 3-inches long, with a wingspan of 14 feet, 11 inches and a height of 9 feet, 6 inch The space shuttle was 122-feet long, with a wingspan of 78-feet, and a height of 184-feet

For previous X-37 missions, those wishing to see it could go to https://heavens-above com/ and input their location to get a listing of when and where to look for it The Space Force, however, is not providing orbital information for this mission, so this website cannot provide predictions as to when and where to look for it Webmaster Chris Peat explained that the X-37B “...is in an unknown, but eccentric orbit. We cannot make predictions for it if we don’t have these elements and they are not published on the Spacetrack website, because this is a classified mission ”

Boeing recently announced that the X-37B began “advanced space maneuvering ” This involves performing a

Continued on Page 26

By Matt Odenbrett

Nearly every Sunday afternoon at San Diego’s Montgomery Field (KMYF), there is a hangar party in the T Hangars south of the transient parking area and across the street from it The hangar party is referred to as “Sunday Services ” Friends and fellow aviators come by every Sunday afternoon with drinks and snacks to network and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow aviation enthusiasts Some are retired professionals, while others are still working business people There are a few airline and corporate pilots who also attend when they are in town and off duty

Dann and Rebecca Whalen currently host this weekly event at their hangar. Dann is a long-time pilot and airplane owner, who has been at Montgomery Field since 1980 Dann and Rebecca have lived together since 1990, and were just married on Dec 11, 2024

It’s not every day that one hears of a couple advanced in age tying the knot, so I had to ask them for details “We met at an AA meeting ” Said Rebecca, “It’s not what I would recommend as a dating service That was not our idea in the beginning We just thought we would hold hands and try to get sober together Well what do you know, it worked ”

Dann and Rebecca have been sober since they met

Meeting Dann opened new horizons for Rebecca, “I had always enjoyed flying commercially, but before Dann I had never known anyone who was a pilot or owned an airplane ”

Dann, “I’ve been flying since 1980 I am a VFR Private Pilot While I always wanted to earn my Instrument rating, at the time I just wanted to get in my airplane and go fly I rented airplanes for the

A WHALEN GOOD TIME Flying Couple Ties the Knot After 35 Years

first ten years of my flying career In 1990, I bought my first airplane It was a Cessna 172. I flew it for ten years until I bought my Cessna 182RG, which I have owned up until the present.

“The farthest I have flown the two of us has been to Jackson Hole, WY We usually fly to other airports in Southern California We enjoy flying into smaller airports, like Big Bear, Hemet, and Cable airports There is always a nice café, and interesting people to meet at each airport We are long-time members of the ‘One Hundred Dollar Burger Flying Club ’ Rebecca has quite a collection of t-shirts from the various restaurants we have patronized ”

Rebecca has two grown children who also like to ride along with them on their local flights

Dann Whalen, 78, was a heavy equipment operator until a workplace accident ended his career in 2000. Rebecca, 80, retired from a teaching career in 2014

Dann was a life-long bachelor until he met Rebecca When I asked them what made them decide to get married after 35 years, Rebecca answered, “We have lived together for such a long time

X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

Continued from Page 25

series of advanced aerobraking maneuvers, taking it from a highly elliptical orbit, where it had been operating for months, and lowering its altitude using minimal fuel.

Aerobraking is a maneuver where a vehicle changes its position so as to increase its aerodynamic drag When certain high-performance aircraft, like the T38 Talon, land, they raise their nose to increase the area facing the relative wind

Most people believe that space is a

complete vacuum, but such is not the case There are still molecules that can, after a long period of time, affect a vehicle’s orbit. This drag eventually brought the Skylab down, and the International Space Station occasionally uses thrusters to increase its height above the Earth after its orbit has come closer to Earth

Chief of Space Operations, Gen Chance Saltzman, praised the X-37B team for its efforts “This first-of-a-kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United

that we didn’t feel the necessity to get married, until the estate attorney said to us, ‘You guys, it would be so much simpler if you two just got married!’ Our tax accountant said the same thing.”

Dann and Rebecca were married in a small civil ceremony at the San Diego County Administration building in San Diego Rebecca’s daughter and granddaughter witnessed the ceremony Dann explained their wedding date with a twinkle in his eye, “We decided to get married on Dec 11 We wanted to make sure we didn’t get married on Dec 7 There has been enough tragedy on that date ”

When I asked Dann about their future together, he replied, “I hope to continue to fly I am having trouble getting parts for my Cessna 182RG It is a 1978 model, and many parts are simply not available.” Aside from that, they intend to continue to live their lives as they have been doing for the last 35 years

Sunday Services have been held at Dann’s hangar since April 2024 Sunday Services is a weekly hangar party that has been held at various hangar locations at Montgomery Field for the last 18 years

States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and ability to perform in this challenging domain The success is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the team.”

We can only guess as to the duration of this mission, but it’s safe to say that it will be a long one

Technicians service the X-37B (U S Space Force)

Dann and Rebecca Whalen, long time flying couple are now married (Matt Odenbrett)

Every Sunday afternoon, the Whalen’s C182RG is pulled out of it hangar for Sunday Services (Matt Odenbrett)

Food and beverages are brought by patrons to enjoy at Sunday Services (Matt Odenbrett)

Sunday Services patrons enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie (remove at Sunday Services) (Matt Odenbrett)

Sunday Services have been held at the Whalen hangar since April 2024 (Matt Odenbrett)

HE DARED TO WRITE WE DARED TO FLY

An Interview with William “Bill” Reeder

By Annamarie Buonocore

There has been a recent wave of aviation books that have come across the desk of the editors here at In Flight USA One book that we recently had the pleasure of reading is We Dared to Fly by William (Bill) Reeder I had the pleasure of interviewing him on his stories during the Vietnam War, passion for aviation and history, and flight training This is Reeder ’s third book, and it is packed with action and adventure It is an exciting and informative read, and it was impactful to hear what Reeder had to say

In Flight USA: What is We Dared to Fly about?

Bill Reeder: We Dared to Fly is about my personal experiences during my first tour of duty in the Vietnam War. I flew the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk with possibly the most unique aviation unit in the United States Army at the time The book is about the classified surveillance missions that we flew during the war and the adventures that came from flying those missions Sadly, it is also about the many pilots and aerial observers killed in our unit We flew dangerous secret missions, indeed

IFUSA: When was your book pub-

lished?

BR: This is my third book, and it was published in November of 2024. It seemed like it took me forever to write it, but it took about four years

IFUSA: What compelled you to write this book?

BR: I have always enjoyed writing, and I had written two other books I enjoy telling stories and keeping the history of the war alive in people’s memories Writing this book has been a journey of reflecting on my own memories and reliving my experiences in aviation

IFUSA: What fascinated you about these classified missions?

BR: The classified missions were very interesting but also very scary Many people find this secretive part of the war interesting, and I enjoy sharing my firsthand experiences. The technology aspect of it is very fascinating, and it is a very unique experience that most people will never have

IFUSA: What is your personal background in aviation?

BR: I had some flight training when I was young and when I lived in California, but I never completed it I took lessons at the Santa Monica Airport when I was young I received the bulk of

my flight training in the army. That is where I completed my flight training, and I gained a lot of experience flying the classified missions To this day, I have friends who have airplanes and enjoy flying on occasion

IFUSA: What are your future writing plans?

BR: I am already working on a fourth book and am writing all the time I should have it done by next year, and we’ll see where that goes with the publisher Once you write a book, it’s natural to want to write more books

IFUSA: Where can people find/purchase the book?

BR: People can purchase the book on Amazon by going to www amazon .com and searching for We Dared to Fly. They can also find my other books there. Through the Valley is my memoir of my experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam on my second combat tour, flying AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters

IFUSA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

BR: Writing is a wonderful thing I would encourage them to think about their stories, brainstorm about those stories, and take their time writing in an organized fashion Staying organized is key I would

Author William Reeder reflects on his latest book, We Dared to Fly, about the true story of the young men who risked their lives daily on classified missions deep behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War, flying the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk into the jaws of death to capture timely intelligence for top military decision makers and senior national officials (Amazon/William Reeder)

encourage them to stay with the process and be consistent It’s very easy to just let a project go, so staying with it is critical

IFUSA: Thank you We encourage our readers to find the book on Amazon: https://www amazon com/We-Dared-FlyDangerous-Missions/dp/ 1493085301

COALITION OF AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS JOIN TOGETHER IN S TATEMENT REGARDIN G COMMITMENT TO AVIATION SAFET Y

Thirty national aviation associations, on Feb 5, issued the following joint statement regarding their commitment to aviation safety

Our country is mourning after the unthinkable loss of the passengers and crews of Flight 5342, PAT 25 and Med Jets Flight 056

The entire aviation community is united in our grief and our commitment to taking action to ensure accidents like these never happen again

We never take safety for granted, and we never will

Aviation remains the safest mode of transportation in the world. Nearly 50,000 flights take off and land safely each day in the U.S., and our National Airspace System remains the gold standard of safety

“We have the safest skies in the whole world,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said “Traveling by air is the safest mode of transportation ”

National Transportation Safety

Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy echoed that saying, “I assure you that the safest mode of transportation is air travel It is incredibly safe ”

