Tolist 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 3rdavenue@embarqmail.com.
Note: Calendar includes only information available by our press date, Friday, Jan. 6.Confirm the status before attending.
7 Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.org.
Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.
Palm Springs, CA:Commemorative Series, 1 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262.
11 — 12 Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hollister Municipal Airport, (408) 804-3591, markstar@garlic.com.
15 San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.
12—22 Auburn, CA:Accelerated Multi-Engine Training Course, Mach 5 Aviation, (530) 889-2000. Call for details and price using Code M5TWIN.
21 Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.
Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.
Burlington, WA:Safety Seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, Skagit Regional Airport, (360) 370-8067, dybergaviation.com.
21—22 Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Weekend, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900.
28 Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832.
Sanford, FL:Aerospace & Aviation Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Million Air Hangar, Orlando Sanford Int’l. Airport, aviationdayorlandosanford.com.
4 Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.org.
Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.
10to May 7 Palm Springs, CA:“Snoopy and the Red Baron,” 10 a.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262.
14 – 15 Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hollister Municipal Airport, (408) 804-3591, markstar@garlic.com.
17 — 19 Buckeye, AZ: Buckeye Air Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buckeye Municipal Airport, (623) 349-6000, buckeyeaz.gov.
18 Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.
Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.
Palm Springs, CA:Air Museum Gala, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262.
Burlington, WA:Safety Seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, Skagit Regional Airport, (360) 370-8067, dybergaviation.com.
18—19 Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Weekend, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900.
19 San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.
26 Laredo, TX:Stars & Stripes Air Show Spectacular, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Laredo Int’l. Airport, (956) 722-0589, wbcalaredo.org.
28 Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832.
4 Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.org.
Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.
11 ElCentro, CA:NAF El Centro Air Show. Details to come.
Yuma, AZ:MCAS Yuma Air Show, gates 9 a.m., yumaairshow.com.
11—12 Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hollister Municipal Airport, (408) 804-3591, markstar@garlic.com.
18 Burnet, TX:Bluebonnet Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Burnet Municipal Airport, (512) 756-2226, bluebonnetairshow.com.
Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.
Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.
Petaluma, CA:Petaluma Display Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404.
Burlington, WA:Safety Seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, Skagit Regional Airport, (360) 370-8067, dybergaviation.com.
Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900.
Hereat InFlightUSA,wearebig onproductsthatworkandgetthe jobdone.Aviationisatough industry,andaircraftexperiencesome harshenvironmentsattimes.Wehavediscoveredaproductthatcanhelpprotect youraircraftfromtheharshenvironments theyoperatein.ToughGuard-AeroPaint Sealantisaproductthathasbeenproven toprotectandenhancethepaintonaircraft ofallshapesandsizesfromCirrus-sized aircraftuptoaBoeing747.WewerefortunatetomaketheacquaintanceofDan Reid,theownerofToughGuardHigh PerformanceCoatings,atlastyear’s NBAAshowheldinOrlando,Fla.We hopeyoufindtheToughGuardstoryusefulwhenitcomestoenhancingandprotectingthevalueofyouraircraft.
InFlightUSA: Tellmealittlebit aboutthehistoryofToughGuardHigh PerformanceCoatingsCompanyand howyougotstartedwiththecompany.
DanReid: TheToughGuard-Aero producthasbeenaroundformorethan30 years.
Imetthepreviousowneratatennis clubwebothbelongtobackin1994.At
thattime,Ihadmyownbusinessinadifferentindustry,butIwasintriguedbythe ToughGuardproduct,astheprevious ownerwouldupdatemeonthesuccesses hewasenjoyingwiththeproduct.These successesincludetheproductbeingtested andapprovedbyRaytheonforthepurpose
ofbeingusedonU.S.Navyshipsprotectingvitalcommunicationequipment. AnothersuccessthatreallygotmyattentionwaswhenIlearnedthatthe ToughGuardproducthadbeenapproved bytheUSAFforuseonhighlevelVIPaircraftthatincludedthemostrecognizable
aircraftinitsfleet.Boeinghadalsotested theproductattherequestoftheUSAFand wasapprovedbyBoeingtobeusedon theseUSAFVIPaircraft.Notonlyhadthe ToughGuard-Aeroproductbeentestedand approvedbythelikesofRaytheon, Boeing,theUSAFandUSN,ithadbeen testedandapprovedbyFordMotor CompanyandVolvoAuto.In2012,the opportunitypresenteditselfformetobuy thecompany,andItookthatopportunity.
IFUSA: HasToughGuardbeen approvedbyanyotheraircraftOEMs recently?
DR: Yes,andmostrecentlywe receivedapprovalfromDassaultAviation France,aftertwoyearsoftestingand ToughGuard-Aero.Withthisapproval, ToughGuard-AeroPaintSealantwill soonberegisteredinallDassault ExecutiveaircraftAMMs.Thisisamajor acknowledgementofthequalityof ToughGuard-Aero,andwearevery proudofthisrecognitionbyDassault Aircraft.Ourproductwasalsoapproved afewyearsagobyEmbraerS.A.Brazil andisregisteredinallEmbraerAMMs forbothexecutivejetairframesandcommercialjetairframes.
Aviation&AirboatWood or Composite Propellers
SensenichWood Propeller Co. 2008Wood Court, Plant City, FL 33563
Phone:(813)752-3711•Fax: (813) 752-2818 Email:propsales@sensenich.com
AviationFixed Pitch Metal Propellers
Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Co., Inc. 14CitationLane,Lititz, PA 17543
Phone:(717) 569-0435 • Fax: (717) 560-3725 Email:sales@sensenich.com
Is2023theyear…forwhat?Sure,an open-endedquestions,solet’snarrow itdown.Is2023theyearyoubuyan airplane?Youhavethoughtaboutitinthe pastandopportunitieshavecomeand gone.Youarenowinanincomebracket thatallowsyoutoactifdesired,with interestratesstillinareasonablerange… forthetimebeing…andtaxlawsthatare stillinyourfavorifyouuseyourplane forbusinesspurposes.Kindofgetsyou thinking,eh?
Thefollowingthoughtsarenotthose ofjustthiswriter,butalsoincludeobservationsmadebytheInFlightPublishing teamatoursisterpublication, BizAvJets (www.bizavjets.com).Thisisapublicationthatisdedicatedtobusinessapplicationsofaircraftownership.Asurveyof severalof InFlightUSA’s regularaircraft brokerageadvertisers(checkouttheir listingsinourvirtualmagazineat www.inflightusa.com)isalsointhemix. ArizonaTypeRatings(specializingin CessnaCitationtyperatings, www.arizonatyperatings.com)comments thatevenlightjetsarenowbeingflown morefrequentlybyprivateownersfor businesspurposes.
Whilenotanindepthmarketsurvey, theexperiencesofboththiswriterand ourpartnersinbusinessdiscloseashiftin thereasonsbeinggivenforthepurchase ofapersonalairplane.Muchofthefollowingisbaseduponthiswriter’swork withupto300studentsperyear,teaching allaviationratings.Alargepercentageof thistrainingcontactisthroughclassesfor writtenexaminations,bothinpersonand throughonlineprogramsutilizingmoderncommutertechnology.All50states havebeenrepresentedintheseclasses. Butnewtheselastcoupleofyearsisspecialone-on-onetutoringrelatedto advancedtechnologyaircraft.
Thiswriterhasalsoservedtheneeds ofagrowingnumberofthosewhohave chosentopurchasepreviouslyownedaircraft(somemorethan50yearsold)that havebeenoverhauled,re-enginedand updatedwiththelatestavionics.These newaircraftownersfrequentlypurchase theplanebeforetheyhaveapilotcertificate.Whilemostinvolvedwiththistrend havetoyedwiththeideaoflearningto fly,orperhapsadvancingtoacommercial/instrumentcertificate,fewaremovingtowardsbuyingaplaneasahobbyist. So,whatisdrivingthesenewdemographicsofaircraftownership?
Timeandtimeagain,thiswriter hearswordsthatgosomethinglike“Iam sickandtiredoftryingtomeetmytravel
needsbyusingtheairlines.Thecosthas goneup,theserviceisterrible,airlineterminalshavebecomeahostileenvironmentandtheflightschedulesmightjust aswellbeabettinggameinLasVegas.” Ofcourse,two-plusyearsofCOVID restrictionshaveaddedtothefrustrations ofairlinetravel,buteventherelaxationof suchhealthrestrictionshasnotlessened theunpleasantrealitiesoflonglines, delayedflights,crazypassengersandsurchargesforeveryconceivableamenity, likelegroom.Now,let’saddressthe obvious,yourtrustyCirrusisnotagood optioniftravelingtothefarcornersofthe earth.Butthefolksthiswriterencounters frequentlyhavetravelneedsofbetween 500and1,000miles,sometimesabitfurther.Mostoftheseindividualsarewhat wecommonlycall“professionals,”like consultants,medicalspecialists,lawyers, contractors,financialexperts(isthere suchathing?)ormaybebusinessowners withmultiplesalesordistributionpoints. Theytypicallytravelforasinglemeeting orperhapsafacilityinspection.While mostliveinaregionwherealargeairline airportisavailable,theyarecompelledto changeplanes,oftentoaregionalcarrier togettotheirfinaldestination.Evena short500-miletripbyairlinecankillan entiredaywhendoor-to-doortimeisfactoredin,meaningthattwo-hourmeeting mustbeheldthenextday,killingany chanceofconnectingtoanairlineflight togetoutoftownthatafternoon.
Anotherdaygone,tobefollowedby areturnflightbyairlinethroughahub, witha10-minuteconnectionatthefar endofamile-longterminal.Soundfamiliar?Manyjustgiveupanddrive,butthat isarealtimekiller,completewithbad weatherandroadconstruction.This writerhasexperiencedjusttheseadventures,bothwithairlinetravelanddriving, alltoomanytimes.Thiswriterhasalso madethesametrip,withameeting,in justasingleday,usingaCessnaSkylane.
Tobeclear,thisisnotahitjobon airlinetravel.Certainly,therecentholidayfiascowiththousandsofflightcancelationshasheightenedinterestinDYIair travel,butlet’sbefair.Theweatherwas terrible.Themediaisconvincedthatall airlinersare“allweather”machinesand thatmoregovernmentmanagement wouldhelpsolvetheproblemsofdelays. Bothpresumptionsareludicrous.But let’salsoclarifythateventhemostelegantlyequippedandautomatedprivate plane(includingcorporatejets)wereshut downbytheweatherofChristmas2022.
Anybodythatthinkshumankind’sfeeble effortsareabletoovercomethepowerof natureisinforarude(ifnotfatal)awakening.Ofcourse,the2022holidaymuddlebySouthwestAirlinesgavetheentire airlineindustryabadname,notwholly deservedbyallairlines.
Ok,let’ssayyouareareaderthat fallsintothegeneralcategoryofabusinesstravelerwhoisfedupwithshorthaulairlineservice.Canyou,asaprivate pilot,useyourprivately-(orcompany-) ownedairplaneforbusinesspurposes? Youmostcertainlycan,justasyoucurrentlyuseyourcar.Aprivately-owned airplanecanbeacorporatetool,justlike anyotherpieceofmachineryandoperatedunderFAR91rules.Themainissueto becautiousofisspecificallychargingfor thecarriageofpassengersorcargo.This isasimplificationofsomecomplex rules,butlaunchingaflightbecause moneyhaschangedhandstomakethat specificflighttakeplaceisconsidereda commercialoperation,fallingundersignificantlydifferentregulations.Orput anotherway,useofyourpersonalairplaneshouldnotappearasalineitemon theinvoiceyouhandtoacustomer,anymorethatdrivingacustomerbackand forthtoalocalhotelshouldshowa chargefortheuseofyourcar.TheFARs specificallypermitthedirectoperating costofaprivately-ownedairplanetobe “shared”onapro-ratedbasis.Thisprevisionislimitedandshouldbecarefully reviewedbeforecostsharingtakesplace.
Hopefully,thepreviousthoughts mightjustbewhatgetsyouthinking,but wheretostart?Checkwithyourtaxguru orfinancialadvisorfirstorcheckout Aero&MarineTaxPros.Canaplanebe consideredalegitimatebusinesstoolfor yourspecificbusiness?Whatabout hangar,insuranceandmaintenancecosts, wouldtheybeconsideredabusiness expense?Howaboutdepreciation,there couldbesomesignificantbenefitshere. Checkthepagesof InFlightUSA,asseveralofouradvertiserscanansweralotof economicquestions.
Oncethisfirststepisoutoftheway, youwillhaveabetterideaofjusthow muchyoumightbeabletospendwitha long-termoutlookastohowsuchan expenditurewillbenefityou.Butdon’t letjustthefinancialsideofaircraftownershipbeyouronlyconsideration.Itcan bearguedthatmostofthegoodieswe considerasbasicneedsintoday’sworld havenofinancialjustificationwhatsoever.Shucks,thisOklahomaboyhasa smallranch,hasowned12differentairplanesandsupportsaranch-loadofcritters.Weridehorses…evertriedtofinan-
ciallyjustifyowningahorse?Sure,Iget fresheggseveryday,buttheyendup costingaboutfivebuckseach.Godlove themall,butcritterssuckupdollarbills fasterthanfeed.Don’tlooktothiswriter forlogic,butIsurehavesomegreatstoriesaboutairplanes…andcritters!
Havinghelpedmanythroughthe decisionmakingprocessof“whatwould betheperfectplaneforme,”allowthis writertosharesomesubjectiveviews regardingthatfirstpurchase.
•Thereisnosuchthingasthe“perfect”airplane.”Ifevertheoldadage “perfectistheenemyofgood”applied,it ishere.Becarefulaboutrelyingonyour localairport’s“superexpert”foradvice. Sure,listenandlearn,butgotoapro. Lookatthebrokersthatadvertisein In FlightUSA suchasUSAAircraft Brokers.Thesearemorethanjustairplanesalesmen.Theyknowthemarket, aircraftvalueandmakeandmodelpreferencesrelativetomaintenanceandserviceneeds.Theycanarrangeforadetailed pre-buyinspection,checkforADs,and assessoverallcondition.Theproscan recommendserviceprovidersformodificationsand/orupgrades.Theyhave financeandinsuranceresources.While youmayseeaseeminglylowerpricein oneofthemanyonlineaircraftlistings, theproscanfillyouinonthedetailsthat mayaddunseendollarstothatspecial privatelisting.
•Don’toverbuy.Manyimmediately thinkthataplanebeingusedforcrosscountryflyingmustcruiseataminimum of180knots,besuperequippedwiththe latestdigitaltechnology,haveatwo-axis autopilotandanon-stoprangeofatleast 1,000miles.Yep,nicemachine.New, somethingwiththosespecswillrun $800Kto$1.5M.Ormaybetakealookat thatnice1965Bonanzafor$90K. Freshenuptheengine,tossinanewinteriorandpaintjob,givethelocalradio shopathrillandforabout$250Ktotal cost,youhavealike-newplanethat rivalsthelatestandgreatest.
•Doesyourdreamplanereallyneed tocruiseat180knots?WhataboutsomethingwithC-172typeperformance?Too poky?Surethat500-miletripwilltake about1:20longerthanourBonanza,but forperhaps$100Klesswithequal upgradesandhalftheoperatingcosts. Thiswriterhasflowncoast-to-coast,corner-to-corner,multipletimeswithC-172likeperformanceandenjoyedevery minuteofseeingwhatourgreatcountry reallylookslike.Regulartrips(business andpleasure)fromtheLosAngelesarea todestinationslikeSanFrancisco, Portland,LasVegas,thenationalparks,
We’re here for you every step of the way.
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Weallknowthereisnotighterknitcommunitythanoursin generalaviation.Wesharea greatpassionforflying,andwehavea fierceandcommonbondtopromoteand protectthisfreedomtofly.Whereverwe go,weareamongfriends.There’ssimply nothingelselikeitanywhere.
Ihavesaiditmanytimesthatthereis nothingmorethatIlovethantobeout andaboutacrossthisgreatnationmeetingourmembers,sharingstoriesofaviation,listeningtotheirconcerns,andgivingourcommunityanimportantvoicein ourwork.
Butthisconnectionandcommitment toGAgoesfarbeyondindividualaviators.InmyyearsatAOPA,Ihaveseen first-handthatthestrengthofourcommunityliesinthepowerofpartnership amonglike-mindedassociationsand organizations,companiesandotheraviationgroups,allwithacollectivefocuson keepingGAvibrantforyearstocome.
Wemayallhavedistinctmembers andcustomers,butGAismorepowerful whenwestandtogetheraspartners.
PartnershipisakeywordforAOPA.
Notonlydoweappreciateourmembers, whoallowustodowhatwedo,butwe treasuretherelationshipswehavewitha varietyoforganizations–allunderthe bannerofpromotingandprotectinggeneralaviation.Whetherit’sourbusiness partners,fellowgeneralaviationorganizations,typeclubs,localairportofficials andthosegroupswithaspecificaviation mission–westandstrongasone.
Greatpartnershipshappenwhen peopleandorganizationsarealignedin theirvaluesandvision.
IamespeciallygratefulforourbusinesspartnersatAOPA.Withthehelpof ourpartners–Aero-SpaceReports, AircraftSpruce,AssuredPartnersAerospace,Avis,Boeing,Breitling,California AeronauticalUniversity,Enterprise,Hertz, JSfirm.com,PilotWorkshops,Priceline, SiriusXM,andSporty’s–ourcollective goalistohelpkeepflyingsaferandabit moreaffordable.Thesupportofourpartners,advertisersandeventexhibitors, manyofwhomprovidevaluedmember benefits,allowsourGAcommunitytostay vibrantandaccessible.
Generalaviationisalsomuch strongerthankstothesenseofcommunityamongthemajorGAassociations,all ofwhomshareourstrongcommitmentto
thehealthofourindustry.Isalutemy partnersatGeneralAviation ManufacturersAssociation,ExperimentalAircraftAssociation,National BusinessAviationAssociation,National AirTransportationAssociation, HelicopterAssociationInternational, AmericanAssociationofAirport Executives,andNationalAssociationof StateAviationOfficialsfortheirongoing commitmenttokeepingourpassion thrivingandaccessible.
Thisgratitudealsoextendstoour colleaguesattheFederalAviation Administration.Wemaynotalwayssee eyetoeyeonimportantissues,butI knowthatourpartnersattheFAAhave thebestinterestsoftheGAcommunityat heart.We’realignedonmoreissueswith theFAAthannot.
Havingflownmanydifferenttypes ofaircraft,Ihavebecomeamemberof–andfriendswith–typeclubsthatsharea passionforawidevarietyofairplanes. There’sanairplaneforeverytypeofflying,andthere’satypeclubforvirtually everyairplane.Iinviteyoutocheckthese groupsoutandbecomeapartofsomethingspecialwithinsomethingspecial.
Protectingyourfreedomtoflyall comesdowntothevibrancyofourmore
than5,500public-useairportsacrossthe country.Airportexecutives–andlocal officialswhosupportourairports–are greatpartnersinthismissiontosafeguard GA.We’reonlyasstrongasthehealthof ourlocalairports,andIthankeveryone onthegroundforallowingustoexplore somanyspecialplacesbyair.
Andspeakingoflocaladvocacy,I alsocan’tthinkofbetterpartnersinthis passionthanourownAirportSupport Networkvolunteers.Nowwellnorthof 2,000members–andcelebratingtheir 25thanniversary–ourASNvolunteers serveasoureyesandearsontheground, andareoftenourearly-warningsystem foremergingissuesatGAairportsacross thecountry.Anadjuncttotheworkthat ourRegionalManagersdoonadaily basis,thecommitmentofourASNvolunteernetworkisinvaluableinhelpingus protectyourfreedomtofly.
AOPAplaysamajorroleinpromotingthiswonderfulpassionwecallflying. Butwecan’tdoitalone;ourpartnership withhundreds,ifnotthousands,ofother constituentsmakesourjobofprotecting yourfreedomtoflythatmucheasier. Blueskiestoall!
Witha$2.14milliongrantfromthe DepartmentofTransportationreceivedin lateNovember,theMontereyRegional Airportnowhas$4.2milliontowardthe designandconstructionofanewairport terminal.
ThefundsarefromtheBipartisan InfrastructureBillforFederalFiscalYear 2023,alongwithanother$2.14grant fromthesamepieceoflegislationfrom FiscalYear2022.
AccordingtoairportExecutive DirectorMichaelLaPier,theairporthas selecteditsarchitectfortheproject,HOK GroupInc.,adesign,architecture,engineering,andurbanplanningfirm,found-
ContinuedfromPage7
thewinecountryofCalifornia,the MidwestandevenBoise,Idahowere regularlymadeinmy1959PiperTriPacer(costme$13Kplusabout$5Kin upgrades).Don’tlettheairport“goodole boys”convinceyouthataffordableairplanesarenotgoodforcross-countryflying.
•Ifbuyingfromabroker,agoodprepurchasecheckcanusuallybearranged,
edin1955andbasedinSt.Louis, Missouri,andareintheprocessofnegotiatingthescopeofworkandcostofthe projectwithHOK.
Designworkwillbeginduringfirst quarterof2023andwilltakeaboutone yeartocomplete.Duringthedesignphase, theairportwillcontinuetoworkwiththe FederalAviationAdministrationandDOT regardingfundingforthedesignandconstructionofthenewterminalbuilding,said LaPier.Theterminalbuildingwillbe completelyfinancedusinggrantfunding andrevenuesfromtheairport.Nopropertytaxfundingorgeneralobligationbonds willbeused,hesaid.
Editorialsometimesaspartofthesaleprice.If buyingprivately,hireanFAADesignated AircraftInspector(AI)tocheckoutthe plane,especiallypaperwork.Athorough maintenancerecordauditisamust.
•Beenthinkingaboutlearningtofly orstartedonceandnevercompleted? Obviously,youlikeairplanesoryou wouldnotbereadingthismagazine. Shouldyoubuyaplaneandlearntoflyin yourownplane?Youbet…thiswriter
MontereyRegionalAirport(MRY) isMontereyCounty’sonlycommercial airportandaccommodatesmorethan 400,000passengerseachyear.Theairportservestennonstopmarkets.Visit montereyairport.comorfollowthemon Facebook,InstagramandTwitter@montereyairport.
MontereyRegionalAirportinCalifornia lastAugustopenedapost-securityoutdoor waitingarea.Thecourtyardcurrentlyhas about35seatstocreatealoungefeel wherepeoplecantakefoodanddrinkthey broughtwiththemfromhomeorthesnack barinthesecureareainside.However,last monththeAirportwongrantmoneyfrom theDOTandwillsoonbuildanewterminal.(CourtesyMontereyAirport)
specializesinsuchtraining.Sure,ifyou arestartingoutwithacomplex, megabuckplane,onemightwantto abusesomethingmoresimpleandsmallerinitially,butthereisnothinglikethe friendshipthatdevelopsbetweenapilot andfirstplane…justdon’ttellyour spouse…jealousyisnotpretty.
Absolutely,thereisalottoconsider, muchmorethanpresentedinthisshort essay.Butperhapsitwillstartthegears
turninginyourhead.Youcouldbeup andrunningwithyourown“privateairline”inshortorder…andmissthoselong linesattheairportandTSAfolksthat rummagethroughyourunderwear.Sure, allthatfunislost,butnewadventures await!LookaheadtotheNewYearof 2024.Wouldn’titbefuntoview2023as theyearyourdreamofowningaplane cametrue?
IFUSA: Tellmealittlebitabout howtheproductworkssowelltoprotect andenhancethepaintonaircraft.
DR: Whatmakesourproductwork sowellisatrade-secretcomponent,and thiscomponentiswhatseparatesourproductfromallotherproductsonthemarket. Withoutgoingintotoomuchdetail,during themanufacturingprocess,weinfusea veryrarenatural-inorganicliquidresin intotheformulaatpreciselytherighttemperature,therightquantityandattheright time.Ourformulaisquitesophisticatedin itsmake-upandmanufacturingprocesses. Itisthisnatural-inorganicresinthat mechanicallybondswiththepaintduring theapplicationprocess.Thisresinprovidesabarriercoatthattrulyprotectsthe paintfromUVrays,chemicals,pollutants, carbonsoot,bugsplatsandbirdfouling. BecausetheToughGuard-Aeroresinphysicallybondswiththepaint,itwillnotwash offorwearoffforatleasttwoyearsafter application.Thetwo-yearproductperformanceguaranteeiswhatprovidesthe mostsignificantbenefittotheplane owner.Theothervaluablebenefitisthe reductionofregularwashingsandcleaningtimespentontheaircraft. ToughGuard-AeroPaintSealantissoslick thatitmakesithardfordebristoadhereto thepaint.Cleaningtimesandeffortare greatlyreducedforaircraftoperatorswho useToughGuard-AeroPaintSealant. Aircraftownerscanspendmoretimeflyingratherthancleaningtheiraircraft.
IFUSA: Isitdifficulttoapplyyour product?
DR: No,itisquiteeasytoapplythe product.Ifsomeonehasappliedliquid waxestopaintoftheirvehicleoraircraft before,theywouldhavetheskillsettoapply ToughGuard-AeroPaintSealant.It’sactuallyeasierthanapplyingtraditionalwaxesand requiresalotlesstimethanceramiccoatingsthatdon’tcomparetotheperformance ofToughGuard-AeroPaintSealant.
IFUSA: Wouldyousaythisisan environmentallyfriendlyproduct?
DR: ToughGuard-AeroPaintSealantisenvironmentallyfriendly,asitisa water-solubleproduct.However,aswith allchemicals,it’sbesttoprotectoneself withlatexglovesandpaper/woven-type facemaskwhenbuffingoffthedried residualproductoncetheproducthas cured.Oncetheproducthascuredit becomescompletelyinert.
IFUSA: WhoisToughGuard’stargetmarket?
DR: Whilewedoselltoprivateaircraftowners,ourrealmarketisB2Bin differentmarketsthroughouttheaviation industry.Thisrangesfromdetailingcompanies,aviationpaintshops,MROs,corporatefleetoperations,fractionalaviationoperatorsandcommercialfleets.
IFUSA: HowisToughGuard-Aero packaged?
DR: Wepackageourproductincosmetictubesranginginsizefromtwo ounce,fourounceandeightounce.We alsopackageandsellinsingle-gallonand five-galloncontainers.
IFUSA: Howmuchproductis neededforthetypicalgeneralaviation aircraft?
DR: ToughGuard-AeroPaintSealant hasaverylow-surfacetension,soalittle bitofproductgoesalongway(alittledab willdoya).ACessna172wouldonly requireeightouncesofproduct.ACessna CitationCJ2wouldonlyrequire14ounces ofproduct.AGulfstream150wouldonly require20ouncesofproduct.
IFUSA: HowcanourreaderspurchaseToughGuard-AeroPaintSealant?
DR: Fortheindividualaircraftowner, theycanpurchasetheproductthrough AircraftSpruce(SeePage15).Forbusinessesinterestedinpurchasingourproduct,they canemailmeatdanreid@toughguard.com orcallusat855/313-3765.
Formoreinformationaboutthe ToughGuard-AeroPaintSealant,please visittheirwebsiteat: www.toughguard.com.
NavyCommanderO-5Kris Caldwellwashonoredwitha formalretirementceremonyat NavalAirStationLemooreinCalifornia onNov.18,followedbyaninformal partyinahangaratVisaliaMunicipal Airportthatnight.
Ina20-yearnavalcareer,Caldwell flewF18s“onallkindsofmissions aroundtheworld,”including“Freedom oftheHighSeas,”whichprotectedpeopleandcommerceinthePacificOcean. Hebelievesthe“biggestthing”hedid wasflyingsomeofthefirstcounter-ISIS missions.
“WemadestrikesalloverIraqand intoSyriathathelpedpushbackISIS,”he said.
Caldwell’sresuméincludesbeing partoftheGrimReaperFighterSquadron (StrikeFighterSquadron101),aU.S. NavyFleetReplacementSquadronbased atEglinAirForceBaseinFlorida.He alsospentathree-monthtourin Afghanistanworkingonthegroundas partoftheU.S.Navy’spolicyofattachingoneaviatortoNavySEALsteams.
AmongtheairplanesthatCaldwell hasflownwastheF35-CModel,which sixyearsagohadapricetagofabout $120million.Hewasmodestabouthow hewasselectedtoflysuchanexpensive aircraft.
“Iwasjustintherightplaceatthe righttime,”hesaid.
CaldwellflewF35sasaninstructor attheU.S.NavyFleetReplenishment Squadron.Hewasastrikeinstructorat theNavalAviationWarfighting DevelopmentCenterwherehetrainedall aircraftsquadronsthatwouldbe deployedonaircraftcarriers–from Hawkeyestohelicopters.
“Whenevertheywouldflyamission,Iwouldbethe‘badguy,’”headded. “IwouldgoupthereandpretendIwas theenemy.”
Caldwellhasthenickname “Fungus,”whichwasalsohiscallsign andappearedbelowhisnameonhis flightsuit.Thisdefinitelyneededan explanation.
“I’vegottenintopoisonoakafew times,”hesaid.“Onetime,Ihadpusson myface.ItlookedlikeIhadfungusgrowingoutofmyface.”
Evenso,Caldwellwentintowork onemorningattheNavalAirFacilityEl Centrointhatcondition.
“Icouldn’tevenopenmylefteye,” herecalled.“Theytoldme,‘Youcan’tfly
Theaccomplishedfighterpilothas wantedtoflyplanessincehewasfive yearsold.Hismotherremembersthathe wouldoftenillustratehisgradeschool homeworkwithhisdrawingsofF18s.
“Ithinkit’sjustinsomepeople,”he
TheNationalBusinessAviation Association(NBAA)welcomedtheDec. 21releaseofanomnibusappropriations billthatincludesseveralNBAA-championedmeasurestopromoteamorerobust aviationindustry,nowandinthefuture.
ThebilltofundtheU.S.government forthefiscalyear(FY)2023was approvedbytheU.S.Houseof RepresentativesandU.S.SenateandultimatelysignedintolawbyPresidentJoe Bidenlatelastmonth.
“WecommendHouseandSenate leadershipandmembersfortheirwork onthisbillandtheirsteadfastrecognition oftheimportanceofensuringthataviationcontinuestobeevenmoresafe, secure,innovativeandsustainablethan ever,”saidNBAAPresidentandCEOEd Bolen.
Forexample,theomnibusbillincorporatesrenewedaffirmationofcongressionalsupportforflightprivacy,including theimportanceofameansbywhichoperatorsmayopt-outfromhavingtheirmovementstrackedinrealtime,byanyonewith
aninternetconnection,anywhereinthe world,forwhatevermotive.Current optionsincludetheLimitedAircraftData Displayed(LADD)program,whichfilters aircraftownershipdatasharedbythe FederalAviationAdministration(FAA), andthePrivacyICAOAddress(PIA)programthatenablesaircraftownersto requestanalternate,temporaryICAOaircraftaddressnotassignedtotheowner.