We are confident that the NTSB, working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Defense (DOD) and other parties, will identify root causes and issue recommendations for the aviation industry and the U S military to prevent future accidents

The work of Chair Homendy, NTSB Board Member Todd Inman, other NTSB Members and the NTSB staff is critical for responding to these accidents and making our system even safer. As Member Inman recited days ago, “Through tragedy, we draw knowledge to improve the safety for us all ”

We strongly support this important work and urge policymakers to ensure that the NTSB and the FAA have the staffing and resources needed to ensure that the U S aviation system is safe and

efficient and can continue to innovate

We will find out what caused the terrible tragedies last week (last week of January) We will learn from them We will undoubtedly make changes And by making an incredibly safe system even safer, we will honor the passengers, crew members and U S servicemembers who have been lost

The letter is signed by each of the following organizations:

Aeronautical Repair Station Association

Air Line Pilots Association, International Air Traffic Control Association

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Airlines for America

Airports Council International – North America

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

American Association of Airport Executives

Association of Uncrewed Vehicle

Systems International

Aviation Technical Education Council

Cargo Airline Association

Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations

Experimental Aircraft Association Inc

General Aviation Manufacturers Association

Global Business Travel Association

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

International Council of Air Shows

National Agricultural Aviation Association

National Air Carrier Association

National Air Traffic Controllers Association

National Air Transportation Association

National Association of State Aviation Officials

National Business Aviation Association

Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO

Recreational Aviation Foundation

Regional Airline Association

Travelers United

U S Travel Association

Vertical Aviation International

Vertical Flight Society

MARSHALL UNIVERSIT Y AND GREENBRIER VALLEY AIRPORT PARTNER TO ES TABLISH NEW SATELLITE FLIGHT SC HOOL

Marshall University of Huntington, West Virginia, and the Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) have announced a landmark partnership to establish a new satellite flight school at the airport

The collaboration will provide a Part 61 flight-training program designed to meet the growing demand for aviation professionals

“We’re thrilled to be working with Marshall University to bring this aviation training program to the Greenbrier Valley,” said Martha Livesay, director of Greenbrier Valley Airport “This is a significant milestone for the airport and our entire region ”

Through the partnership, residents of the Greenbrier Valley and beyond can now pursue their aviation dreams closer to home The collaboration between Marshall and Greenbrier Valley Airport marks a significant step forward in

expanding aviation education in southern West Virginia, offering local access to world-class flight training when the aviation industry faces increasing demand for qualified professionals.

“Marshall University is committed to collaborating with partners across the state to help meet the demand for pilots,” said Nancy Ritter, chief of aviation operations at Marshall’s Bill Noe Flight

School “It’s estimated more than 400,000 flight professionals are needed in the next 20 years and by working with airports like Greenbrier Valley we can provide the necessary training.”

Marshall will offer a full complement of flight training for licenses done on-site and the remainder of the Professional Pilot, B S degree program will be completed online through the university The

airport is providing facilities including classroom space, briefing rooms and hangar space for Marshall’s aircraft

The program will be open to degree seeking and non-degree seeking candidates

Marshall operates at Yeager International Airport in Charleston, West Virginia; Wheeling-Ohio County Airport in Wheeling, West Virginia; Martinsburg at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport and now in Lewisburg at the Greenbrier Valley Airport

Enrollment is now open Prospective students are encouraged to visit the website (https://www marshall edu/aviation/ lewisburg/) for more information and to apply.

Note: The Professional Pilot program is not eligible for Veterans Affairs benefits at this time

Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) has formed a partnership with Marshall University to establish a new satellite flight school at the airport (Courtesy Greenbrier Valley Airport/mylwb com)

OODIES

One of the truly great things about being an aviation buff is the number of “Goodies and Gadgets” available to play with. Here In Flight USA has collected a few new ones worthy of your consideration.

A N D A N D

ADGETS

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co has been the supplier that aircraft builders, owners, pilots, and aviation businesses have depended on since 1965 They carry a wide selection of aircraft parts, building materials, avionics, and pilot supplies, all of which are offered on their website (www aircraftspruce com) and in the famous Aircraft Spruce catalog, now over 1,000-pages available for download or for free in print You can depend on Aircraft Spruce for prompt shipping and competitive pricing on all orders

SHOW SOME LOVE TO YOUR PILOT AND YOUR AIRPL ANE

Some declare February the month of “love!” Here’s to loving your pilot, your airplane and your hangar find a gift or a solve a need at Aircraft Spruce, the supplier that aircraft builders, owners, pilots, and aviation businesses have depended on since 1965 They carry a wide selection of aircraft parts, building materials, avionics, and pilot supplies, all of which are offered on their website, aircraftspruce.com, and in their famous 1,000plus page Aircraft Spruce catalog, available online and in print for free. Call 1877-477-7823 to order

Appareo Stratus Power Max

Dual USB-C FAA-TSO

Power Max is designed to withstand the rigors of flight while maintaining a compact and unobtrusive profile

Each unit sells for $449

Lightspeed Delta Zulu ANR Headset With Bluetooth

from the headset for charging, data communications, and auxiliary audio

Stratus Power Max is the latest addition to the company’s acclaimed line of TSO-certified USB charging products It is designed to provide maximum power and versatility with dual USB-C connectors, delivering up to 60 watts of charging power This advanced charging solution ensures that pilots and passengers can keep their devices fully charged and ready for use throughout their flights.

Features include:

• Dual 30w USB-C Connectors: Each port delivers up to 30 watts of power, supporting fast charging for a wide range of devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones

• Enhanced Installation Options: With both back and bottom connectors, Stratus Power Max offers flexible installation options, making it easier to integrate into any aircraft

• Advanced Safety Features: Stratus Power Max includes multiple safety mechanisms such as overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit protection, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

• Compact and Durable Design: Built with high-quality materials, Stratus

Delta Zulu is built for your mission with safety, control, and comfort in mind. The newest headset from Lightspeed includes their best ANR to date, with the superior comfort and durability you expect from a Zulu, while also introducing groundbreaking new technologies that could save the lives of both pilots and passengers

Safety: Lightspeed’s designers and engineers collaborated with a team of highly-qualified flight and safety experts to develop a revolutionary digital platform and groundbreaking new technologies to make flying safer Kanari smart alert technology built right into the headset provides protection by measuring cabin carbon monoxide levels, helping to keep you and your passengers alert and safe with audible warnings. The free Lightspeed App allows you to also check the CO sensor data visually during flight and review your full history later The Delta Zulu also introduces a built-in audio equalization system called HearingEQity that ensures crystal clear flight communication Through an automated 12-frequency hearing test that can be taken through the Lightspeed App, HearingEQity sets the hearing level in each ear of your headset to create your individual hearing profile to compensate for any hearing variations between ears

Control: The Lightspeed App also allows you to record radio conversations, playback transmissions, draw diagrams, and archive flight recordings for post-flight briefing and training. Delta Zulu is also the first headset to adopt the UAC plug, allowing you to connect to other devices directly

Comfort: The legendary Zulu comfort and durability continues in the Delta Zulu Performance ear seals, sturdy cables built around a Kevlar core, full Bluetooth integration, and an industrybest 7-year warranty are still standard in the newest Lightspeed model

The unit sells for $1,199 and is available for Dual GA, 6-Pin Lemo or Heli U174.

Tempest Aeroguard Induction Air Filter Aa13-7627

T e m p e s t

A e r o G u a r d induction air filters are approved on a variety of Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft and Mooney aircraft They are manufactured using a black anodized aluminum housing and screen to prevent corrosion and fragmented media from being ingested Designed to keep your induction system clean in the dirtiest environments, the synthetic media offers maximum airflow while still filtering out 99 percent of contaminants larger than 5 microns. These induction air filters will provide you with the high quality and durability you’ve come to expect with Tempest products

Each air filter sells for $116 85

H3R Aviation Fire Extinguishers

The FAA recommends and/or requires Halon fire extinguishers On Aircraft H3Rs Halon fire extinguishers are the extinguishers of choice in the aviation industry

MODEL A344T is Typical used in the Cockpit/Cabin This is H3R’s smallest extinguisher with a gauge. It is recommended for a one- to four-person person aircraft, including the pilot.

Along with the A344T, Aicraft Spruce carries more than a dozen H3R extinguishers and accessories Visit Aircraft Spruce (www aircraftspruce) for all the options

The A344T model sells for $333

Sportplane Construction Techniques By

Tony Bingelis

Third in a series of outstanding books from the dean of homebuilders, Tony Bingelis, this book includes sections on getting ready to build, construction practices, fiberglass components, control systems, aircraft interiors, canopies and windshields, landing gears, instrumentation, electrical systems and finishing It contains 368 pages and it fully illustrated

The book sells for $29 95

Look for Aircraft Spruce at the following events:

• Feb. 14-16, 2025 – AOPA Fly-In at the Buckeye Air Fair, Buckeye, Ariz , Booth #36

• Feb. 22-23, 2025 – Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show, Puyallup, Wash , Booth #127-128

• March 8, 2025 – Aircraft Spruce 60th Anniversary Celebration and Texas Grand Opening, Roanoke, Tex

• March 10-13, 2025 – Verticon by Vertical Aviation International, Dallas, Texas, Booth #10542

• March 18-21, 2025 – AEA International Convention & Trade Show, Phoenix, Ariz , Booths 202-204

• March 18-21, 2025 – Avalon Australian International, Geelong, Australia, Booth #4M34

• April 1-6, 2025 – Sun ‘n Fun, Lakeland, Flor , Hangar B, booths 109

• April 9-12, 2025 – AERO Friedrichshafen, Meckenbeuren, Germany, booth A4-102.