Theomnibusbillalsoincludesthe NBAA-supportedAdvancedAviation InfrastructureModernizationAct(AAIM Act)callingforU.S.Departmentof Transportation(DOT)grantstoassist state,localandtribalgovernmentsand otherentitiesinplanninginfrastructureto supportadvancedairmobility(AAM) operations.ThesegrantsarepartofalargerDOTcompetitivegrantprogramsupportingabroadvarietyoftransportation andinfrastructureenhancementprojects.
Thebillalsorecognizesongoing workbytheFAAonAAMandencouragestheagencytoprovideatransparent frameworkandrequirementstostake-
holdersforthesafeuseofAAMinthe future,andreiteratestheagency’scommitmenttocompletetheproposedspecial federalaviationregulationenablinglimitedcommercialoperationsandpilot licensingbyDec.31,2024.
Thebillalsoprovides$68millionto
ContinuousLowerEnergy,Emissions, andNoise(CLEEN)programandgrants tospurincreasedproductionofsustain-
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Continued from Page 10
Caldwell was asked if his father, who was also a pilot, was an influence on his career choice.
“I’m sure he was, but I was never really around (airplanes) that much,” he said. “When I was a kid, I remember seeing the wings of gold on his chest. He was a reservist. He never encouraged me to become a pilot, probably the opposite.”
A friend at the retirement party suggested Caldwell, who enjoys flying different aircraft, would now have the time to fly 100 different airplanes.
“Oh, I’ve already done that,” he said. “I flew my 136th different plane yesterday.”
Perhaps his most important flight was flying across the U.S. in one of those planes, the Aviat Husky single-prop plane he owned, with his then-girlfriend, Kristal.
“We were flying over the Grand Canyon, heading to Florida,” Caldwell said. “I had hidden a box under her seat. I asked her to reach under her seat and grab the box.”
When she opened the box, Kristal saw an engagement ring. After all the excitement that comes with a marriage proposal – and acceptance – Caldwell asked if he could get a kiss.
“She leaned forward to do that and pushed the stick and we went into a bit of a dive,” he said.
With disaster easily averted, the couple landed on an airstrip in the Grand Canyon and were married the next day in Page, Arizona.
Caldwell has already been hired by UPS to fly freight overseas in widebody jets, which he plans to do “at some point,” and he looks forward to spending a lot of time with his family. He also plans to “continue to do the writing thing,” which originally started off as a hobby.
“I started writing articles just for fun,” he said.
Caldwell who described his writing style as “just the way I speak,” has written for EAA Sport Magazine. He has a website, www.planeimpressions.com, where he posts reviews about the airplanes he flies.
“Plane Impressions is primarily a site to share initial impressions of the planes I fly,” he explains on his website. “I’ve had the opportunity to fly more than 134 (and counting) different models of aircraft and have recently been offering these observations to others who are interested.”
And his favorite airplane to fly?
“My favorite jet is the F18 Charlie, the one I started in,” he said.
Choosing a favorite airplane was more of a challenge, however.
“I just love a Stearman,” he said, describing it as beautiful. “For pure fun and enjoyment, I like the Aircam. The list can go on and on.”
Louis Pasteur’s quote, “Chance favors the prepared mind” means that the better prepared and more knowledgeable you are, the more you’ll be able to take advantage of any chance opportunities or observations. Louis Pasteur was a French microbiologist and chemist. He is best known for discovering microbial fermentation, pasteurization, and vaccination.
I have often used this phrase because it seems so very appropriate for aviation, all kinds of aviation. By being mindful of things that can go wrong on a flight and having some preparation made before taking off, chance and most likely a positive outcome will certainly favor us. While the subject of this article mainly describes cross-country flights and preparedness, proper planning in other areas of our lives can also favor positive outcomes. As a flight instructor, I feel it’s part of my job to mentor young pilots who don’t have a vast amount of experience, and to sometimes remind more experienced pilots of small things they need reminding of. Sometimes, we all need reminders.
Over my 30-plus years of flying helicopters and airplanes, I can certainly count numerous flights where I was not that well prepared for the unexpected. It sounds so simple to stop and plan for the unexpected engine out, a broken engine part, and even bad weather, that could stop the flight short of the intended destination, yet many aviators just don’t plan for those unfortunate and disruptive events. Do you even have the basics to last one full night in the desert, forest, or plains? Water seems to be the most obvious, as our body can fast for several weeks needing only water, unless one has other medical conditions. If you fly a small plane, maybe a case of bottled water is too much extra weight you would rather not carry. A water filter would be great, as long as you have a somewhat clean water source to use it with. That weather diversion you might have to make enroute at a small-town airport might not have that old Crown Vic
Before starting the engine, note preflight checklists carefully.
(David Tulis / Courtesy AOPA)
retired police car at the city FBO for your ride to a hotel. Perhaps a sleeping bag and some food you packed would surely come in handy as you sleep in the aircraft.
We certainly live in a wonderful technological age of GPS and SAT phones where rescue may not be too far away and take very long to reach us. But have we really planned for such an event? SAT phone monthly plans are somewhat expensive, and when did we really need one in the past anyway? Products like the Garmin inReach Mini are great tools to have if we have them readily available. While cell phone service continues to improve all over our great nation, it is still sparce in many rural areas, especially out West. Having a real survival bag that is conducive to the area of travel, like mountains, desert or plains could mean the difference between life and death based on current weather conditions should you find yourself making an emergency landing. Hypothermia is a real thing. This is yet another reason to always file a flight plan on cross-country flights.
There have been many articles written about survival bags and what to have in them. Whether you are a professional commercial pilot, a weekend worrier or fall somewhere in between, we should at least carry the basic survival bag, should the time come when we need it. If you mentally prepare for a problem, you are far more likely to prevent that problem from overwhelming you, and you may find that chance or luck favors you because of your preparation.
Recurrent Flight Training Pilot Services
A
In Flight USA: When did you get started with Shiny Jets?
Brett Berry: I got started in this business four years ago.
IFUSA: What made you want to get into aircraft detailing?
BB: I had a previous aircraft detailing business that I started. I had it for eight years and then sold it. During my time in the industry, I noticed a lot of poor work on other aircraft. I would see things from customers’ aircraft that were terrible. There is not a lot of information on how to restore and maintain aircraft correctly.
IFUSA: What is the most common type of aircraft that you service?
paint deteriorates more than typical car paint. In six months, that paint will look chalky and ugly like it did before. Their compounds and polishes have fillers, so it looks really good in the beginning, but then the gloss wears off after a couple of washes, and it just looks old and chalky. Aircraft paint typically does not have a clear coat.
IFUSA: What advice would you give to aircraft owners?
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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
er obraCobr C air s.1930’ such as the L e and mor A-18 Blue Nighthawk and F Museum is situated on 31 acr ently air curr ehensive collection of compr omfr eacemak onvair RB-36 P C
BB: I would say Gulfstreams, King Airs, and Citations. More on the business jet side…
IFUSA: So you are based in San Diego. Are you at a certain airport there?
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view aircraft from the Lockheed F-80 to the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.
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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.
For more information, please call 209-723-2178 or visit www.castleairmuseum.org.
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BB: Yes, we are at Palomar, Montgomery, and Gillespie. We have several locations within the San Diego area, and we also have some out-of-state locations, including Mesa, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada and Dallas, Texas.
IFUSA: Tell me a little bit about your detailing process and what sets it apart.
BB: What I run into a lot is that many detailing companies will not provide the quality job that will make their work last longer. For instance, they will compound the paint and then polish it, but when they were compounding, they did not remove all the oxidation. Aircraft
BB: I started Shiny Jets to start educating the industry. I have done interviews on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and other social media sites to educate people with tips and tricks that they can do themselves or how they can notice when their detailing person is not doing it properly. They will notice when the mechanic uses a cloth with metal shavings in it to wipe down the aircraft, and they will see how that scratches the paint. I set out to help the industry grow and get better results. I want to preserve aircraft for longer and make the cosmetic surfaces last longer. Unfortunately, the auto industry has surpassed aviation by leaps and bounds; so many of the methods you see out there are outdated and ineffective. They should listen to our podcast, watch
Continued on Page 16
our YouTube, and take our online courses for individual services. We have a fullfledge online course on how to build an aircraft detailing business. You can also come to one of our in-person trainings. Many people learn how to detail just by watching our content.
IFUSA: What advice would you give to those who desire a career in aircraft detailing?
BB: I would say start learning how to detail cars. Work at a carwash. Even take a flight lesson to learn more about aircraft. It will give you a humbling experience. See if an aircraft detailing shop is willing to hire someone. You have to start off at the bottom, washing the bellies, etc. You have to start at the bottom so that you can move up in the company and offer that company a quality finished product. Safety is number one in aviation, and you need to show that company that you take it seriously.
IFUSA: Are you hiring?
BB: Yes, we are. Contact us today.
IFUSA: Is it better to hire a service or to do it yourself?
BB: I would say that it depends on the size of the aircraft. Many pilots do it themselves. I would recommend taking my ceramic coating course online. It might be cheaper to take the course and then tinker with your plane over the weekend and do it yourself. If it is a larger jet, you will want a team to work on it to get it done faster.
IFUSA: How much does it cost to take one of your courses?
BB: Right now, our online course is $2,000. It takes about 10-12 hours to complete. You can take it at your leisure. Our in-person training is actually a hybrid course. They complete some of it at home online and then come to our headquarters. We cover light meals and lodging. We have shuttles that go to and from the airport where we detail planes for three days straight. They come in educated because they took the online
course. Now they’re just doing the hands-on part. We also do private trainings and have for quite a few Fortune 100 companies who need to train their staff right out of their facility. We curtail the training to their specific aircraft.
IFUSA: What is your personal favorite aircraft to work on?
BB: I would say warbirds. I have a customer who has 28 warbirds that still fly. I have restored every single one of them cosmetically.
IFUSA: Do you work on many helicopters and how are they different from fixed-wing in terms of detailing?
BB: I recommend that every detailer have a briefing on any aircraft they wash or detail. This way they know the sensitive areas and the chemicals they want you to use or not use. We always read and educate ourselves with the maintenance manuals before detailing them. Yes, I do a lot of helicopters. We try to remove the exhaust stain or polish the windows. Here in Southern California,
many helicopters are fighting fires, so they get abused fighting fires on the paint and windows. We are restoring windows roughly every six months for all the fire helicopters here in the local area.
IFUSA: What are your plans for the future?
BB: We are looking to build more locations. We are in the process of filming a new online course that is so indepth that it is mindboggling. I put a GoPro camera on and make it really hands-on even when it’s online. We plan to translate our training into different languages for different countries. We plan to come out with our own product line to pass Boeing’s specifications. Nearly 60 students have gone through our training program thus far.
IFUSA: Do you have anything else you would like to add?
BB: Yes, I travel the country doing cosmetic services on aircraft, and I look forward to continuing my travels.
Continued from Page 11
able aviation fuels (SAF) that dramatically reduce lifecycle carbon emissions.
Additionally, the bill contains the NBAA-backed Promoting Service in Transportation Act (PSA) to raise awareness of the career opportunities available in aviation, through a series of targeted broadcast, digital and print public-service announcements from DOT to promote jobs throughout the transportation sector and foster diversity and inclusion across the industry.
The omnibus measure further provides an additional $559 million above FY2022 to the FAA for discretionary airport improvement grants and projects.
NBAA also applauds Members of the House and Senate who removed language from the bill that would have severely limited the use of GI Bill benefits for flight training by military veterans who want to enter the aviation industry.
Finally, the bill also reaffirms the FAA’s authority over the national air traffic control (ATC) system, lacking any mention of a renewed effort to move to a private, not-for-profit ATC network.
NBAA represents more than 10,000
company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 signed by President Biden late in December includes critical provisions for the aviation industry, from establishment of a pilot grant program for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure to increased funding for key Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs. The bill authorizes $25 million over two years for the planning and construction of publicuse vertiports or associated infrastructure, with individual grants worth up to $1 million. It also funds critical programs such as aviation workforce grants and outreach, the testing of unleaded fuels for piston aircraft, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) grants, while protecting the contract tower
program and maintaining FAA authority over the air traffic control system.
The United States Congress prioritized aviation safety, innovation, and sustainability in the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, including NATA-supported provisions for the aviation industry, from the establishment of a pilot grant program for AAM infrastructure to increased funding for key FAA programs.
The omnibus bill implements the NATA-supported Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act, authorizing $25 million over two years for grants for the planning and construction of public-use vertiports or associated infrastructure, with individual grants worth up to $1 million. Eligible entities include airport sponsors, transit and port authorities, and state and local governments, with priority given to those who partner with relevant industry stakeholders. Twenty percent of funding is
reserved for projects in rural areas.
With a 9.3 percent increase in nondefense domestic spending, the legislation funds critical programs such as aviation workforce grants and outreach, the testing of unleaded fuels for piston aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) grants, and other sustainability efforts through FAA’s CLEEN and ASCENT programs. It also protects the contract tower program and continues FAA authority over the air traffic control system.
The omnibus spending bill allocates $11.9 billion for FAA operations – a $500 million increase over FY 2022. It also directs a total of $3.9 billion toward Grants-in-Aid for Airports, with up to $3.5 million to reimburse airport sponsors, ground service providers, and other airport tenants for financial losses incurred during a Presidential temporary flight restriction (TFR).
For more information visit the NATA website, www.nata.aero.
Find your passion. What will 2023 look like for you? Is it spending more time with family and friends? Perhaps trying new foods and experiencing new “local” travel spots? How about learning about the history of “it”? What motivates you this new year can be anything that lights you up; the name of the game these days is to do it well, value things that are important you, and take care of yourself first!
In the spirit of taking care of myself, I often look up to the sky, feel the beauty that surrounds me, and when I’m not strolling through local parks or perusing my favorite art and record shops, I often make my way over to the little airport near my hometown of San Mateo – SQL in San Carlos, Calif. At the San Carlos Airport, which is two miles north of the city of San Carlos in San Mateo County and located off Highway 101 (exit 411) on the San Francisco Peninsula. You can find many things to ignite your interests and expand your horizon while experiencing an array of aircraft activity as you take in the sights and sounds amongst aviation enthusiasts and pilots who love to swap stories along the way. Own your
childlike wonder and let your interest of aviation be ignited while experiencing all that surrounds you here at SQL, where you will find a variety of fun and exciting things to do!
favorite menu items are their Country Breakfast, Reuban Sandwich, or Caprese Avocado Toast – I like ordering mine with a poached egg on-the-side! Be sure to stop by this quaint café for a friendly vibe and a wonderful meal with an everchanging view!
(Denise
One of the friendliest and attentive staffs around; hard working and coupled with a smile! I personally love sitting at the counter with a newspaper or aviation magazine, glance over my cup of coffee, past the model airplanes that hang from the ceiling and set my eyes on the tarmac just outside. On most days Sky Kitchen is bustling with pilots, patrons and wonderful families enjoying time together and delicious foods to eat. Some of my
Surf Air is advancing the future of flight, for people and the planet.