WIN GMEN: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ADAM L AZARUS ON AN UNBREAKABLE FRIENDSHIP

By Mark Rhodes

Adam Lazarus, author of The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual and Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams (Citadel Press-Kensington Publishing Corp ) chronicles the fascinating and borderline mind-blowing connection between two of mid-century America’s genuine folk heroes, the aforementioned John Glenn and Ted Williams who met in 1953 as the Korean War was at its zenith Glenn was a young, but accomplished operations officer with 59 World War II combat missions and Williams, in the prime of his baseball career, had just been surprisingly recalled to active service in the USMC. In a jaw dropping twist of fate, Williams became Glenn’s wingman during the Korean War, which began a lifelong relationship punctuated by mutual admiration, respect and some conflict, particularly with regard to political leanings

Mr Lazarus was gracious enough to conduct an email interview about his work which utilized an abundance of sources such as declassified documents, unpublished letters and newly conducted interviews to provide a rich accounting of the intersections of these two 20th century titans

In Flight USA: Was there anything in the backgrounds and upbringing of Williams and Glenn to suggest they might develop a strong connection in their life and service?

Adam Lazarus: “Very little about John Glenn’s and Ted Williams’ backgrounds, upbringings, or early adulthoods were similar: religion, parents, temperament, education, interests, marriage, etc But as I learned in the course of researching my book and talking to people who knew them both, that stark contrast actually helps explain why the two became friends John Glenn knew few people like Ted Williams and as Glenn’s son told me, that uniqueness about Williams is what appealed to Glenn And that makes sense to me because Ted Williams was a true original I think Glenn was genuinely curious and intrigued by this unusual man As for Williams’ impressions of Glenn, he was obviously in awe of his skills as a pilot and a leader, but Glenn – who knew enough about baseball to know that Williams was a legend – didn’t fawn over the baseball star like many others in the military and even in Korea I think from the time that Williams was very young, and his athletic skills allowed him to stand out from his peers, people fell all over themselves to befriend

April 9, 1971, Washington Senators manager Ted Williams chats with President Richard M Nixon during a ceremony inside the Oval Office Williams and several baseball executives presented the President with a season pass to American League games (Courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum)

or just talk to Williams Glenn, like several of his fellow pilots during the war, treated Williams as “just another pilot ” Williams, who – at least off the field – was more humble and modest than people remember, probably appreciated that ”

IFUSA: What were the differences and/or similarities between Williams and Glenn, as far as being military men and pilots?

AL: “Glenn and Williams both were patriots, from that “Greatest Generation,” as Tom Brokaw calls it So one similarity they had was their absolute dedication to do their duty at times of war They also were both physically gifted: obviously Williams was a world-class baseball player, the greatest hitter who ever lived. But Glenn was a college football player and given the requirements he passed to become one of the Mercury Seven astronauts, he was in peak physical shape, a skill useful in the military and as a pilot Glenn once avoided a crash thanks to tremendous strength he employed on the stick while in the cockpit But the greatest difference between the two, in terms of their abilities as a pilot, was skill Glenn was an exceptional flier, of both prop planes and the early jets He had remarkable instincts, as well as courage Williams was considered a gifted prop plane pilot during his service in the Navy during World War II, but he largely relied on his strength and nearly superhuman eyesight. When he returned to the service in 1952, he had to learn how to fly jets, something that really didn’t even exist during his time in World War II In short, he was way behind someone like Glenn, who as a career Marine, had been flying jets for several years by the time he was sent to Korea Williams, a reservist, had – let alone a jet – in six years after he left the service Moreover, as an instructor at

Pensacola NAS, Williams never flew a combat mission during his service in World War II; Glenn flew dozens during his tour in the Marshall Islands in 1944 and 1945 If you pick up The Wingmen, you’ll read about Glenn’s impressions of Williams’ aerial skills He flew multiple missions with Williams and while he thought he was a capable pilot, he could tell that Williams did not feel comfortable flying on instruments So Williams’ inexperience – as a practiced pilot, as a jet pilot, as a combat pilot – were obvious to someone like Glenn ” IFUSA: Was there anything other than their military experience and proximity that kept these two lifelong friends?

AL: “Yes, definitely. As I said earlier, I think both men genuinely liked each other, regardless of their military service together Neither was someone I think the other would normally be friends or even regularly associate with Williams was a novel or unusual “character” to Glenn, and Williams, so used to being around ballplayers his entire life, found Glenn to be a man of unimpeachable integrity and dedication But aside from that, I think they shared a few other sensibilities, particularly later in life, that linked them

“For one, both Glenn and Williams were absolutely obsessed with the passions of their careers or their lives For Glenn, it was flying, the Marine Corps, and by extension the country which he served (in the military, NASA, and the Senate) for more than half a century. For Williams, it was baseball, fishing, and other side pursuits That single-mindedness of purpose was something I think they saw in one another, even if they didn’t necessarily talk about it

“The other factor that I think united the two was their role as celebrities

Book Cover, The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual and Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams by Adam Lazarus (Ccourtesy Citadel Press-Kensington Publishing Corp )

Beginning in 1939, Ted Williams became one of the best athletes in America and the centerpiece of the Boston sports scene And from that young age of 19, to the day he died at 83, he could not walk down the street or into a restaurant without people wanting a handshake, an autograph, or to take a photograph John Glenn did not reach that level of celebrity until a little bit later in life, somewhat with his selection to NASA in 1959 and especially when at age 41, he became the first American to orbit the Earth But for the rest of his life he too was a household name and a household face How the two men handled that place in the public spotlight – Glenn mastered it, Williams struggled with it – is another matter ”

IFUSA: During their lifetime were there any crisis points threatening the camaraderie Williams and Glenn shared?

AL: “After two terms as a United States senator, John Glenn, a committed though rather moderate Democrat, ran for president in 1984 His campaign struggled mightily during the Democratic primary. Prior to the Massachusetts primary, he and his staff decided to ask Ted Williams – the legendary Boston star – to endorse or publicly support his campaign Williams, a lifelong Republican and a good friend of Richard Nixon, struggled with the offer Ultimately he declined I don’t think that episode threatened to end their friendship but someone

Continued on Page 34

AOPA RECOGNIZES TOP INS TRUCTORS, SC HOOL S BY REGION

By Jonathan Welsh AOPA

Students and pilots generously shared their thoughts while reviewing instructors and flight schools vying for annual regional Flight Training Experience Awards by AOPA

For this year ’s awards, AOPA moved to an application-based review process under which instructors and flight schools were invited to apply for regional and national recognition Applicants could request reviews from students, instructors, designated pilot examiners, and other clients who had worked with them during the previous 12 months A panel of industry experts then screened the applications without knowledge of the applicants’ identities.

AOPA Foundation Senior Director of Flight Training Education Chris Moser said the new process provided more detailed, firsthand information about aviation educators seeking recognition In

addition to the regional winners, one school and one instructor from each of six regions, dozens more schools and instructors were recognized for “distinguished” performance

The awards program was created in part to highlight best practices, and help the entire industry focus on what works

“We definitely saw a theme this year from the reviewers about a great combination of customer service and community,” Moser said

“Having a friendly and family-like atmosphere has always been a hallmark of excellent instructors and flight schools, but this year there was also a strong trend of describing some truly amazing ways that instructors and schools went above and beyond to serve their customers,” Moser said. “Whether helping them find a place to live near the school while in training, or even instructors driving out of their way to pick them up to make sure they could make it to their lesson ”

The awards are part of AOPA’s You

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The 2025 regional best instructors are:

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Great Lakes - Peg Ballou (Ballou Skies Aviation), Bucyrus, Ohio

Pacific - Mike Smith (Mike Smith Aviation), Napa, California

Southern - Bernard Tiziano (Savannah Aviation), Savannah, Georgia

Western - Jacob Peery (Flight Stars, Leopard Aviation), Scottsdale, Arizona

The 2025 regional best flight schools are:

Central Southern - In the Pattern, Denton, Texas

Eastern - Air Ventures Flying School, Smithfield, Rhode Island

Great Lakes - Ballou Skies Aviation, Bucyrus, Ohio

Pacific - Flex Air, San Diego, California

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Western - Chennault Flying Service, North Las Vegas, Nevada

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More than 2,500 reviews were submitted for Flight Training Experience Awards by AOPA (Photo by Chris Rose/AOPA)

Wingmen: Interview with Author Adam Lazarus

Continued from Page 32

in the Glenn campaign told me that Williams’ refusal really hurt Glenn. Similarly, a few years later, Williams expressed some regret over the matter. Regardless, their friendship survived and in fact became much, much stronger in the years that followed ”

IFUSA: How did Glenn going into space affect their relationship?

AL: “I think it strengthened their rela-

tionship After Glenn’s first trip to space, in 1962, Williams bragged to practically everyone he encountered about his friendship with Glenn. Thirty-six years later, when Glenn returned to space in 1998, Glenn personally invited him to both the launch and the Welcome Home party a week later The two really reconnected and bonded over Glenn’s second space mission ”

IFUSA: Did anything surprise you about these two larger-than-life American

heroes?

AL: “I knew years before researching and writing this book that Williams was a difficult individual. He fought with the press, fans, and even his closest family members And I know that he treated some people very poorly along the way But I also discovered that he had a huge heart Most people know about his dedication and contributions to the children’s cancer research charity, The Jimmy Fund

HMEWatch is offering excellent prices on their long established Professional Flight Watch line.

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I knew some about that before writing the book but I didn’t know how much time he personally spent with sick kids in the hospitals while refusing to take photographs for the press or allow reporters to cover his visits there And there are many other instances along his entire life where he seemed to be exceptionally kind and generous with people who were perfect strangers. That was a great surprise to me given his reputation as a moody, dismissive, arrogant ballplayer

“The reverse is sort of true for Glenn He really was the “Clean Marine Dudley Do-Right,” the pejorative nicknames that his fellow astronauts reportedly gave him during the early years of NASA, so revealed in The Right Stuff By all accounts he was a great husband, great father, great friend, great Marine, etc At the end of my research I came to believe that he did embody that image in virtually every way But it was nice to discover a few (very minor) flaws in Glenn, which I did along the way One such flaw surfaced during his service in Korea. As I mentioned before, Glenn was a top-tier pilot, even among the career Marines. But in those days, the more experienced pilots flew with the more inexperienced pilots on their wings as wingmen Glenn, who admitted years later that “I won’t say I was trying to win the war all by myself, but I took it all very, very seriously,” took many chances and risks on his missions Despite having a less skilled or experienced pilot on his wing, Glenn often made multiple runs along the same target, which really wasn’t ideal given the anti-aircraft and rifle fire from the ground below targeting their F9F Panthers Along those same lines, Glenn was also exceptionally stubborn He did things his way and rarely listened to outside advice, something that I gather cost him in his political career, particularly during his Presidential run in 1984. Seeing even these minor character flaws in Glenn was not a negative in my opinion They humanized him and, to me, made him seem less like a mythic Paul Bunyan folk hero and more like a real person ” For more about Author Adam Lazaruz please see https://www adam lazarusbooks com/

John Glenn climbs into his Friendship 7 spacecraft (Courtesy of the United States Marine Corps)

IF I RAN A FLIGHT SC HOOL…

Things to Look for as You Begin your Flying Adventure

By Cynthia Wheatley Glenn

Here we are, once again approaching spring flying season! For most of the country, the winds have died down, and it is beginning to be warm enough to venture outside and play What better outdoor adventure than to learn to fly? When I began my formal training a few years ago, I didn’t know what I didn’t know, so I had no real knowledge of what to look for as I started looking for a flight school Since then, I have come to learn so much! For example, there are different types of aviation flight businesses that cater to specific types of clientele: To name a few, there are regimented pilot schools (Part 141) that lay everything out for you as a new student pilot, requiring a (usually) fast and furious curriculum that includes formal ground training, as well as required flight training; there are Part 61 schools that are more selfpaced, based on the student pilot’s needs and desired rate of learning (and affordability), with certificated flight instructors (CFIs) who may or may not be employees of the school, or have a syllabus they use to teach their clients; there are flight clubs that frequently have CFIs as members but are usually independent contractors who are most often paid directly by their students For Part 61 flight schools and clubs, student pilots may or may not receive formal ground training that is logged in their log books (a requirement, by the way, for meeting some of the criteria to obtain your Private Pilot certificate). That said, if I ran a flight school, I would include the following: I would provide a killer website that was user-friendly that clearly explained policies, expectations, how to schedule, lists of working CFIs with bios that included their experience as a teacher and how much they charge per hour for flight and ground training (some CFIs charge less for ground training) I would also have pictures of my CFIs, as well as the aircraft on my line (the aircraft used at the school) Speaking of aircraft, I would have a list (called a Hobbs sheet) of the equipment all my aircraft had, as well as when FAA-mandated inspections were due/completed These inspections, at the very minimum, would include: annual, 100-hour, 50-hour, ELT, and ADSB-In transponder. And obviously, I would include the address and phone number of where to find the facility

Moving on to what a potential client could expect walking up to my flight school, I would have a big sign in the parking lot that read: Learn to Fly Here and, at the door I would have (if locked due to security at the airport) a smaller sign that

read: Push button to begin your flying adventure! An employee would immediately meet you to personally welcome you in Or, if the front door was unlocked, once inside the building lobby would be an easy path to actually find my flight school where a friendly person would be seated at a desk to personally welcome you

This school representative would be special in that, even if not a pilot, this face of the company would be friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable They would ask what your goals were – if you knew – and, if not, would ask leading questions like: What brings you in? When/how did the Aviation Bug bite you? Do you dream of flying for a major airline, do you think you want to fly your family and friends around on weekends, or is your goal somewhere in between? Once interest was piqued, the front desk person turned tour guide would invite you outside to see the aircraft, where you would be able to ooh and aah over the clean and well-maintained fleet Keys to the aircraft would be tucked in a pocket so when a particular aircraft crawled up your leg, the tour guide could invite you to climb inside and see what there was to see The school rep could also tell you basic ground training information, like how runways are aligned to match their corresponding magnetic heading, or explain when the beacon light at the airport comes on/turns off, and why; fun facts you can take home with you to share and think about

This part of the tour might set you up to want to learn even more. Walking back to the building, you would be invited to schedule and take an introduction or discovery flight, which is typically the first flight you take as a student pilot By nature, because this is an introduction, it is typical to only take one For individuals who are not United States citizens, a maximum of one discovery flight is allowed as per 49 CFR 1552, which states after a single introductory flight, these potential student pilots must be vetted by TSA and fill out Security Threat Assessment (STA) paperwork prior to beginning their flight training

Before setting you up with a CFI for this, you would be asked questions regarding your preferences, if any, regarding what you might be looking for in a flight instructor. Many people don’t know what they’re looking for, so my flight school rep would provide answers to questions like:

• Do you prefer having a male or female CFI?

• Do you prefer someone younger or older to train you?

• How many students have each of your

Continued on Page 36

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air s.1930’ such as the L e due and mor A-18 Blue F Museum is situated on 31 acr ently air curr ehensive collection of compr omfr eacemak onvair RB-36 P C om L t fr craf view air -16A al F Gener tcraf -117 ockheed F the Aircraft, e which ar 25 of es, he most T craft. WWII Bombers, tratofortress B-52D S er, -80 ockheed F alcon. ighting F F

Castle Air Museum, adjacent to Castle Airport (MER) is in its 41st year of operation, and has become the West Coast’s largest static display of vintage military aircraft dating back from the late 1930’s. With over 80 aircraft in the collection and more due soon, such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and FA-18 Blue Angel Aircraft, the Museum is situated on 31 acres, 25 of which are currently occupied by aircraft. The most comprehensive collection of WWII Bombers, from the Douglas B-18 Bolo to the mammoth Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, B-52D Stratofortress view aircraft from the Lockheed F-80 to the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.

The Museum is located at 5050 Santa Fe Dr., Atwater, CA 95301, and open daily 9 am to 4 pm, with last admission to the Aircraft Exhibit Grounds at 3:15 daily.

he Museum is located at 5050 Santa F T 95301, CA Atwater, sion to the with last admis pm, ounds daily Gr e information, or mor F .castleairmuseum.or or visit www ., e Dr t Exhibit Aircraf ase call 209-723-2178 ple g. -16AF

For more information, please call 209-723-2178 or visit www.castleairmuseum.org.

AH-1W Cobra

Convair RB-36H Peacemaker

eacemak onvair

HARTZELL’S COMPOSITE TALON PROPELLER APPROVED FOR GB1 GAMEBIRD AIRCRAFT

Hartzell Propeller, in collaboration with renowned aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker, has earned FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its cutting-edge composite three-blade Talon carbon fiber propeller and spinner, now available for the entire GB1 GameBird fleet

Offered through Hartzell’s Top Prop program, the 77 5-inch diameter Talon propeller delivers a range of enhancements These include:

• A 5-8 percent increase in enroute climb performance at 120 KIAS

• 5 percent increase in maximum climb at 90 KIAS

• More than a 20 percent reduction in takeoff ground roll

In addition, the Talon propeller has improved handling offering exceptional propeller response and aerodynamic braking for formation flight and aerobatics Its unlimited life blades and 1,000hour/six-year Time Between Overhaul (TBO) is backed by an exceptional warranty through the first overhaul

“The Talon propeller outperforms the factory-standard four-blade wood-core propeller in numerous ways,” said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge “With growing interest in the market, we’re excited to make this high-performance propeller available to all GB1 owners ”

Proven Performance with Sean D. Tucker

The Talon propeller has already demonstrated its capabilities under FAA Field Approval, thanks to Sean D Tucker, who has flown it extensively on his GB1 GameBird with impressive performance gains

Tucker described his hands-on experience: “In a head-to-head race between my GameBird equipped with the Talon and a factory-standard model, the difference was astounding At full throttle, the Talon felt like having an extra 30 horsepower The thrust improvement is unmatched, especially crucial in forma-

tion flying and aerobatics.”