(Denise DeGregoire)
In the lobby between Sky Kitchen and San Carlos Aviation & Supply, private charter flights and semi-private set routes are offered from the fabulous team at Surf Air, with many weekly flights and destinations to choose from. Most days you can find the staff welcoming guests in the lobby outside the café. Watch as one of their many aircrafts taxi down the
“Ground Team” at Surf Air; Service with a smile, alongside private pilot, Jay Ribera. (Denise DeGregoire)
runway and take off to fabulous destinations like Santa Barbara and Truckee, Calif. Sherry, Will, and James are on hand to help you on your way to your destination while you disconnect for a moment and enjoy the flight with its spectacular views. You can expect a warm welcome from their value-added concierge and ground crew with many years of service between them!
The Hiller Aviation Museum is a Continued on Page 18
by Richard Mallory Allnutt warbirdsnews.com
For the past forty-some years, it is doubtful that anyone with even the vaguest interest in vintage military aircraft could fail to have seen or been moved by the work of the legendary aerial photographer, Philip Makanna. His images have appeared in countless magazines and books, but Makanna is perhaps most well known for his famous line of GHOSTS calendars, which have graced the walls of many a home and aircraft hangar across the world since 1981.
college student in the mid-80s, and I have owned succeeding editions for almost every year since. Printed on thick, glossy paper, these full-sized calendars are renowned for both their premium calendars, people tend to save them beyond their intended period of use – and whom among us hasn’t clipped a favorite image from the binding to frame or pin up somewhere we enjoy spending time (I know I have!).
With a keen sense for lighting and composition, Makanna’s images also have a timeless quality to them which captures the spirit of both the machine and the era from which they came. And for 2023, as in recent years, there are two different calendars available – one featuring aircraft from WWII and the other from WWI.
And for those who wish to have something a little weightier, Phil Makanna also has some truly spectacular hard-cover books featuring many of his images too. As with his calendars, these books are beautifully designed and of the highest quality. Makanna has such lyrical prose as well, placing you in the scene almost as effectively as his images. There are other wonderful books available too… be sure to check them out at https://ghosts.com/
For More Information,
(Denise DeGregoire)
fabulous aircraft history museum which
faces Highway 101 and can be seen across the tarmac from Sky Kitchen. The museum was founded by Stanley Hiller in June 1998. and is endowed by members of the Hiller family. It specializes in Northern California aircraft and helicopter history and is a fabulous destination for kids and adults of all ages! In addition to World Record Holder, Zara Rutherford’s newest instillation within Women in Aviation and the vast array of artifacts, Hiller offers many opportunities for guests to learn with hands-on experiences such as their popular Flight Sim Zone. Get expert
Rosensweig: one of the dedicated Flight Sim Zone Instructors helping make Hiller Aviation Museum a must-see attraction. (Denise DeGregoire)
guidance from Sim Zone Flight Instructors like Burt Rosensweig who is happy to offer his expertise and advance your skills with challenging aircraft.
Beechcraft Bonanza A36 285HP1968-1983
Beechcraft Bonanza C/D 35 1951-1953
Beechcraft Bonanza J/K/M 35 1958-1960
Beechcraft Bonanza N/P 35 1961-1963
Beechcraft Bonanza V35 A/B 1966-1982
Cessna 150 1959-1977
Cessna 152 1978-1986
Cessna 172 Universal Universal Cessna 172M 1973-1976
Cessna 172N 1977-1980
Cessna 172P 1981-1986
Cessna 172R 1998-2006
Cessna 172RG 1980-1985
Cessna 172S 1998-2006
Cessna 172S G1000 2005+
Cessna 177RG 1971-1978
Cessna 182P 1972-1976
Cessna 182R 1981-1986
Cessna R182 Skylane RG 1978-1986
Cessna 182RG Turbo 1979-1986
Cessna 182T Analog Gauges 2001+
Cessna 182T/G1000 2004+
Cessna 210N Centurion 1979-1984
Cessna Turbo 182T 2001+
Cessna Turbo 182T/G1000 2006+
Cessna Turbo 206H 1998+
Cessna Turbo 210M Centurion1977-1978
Cirrus SR20 Analog Gauges 2000-2003
Cirrus SR20 G1-G2 2003-2007
Cirrus SR20 G3 2007+
Cirrus SR20 Perspective 2008+
Cirrus SR22 G1-G2 2003-2007
Cirrus SR22 G3 2007+
Cirrus SR22 Perspective 2008+
Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo 2007+
Cirrus SR22 Turbo Perspective 2008+
Diamond DA20 C1 1998+
Diamond Star DA40 2001+
Piper Archer II PA-28-181 1976-1994
Piper Archer III PA-28-181 1995-2002
Piper Arrow 180 PA-28R-180 1967-1971
Piper Arrow II PA-28R-200 1969-1976
Piper Arrow III PA-28R-201 1977+
Piper Arrow III Turbo PA-28R-201T1977-1978
Piper Arrow IV PA-28RT-201 1979-1982
Piper Arrow IV Turbo PA-28RT-201T1979-1990
Piper Cherokee 140 PA-28-1401964-1977
Piper Cherokee 150 PA-28-1501961-1967
Piper Cherokee 160 PA-28-1601961-1967
Piper Cherokee 180 PA-28-1801963-1973
Piper Dakota PA-28-236 1979-1994
Piper Cherokee Lance PA-32R-3001976-1978
Piper Navajo PA-31-310 B/C 1972-1980
Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-3501973-1984
Piper Saratoga SP PA-32R-3011980-1992
Piper Saratoga SP Turbo PA-32R-301T1980-1987
Piper Tomahawk PA-38-112 1978-1982
Piper Warrior 151 PA-28-151 1973-1977
Piper Warrior II PA-28-161 1976-1986
at new hangar campus, Skyway Center. (Denise DeGregoire)
The newly built Skyway Center faces Highway 101 and sits next door to Hiller Aviation Museum. The Skyway Center was designed from the ground up as a clean sheet campus to offer a new generation of aviators a complete Aviation Lifestyle, not just hangar storage. Today, as more single engine turboprops are built each year than Cessna’s single engine pistons, the price of a well-equipped Cirrus SR-22T approaches $1M, yet no one builds a hangar campus for the Bay Area’s modern aircraft owner/operator… until now. Designed, built, and managed by pilots, Skyway Center offers spectacular amenities of a member-only aviation club. In true pilot fashion, each Skyway Center hangar honors an aviatrix of the 20th century. While most know the name of Amelia Earhart, Skyway hangars also honor lesser known, pioneering female aviators such as Harriet Quimby, the first woman to fly across the English Channel in 1912, and Bessie Coleman, who was both the first African American and Native American to earn a pilot’s license. Modern heroes including Jeana Yeager and Christa McAuliffe are also honored by Skyway Center. Join Skyway Center at San Carlos and experience an Aviation Lifestyle, not just a place to store your plane.
Other nearby destinations: While visiting San Carlos Airport don’t forget to visit some local destinations as well: My favorite local record shop, Vinyl Solutions, is located on bustling 25th Avenue and is just a hop, skip, and a jump away in the nearby city of San Mateo. I have been frequenting this new and used record shop for the better part of 40 years now. Tommy, the current owner, alongside his music loving staff are on hand to field your rock ‘n roll questions while enjoying the tunes piped in overhead. Come check out 25th Avenue in San Mateo, it is filled with wonderful restau-
By Lillian Geil AOPA
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Senate and House before arriving on the president’s desk and being signed into law on Dec. 23.
The legislation includes language that reverses a 2021 FAA directive requiring aircraft owners, pilots, and flight instructors to obtain a letter of deviation authority (LODA) if they wanted to give or receive flight training in experimental aircraft.
The directive received immediate backlash from the aviation community, as it effectively grounded nearly 40,000 pilots and subsequently reduced the number of available flight instructors and negatively impacted aviation safety in the experimental category.
Originally characterized as a “document drill,” “a loophole we had to close,” and even a “four-letter word” by Steve Dickson, the FAA administrator at the time the LODA requirement was announced, was quickly met with pushback from the AOPA attorneys and advocacy team alongside other general aviation organizations and advocates, who worked quickly alongside lawmakers to
The Capitol is home to the U.S. Congress and its House and Senate governing bodies, which have influence over general aviation.
(David Tulis / courtesy AOPA)
introduce language reversing the directive in the 2023 NDAA.
“This reversal was a significant priority for AOPA,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “There was overwhelming support to eliminate the burdensome and unnecessary barrier this created for thousands of pilots.”
The 2023 defense bill is named after Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the ranking Republican on the legislation, because of his monumental role on the Senate Armed Services Committee during his five terms serving in the Senate. Inhofe, a pilot and longtime general aviation advocate who is set to retire in January, advocated strongly to include the provision to eliminate the LODA
Continued on Page 21
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rants, coffee shops and inviting small businesses like a Cigar shop and clothing boutiques. 25th Avenue also boasts many beauty salons and a neighborhood barber shop. There is a traditional Mexican market, a Taqueria and so much more! Truly something for everyone.
If you have made San Carlos Airport your flight or driving destination, stop by San Carlos Aviation Supply for your shopping needs, enjoy a warm breakfast or lunch at Sky Kitchen, and if time permits, rent a vehicle, and explore what the San Francisco Peninsula has to offer or take in a Wine Country Tour as you enjoy your time at San Carlos Airport.
Fly well, Denise
By Lillian Geil AOPA
The 2023 AOPA Foundation scholarship program opened Sept. 5, 2022, with scholarships available for flight training, aircraft maintenance, and other aviation-related pursuits. The deadline for applying is Feb. 10, 2023.
The financial constraints of an aviation education shouldn’t prevent prospective student pilots or aviation enthusiasts from pursuing their dreams. Through the generosity of member donations, the foundation aims to relieve the financial burden of education and training –offering dozens of scholarship packages annually ranging from $2,500 to $14,000.
One notable example is the high volume of scholarships offered for flight training courtesy of the Ray Foundation, founded by and named for aviator, philanthropist, and entrepreneur James C. Ray. These scholarships each include a $10,000 award for the purpose of obtaining a private pilot certificate. Eighty scholarships are allocated for high school students and up to 20 for high school edu-
cators who use the AOPA Foundation You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Curriculum.
Other fantastic scholarships to keep on your radar include the Landsberg Endowment Scholarship – Aviation Maintenance and Avionics for those interested in pursuing an aviation maintenance technician certificate, and the
Edward B. Shafer Future of Flight Scholarship for those interested in pursuing a career in aviation (including aerospace engineering, professional pilot, aircraft maintenance, airport management, or another avenue).
The 2022 scholarship recipients were announced in June, and they could not have been more thankful. “The schol-
arship has allowed me to accelerate my studies and training,” said Logan Harden, a 17-year-old aspiring private pilot. “I have been able to purchase tools, software, and educational materials to help me understand all of the rules and regulations. I have also been able to fly every day, sometimes twice a day.”
The 2023 scholarship window opened Sept. 5, and applications will be accepted through Feb. 10 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. This year AOPA has made it easier than ever to apply, moving to one streamlined application. All applicants must be a member of AOPA, and student pilots, youth, and military personnel are eligible for a free AOPA membership. Check out AOPA’s website (www.aopa .org) for more details and to see which membership package is the best fit.
And visit the 2023 AOPA Foundation scholarship page (https:// www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/students/aopa-flight-training-scholarships) for the full scholarship list, FAQs, and the application.
Peachtree City, Ga., has a new movie star – the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia’s restored Corsair FG-1D, flying in the new Columbia Pictures movie, Devotion, which opened Nov. 23. The film producers, Black Label Media, also are dedicating significant proceeds from Devotion to a scholarship fund for military children.
The vintage WWII fighter aircraft was used for numerous scenes during the filming of the new Korean war movie, along with several other Corsairs. It was restored by the CAF and is operated by Airbase Georgia at its Warbird Museum, 1200 Echo Ct., Peachtree City, adjacent to the Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field. Columbia Pictures painted a different number, 203, on the plane for the movie although the Corsair was returned to its original number and livery after the filming. Devotion is based on a true story from the Korean conflict. Author Adam Makos chronicled the story about the comradeship of two pilots, Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner, in his book, Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship and Sacrifice
Corsair Crew Chief Gregg Scott, who has more than 20 years of experience with Delta Air Lines as an avionics technician, spent about six weeks in south Georgia for the filming. He supervised movement of the plane on the ground for various shots, in addition to maintaining the Corsair for flight. Airbase Georgia pilot Stan Musick handled the flying and also did significant orientation flying in a T-6 to prepare Jonathan Majors for his role as Brown. Glen Powell plays Hudner. Musick also served as a technical advisor for some of the cockpit scenes.
He is a lifelong pilot who served as flight surgeon in the Air National Guard and flies many CAF aircraft, including the Corsair, P-51 Mustang and LT-6 Mosquito trainer. He has 30 years in the CAF and serves as instructor and check pilot for several aircraft.
Scott said the days of preparation and filming were long, but he enjoyed watching the aircraft in operation on a fabricated aircraft carrier built at an airport in Statesboro. He said it was a unique experience being part of a movie production. “I had the opportunity to meet Thomas Hudner’s son, see his logbooks and hold Hudner’s Medal of Honor,” Scott said. “He signed the airplane that was depicting his dad’s Corsair in the movie.” Scott also had the honor of meeting Jesse Brown’s granddaughter and great granddaughter.
The Brown Hudner Navy Scholarship Foundation was formally established using funds from Devotion and will award its first scholarships in 2023. The fund is being managed by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which has awarded more than $155 million in schol-
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requirement in the FY23 NDAA alongside Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), and Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii).
The LODA language resides in Sec. 5325 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The section starts by clarifying that, in general, “An authorized flight instructor providing student instruction, flight instruction, or flight training shall not be deemed to be operating an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.”
It continues, “An individual acting
as an authorized additional pilot during Phase I flight testing of aircraft holding an experimental airworthiness certificate, in accordance with section 21.191 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations…shall not be deemed to be operating an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.”
With the president’s signature, pilots involved in experimental flight training can continue to provide instruction and fly their aircraft without having to jump through this frustrating hoop.
To learn more, visit the AOPA website at www.aopa.org.
The National Aeronautical Association (NAA) is planning a cross-country air race for electric propulsion aircraft! The electric aircraft industry has been rapidly expanding in terms of technological readiness and the number of potential race contestants. The air race will be a resumption of the Pulitzer air races first held in the early 1920s, and the winner of the race awarded the Pulitzer Trophy (on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.) at a suitable NAA awards event.
The first Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, planned for May 2023, will be a four-day, 1,000 nm cross-country event beginning in Omaha, NE and ending near Kitty Hawk, NC. The race will be open to piloted aerodynes of all types using zeroemission electric propulsion (e.g., fixed wing aeroplanes, helicopters, or multirotor eVTOL Advanced Air Mobility [AAM] vehicles). Because many of the potential competitors may be in a research and development phase and using experimental aircraft, the race will be a day only, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) event.
The race winner will be the
pilot/crew with the fastest speed calculated from the cumulative flight time, not including time on the ground for maintenance, charging, or overnight stays. The specific race rules have been developed by the NAA Pulitzer Race Committee and are available at the NAA website, naa.aero.
The cross-country format, rather than a closed-circuit speed event, was selected to emphasize electric aircraft range and reliability, in addition to speed, in a realistic operating environment. A cross-country race will require careful logistical planning from the race teams and highlight different electric propulsion technology choices and operational strategies such as rapid battery charging,
whole battery changes, and solar power augmentation to extend range.
As a long distance, multi-day crosscountry event open to all classes and types of electric aircraft, organizers designed the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race to provide an open canvas for design innovations and to be a flying expo for the electric aviation industry.