Tucker also noted that the Talon prop remained within noise decibel limits, adding, “There’s nothing but good news here – more thrust, superior performance, and no additional noise ”

About the GB1 GameBird

The GB1 GameBird, powered by the Lycoming 303 horsepower AEIO580 engine, features an empty weight of 1,080 pounds and a useful load of 900 pounds Before the addition of a Hartzell Talon propeller, it offered an 83-gallon fuel capacity, a maximum level speed of 205 knots, a climb rate of 2,600 fpm, and a service ceiling of 15,500 feet.

With Hartzell’s Talon propeller upgrade, GB1 GameBird owners can unlock greater performance, making this aerobatic aircraft an even more compelling choice for pilots seeking top-tier capabilities

Tucker said the following: “I am the proud owner of a GB1, serial #16 It is

absolutely the most exciting high performance two seat aerobatic flying machine in the world Now Hartzell put the cherry on top with the Talon propeller More thrust, more robust, Built on Honor ” Hartzell Propeller is headquartered in Piqua, Ohio. For more information, visit https://hartzellprop.com. Hartzell Aviation is a group of General Aviation companies and products The storied brands include Hartzell Propeller, Hartzell Aerospace Welding and Hartzell Engine Tech For more information, visit https://hartzellaviation com

FAA ANNOUNCES UNIVERSIT Y OF NORTH DAKOTA AS NEXT ENHANCED AIR TRAFFIC-COLLEGIATE TRAININ G INITIATIVE PROGRAM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has signed an agreement with the University of North Dakota to become the next school for the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.

The school will join Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma as the first schools to offer the same thorough curriculum and advanced technology offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City

Prior to receiving an official endorsement certificate from an Enhanced AT-CTI school, graduates must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), meet the medical

FAA is using modernized simulators, like this one at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ¬–the first air traffic control tower in the nation to receive the new modernized Tower Simulation System – to help get new hires through training more efficiently (Courtesy FAA)

and security requirements, and pass the performance verifications After meeting these requirements and receiving an endorsement certificate, graduates can report directly to an FAA facility to begin their training

If I Ran A Flight School

Continued from Page 35

CFIs put up for certification? (Translation: How many students have successfully earned their private/commercial certificate; or instrument rating?)

• How many hours do each of the CFIs have total/as an instructor?

• What are the interests/goals of each of the CFIs? (Translation: Are the CFIs building time to move on to fly for a major airline, or is their main goal to teach?)

• Do your CFIs use a syllabus to teach?

• Do your CFIs formally teach ground

instruction, as well as flight instruction?

• How long has each CFI been with this school?

This information will help the school rep to know with whom you might be a good fit as a student pilot, should you continue to proceed If you decide you want to take your demo ride immediately and the CFI with whom you would fit best is available, yay! The ride can be set up at that time If not, the rep could set you up to fly soon with a CFI they think might be a good fit for you

This is different than the Standard ATCTI program, where graduates go to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City but can bypass the introductory Air Traffic Basics Course

The agency will continue to take

aggressive action to increase our controller workforce In 2023, the FAA hired 1,500 controllers and this year hired more than 1,800 The FAA’s goal is to hire 2,000 controllers in 2025 The FAA has a year-round hiring opportunity for experienced controllers from the military and private industry. They are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help get new hires through training more efficiently Schools interested in becoming an Enhanced AT-CTI school can continue to submit applications online (https://www faa gov/air traffic/air-traffic-collegiatetraining-initiatives-cti) year-round Learn more at faa gov

Finally, the school rep could recommend you complete an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) form, should you choose to go forward. It would be pointed out that the cost to fill out this paperwork is zero, and the school rep would do everything with you so you would not feel overwhelmed; you would also be told this process will take only a few minutes Now, here’s a fun fact: According to 14 CFR 61 51, a person can fly with a CFI and log flight time for each hour they fly; however, this person

becomes a student pilot who requires a student pilot certificate (as well as a current medical certificate and valid driver license) prior to taking their first solo flight. My next article will be about how to vet your CFI. As a teaser, it is perfectly acceptable to interview the person with whom you will be training and, yes, there are definitely signs to watch out for to indicate if you and your CFI are a good fit! I welcome your comments Please feel free to contact me at FlyGirlBayArea@gmail com

GB1 GameBird with Composite Talon Propeller (Courtesy Hartzell Propeller)

H55 AND AEROVOLT PARTNER TO REVOLUTIONIZE ELECTRIC PILOT TRAININ G AND C HARGIN G INFRAS TRUCTURE

H55 SA, a global leader in certified electric propulsion and battery management systems for sustainable aviation, and Aerovolt UK LTD, pioneers in electric aircraft charging solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing electric aviation

This partnership marks a significant step towards realizing the full potential of electric aircrafts by addressing key industry challenges such as charging infrastructure and pilot training By combining H55’s expertise in electric aviation technology with Aerovolt’s robust charging networks, the two companies aim to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation solutions worldwide

Driving Change in Electric Aviation

The collaboration focuses on:

• End-to-End Electric Pilot Training: Introducing the first-ever fully electric Private Pilot License (PPL) training programs with an expansive and reliable charging infrastructure across regional and local airports

• Expanding Charging Networks: Rapidly deploying Aerovolt’s public electric aircraft charging stations, with 250+ sites under development worldwide, including the USA, Europe, and Australia Both H55 and Aerovolt use the most widespread charging technology, CCS, facilitating quick and wide-spread

adoption.

• Plug and Charge’ Technology: Developing seamless software integration for hassle-free charging operations, using Aerovolt’s proprietary aviation management system, Squadron

Aerovolt to add H55-Powered B23 Energic Aircraft to UK fleet

As part of its commitment to advancing electric aviation, Aerovolt will acquire two Bristell B23 Energic aircraft powered by H55’s certified electric propulsion systems These aircraft will play a pivotal role in showcasing the feasibility of sustainable pilot training and will be deployed in the UK at: Devon and Somerset Flight

As part of its commitment to advancing electric aviation, Aerovolt will acquire two Bristell B23 Energic aircraft powered by H55’s certified electric propulsion systems (Courtesy H55 SA)

Training, based at Dunkeswell Aerodrome and Squadron Flying Club, Aerovolt’s flagship location at Goodwood Aerodrome

Continued on Page 38

PUREFLIGHT AVIATION TRAINING EXPERIENCES BUSIEST YEAR IN 40 YEARS

Pureflight Aviation Training, based in Newberg, Oregon, has a rich aviation history Originally established in 1983 as Precision Aviation Training, Pureflight has been providing intentional training and real-world preparation to helicopter and airplane students for decades, offering bigschool quality with small-school culture 2024 has been the busiest year in the school’s history, and 2025 is looking strong to build on this growth and success

In 2015, Pureflight became the first school in the U S to operate the Cabri G2, and with more than 20,000 flight hours

flown and hundreds of pilots trained – they remain the largest and most experienced school in the country on this airframe “Owning a flight school is a high-risk endeavor; by its very nature, the most inexperienced pilots will be training, and inevitably making mistakes, in your aircraft with your employees,” says Alison Plummer, owner and general manager of Pureflight “The safety record, reliability, and modern made-for-training design of the G2 helps make this emotionally feasible ” Ben and Alison Plummer purchased

Continued on Page 40

H55 and Aerovolt Partner

Continued from Page 37

A Vision for the Future

Together, H55 and Aerovolt are committed to fostering collaboration with airports, flight schools, civil aviation authorities, and local governments By sharing data and insights, they aim to unlock new opportunities for sustainable aviation, including cross-country pilot training programs and long-term partnerships with aviation stakeholders

A Key Role in H55's Across America Initiative

As part of its visionary “Across America” initiative, H55 will prominently feature Aerovolt's innovative charging solutions Aerovolt’s expertise in deploying reliable and scalable charging infrastructure will support H55’s efforts to demonstrate the feasibility of coast-to-coast electric aviation Together, the two companies aim to showcase the seamless integration of electric propulsion and charging networks, accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation across the United States

“The future of aviation is electric, and this partnership ensures we are not just preparing for that future but actively building it,” said Martin Larose, CEO of H55 SA. “Electric aviation is no longer a concept; it’s a reality. By joining forces with Aerovolt, we’re tackling two of the biggest challenges scalable charging infrastructure and accessible pilot training Together, we’re laying the foundation for a greener and more sustainable aviation industry, not only in Europe but globally ”

Philip Kingsley-Dobson, Managing Director of Aerovolt UK Ltd, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “Aerovolt is committed to making electric aviation a viable, everyday reality By deploying H55-powered B23 Energic aircraft and integrating them into our network, we’re showcasing the future of pilot training and regional aviation This partnership is about more than infrastructure it’s about transforming the way the world thinks about sustainable aviation, from training pilots to empowering airports and aviation authorities H55’s expertise in electric propulsion complements our charging solutions perfectly, and together, we are creating a roadmap for the next generation of aviation ”

An Important Step Further in Sustainable Aviation

This partnership between H55 and AeroVolt represents a major milestone in the journey toward sustainable aviation By combining innovative electric propulsion systems with an expanding global charging network, the two companies are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future for the aviation industry

About Aerovolt: AeroVolt is a UKbased company specializing in the development and deployment of smart charging infrastructure for electric aviation Their network supports electric aircraft, eVTOL vehicles, and drones, facilitating the growth of zero-emission aviation

About H55: The Swiss based H55 is a technological spin-off of Solar Impulse, the first electric airplane to fly around the world The company develops cutting-edge certified electric propulsion and battery management systems that enable cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable air travel H55 is driving innovation to accelerate the aviation industry’s transition toward zero-emission solutions

TOP AIR SHOW PERFORMERS COMMIT TO EAA AIRVENTURE

OSHKOSH 2025

Some of the world’s top air show performers have made commitments to fly at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration – as part of the afternoon and night air show lineups

Performers at the 72nd Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, scheduled for July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport, include aerobatic champions and longtime Oshkosh favorites The event features nine air shows over seven days, including night air shows on July 23 and 26 Daily afternoon air shows are presented by Daher and RTX, while the July 23 night air show is presented by Covington Aircraft.

“Each year, we build the air show roster for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh based on welcoming some of the best air show performers in the world, along with suggestions from attendees that include past favorites and new performers emerging on the scene,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions “Regardless of the day during AirVenture week, aviation

enthusiasts coming to Oshkosh know that the air shows will be filled with tremendous sights and sounds, as well as extraordinary pilots and legendary aircraft ”

Among the performers and aircraft already on the schedule include:

• Randy Ball (MiG-17)

• Vicky Benzing (P-51)

• Bob Carlton (Jetfox twin-engine sailplane)

• The Chuters (skydiving)

• Class of ‘45 (Corsair/P-51)

• Greg Colyer (T-33)

• Jerry Conley (de Havilland Vampire)

• Susan Dacy (Stearman)

• Erik Edgren (Taylorcraft)

• Kyle Fowler (Long-EZ)

• Kyle Franklin (Super Cub)

• Michael Goulian (Extra)

• RJ Gritter (Decathlon)

• Greg Koontz (Decathlon)

• Nathan Hammond (Super Chipmunk)

• Rob Holland (MXS-RH)

• International Aerobatic Club demo

• Jerry Kerby/Trojan Thunder (T-28s)

• Jarrod Lindemann (Jet Waco)

• David Martin (Pinto jet)

• Misty Blues (skydiving)

• Northern Stars (Pitts Specials)

• Jim Peitz (F-33 Bonanza)

• Ken Rieder/Redline Airshows (RV-8)

• Bill Stein (Edge 540)

• Philipp Steinbach (GB1 Gamebird)

• Skip Stewart (Prometheus 2)

• Titan Aerobatic Team (T-6s)

• U S Army Golden Knights (skydiving)

• Bernie Vasquez (Warbird)

• Matt Younkin (Beech 18)

These early confirmations are in addition to the previously announced F-22 and F-35B military demos Many more performers will be announced, including some only-in-Oshkosh performers and aircraft Exact days for each performer and complete daily air show lineups will be announced as they are finalized

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800564-6322) or visit www EAA org

Kyle Franklin, who is scheduled to perform at AirVenture 2025 this summer, drags a wingtip during his comedy air show ace at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 (EAA photo/Chelsea Rouse)

Skip Stewart cuts the ground-level ribbon during a performance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 He is scheduled to perform this summer, as well (EAA photo/Gary Daniels)

Pureflight Aviation Training

Continued from Page 38

Pureflight in 2020 but have been integral in its operation since 2012 With two young daughters, combined decades of experience in both the maintenance and business aspects of aviation, and undeniably adventurous spirits, the Plummers knew they could continue building the flight school into something special You only have to talk to Pureflight’s leadership team for a few minutes to understand how much they care about their students and instructors, and this permeates the way they do business – from the aircraft they fly to their standards for instructors and from the maintenance they provide to the programs they offer: quality and safety are imperatives at Pureflight

Four years ago, Pureflight had around 20 students that were focused on the helicopter pathway Today, they train more

than 100 students split across the fixedand rotor-wing programs and in two different locations Private students and veterans, part 61 and part 141, young students making it their career and older individuals following their dreams – all these groups make up the diverse population at Pureflight Plummer attributes this growth to the practical things like personal responses to inquiries, partnership with Klamath Falls Community College, offering funding to students, and building up their airplane program alongside the huge demand coming from the airline industry, but the overarching theme that has made them successful is the focus on building and keeping the Pureflight culture

For more information about Pureflight, visit their website www flypureflight com

SCHEDULERS & DISPATCHERS CONFERENCE

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March 25–27, 2025 New Orleans, LA

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Let the Good Times Fly… Navigating Tomorrow, Today! The 2025 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2025) is where your journey towards success takes flight. Elevate your logistical planning and explore the latest in dispatch technologies and innovative equipment designed to propel your flight department operations to new heights. In the spirit of New Orleans, where timeless charm meets innovation, start planning today to ensure you’re part of this exceptional event you won’t want to miss!

March 25–erence y hers Conf Fly 27, our journe he 2025 NB T Toda Tomorrow, Tomor ards success w y to hedulers AA Sc ou w ent y ev meets inno operations to ne hnologies inno tec es Ele ak t ant to miss! t w ’ on art toda ation, st v w Ne e y vativ our logistical planning and e ate y v re of e ou’ y to ensure y

AOPA’S AIR SAFET Y INSTITUTE RELEASES EARLY ANALYSIS VIDEO ON LEARJET CRASH IN PHIL ADELPHIA

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) released a new video from its Early Analysis series providing an initial examination of a recent accident

On Jan 31, 2025, a Learjet 55 Medevac crashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport Sadly, all six occupants on board the aircraft perished in the accident in addition to one person killed and 22 people injured on the ground

In Early Analysis: Learjet 55 Medevac Crash in Philadelphia, PA, ASI looks at factors that are expected to be subject of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. We want to help general aviation pilots understand what is known about the accident and what we can learn from this tragedy to fly safer,” said AOPA’s ASI Senior Vice President Mike Ginter Ginter continued, “The medevac flight had departed from Runway 24 heading to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, Missouri We don’t know what caused the aircraft to lose control during the climb in IFR conditions However, the cockpit voice recorder was recovered from the wreckage and can hopefully shed more light as to what happened during the climb The NTSB will likely look at human factors

that could have affected the pilots, if the weather played a role, and potential aircraft system malfunction

“It’s important to recognize that general aviation accident trends show that loss of control causes 42 percent of all fatal accidents, while system component failure non-powerplant accounts for five percent of fatal accidents So, it is imperative for pilots to review and brief handling emergencies after takeoff and ensure positive aircraft control, especially when flying at night into an overcast,” Ginter concluded

Early Analysis videos provide an initial assessment of prominent mishaps that generate large public interest and may indicate important safety lessons for the general aviation community

View the video on YouTube at https://www youtube com/watch?si=E2Z n5ZLG3pj2nkq5&v=Z4UcsNpSrak&fea ture=youtu be

View other Early Analysis videos from the AOPA website (aopa org) and directly at https://www aopa org/training -and-safety/online-learning/early-analysis-playlist

Since 1950, the AOPA Air Safety Institute has been working to create a safer culture for general aviation through knowledge, training, and proficiency To learn more, visit ASI at airsafetyinstitute org To learn more about AOPA visit www.aopa.org.

GAME AEROSPACE REBRANDS, EXPANDS

By Jonathan Welsh AOPA

Game Aerospace acquired Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems as part of a plan to move more of its manufacturing processes in house while accelerating development of its GB2 firefighting aircraft

The company, formerly known as Game Composites, said its name change reflects the expansion of its capabilities through the acquisition, which adds Robbie Grove, founder of Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems, to its staff The company said Grove’s expertise and more than 40 years of experience will help it bring the GB2 to market as soon as possible

“We’re excited to integrate Grove into our operations,” said Philipp Steinbach, CEO of Game Aerospace

“This acquisition broadens our capabilities, allowing us to deliver innovative solutions like the GB2 more efficiently and effectively ”

Game Aerospace last year announced its plans to produce the GB2, an all-composite, two-seat fire bomber able to carry 1,200 gallons of fire retardant at speeds beyond 200 knots The GB2 design is unique because it is a clean-sheet firefighting aircraft instead of a crop-spraying airplane modified for the task, like the current crop of small fire bombers.