The NAA will also be partnering with nationally recognized Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) providers to leverage the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race as a STEM educational outreach opportunity. Fifth and sixth grade school science classes will explore electri-
cal power systems and their application to aeronautical engineering in the semester leading up to the race. Students will follow their favorite competitors in real time along with the rest of the world via publicly available internet flight tracking on FlightAware.com and on the NAA Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race website (naa.aero).
With the help of their sponsors, partners, and contestants, the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race can become the premier venue and showcase for the advancement of practical electric propulsion aircraft in terms of speed, distance, and reliability, much like the National Air Races of the 1920s and 1930s helped promote technological advances of internal combustion airplanes at the beginning of aviation.
Scott Neumann, director of the Pulitzer Aircraft Race, announced via LinkedIn that preregistration for the race is now open, and Beta Technologies, a Vermont company developing the Alia eVTOL, was the first to register.
Download the draft rules at naa.aero or directly at https://naa.aero/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pulitzer-ElectricAircraft-Race-Rules-DRAFT-Nov2021.pdf .
After two years of decreased participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 has seen EAA’s Young Eagles program rebound and reach tens of thousands of young people through participation in aviation.
More than 49,000 youths ages eight to 17 experienced The Spirit of Aviation this year through a free introductory flight in an aircraft. These flights were all made possible by 4,078 pilots who volunteered their time to help, with 1,159 of those pilots new to the Young Eagles pro-
gram in 2022.
“We are thrilled to see an increase in the number of pilots looking to help inspire the next generation of aviators,” said David Leiting, EAA Eagles program manager. “For pilots, the rewards of flying Young Eagles are immeasurable. The only way we get more young people involved in aviation is to have more pilots participate, so the open invitation is always there.”
Since Aug. 1, 2022, 93 pilots completed the 30 for 30 challenge to fly 30
youths to celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary. Pilots who reach this milestone will be awarded a commemorative polo shirt. The challenge runs through July 31, 2023. Pilots interested in flying Young Eagles can learn more about the program at EAA.org/YoungEagles.
The Young Eagles program is quickly approaching a total of 2.3 million free introductory flights since its launch in 1992, and continues to be the largest aviation education program ever created.
The Young Eagles program is pre-
sented by Phillips 66 with additional support from Sporty’s, United Airlines, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Garmin, Lightspeed, Academy of Model Aeronautics, and Global Aerospace.
arships to military children over the past 60 years, with the film supporting both organizations.
After extensive service with the U.S. Navy and Marines in WWII, Corsairs were used effectively in Korea along with the more advanced U.S. jet aircraft of the
1950s, serving primarily as low-level fighter-bombers. Airbase Georgia’s Corsair is on display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Warbird Museum.
Join Warbird Tube host, Steve Buss, as he talks with the Assistant Director of Devotion and CAF members of Airbase
Georgia about the Corsair and their involvement in the filming of the new movie. Devotion used the CAF’s Corsair while filming the inspirational true story of Jesse Brown, the first Black U.S. Naval aviator.
Learn more at commemorativeairforce.org and view a video at
https://commemorativeairforce.org/news /caf-airbase-georgia-corsair-stars-innew-movie or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkS 8Yt9Dfk0&t=63s .
Would this rocket ship work for you? Cruise at 232 kts. in pressurized air-conditioned comfort at 25,000 feet above the weather, get to altitude quickly with a 1,500 ft. rate of climb, generous useful. The mechanic looking after the plane for the last 10 years says, “It'sascleanas they come.”
Would you like to fly a rocket ship? We have it. A 1978 Cessna P210 with the incredible Vitatoe engine. Long-lifed at 2200 TBO. Improved compression for unrivaled efficiency and power. Cooler and more fuel efficient engine operations at all altitudes. Flies at speeds of up to 215 KTAS at 22,000 feet using only 17.6 GPH. Wonderful upgraded avionics with stunning paint and interior. Comfortable for six with full-sized seats. A people and gear mover with almost 1400 lb. useful.
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comfortable seating, fast, long range, good visibility, great useful load, baggage limit a whopping 110 lbs. Always hangared in dry California.
Abreathtakingtotal 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. Call for details.
TheU.S.AirForce’sF-22Demo teamannouncedits2023scheduleatlast month’sInternationalCouncilofAir Shows(ICAS)conventioninLasVegas, andEAAAirVentureOshkoshisamong theappearancelocationslisted.
Accordingtotheschedule,theF-22 teamisslatedtobeinOshkoshonJuly27-30, thefinalfourdaysofAirVenture2023.
AlongwiththesoloF-22demos,the teamparticipatesintheU.S.AirForce HeritageFlightprogram.Thisprogramis extremelypopularwithOshkoshair showcrowds,asitmatchescurrentmilitaryfighterjetswithvintagewarbirds fromWorldWarIIandothereras.
TheF-22teamisstationedwiththe 1stFighterWingatJointBaseLangleyEustisinHampton,Virginia.InMarch 2007,theteamparticipatedinitsdebut airshowatTyndallAirForceBase.Since then,theteamhasperformedmorethan 250demonstrationsacrosstheworld.
TheF-22DemoTeam Schedulefor2023
Feb.28-March5 –Avalon,Australia
March25-26 –Barksdale,LA
April1-2 –Homestead,FL
April29-30 –Ft.Lauderdale,FL
May6-7 –LangleyAFB,VA
U.S.AirForce’sF-22Demoteamwill appearatEAAAirVentureOshkoshJuly 27-30,2023.(CourtesyEAA)
May10 –Maxwell,AL
May13-14 –ScottAFB,IL
May20-21 –Seymour-Johnson,NC
May27-28 –LongPond,PA
June9-11 –Smyrna,TN
June17-18 –Columbus,OH
June24-25 –Davenport,IA
July1-4 –BattleCreek,MI
July3 –Dubuque,IA(HeritageFlightonly)
July27-30 –Oshkosh,WI
Aug.12-13 –Ypsilanti,MI
Aug.19-20 –KansasCity,MO
Sept.2-4 –Cleveland,OH Sept9-11 –London,Canada
Sept.16-17 –NASOceana,VA
Sept.30-Oct.1 –HuntingtonBeach,CA Oct.6-7 –PeachtreeCity,GA
Nov.1-12 –Stuart,FL
Thescheduleissubjecttochange. Getupdatedscheduleinformationatthe AirForcewebsite,af.milordirectlyat jble.af.mil.
ByStaffSgt.MarcusM.Bullock 633dAirBaseWingPublicAffairs
U.S.AirForceGen.MarkKelly, commanderofAirCombatCommand, certifiedthenewF-22Demonstration TeamPilotonDec.9,2022,aheadofthe 2023airshowseason.
Capt.Samuel“RaZZ”Larsonwillbe replacingMaj.Joshua“Cabo”Gunderson asthecommanderandpilotoftheF-22 DemonstrationTeam.
Larsonisanexperiencedfighterpilot havingaccumulatedover750flyinghours inaircraftssuchastheT-6Texan,T-38 Talon,andF-22Raptorsincehebeganhis AirForcecareerin2015.
“I’mhumbledtohavetheopportunitytojointhisincredibleteam.ThementorshipIreceivedfromAirForcedemo pilotsandmaintainers,alongwiththeairshowsIwouldattendinmyhomestateof Iowa,inspiredmetoservemycountryas afighterpilot,”Larsonsaid.“Ourgoalis tonowpaythatforwardandinspireothers.Wehaveanoutstandingteamassem-
U.S.AirForceGen.MarkKelly,commanderofAirCombatCommand, speakstoCapt.Samuel“RaZZ” Larson,F-22RaptorDemonstration
Teamcommanderandpilot,following theteam’scertificationflightatJoint BaseLangley-Eustis,Virginia,Dec.9, 2022.Followingthebeginningofhis AirForcecareerin2015,Larsonhas over750flyinghoursinvariousjets suchastheT-6Texan,T-38Talonand F-22Raptor.(U.S.AirForcephoto byStaffSgt.MarcusM.Bullock)
AvfuelCorporationandMeridian announceanewpartnershipbetweenthe leadingindependentsupplierofaviation fuelandservices,andoneofthemost recognizednamesinFBOservices.
BeginningJan.4,Avfueltookover astheofficialbrandedfuelsupplierof Meridian’sHayward,Calif.,location.
“WearehonoredtheMeridianteam entrustedAvfueltohelpcareforits team’sandcustomers’needs,”JoelHirst, Avfuel’sseniorvicepresidentofsales, said.“TheadditionofMeridianHayward totheAvfuelNetworkprovidesanother premierflyingandfuelinglocationinthe heartofCalifornia,withaccesstotop-tier FBOamenitiesandAvfuel’sdependable programs.”
“Weareveryexcitedtopartnerwith Avfuelasourfuelsupplier,”Carlos Rodriguez,MeridianHaywardgeneral manager,said.“Avfueliswell-respected throughouttheaviationindustryforits reliability,innovativesolutionsandcustomersupport.Aspartofitsnetwork,we lookforwardtoraisingthevisibilityof ourbrandwhilealsogrowingourfuel salesvolume.Inaddition,itsfocuson integratingsustainableaviationfuel (SAF)intothesupplychainwillbean assetasweworktoexpandourown effortsinthatarea.”
CentrallylocatedbetweenSan Francisco,SanJoseandOakland, MeridianHaywardprovidesbusinessand leisuretravelersalikeconvenientaccess totheBayArea’smostpopulardestina-
Avfueltookoverastheofficialbranded fuelsupplierofMeridian’sHayward, Calif.,location.(CourtesyAvFuel)
tions.Situatedonageneral-aviationonly airport,guestsbenefitfromservicesthat catertotheprivateaviationtraveler, including24-houravailabilityatanairportwithnocommercialairlinetraffic, andprofessionally-trainedcustomerserviceandlineserviceteams.
Meridian’sFBOterminaloffers everythingcustomersexpect,andmore, fromaworld-classfacility.Itfeaturesan elegantmainlobby,full-servicebusiness center,aconferenceroomwithfullA/V capabilitiesandseatingfor12,professionalconciergeservices,andacoffee bar,kitchenandcateringareaavailable forbothpassengersandcrews.Pilots benefitfromstate-of-the-artamenities, includingapilotbriefingarea,pilot lounge,sleeproomandshower.With rentalcarsandcrewcarsavailableon site,guestscanquicklyhittheroadwhile theiraircraftstaysecureovernightwith tiedownsorhangarspace.
ContinuedfromPage24
bledforthe2023airshowseasonanditis aprivilegetoworkwithsucharemarkablegroupofmaintainersandspecialists toshowcasethisaircrafttotheworld.”
AstheF-22DemonstrationTeam commanderandpilot,Larsonwillbe responsibleforleadingtheteambyshowcasingtheunmatchedmaneuverabilityof theAirForce’sfifth-generationairdominancestealthfighter,theF-22Raptor.
Theteamwillalsobehighlighting thehistoryoftheAirForce’sservice throughheritageformationflightsand interactingwithlocalcommunities throughoutreacheventsastheyperform throughouttheseason.
TheF-22DemonstrationTeamconsistsof12enlistedmembers,whoare responsibleformaintainingtheRaptor
andensuringsafetystandardsareadhered topriortoaerialevents.
“The2023RaptorDemoTeam couldn’tbemoreexcitedaboutthis upcomingseason,”saidU.S.AirForce MasterSgt.JohnLugo,F-22DemoTeam superintendent.“Ourteamhasbeen workinghardputtinginthehourstobe abletoshowcasetheF-22’scapability. Wearehumbledandhonoredtorepresent theindividuals,pastandpresent,who helpedbuildthisteamintowhatitis today.”
FormoreinformationontheF-22 DemonstrationTeam,visittheir Facebook,F-22RaptorDemoTeam, Instagram,f22demoteam,orwebsiteat https://www.jble.af.mil/AboutUs/Units/Langley-AFB/F-22-DemoTeam/.
ItiswithmuchsadnessandadmirationthattheNationalAviationHallof Fame(NAHF)reflectsonthepassingof 2018EnshrineeWaltCunningham.His familyreportedthroughaspokesperson thatCunninghampassedawayTuesday, Jan.3,2023,inHouston“afterafulland completelife.”Inastatement,Cunningham’sfamilysaid,“theworldhaslost anothertruehero,andwewillmisshim dearly.”
WaltCunninghamwillbemissedby many,includingfellowEnshrinees, Members,BoardofTrustees,Volunteers, andStaffoftheNationalAviationHallof Fame.
“Withunmatcheddriveanddetermination,WaltCunninghamleavesalegacy asatruepioneerofspaceexploration”, saidNAHFBoardChairJimCooling. “Wewillalwayshonorandcelebratehis contributionstoournation’saviationand aerospaceprogramsandsendourdeepest condolencestotheCunninghamfamily.”
RonnieWalter“Walt”Cunningham wasbornonMarch16,1932,growingup insouthernCalifornia.Cunningham,the oldestoffive,wasdrivenfromayoung
age.Hegothisfirstjobdeliveringnewspapersand,inspiredbytheWorldWarII movie, NavyHellDivers,heimmediately joinedtheNavyaftergraduatinghigh school.In1952,hepassedatwo-yearcollegeequivalencytestandearnedaNavCad inPensacola,Fl.Thenextyear, Cunninghamwascommissionedasa UnitedStatesMarineCorpAviatorand wasoneofthefirst2ndLuitenants assignedtoAll-WeatherJetNightFighters (F3D).In1954,Cunninghamwassentto KoreaandVMF-513,thelastmissioned MarineSquadron.Cunninghamflew54 missionswithVMF-513,over60percent ofwhichwereatnightandinbadweather.
OnreturntotheU.S.,Cunningham movedintotraditionalsquadronsflyinga varietyoffighters,includingtheT-33, F9F6,F9F8,A4D,FJ-4,andC-45.In 1956,hetransferredintotheMarine Reservesquadrontoattendcollegeat UCLA.CunninghamreceivedhisB.S. withhonorsin1960andhisM.A.with distinctionin1961,bothinphysics.
Whileflyingwiththereserves,he workedmultiplejobsandcompletedall requirementsforaPh.D.inphysics
excepthisthesis.Forthreeyears,he workedasascientistfortheRAND Corporationfocusingondefenseagainst submarine-launchedballisticmissiles andproblemswiththemagnetosphere.In 1963,WaltCunninghamwasselectedby NASAinthethirdgroupofastronauts. Heservedonthe Apollo1 mission’s backupcrew.After Apollo1’s tragicpad fire,CunninghamservedontheFire InvestigationBoard.
Twenty-onemonthsafterthe tragedy,Cunninghamflewthefirst mannedApollomission, Apollo7,where hebecamethesecondMarineCorpsPilot toflyinspace.InOctober1968,Apollo7 orbitedtheearthfor11days,simulating lunarorbitrendezvous,andtestedthe performanceofallspacecraftsystems, includingthelifesupport,propulsion, guidance,andcontrolsystems. Apollo7 wasthefirst3-manspacecraft,thefirst mannedSaturnrocketflight,andseta recordforthelargestpayloadeverplaced inorbit.TheyalsoreceivedanEmmyfor thefirstlivetelevisionfromspace.
Following Apollo7,Cunningham wasmadeChiefoftheSkylabBranchof theAstronautOffice,workingonthe designanddevelopmentoffivemanned spacemodules,twodifferentlaunch vehicles,and65majoronboardscientific experiments.Allthewhile,Cunningham maintainedcurrencyinjetaircraftand helicoptersandservedintheMarine CorpsReserveasAirLiaisonOfficer withthelocalinfantrybattalion.In1976, after23yearsinactiveandreserve assignments,Cunninghamretiredas Colonel,USMCR.