Game Aerospace is based in Bentonville, Arkansas, and specializes in composite aircraft design, certification, and production The company is known for building the aerobatic GB1 Gamebird

Learn more at game aero

AIRCRAFT FOR SALE

American Aircraft Sales, Livermore Airport, CA, americanaircraft.net, cell (510) 783-2711, (925) 449-5151.3/13

From Trade-ins to Aircraft Management, financing and appraisals. T.J. Aircraft Sales, Novato, CA, (415) 8985151, tjair.com.3/13

AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales, San Carlos, CA, Airport, (650) 394-7610, airplanesusa.com.1/16

Quality aircraft since 1948. Volare Air, a TECNAM dealership, (940) 800-8020, volareair.aero. 1/23

Historically significant 1950s-era aircraft for sale or trade. All in restorable condition with minimum corrosion. Inventory includes a Piasecki XHJP-1 and a Sikorsky S-55. American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. Contact info@americanhelicopter.museum for more information.231000.TFN

1968 Nanchang CJ-6 Chinese warbird. Reliable Day/VFR, light weight. Apollo GX-65 nav/com, Digital Xpndr., intercom, Delco alternator. New seat cushions and canopy glass. Includes all support equipment, wing jacks, manuals, spare parts. Much more! $70,000. Located N. Calif., text/cell (530) 9579760, dennis@nickson.biz.24900:11

1966 Piper PA30 Twin Camanche for sale near Oceanside, CA. Call for pricing. Andrew Wignot, (760) 717-0640. 241100:12

JETS

Small Manned Aerial Radar Target, Model 1. Tiny jet aircraft, long-range tank. SMART-1, Tucson, AZ, (202) 2132400, smart-1.us.5/21

SPORT/ULTRALIGHTS

RV12i5. Total performance perfected. Easy to build, fly and own. Van's Aircraft www.vansaircraft.com.11/18

Bristell LSA 915 Turbo, 180 mph

@18,000. Bristell Aircraft, (516) 6581847. bristellaircraft.com.2/24

STOL

The STOL Super Breezy with fully covered fuselage. Yakima Aerosport, (509) 453-3412, superbreezy.com.5/23

AIRCRAFT SALES AIDS

Aviation Sales & Marketing by ABCI

Ideal for a startup or side hustle in the aviation industry. (702) 987-1679 or aviationsalestraining.com/startup.1/21

FLIGHT INSTRUCTION

Sunshine Flyers. Flight & tailwheel instruction, rentals, mountain flying, and aerobatics., Auburn, CA, (530) 820-3442, sunshineflyersaviation@gmail.com.3/20

Arizona Type Ratings

CE-500/CE-525 type ratings or recurrent. Insurance approved, staff examiner. arizonatyperatings.com, (602) 614-7994. 9309:TFN

Recurrent pilot training and services. L/D Aerospace, Grace Passmore, (916) 790-0501, ldaerospace.com.1/22

Fly for fun or career. Discovery flights, pilot training, AOPA Distinguished Flight School & Cessna Pilot Center. Smith Aviation, Napa County Airport, (707) 345-6526, mikesmithaviation.com.4/22

MAINTENANCE/INSPECTIONS

Custom-tailored programs for all aircraft. Livermore, CA, (925) 961-6135, xlaviationtailwheel.com.8/20

Iconic Aircraft Restoration. Repairs, refurbishments, parts fabricated, consulting at reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 379-9092.8/21

Custom aircraft & high-quality composite parts. Aviation Composites, Sandersville, GA, (937) 243-7303.1/22

All parts available to rebuild 1936 Rearwin Sportster. In Northern California. Contact Sue Harmuth at suewilldooo@ outlook.com.22801:TFN

FBOs

Serving the GA Community since 1981. Wisconsin Aviation, Watertown Municipal Airport, WI, (920) 261-4567, WisconsinAviation.com.3/13

World's largest network of FBOs with over 200 locations offering consistent, exceptional service. Signature Flight Support, signatureflight.com.4/23

Full-service center. Vista Aviation, Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, CA, (818) 896-5224, vistaair.com9/23

AVIONICS

Avionics for Every Mission. All major brands.Airtronics, Calaveras County Airport, CA, airtronicsavionics.com, (209) 736-9400.11/14

Basic installs to complete panel and glass retrofits. Pacific Coast Avionics, (800) 353-0370, PCA.aero.7/15

Update your avionics. FAA-Certified repair station. Treasure Coast Avionics, Ft. Pierce, FL, (772) 464-3148, treasurecoastavionics.com.2/23

AIRCRAFT PARTS

Keeping "classic" aircraft flying since 1946. Univair Aircraft Corp., Aurora, CO, (888) 433-5433, univair.com.3/21

Iconic Aircraft Restoration for all the classics. Reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 347-1909.2/23

SAVAGE Magneto Service since 1946. Hayward, CA, (510) 782-7081,2/23

Wingtips with total lighting solutions, aveoengineering.com.9/23

PROPELLERS

Aviation wood, composite or metal propellers. Sensenich, (813) 752-3711, (717) 569-0435 or sensenich.com.4/21

OXYGEN SUPPLIES

Cannula or Mask? For aicraft service ceilings to FL180 & FL250. Ask "The Oxygen Lady," info@aviationoxygen.com2/23

Fuel Cells. Repair, overhaul or new with 10-year warranty. Hartwig Aircraft Fuel Cell Repair, hartwigfuelcell.com.2/09

Home of GAMIjectors® fuel injectors! STCs and PMAs on over 300 different engine models! General Aviation Modifications, Ada, OK, (888) 3594264, (580) 436-4833, gami.inc.3/23

AVIATION SAFETY

Innovative aviation safety solutions and Parachute Recovery Systems for a variety of aircraft, including for sport, UAVs, more. AviationSafetyResources.com.2/22 Get ahead of your daily in-flight risks with SAFETYLINQ flight risk assessment. argus.aero/safetylinq.1/22

confidential solution for pilot medical certification. Free FAA medical consultations. Left Seat, (800) 699-4457.1/21

Global Aircraft Group. USPAP bank values for all aircraft, aircraft management, insurance claims & certified aircraft appraisals. Mark Parry, (855) 6GBLAIR, (413) 335-7507.4/22

At Thirty1 Hybrid, we help aviation companies, including flight schools, manufacturers, mechanics, brokers, and more, build a cohesive website that positively impacts their bottomline. And it’s not just a website — it’s an Experience.

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HANGARS/TIEDOWNS

One-piece doors. Hydraulic or bifold. Schweissdoors.com, (800) 746-8273.1/15

Aviation Building Systems, custom designed hangars. R&M Steel Co., Caldwell, ID, (208) 454-1800, aviationbuildingsystem. com, (866) 454-1800.51217:TFN

Specializing in personal, business and charter aircraft. Best price, coverage & customer service. Zanette Aircraft Insurance Center, (650) 593-3030, (888) 723-3358.10/06 Insurance solutions for all aviation-related services. Business Aviation Insurance, bizavins.com, (925) 825-1900.7/20 AVIATION CONSULTANTS

Informed, accurate aircraft appraisals. jetvaluesjeremy.com, (636) 751-3987.7/20

Complete Aviation Sales & Marketing Services. Use Promo Code "INFLIGHT" to save 10%. AviationBusinessComsultants. com/Lab, (702) 987-1679.4/23

PILOT SUPPLIES

No cheap imitation watches at HME! Special pricing on ATP series multifunctional watches with Altimeter. To order or for information, (323) 464-6660 or hmewatch.com.11/16

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty. Free 700page catalog, Corona, CA, & Peachtree City, GA, aircraftspruce.com.10/06

Protective covers for every make and model. Bruce's Custom Covers, Morgan Hill, CA, (800) 777-6405, (408) 7383959, aircraftcovers.com.10/19

Apparel as unique as your journey Discounts to members. AOPA Pilot Gear, aopapilotgear.com.9/21

Mountain Bike, Full-size, pilot-friendly, rugged. FLATBIKE, flatbike.com.10/18

AVIATION RESOURCES

Emergency services, group trips, consulting services. BizAvJets, Inc., Business Aviation Services, bizavjets.com, (702) 465-2027.10/20

Wherever business takes you. Navigate It. (575) 615-2091, vatit.com.10/21

Scheduling Software that connects to your flight department. Simple, affordable. airplanemanager.com.9/22

& Marine Tax Pros Legally avoid sales tax on your aircraft purchase. In El Grove, CA, (916) 691-9192, aeromarinetaxpros.com.18500:TFN

HOMES/AIRPARKS

New Runway & Taxiway Homesites Available in amentity-rich community, Granbury, TX. From $179,900. Pecan Plantation, AviationHomesites. com, (833) 273-2159.2/24

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

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Start with USA’s proved system for listing and selling everything from highperformance single-engine airplanes, cabin class through jets, and helicopters & jet fractional shares. Includes multi-million-dollar inventory to start. Complete turn-key proved system. No experience necessary. Will train. Licensed USA Aircraft brokerage. Call (504) 723-5566 orvisit

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ART/VIDEOS/GIFTS

Specializing in aviation photography horizontalrain.com.1/15

Need a gift? Give a ride in an open cockpit biplane. WACO Air Museum, Troy, Ohio, wacoairmuseum.org, (937) 335-9226.20601:TFN

Fly By Wire Air, a one-stop site for aviators. flybywireair.com.4/21

Aces High Aviation & Military Art. (800) 528-0887, aceshighgallery.com.10/21

Shirts Made to Fly. Unique, original fabrics embedded with your sectional chart. Save 20% with "INFLIGHT20" code. PilotQuarters.com. 2/24

PUBLICATIONS

Avionics Checklists & Quick Reference gudes Available in book, card & new iPad editions. qref.com.8/14

SEAK, Expert Witness Directory, by Bert Botta for aviation accidents and incidents. (415) 320-9811, bert@bertbotta. com, bertbotta.com.4/22

Rowland Freedom

Vacaville, CA, (707) 449-3402 rowlandfreedomcenter.org Castle Air Museum Atwater, CA, (209) 723-2178 castleairmuseum.org American Helicopter Museum West Chester, PA, (610) 436-9600 americanhelicopter.museum

Florida Air Museum (Aerospace Discovery) Lakeland, FL, (863) 904-6833 floridaairmuseum.org, flysnf.org

War Eagles Air Museum Santa Teresa, NM, (575) 589-2000 wareaglesairmuseum.com

Warhawk Air Museum Nampa, ID, (208) 465-6446 warhawkairmuseum.org

National WASP WWII Museum Avenger Field, Sweetwater, TX (325) 235-0099, waspmuseum.org

Hiller Aviation Museum San Carlos Airport, CA (650) 654-0200, hiller.org Owls

Owls Head, ME (207) 594-4418, owlshead.org Planes of Fame

Chino, CA, (909) 597-3722 planesoffame.org

Palm Springs

It has been said that the only voluntary act in aviation is the decision to take-off. Every action after take-off ment of flight and a continuous stream of decisions that result in a safe landing rting System (ASRS) to allow aviation professionals to share experiences in a frank, non-punitive manner The ASRS structure allows pilots and other aviation professionals to file an anonymous report of an incident, error or occurrence that the contributor feels might be of value to others These reports are gathered, analyzed and data based by NASA experts and made available to all interested parties as a tool for creating proactive aviation safety programs Additionally, NASA distributes an electronic publication, CALLBACK, which contains selected, de-identified, reports on a free subscription basis In Flight USA is proud to reprint selected reports, exerpted from CALLBACK, for our readers to read, study, occasionally laugh at, and always learn from Visit http://asrs arc nasa gov/ to learn how you can participate in the ASRS program

The instrument rating found on a pilot certificate is both a prized possession and profound accomplishment It comes with extreme responsibility, requires much discipline to master, and confers special privilege With it, pilots may fly a properly equipped aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and transition from Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) to IMC Loosely speaking, these are two aviation achievements that most birds rarely attempt.

Hazards typically not seen in VMC flight are introduced during IMC flight and VMC to IMC transitions Icing alters aircraft flight characteristics Turbulence challenges flight control systems and automation Human Factors can enter the mix as well The human-machine interface, distractions, confusion, physiological factors, situational awareness, and workload are examples In short, flight in or into IMC can add threats and stress to any pilot, instrument rated or not

This month, CALLBACK shares incidents that resulted in hazards and subsequent domino issues from flying in or into IMC The hazards and concerns represent significant threats to pilots, regardless of qualification, experience, or aircraft capability. Safety of flight, therefore, demands operations in IMC be conducted with knowledge, wisdom, strict planning, discipline, and the utmost respect for associated threats

Part 91 – While Cruising in VMC

This experienced, corporate Bonanza pilot entered what was thought to be a benign cloud bank What happened next was a stunning surprise and introduced another threat to quell

• I was cruising at 8,000 feet in a Bonanza on an IFR flight to ZZZ1

Approximately 30 NM north of ZZZ2 I entered a benign cloud bank, and shortly after going IMC, I encountered localized extreme turbulence, hitting my head on the ceiling.… The AP disconnected. I was stunned momentarily, but then realized the plane was in an unusual attitude (dive) and with very strong downdrafts and heavy controls I recovered from the unusual attitude, and I informed ATC that I had encountered extreme turbulence & downdrafts and could not hold altitude Exiting IMC, the

WHEN VMC TURNS IMC

turbulence subsided, and I had lost several thousand feet of altitude I requested and was cleared to 6,000 feet and completed the flight without further incident

I think that the extremely high temperatures (near 100 degrees) on the ground and flying in this afternoon heat cumulatively contributed to a localized turbulent weather condition The weather picture on the avionics did not show precipitation, lightning, or storm cell attributes at my position or on my projected path, however, there was evidently enough energy in the air to cause the extreme localized turbulence and downdrafts encountered

Part 135 – While Deviating for Weather

An EMB145 pilot reported entering an active, developing cell while deviating around weather The resulting problems and flight profile are nothing short of astonishing

• Between waypoints ZZZZZ and ZZZZZ1 intersection at FL360, we had been keeping a close eye on a squall line passing through the sector After some discussion, we decided we would stay the course, but look for an opening that would provide the least turbulence We heard a radio call between an aircraft…and ATC advising them that storms were below FL330 and that FL360 was fine Upon hearing that, we became sure of our decision to press on About 10 to 15 minutes later, [that] aircraft alerted ATC that they were experiencing moderate to severe turbulence and requested a deviation to the right We checked our radar and saw on our route that there was a section of the squall line with tops at FL400 We then discussed and agreed to also deviate to our right to avoid that section About 10 minutes after [that], we encountered a severe updraft with severe turbulence, showing extensive airspeed fluctuations and a Vertical Speed (VS) of +6,000 feet per minute for 20 seconds The Autopilot (AP) kicked off, and we were unable to maintain altitude to the point we briefly hit FL390 before immediately [being] pushed back down to FL360 We acted on training, and the pilot flying flew the aircraft while I handled all other responsibilities We immediately asked ATC for altitude relief, which we got, and deviated to our left to avoid the situation The Captain’s Primary Flight Display (PFD)

lost airspeed, altitude, and VS information after about a minute with an Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) message showing [two issues] We consulted the QRH on [both] issues while hand-flying with the Integrated Standby Instrument System (ISIS) The problems did not resolve [themselves] by following the QRH The First Officer’s instruments were working in conjunction with ISIS, so we selected Air Data Computer 2 (ADC2) and changed the AP coupling…to the First Officer side We exited the storm and were able to continue enroute to our destination No injuries were reported Cause: Inadvertent entry into an active developing cell with the information at hand Suggestions: Choose the best path of least turbulence; stay at least 5,000 feet from tops of cells to clear the storm Stay 20 NM away from storm cells Make the decision to deviate for the best path as early as possible

Part 91 – From A Controller’s Vantage

This Center Controller recounts a C182 pilot’s plight during an IFR flight when the pilot attempted to climb through hazardous icing conditions. Significant aid was rendered • Aircraft X was a [westbound] ZZZ departure coming out of Approach On initial check-in, he said he wanted to go as high as possible to get over icing I climbed him to 17,000 [feet] I got a report from an airliner, who departed ZZZ1 southbound, [stating] that he broke out of the cloud layer at FL190 I relayed the report to Aircraft X and clarified what it meant, as he was confused by the term ‘breaking out ’ A few minutes later I asked if he was getting icing in that area He said a little bit on his windshield, a small amount I filled out a PIREP with this information Several minutes went by, and he then told me he had rime ice on his windshield I described the precipitation areas on my scope, which were approximately 80 miles east of him and 50 miles southeast of him, and I noticed that his climb had stalled out at 12,000 feet I asked him if he was still climbing or if he wanted to stay at 12,000 feet He replied that he could see some blue sky and wanted to continue climbing About 30 seconds later he declared, “In an

uncontrolled descent ” I told him about the Minimum IFR Altitude (MIA) in that area, 9,000 feet I observed he was in a right turn and asked if he was able to maintain any control He said, “Negative ” He came back a short time later and had control I told him to maintain at or above 9,000 feet He responded he was out of control again He was able to regain control and said he had icing on the wings I [suggested] two nearby airports, and he opted to go to ZZZ2 Over the course of the next few minutes, I gave him an initial vector to ZZZ2, followed by another vector after he veered off course I gave him the airport weather, elevation, runway length, and the three instrument approaches He eventually descended to 9,000 feet, and then to 8,000 feet By this point, he said the icing was starting to melt from his windshield and [that] he had control of the airplane enough to start the RNAV approach to Runway XX After he passed the initial approach fix, he began descending to 7,500 feet I gave a low altitude alert and reminded him the MIA was 8,000 feet in that area I checked to see that he had pitot and carburetor heat turned on, and he did By this point, he said the ice was melting and the temperature outside was 35 [degrees] F The rest of the flight was pretty normal, all things considered, other than he stayed at 7,500 feet despite the minimum IAF altitude of 8,000 feet He was well above the highest point in the area and he was between layers at the time He ended up landing with no other issues

There were several things looking back now that could have tipped me off to the danger he was in The first was the extremely slow climb in icing conditions combined with a gradual reduction in his groundspeed It was shortly after I told him about the stopped climb that he lost control I do question whether I caused him to try a steeper climb that resulted in him stalling and losing control I think also having him descend back to 9,000 feet, which was a safe altitude to get back into warmer air, could have been helpful, despite him wanting to climb above the layers of icing. Also, I was reminded several times by management that he was below the MIA, a fact which I had told the pilot already I was extremely hesitant to give any indication to the pilot that he needed to immediately climb back to 8,000 feet out of fear that he would stall and lose control again

FEBRUARY

PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

– Erwin L. Samuelson,

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