FollowingNASA,CunninghamfulfilledanappointmentbytheTexasgovernorastheChairmanoftheTexas
WaltCunninghamremembered. (CourtesyNAHF)
AerospaceCommission.Cunningham alsoservedforeightyearswiththe AdvisoryPanelfortheNationalSpace BiomedicalResearchInstitute,reviewing andapprovingmedicalexperimentstobe flownontheInternationalSpaceStation.
Cunninghamalsoauthoredmany books,including TheAll-AmericanBoys, consideredoneofthebestbooksever writtenonthespaceprogram.
Duringhiscareer,Cunningham receivednumerousawardsandrecognitions,includingtheNASAExceptional ServiceMedal,NASADistinguished ServiceMedal,NavyAstronautWings, MemberoftheSocietyofExperimental TestPilots,andHaleyAstronautics Award.Hehasbeeninductedintofive hallsoffame,includingtheonly Congressionally-charteredNational AviationHallofFame(NAHF)in2018.
WaltCunninghamwas90yearsold.
Meridian’sexpertly-trainedlinestaff isonhandtoprovideafullsuiteoframp services,includingGPU,lavatoryservice,potablewaterserviceandquick turns.WithIS-BAHStageIIaccreditationandSafety1stcertificationfromthe NationalAirTransportationAssociation (NATA),guestscanbeassuredtheiraircraft,passengersandpilotsareinadept handsfromwheelsdowntowheelsup.
AsanAvfuel-brandedlocation, MeridianHayward’scustomerswill enjoylucrativerewardswiththeindustry’spreferredloyaltyprogram,AVTRIP, andstreamlinedtransactionsthrough AvfuelContractFuel,whichprovides
competitivefuelratesatmorethan3,000 globallocations.Thisisinadditiontothe back-endsolutionsapartnershipwith Avfuelprovides,helpingdailyoperations runassmoothlyaspossible.
Meridiancelebratedits75th anniversaryin2021.Thecompany’s rootsatTeterboroAirportdatebackto 1946.In2016,MeridianopeneditsWest CoastlocationinHayward,Calif.For moreinformation,visittheirwebsiteat meridian.aeroorcalltheminTeterboro, NJ,at201-288-5040,orinHayward,CA, at510-674-2500.
TolearnmoreaboutAvFuel,visit theirwebsiteatavfuel.com.
Pfc.CooperHayeshasonlyserved intheIdahoArmyNationalGuardfor14 months,buthehasalreadycompileda career’sworthofaccomplishments.Over thepast11months,the20-year-oldhas completedtheU.S.Army’sRanger, AirborneandAirAssaultschools.
“It’sbeenalongyear,”Hayessaid. HayesmovedfromBothell, Washington,toBoisetoattendBoise StateUniversityandenlistedintothe IdahoArmyNationalGuardinOctober 2021tohelppayforcollege,whereheis abusinessstudent.
Hetookasemesterofffromschoolto attendtheArmy’s11Binfantryschoolat FortBenningandwasplanningonbeing homeintimetoresumeclassesinAugust. Thatchangedafterhewasofferedthe chancetoattendRanger School.
“Iwantedtochallengemyselfand bethebestSoldierIcanbe,”hesaid. “So,Idecidedtotakeanothersemester offandgotoRangerSchool.Itsuckedin themoment,butit’sthemostrewarding thingI’vedoneinmylife.”
Onaverage,lessthan50percentof Soldierscompletethefirstphaseofthe three-phasecourse,makingitoneofthe Army’smostchallengingcourses.The courseis61daysandtestsSoldiers’phys-
icalstamina,mentaltoughnessandtacticalfundamentals.
AfterearninghisRangertab,Hayes completedtheBasicAirborneCourseto earnhisjumpwings.EarlyinDecember, hecompletedtheArmy’sAirAssault School.AirAssaultSchoolhasclosetoa 55percentfailrate,includingawashout rateof15percentonthefirstday.
“Airborneandairassaultweregreat experiences,”Hayessaid.“Theyareboth anotherthingtoaddtomyresume.”
HayesiscurrentlyassignedtoC Company,2-116thCombinedArms Battalion,Idaho’sonlyinfantrycompany. HeplanstocommissionthroughtheBoise StateUniversityArmyROTCprogram.
BoeingwilldeliverCH-47F advancedmulti-missionhelicopterstothe U.S.Armyunderathree-year,$497millioncontract,accordingtoGovConWire,a newssourceforgovernmentcontracting.
ArmyContractingCommand
receivedonebidviatheinternetandwill determineworklocationsandfunding witheachorderofthefirm-fixed-price contract,theDepartmentofDefensesaid onDec.23.
TheservicebranchexpectsBoeing
tocompleteworkbyDec.30,2025.
Boeing’sCH-47Fisequippedwitha commonavionicsarchitecturesystem cockpitandadigitalcockpitmanagement system.Theheavy-liftcargohelicopter aircraftisdesignedtoprovidecargo-han-
dlingcapabilitiesandsupportcombatand transportoperations.
InOctober2021,Boeingsecureda $391.4millioncontracttoupdateas manyasfiveCH-47Fhelicoptersforthe Army.
Asapilotandaviationenthusiast, I’malwaysgazingataircraft.I can’tdrivebyanairportwithout stoppingtowatchtheplanestakeoffand land.Iloveallaircraft,oldandnew,large andsmall.Onseveraloccasions,inSt. MartinintheCaribbeanIsatonthebeach whereitmeetstherunway.Theplanespass overheadatabout50feetabovethesand.
IamheartenedwhenIreadabout smallandupcomingairlines.Iamsaddenedbythedemiseofmyoldfavorites, suchasPanAm,TWAandBraniff.Ihope wehavemorenewairlinesinthefuture. Herearesomenewdevelopmentswith someoldfavorites,plussomefactsabout twoairlinesperhapsunknowntomost folks(includingme).
isalarge,personalwardrobeinevery suite.FirstClasspassengerscaneven remainintheirsuiteastheypreparefor sleepandchangeintoLufthansaFirst Classpajamas.
DiningwillbeanexceptionalexperienceinthenewFirstClasscabin.Ifpreferred,diningtogetherismadepossible fortheguestsatalargediningtable, wherebyonecansitacrossfromtheir partnerorfellowtraveler,justasonedoes inarestaurant.Gourmetmenusarepresented,alongwiththeairline’sunique caviarservice.Entertainmentisprovided byscreensthatextendacrossthefull widthofthesuite,withBluetoothconnectivityforwirelessheadphones.
Lufthansawillpresentdetailsofthe suite,aswellasafurtherinnovationin FirstClassinearly2023.
CarstenSpohr,Chairmanofthe ExecutiveBoardandCEOofDeutsche LufthansaAGsaid:“Wewanttosetnew, unprecedentedstandardsforourguests. Thelargestinvestmentinpremiumproductsinourcompany’shistoryunderpins ourclaimtocontinuetobetheleading Westernpremiumairlineinthefuture.”
measuringnearly17inches.Wireless charging,noise-cancelingheadphones andtheabilitytoconnectone’sown devices,suchasaPC,tablet,smartphone, orheadphones,totheentertainmentsystem,viaBluetooth,arealsopartofthe newAllegrisBusinessClassexperience. Thecompanywillpresentfurtherdetails andinnovationsonthenewLufthansa BusinessClassnextspring.
Theairlineisintroducinganewpremiumproductonlong-haulroutesunder thename“Allegris”inalltravelclasses: Economy,PremiumEconomy,Business andFirstClass.“Allegris”hasbeendevelopedexclusivelyfortheLufthansaGroup.
GuestsinLufthansaBusinessClass canalsolookforwardtotheirownsuite. Itoffersevenmorecomfortandprivacy duetohigherwallsandslidingdoorsthat completelyclose.Travelerscanenjoy extendedpersonalspace,amonitorupto 27inchesinsizeandamplestorage space,includingapersonalwardrobe.
Withthe“Allegris”productgeneration,LufthansawillalsooffersignificantlymorechoiceinEconomyClass.For example,travelerswillhavetheoptionof bookingseatsinthefirstrows,which haveagreaterseatpitchandofferadditionalcomfort.Followingthesuccessof the“Sleeper’sRow,”whichoffered EconomyClasspassengersgreaterrelaxationonlong-distanceflightssince August2021,Lufthansanowplansto introducea“Sleeper’sRow2.0”onall newlong-haulaircraft,aspartof “Allegris.”IntheSleeper’sRow2.0,one cansimplyfoldupalegrestandutilize theadditionalmattress,forrestandrelaxationonarecliningsurfacethatis40percentlargercomparedtotheoriginal “Sleeper’sRow.”Alsointhefuture, EconomyClasspassengerswillalsohave theoptionofbookingavacantneighbor seat.Thiswillgivetravelersmorechoice, eveninthemosteconomictravelclass.
ThenewLufthansaGroupPremium EconomyClasswasalreadyintroducedat SWISSinspring2022.Thecomfortable seatisintegratedintoahardshellandcan beadjustedeffortlessly,withoutaffecting fellowpassengersintherowbehind.The seatoffersgenerousspaceintheupper bodyandlegareasandisequippedwitha fold-outlegrest.Passengerscanenjoy moviesormusicontheirpersonal15.6inchmonitorwithhigh-quality,noise-cancelingheadphones.
alongwiththeLufthansaGroup-wide replacementofmorethan30,000seats, areuniqueintheGroup’shistory.With theseinitiatives,thecompanyisunderscoringitsclearpremiumandquality standards.By2025,theLufthansaGroup willinvestatotalof2.5billioneurosin productandservicealonetofurther improvethecustomerexperienceat everystageofthejourney–frominitial booking,throughouttheairport,lounge andborderexperience,tocustomer requestsevenaftertheflight.
TheLufthansaGroupisaboutto embarkonthelargestfleetmodernization initscorporatehistory.By2030,more than180newhigh-techshort-andlonghaulaircraftaretobedeliveredtothe Group’sairlines.Onaverage,theGroup willtakedeliveryofanewaircraftevery twoweeks,whetherBoeing787s,Airbus 350s,Boeing777-9sonlong-haulroutes ornewAirbusA320neosforshort-haul flights.ThiswillenabletheLufthansa Grouptosignificantlyreducetheaverage CO2emissionsofitsfleet.Theultramodern“Dreamliner”long-haulaircraft, forexample,consumesonaverageonly about2.5litersofkeroseneperpassenger and100kilometersofflight.Thatisupto 30percentlessthanitspredecessor. Between2022and2027,theLufthansa Groupwillreceiveatotalof32Boeing Dreamliners.
Forthefirsttimeinthecompany’s history,theLufthansaFirstClassfeatures spacioussuitesthatoffernearlyceilinghighwallsthatcanbeshutteredforprivacy.Theseat,whichisalmostonemeter wide,canbeconvertedintoalarge,comfortablebed.Allseatsandbedsarepositionedinthedirectionofflight.Inadditiontomanyotherstorageoptions,there
TheLufthansaBusinessClassofthe “Allegris”generationofferssixmore seatingoptionswiththehighestlevelof comfort.Passengershavedirectaccessto theaislefromallBusinessClassseats. Theseatwalls,whichareatleast114centimetershigh,withgenerousspaceinthe shoulderarea,ensuregreaterprivacy.All seatscanbeconvertedintoatwo-meterlongbed.Passengerscanenjoytheinflightentertainmentprogramonmonitors
Morethan100newLufthansa Groupaircraft,suchasBoeing787-9s, AirbusA350sandBoeing777-9s,willfly todestinationsaroundtheworldwiththe new“Allegris”service.Additionally,aircraftalreadyinservicewithLufthansa, suchastheBoeing747-8,willbeconverted.Thesimultaneousimprovement ofthetravelexperienceinallclasses,
Lufthansawelcomedanewaircraft modeltoitsfleet.Theairline’sfirst Boeing787,registeredD-ABPA,recentlylandedatFrankfurtAirport.Thestateof-the-artcabinwithcomfortableseatsin Business,PremiumEconomyand EconomyClasswillberefurbishedin Lufthansa’scolorsanddesignoverthe nextfewweeks.Theaircraftwasoriginallybuiltforanotherairlinebuthadnot beenintegratedintothecarrier’sfleet.
Initially,thenewestmemberof Lufthansa’slong-haulfleetwillbe deployedfromFrankfurtfortrainingpurposesondomesticGermanroutes.The firstintercontinentalscheduleddestina-
NewConceptsat LufthansaAirlines
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tionoftheLufthansa“Dreamliner”will betheCanadianmetropolisofToronto.
ThewidecabinoftheBoeing787 Dreamlinerfamilyofferspassengersan evenmorespaciousenvironment.In BusinessClass,forexample,theaisles arewideenoughtoeasilywalkthrough withtrolleys.Thehighentranceareaconveysafeelingofevenmorefreespace.
The787’swindowsarethelargestof anyaircrafttype.Becausetheyaremountedhigheronthefuselage,travelerscansee thehorizon,evenfromtheseatsinthemiddlerow.Theoverheadbinsaredesignedto accommodatedifferenttypesofhandluggage,andeachtravelercanconveniently stowanotherbagabovethem.
andWashington,Etihadwillofferatotal of25weeklyservicesbetweenAbu DhabiandtheUnitedStates,andover50 percentmorepremiumseatsthaninthe previouswinter2021season.
Fromaveryhumblebeginningtoa
EtihadAirways’newA350-1000aircraft. (CourtesyEtihadAirways)
EtihadAirways,thenationalcarrier oftheUnitedArabEmirates,continuesto strengthenitscommitmentintheU.S. marketwithincreasedflightsfromNew York’sJFKInternationalAirport.This takesplaceontheheelsofthelaunchof theairline’snewA350aircraft,andan expandedpartnershipwithJetBlue.
EtihadAirwaysrecentlylaunched theirnewA350aircraft,Sustainability50, whichcarriesauniqueliveryinrecognitionofthe50thanniversaryofthefederationoftheUAEandEtihad’scommitment tonet-zerocarbonemissionsby2050.The newaircraftiscurrentlyservingtworoutes intheU.S.withflightsfromAbuDhabi InternationalAirporttoChicago’sO’Hare InternationalandNewYork’sJohnF. KennedyInternationalAirport.
TheRolls-RoyceTrentXWB-powered AirbusA350isoneofthemostefficientaircrafttypesintheworld.Itburnswith25percentlessfuelandCO2emissionsthanprevious-generationtwinaisleaircraft. DevelopedinpartnershipbetweenEtihad, AirbusandRollsRoyce,theSustainability50programwillseeEtihad’sA350s usedasflyingtestbedsofnewinitiatives, proceduresandtechnologiestoreducecarbonemissions,buildingonthelearnings derivedfromEtihad’ssimilarGreenliner programfortheBoeingB787aircrafttype.
With11flightsperweektoNew York-JFK,anddailyservicestoChicago
LeadingAfricanAviationGroup,EthiopianAirlineshascomealong70-plus yearsofsuccessfuljourneys.Itsdebut flightwasin1946toCairoviaAsmara.
Eversince,Ethiopianhasbeengrowinginleapsandbounds.Theyhaveintroducednewaviationtechnologyandsystems,withsomanyfirstsinthehistoryof Africanaviationasanaircrafttechnology leader.Itprovidedthefirstjetserviceinthe continent,availingthefirstAfricanB767, thefirstAfricanB777-200LRin2010and thefirstAfricanB787Dreamlinerin2012. Infurtheranceofthattradition,Ethiopian wasthefirstinAfricatoacquireAirbus A350XWB,introducingtheextrafeature totheAfricancontinent.Leadingtheway onceagain,EthiopianwasthefirstAfrican AirlinetooperatethelatestBoeing787-9.
Ethiopiancurrentlyoperatesmorethan130 oftheyoungandmostmodernfleet,with lessthanfiveyearsofage,andhas41fleet additionsonorder.
Ethiopianhascreatedamissinglink throughitsvastAfricannetworkto62 citiesandmorethan127international passengerandcargodestinations,with dailyandmoreflights,withaminimum layoverinAddisAbaba.
Ethiopianiscurrentlyimplementinga 15-yearstrategicplancalledVision2025 makeittheleadingairlinegroupinAfrica withsevenstrategicbusinessunits. EthiopianjoinedStarAlliance,theworld’s largestAirlinenetwork,inDecember2011. Ethiopianisamulti-awardwinningairline including:SKYTRAXBestAirlineStaff Servicein2013and2016,“BestAirlinein Africa”in2017,2018and2019,andFour StarAirlineCertificationin2017. •••••
IthinkthatIwasaboutthreeyears oldwhenthesoundofanairplanecompelledmetolooktowardthesky.Now, overeightdecadeslater,Ican’tseemto breakthehabit.
Winterhasapparentlydecided thatGeorgiashouldnotbe sparedtheverycoldweather thattherestofthecountryisgetting,so wewillgetourshare.Forecastisforthe low20swhich,whenIlivedinSeattleor IowaorNewEngland,wouldhavebeen asowhat.NowthatI’vebeeninGeorgia foradecade,thoseareprettyimpressive tempstothisnowSouthernboy.
PartofthenewGeorgiaflyingenvironmentistryingtoberealisticaboutmy capabilitiesandmyriskprofiles.I’ve alwaysbeenconservativeinmyflying andavoidedunknownandpotentialrisks. However,Ihavefriendswithmoreexperience,differentairplanes,betterskillsets anddifferentriskprofileswhoflyin weatherIdonot.
Onefrienddidalongcross-country withonestopinthemiddleoftheflight, theonlyairporthecouldfiletothathad analternate.Alonghisrouteofflight, therewereicingconditionsononeside andweatherbelowminimumsonthe otherside.Whilethisisbeyondmyrisk profile,heregularlyflieslongcrosscountriesinweather,gettingthemost fromhisairplane.Nocriticismsfromme, justathoughtfulobservation.
ByEd WischmeyerSometimeback,Iputallmyflights onExcelsoIcouldkeepbettertrackof things.Ikeptthedate,N-number,kindof airplane,andflightduration–allIneededforthestatisticsIwantedontypes flown.Ididn’tputinorigin,destination, andintermediatestops.
Now,however,Iwanttoknowhow muchdualinstructionI’vegiven,soit’s backtothesixlogbookstogatherthat data.WhileI’matit,I’malsodoingactualandsimulatedIFR.Alongthelinesof FAAsilliness,there’sonelicense,maybe commercial,thatrequiresacertainnumberofhoursofsimulatedIFR.ActualIFR doesnotcount.Hmm.
It’salwaysfuntogothrougholdlogbooksandhavethememoriesstirred,at leastsometimes.MaybeIshouldhavegone totheairlineswhenIkindofhadthechance, butI’vehadquiteanengineeringcareer.
•••••
Afewtriviapointsaboutlogbooks thatI’velearnedovertheyears.First,you canputanything,absolutelyanything,in yourlogbook.Thatdoesn’tmeanthatit willnecessarilycountforanything,however.Theotherinterestingpointisthat theonlyflightsyouneedtologarethose necessarytoshowrecentexperienceor experienceforalicenseorrating.
•••••
Oct.1,2023isthe50thanniversary ofmyfirstsoloflight.I’llbeapplyingfor WrightBrothersrecognitionfromthe FAA.Mymainmotivationistogainpersonalrecognitiontousetofurthermy flightsafetyresearchandtechniques.It’s beenatoolong,tooslowprocessgetting theExpandedEnvelopeExercises®recognized,andeverybodywhofliesthem likesthem,but…
LeTourneauUniversity,however, usessomeoftheexercisesforCFIqualificationandtraining.Encouraging.
•••••
TookayoungpilotflyingintheRV9Atheotherday.Sheisanengineerwith 70flighthours.But,shehasagoodtouch onthecontrolsandagreatattitude.She decidednottogotheprofessionalpilot routeincollegeduetocost,but,of course,thesituationhaschangedsince then.She’sdefinitelyworthcheeringfor, nomatterwhathercareerchoices. •••••
Havinghadcloseexposuretothe judgingcriteriaforhomebuiltaircraftat Oshkosh,Ihave,nosurprise,criteriathat
Iwishwouldbeincorporated.Atthetopof thelistismaintainabilitywhichbasicallymeans,howmuchof theplanedoyouhavetotakeaparttoperformamaintenancetasks?
Forexample,takingoffwheelpants tochecktirepressuresissilly.Afriend builtagorgeousRV-10butcheckingthe tirepressurestookhimandhiswifetwo fullhours.Uff,da!
Thereissomeminoravionics rewiringIwouldliketodo,buttoget accesstotheconnectoratthebackofany oftheradiosrequiresremovingtheentire avionicsstack.What’sabitnicer,though, isthebigscreensoftheglasscockpit. They’reeasytoremoveandgivegood accesstotherat’snestthatthe“professional”avionicsshopputinbeforeI boughttheplane. •••••
Speakingofmaintenance,RVmegaguruVicSyracusehaspublishedavolumeonRVmaintenance,called,“Are yournutstight.”I’veonlyskimmedit, butitgiveslotsofpicturesofthingsto lookoutfor.
HighlyrecommendedfortheNew Year.
NewStateCapitalPartners(“New State”)announcedonJan.3thatitsgeneralaviation-focusedplatform,New StateAviationHoldings(“NSAviation”), hasacquiredBlackhawkAerospace (“Blackhawk”or“theCompany”),arecognizedleaderinaircraftperformance improvements.BlackhawkjoinsNS Aviation’sanchoraviationinvestment AVEX,aleadingproviderofsalesand maintenancefortheDaherTBMturbopropaircraft,whichwasacquiredin December2021.AVEXandBlackhawk willcontinuetooperateindependently, whileworkingtogethertoexpandNS Aviation’sofferings.Blackhawk’smanagementwillremainwiththeCompany. Termsofthetransactionwerenotdisclosed.
HeadquarteredinWaco,TX,with morethan60employees,Blackhawk providesengineupgradesforabroad rangeofturbopropplanes,improvingan aircraft’sspeed,safety,andclimbcapa-
bilities,whileextendingenginelife.The Companyservescustomersworldwidein thecommercialandgovernmentmarkets.
Blackhawkwasfoundedin1999as BlackhawkModifications,Inc,and addeddivisionsforgovernmentsupport,
maintenance,avionics,composites,and aircraftsales.Thecompositesbusinessis notincludedinthetransitionandwill remainindependent.
“Thistransformativeacquisition morethandoublesthesizeofourbusinessandallowsustoexpandaircraftplatformsserviced,”saidChadCundiff,CEO ofNewStateAviationHoldings.“AVEX isamarketleaderinsales,brokerageand maintenanceoftheDaherTBM,and Blackhawkisthemarketleaderinturbopropengineupgrades.Together,theywill allowNewStateAviationHoldingsto offerabroadersuiteofservicesandmeet moreneedsoflightturbineaircraftowners,acrossavarietyofaircraftmanufacturers.”
“WeareveryexcitedtojoinNew StateAviationHoldingsandpartnerwith thefolksatAVEX,”saidBlackhawk CEOJimAllmon.“Ourfamilyofcompaniessharesasingularfocus:toincrease
ByMichaelaJarvis ERAU
Embry-RiddleAeronautical UniversitystudentsaredesigningarocketthatcansoarthroughtheEarth’s atmosphereandreachouterspace,only toberecoveredthroughaparachutesystemforreuse.Theproject’saimisto makespaceflightmoreaffordableto researchers–especiallystudent researchersandthoseworkinginhigher education.
“Ican’tthinkofabetterwaytolearn aboutrocketsthantoflythem,”said GauravNene,theteam’sprincipalinvestigatorandaseniorinAerospace Engineering.
Startingin2019,Nene,alongwith fellowteammembersCooperEastwood, DavidHadleyandWilliamKnoblauch, haveworkeddeterminedlytocreatethe fullyrecoverablevehicle.
“Thegoalisalwaysthesame,”said Eastwood,alsoaseniorinAerospace Engineering:“Gettospacecheaperand moreoften.”
AsNeneexplainedinarecentinterview,“thereusabilityisthedrivingconsideration”asthestudentsworktokeep thecostofasinglelaunchatabout $8,000,suchthatotherswantingtosend experimentalpayloadsonboardcoulddo soforaportionofthatalreadymodest sum.
Asanothercost-savingstrategyin additiontoreusability,theteamemploys off-the-shelfmotorsandotherpartsas muchaspossible.Besidesloweringthe
GauravNene,CooperEastwood,WilliamKnoblauchandDavidHadleyposeinEmbryRiddle'sAerospaceExperimentationandFabricationBuildingwiththeirreusablesuborbitalrocket. (DavidHadley/CourtesyERAU)
costandenhancingthereliabilityofthe vehicle,thisapproachoffersadegreeof modularity.Itcouldthereforebeusedby otherstudents,sometimesinconjunction withotherrocketstagesinamix-andmatchscenario.Neneexplainedthat anotherstudentgroupmightwanttouse theirupperstagewithadifferentbooster, forexample.
Theteamstoresitsvehicleand equipmentatEmbry-Riddle’sRocket DevelopmentLab–wherethereisa cross-pollinationofideas–andinadditiontousingthelabfacilities,hasstarted tofollowitstestingprotocols,said Hadley,ajuniorintheRoboticstrackof theMechanicalEngineeringmajor.
“Wehavebeefedupourpre-launch procedures,”Hadleysaid,suchasinclud-
ingignitertestingandcompleteassembly beforetest-readinessreviewsthatinclude riskassessment.
Thefirstlaunchoftheteam’svehicle,fromasiteinMojave,California, resultedinarecoverysystemfailure,but ameticulousgatheringofeachpieceof therocket,includingtwocomputers,and aresultantinvestigativereportindicated therootcauseofthefailurewasinthe avionicssystem.
AnothertestlaunchfromtheMojave sitetookplaceinAugust.Thissecond launchsawtherecoverysystemparachuteandtheavionicssystemworkproperly,althoughtherocket,uponreaching Mach2,experiencedastructuralfailure, anditshotoffcourse.Again,partsofthe rocketwererecovered,inthiscase
WilliamKnoblauchandCooper EastwoodatalaunchsiteinMojave, California.
(DavidHadley/CourtesyERAU)
includingtheentireboosterstageand onboarddata-acquisitionsystems.
Afteranotherlengthypost-launch investigation,theteamisnowworking onstructuralreinforcement.
“Everylaunch,we’repushingthe limitsofthetechnologythatisavailable tous,”saidNene.“Ourvehicleshave evolvedagreatdealsincewestarted threeyearsago.”
Theteam’sworkhasbeensupported byEmbry-Riddle’sUndergraduate ResearchInstitute,contributingalumni, NASAandprivateindustryfirmssuchas BlueOriginandAerojetRocketdyne. Theteammembershavereceivedguidancefromrepresentativesofindustryand thepublicsector.Theirmostrecentflight reviewboardincludedanadjunctprofessorwhoworksforRaytheon,andalumni representativesfromNorthropGrumman
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anaircraft’scapabilitiestounrivalled heightswhilemaintainingthehighest levelofsafetypossible.Welookforward toworkingwithChadandtherestofthe NewStateAviationteamtofurther expandourservices.”
“WearethrilledtohaveBlackhawk joinourplatform,”addedDanielHan, SeniorPrincipalatNewStateand ChairmanofNewStateAviationHoldings. “Asthemarketleaderinengineupgrades andSTCdevelopment,Blackhawkrepresentsasignificantsteptowardsourgoalof beingthepremierserviceproviderforthe lightturbinemarket.Moreimportantly,the outstandingreputationandcultureof Blackhawk,focusedonpeopleandcustomersfirst,willmeshseamlesslywith thatofAVEX.Webelievethiscombina-
tionwillbuildonthestrengthsatAVEX, expandourcapabilitiesandenableusto providethehighestlevelsofservice,qualityandexpertiseingeneralaviation.”
StrongdemandforAVEXand Blackhawkproductsandserviceshas drivenrecordbacklogsforbothcompaniesandsignalsabrightfutureforNew StateAviationHoldings.
NewStateCapitalPartnersisanentrepreneurial-mindedprivateequityfirmthat strivestobenimble,decisive,andcooperative.NewStatepridesitselfonalong-term outlook,approachingeachpotentialinvestmentasanopportunitytocreatelastingand valuablerelationshipswithcompany
foundersandespeciallyindependentsponsors.Thefirmhastheabilitytoinvestupto $100millioninequitypertransactionand seekstoinvestinmarket-leadingcompanieswith$8millionto$40millionof EBITDAintheareasofbusinessservices, industrials,andconsumer.NewStateand itsaffiliateshaveinvestedinmorethan35 companiestodate.Formoreinformation visitwww.newstatecp.com.
BlackhawkAerospaceistherecognizedleaderinperformanceimprovements forturbopropaircraft.Foundedin1999in Waco,Texas,thecompanyservescustomersworldwideinthecommercialand governmentmarkets.Today,Blackhawk AerospaceiscomprisedofBlackhawk
AerospaceUpgrades,Blackhawk AerospaceSolutions,andBlackhawk AerospaceTechnologies.Aworldwide networkofapproveddealersandservice supportcenterscomplementsBlackhawk’s U.S.facilities.Visitwww.blackhawk.aero formoreinformation.
AVEXisaleadingaircraftdealerin NorthAmericawitharobustmaintenanceandaftermarketservicesplatform focusedontheDaherTBM.Withmore than1,000aircraftinservice,theTBM hasanenviablepositioninthesingleengineturbopropmarket.AVEXwas foundedin1985andhasoperationsin ColoradoandCalifornia.Formoreinformationvisitwww.newAVEX.com.
andNASAArmstrongFlightResearch Center.
“We’vebeentalkingwiththeheavyweights,”saidNene.
Dr.RonMadler,deanoftheCollege ofEngineeringonEmbry-Riddle’s
PrescottCampus,saidNenehasshown muchpromiseleadingthestudentteam.
“Gauravisaverydrivenindividual whowillmostcertainlygoontobecome anentrepreneurintheindustry,”Madler said.“Ifirstmethimafterhewasacceptedasastudent,andhewantedtotalk
aboutgettingsupportforthisprojecteven beforehecamehere.Henetworksextensively.”
Madlersaidallthestudentsonthe teamaregettingaheadstartontheir careerpaths.
“Thestudentsaregettinggreatexpe-
rienceinallaspectsofmakingaproject happen–frompitchingyourideasto findingfundingtobuildingandlaunching,”hesaid.“Theywillhavegreatstoriestotellduringanyjobinterview.”
Talkaboutared-lettermonthforaviation!
December,of course,marksthe foundingofCivilAir Patrol.Thebirthof poweredflightoccurredDec.17,1903,ona frigidwindswept NorthCarolinadune thankstotheWright brothers.Fiftyyears agomarkedthesuccessfulendofAmerica’sfirstlunarlandingprogramwiththe Apollo17 mission.
AndthisDec.11featuredanother milestone–thesuccessfulconclusionof anunmannedsoup-to-nutstestflight,the inauguralmissionforthe Artemis program.
Theunmannedflightisthefirstpage ofanewchapterinlunarexploration. Artemisisintendednotonlytoallow humanstoliveonthemoonbutalsoto serveasawaystationonthewayto Mars.
AndaCAPalumnus,SeanFuller,is thepublicfaceoftheArtemiseffort.
Aformercadetandseniormember intheMissouri,Florida,andTexas wings,FulleristheGatewayprogram internationalpartnermanagerfor Artemis,aninternationaleffortbythe U.S.,Canada,Japan,andtheEuropean SpaceAgencyandotherinternational publicandprivatepartners.
TheDecembermissionwasthe inauguralflightofthe70-metric-tonSLS rocketandthe Orion spacecraft.The rocketproduces8.8millionpoundsof thrust,makingitthemostpowerfulever built.
Afulltestofthesystem–theSLS and Orion –wastheheartofthemission. The Orion spacecraftactuallyjourneyed
beyondthemoonina“shakedown cruise,”Fullersaid,allinpreparationfor amannedeffortonthenextflight.
“Wesent(Orion)aroundandactuallybeyondthemoon.Itwastestingits powerproductionsystem,itsthermal controlsystem,thecomputersonit,the thrusters,theguidanceandnavigation systemsinittocontrolthespacecraft.… Wewantedtotestoutallthosesystems beforeweputacrewonit.”
Whilealltestswerecritical,considertheheatshieldonthespacecraft. Orion re-enterstheearth’satmosphereat25,000 mph,about7,500mphfasterthanwhen crewsfromtheInternationalSpace Stationreturnhome,Fullersaid.
Andthetestflight’sresults?
“Overall,itperformedjustphenomenally,”Fullersaid.“Onatestflightyou kindofexpecttohaveissuesandthings creepupwhenyouflyit.Whenyougo fromgrounddesignandanalysistesting toactuallyputtingitupintheairandin space,youkindofexpectthat.
“Butitwasavery,verysmooth flight–veryfewhiccups,ifyouwill.We gottotestmorethanweoriginally planned.”
LongbeforeanSLSrocketandan Orionspacecraftpiercedtheheavens, Fuller’sstorybeganonthegroundin middleAmerica,intheMissourihomeof RandyandMaryFuller.
Tosaythehardworkingcouple fueledtheirthreesons’loveforaviation isnoover-statement.
“It’sbecausemomanddadthatgot uswherewe’reat,that’sforsure,”Sean Fullersays.
Fromtheirsons’earliestdays, Randy,ajetenginemechanic,andMary, aformerschoolteacher,ingrainedthevaluesofwork,curiosity,honor,andloveof countryintheboys.AndtheMissouri Wing’sRiverCityCompositeSquadron inFentonbuttressedthosecorebeliefs.
“Fromveryearlydays,certainlyI remember(myparents)instillingthose values,”SeanFullersaid.
Sean,KurtandChad,allofwhom achievedCivilAirPatrol’stopcadet honor,theGen.CarlA.SpaatzAward, parlayedtheirCAPinvolvementinto flourishingaviationcareers.WhileSean worksforNASA,KurtisBell Helicopter’svicepresidentofengineeringfortheBellBoeingV-22programin theDallas-FortWortharea.ChadisanF16pilotintheColoradoNationalGuard.
Fromboyhoodon,thebrotherswere seeminglyimmersedinaviation.Sean Fullerturnedhiseyestotheskiesinthird grade.
“Iremembermydadatthetime, veryearlyon,wasfull-timeAirGuard. Thatcertainlyleftanimpression…and betweenhistouchandaviation,Iremembergrowingupandknowingthatwas exactlywhatIwantedtodo.(Myparents)
alwaysgavegreat,lovingsupportto that.”
Andasixth-gradeteacher,Lance Berra–adistantrelativeofbaseballgreat Yogi–usedrocketrytoteachmathto SeanFullerandhisclassmates.
In1988,RandyFullerreadanarticle onCAPinalocalnewspaper.Hehad neverheardoftheorganizationuntilthen. Sean,thentheonlyFullerboyoldenough tojoin,andhisfatherwenttoasquadron meeting,andtherestishistory.
Theyoungerboyssoonfollowed, andtheirmotheralsojoined–“outof self-defense,”Randyjoked.
Eventually,RandyandMaryFuller servedalternativelyassquadroncommandersfor15years.
AsRandyFuller,whonowlives withhiswifeinOwensville,pondershis boys’involvementinaviation–specificallySean’sinvolvementinthisnew–he sometimeshastofightbacktears.The memoryofakid’sdreamofflyingisstill fresh.
“(Sean)almosthadhisprivatepilot’s certificatebeforehehadhisdriver’s license.Hewasmoreinterestedinflying thandriving,”hisfatherrecalled.
“Whenhecameandtoldmehe wantedtolearntofly,Iknewitwasinhis blood,”RandyFullersaid.“Ididn’tknow howfarhe’dtakeit.Butitwasinhis blood.”
Thetearscomeevennowwhen RandyremembersSeanreceivedthe JosephC.GilliamAcademicAchievementAwardfor$1,000fromNavyJunior ROTC.
Inthewakeofhissons’successes, Fullerurgedparentstogetinvolvedwith theirchildren.
“You’vegottobeinvolvedwith yourkids.”
SeanFullercreditsCAP’saerospace educationandleadershipeducationfor playingakeyroleinhiscareer.
Afterits1.4-million-milemission beyondtheMoonandback,the Orion spacecraftfortheArtemisImission arrivedbackatNASA’sKennedySpace CenterDec.30.Thecapsulesplashed downinthePacificOceanonDec.11and wastransportedbytruckacrossthecoun-
tryfromNavalBaseSanDiegoin CaliforniatoKennedy’sMultiPayload ProcessingFacilityinFlorida.
Nowthat Orion isbackatKennedy, technicianswillremovepayloadsfrom thecapsuleaspartofde-servicingoperations,includingCommanderMoonikin
Campos,zero-gravityindicatorSnoopy, andtheofficialflightkit. Orion’s heat shieldandotherelementswillbe removedforextensiveanalysis,and remaininghazardswillbeoffloaded.
ArtemisIwasamajorstepforward aspartofNASA’slunarexploration
effortsandsetsthestageforthenextmissionoftheSpaceLaunchSystemrocket and Orion toflycrewaroundtheMoon onArtemisII.
LearnmoreattheNASAwebsite, www.nasa.gov.
JobyAviation,Inc.,acompany developingall-electricaircraftforcommercialpassengerservice,onDec.14 announcedthecompletionofitssecond offourSystemReviewsrequiredbythe FederalAviationAdministration(“FAA”) aspartoftheCompany’saircrafttype certificationprogram.
Thesuccessfulcompletionoftheinperson,multi-dayauditbytheFAAlast monthatJoby’sfacilitiesinMarina, California,demonstratestheCompany’s continuedleadershiponthepathtocertifyingitsrevolutionaryelectricvertical take-offandlanding(eVTOL)aircraft.
TheseriesofSystemReviewsserve tovalidatetheoverallarchitectureofthe aircraftandensuretheCompany’sdevelopmentprocessisontracktosatisfythe FAA’ssafetyobjectivesassociatedwith complexaircraftsystems.TheSystem
ReviewstakeplacealongsidetheongoingsubmissionofMeansofCompliance, area-specificcertificationplans,and othercertificationdocumentsthatcover specificelementsoftheJobyaircraftand itssystems.
InSeptember,Jobyannouncedduring itsthirdquarterresultscallthat84percent ofitsMeansofCompliancehadbeen acceptedbytheFAA,withfourarea-specificcertificationplanssubmittedfor approval.Earlierlastyear,Jobyannounced thecompletionofitsfirstSystemsand ComplianceReviewsandcarriedoutits firstfor-creditFAAconformitytests.
“Progressoncertificationisakeyarea offocusforthisnascentsector,andwe’re pleasedtomarkourcontinuedleadership withthesuccessfulcompletionofoursecondSystemReview.We’reconfidentthat ouraircraftdesignisontracktomeetthe
FAA’sexpectationsregardingsystem-level safety,redundancy,andoverallaircraft architecture,”saidDidierPapadopoulos, HeadofAircraftOEMatJoby.
“We’regratefultotheFAAfortheir dedicationtosafetyanddeepengagement onourongoingcertificationprogram.”
InMay,JobyreceiveditsPart135 AirCarrierCertificatefromtheFAA, enablingtheCompanytooperateacommercialairtaxiserviceintheUnited States.Jobyintendstocertifyitsaircraft intimetocommencecommercialpassengerservicein2025.
JobyAviation,Inc.isaCaliforniabasedtransportationcompanydevelopinganall-electric,verticaltake-offand landingaircraft,whichitintendstooper-
JobyAviationannouncedthecompletion ofitssecondoffourSystemReviews requiredbytheFAAaspartofthecompany’saircrafttypecertificationprogram.
(CourtesyJobyAviation)
ateaspartofafast,quiet,andconvenient serviceincitiesaroundtheworld.To learnmore,visitwww.jobyaviation.com.
Aftergraduatinginengineering physicsfromEmbry-Riddleandworking foraNASAcontractor,SeanFuller joinedNASA.Heservedasaliaison betweentheagencyanditsRussian counterpartsintheInternationalSpace Stationprogram.
Artemisisatwo-prongedmission–humansustainabilityonthelunarsurface andthemoonasawaystationenrouteto theRedPlanet.
“Apollowasascoutingmission,” SeanFullersaid.“Now,we’regoing backinasustainablemannerwith Artemis.”
Initially,crewswilltravelto Gateway,thenlandonthelunarsurface forasix-daymissionandexplorethe
moon’sSouthPole,aregionthathas neverseenlightbutwherewatericehas beendiscovered.
Themissionhopestounlockother moonmysteries,butwithaneyeon Mars.
America’sspaceeffortsometimes drawsflak,fromMainStreettoCapitol Hill.Criticsquestionspendingonspace inthelightofearthboundproblems.
Fullerhasaresponse.Forexample, pharmaceuticalsinproductiontoday beganwithresearchontheInternational SpaceStationandcrystallinestructures thatcanbeproducedinspace,butnoton theground.
“Allthethingswe’rediscovering(in space)asthe‘unknownunknowns’…
throughexplorationbecometheknowns. IfyoulookattheLewisandClarkexpedition,thewesternhalfoftheUnited Stateswasanunknownunknowntous beforeLewisandClarkheadedwest.
“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’regoing todiscoveruntilyougooutthere,”he said.
Andfromspace,consideringthe peacefulglobalcooperationspawnedby programslikeApollo-Soyuz,theISSand nowArtemis,comesavisionfittingfor December:peaceonearthtomenand womenofgoodwill.
“Youdon’tseepoliticallines,”Sean Fullersays.“Youdon’tevenseehuman structures.YouseetheEarthasawhole.”
Ithasbeensaidthattheonlyvoluntaryactinaviationisthedecisiontotake-off.Everyactionaftertake-offinvolvestheskillfulmanagementof risk,theenjoymentofflightandacontinuousstreamofdecisionsthatresultinasafelanding.
In1974,NASAcreatedtheAviationSafetyReportingSystem(ASRS)toallowaviationprofessionalstoshareexperiencesinafrank,non-punitivemanner.TheASRSstructureallowspilotsandotheraviationprofessionalstofileananonymousreportofanincident,errororoccurrencethatthecontributorfeelsmightbeofvaluetoothers.These reportsaregathered,analyzedanddatabasedbyNASAexpertsandmadeavailabletoallinterestedpartiesasatoolforcreatingproactiveaviationsafetyprograms.Additionally,NASAdistributes anelectronicpublication, CALLBACK,whichcontainsselected,de-identified,reportsonafreesubscriptionbasis. InFlightUSA isproudtoreprintselectedreports,exerptedfrom CALLBACK,for ourreaderstoread,study,occasionallylaughat,andalwayslearnfrom.Visithttp://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/tolearnhowyoucanparticipateintheASRSprogram.
Effectivecommunicationbetween aflightcrewandgroundcrewis criticaltosafetyduringpushback operations.Goodpushbackcommunicationisaccomplishedthroughtheuseof specific,well-chosenwords,phrases,and handsignalsthatarerequiredatprecise timesoreventsbyflightandground crews.StandardOperatingProcedures (SOPs)areinstitutedtoformalizecommunicationsandactionsnecessaryto mitigaterisk.
Thepushbackeventcanbebusy,rife withhazards,andpotentiallyunpredictable.Aircraftinterphonesystemsor wirelessheadsetscanfail.Surrounding airportactivitycanproduceaflurryof externalhazardstobecontained.Atthe sametime,humanfactorsareoften involvedinthecommunicationproblems betweenflightandgroundcrews.Human factorsmayincludedistraction,situationalawareness,timepressure,workload, confusion,orfatigue.
Thismonth,CallBackpresents reportedincidentsthatexposecommunicationproblemsbetweenflightcrewsand groundcrewsduringpushbackoperations.Underlyingthemesincludetraining issues,languagebarriers,non-compliancewithSOPsbyeitherflightorground crew,andrelaxationsinjudgement.We inviteyoutocontemplatethehumanfactorsandinterrelatedeventsasyouengage inthecomplexityofeachnarrative.
ThisB737Captainwasstranded whenapushcrewattemptedtosolvea ramptrafficjam.Poorproceduralcompliancewithnocommunicationleftthe flightcrewisolatedandvulnerable. Fortunately,nodamageoccurred.
• Theflighthadbeenclearedto pushfrom[gate]XbyRampTower,but withinstructionstogivewaytoan inboundEmbraer.Icommunicatedtothe pushcrewthatthebrakeswerereleased, buttogivewaytotheinboundEmbraer. Thetugdriverhadaheavyaccentthat wasdifficulttounderstand,buthedid replythatheunderstoodtheinstructions.
Aftersittingthereforseveralminutes,the FirstOfficer(FO)reportedthathe thoughthehadseenourpushcrewrunto gateYtoourrighttoreceiveaninbound 737thathadbeenwaitingatthetopof the[leadin]line.Thatplaneneededto clearthealleytoallowtheinbound Embraertopass.Ithencalledseveral timestothetugdriverbutreceivedno response.TheFOandIconcludedthat thedriverhadalsoleftwithouttellingus. Idecidedtoresettheparkingbrake.The FOcalledRampTowerandletthem knowwhatwasgoingon.AstheFOand IwerediscussingthesituationandgettingreadytocallOps,thepushcrew apparentlyreturned,asIfeltaslight movementasifthetughadbeenputinto gear.Therehadbeennofurthercommunicationfromthetugdriver.Icommunicatedtothedriverthattheparkingbrake wassetandthatweneededtogetclearancetopushagain,whichheacknowledged.Fortunately,thedriverdidnottry topushtheaircraftwhilethebrakewas set.Thepushbackwascompletedwithout furtherissue.Duetothe…challengewith thetugdriver’saccent,Iwasnotableto ascertainifthedriveractuallyleftthetug duringthisevent.
ThisA319FirstOfficerreported howconfusingcommunicationbetween theflightcrewandgroundcrewanddistractionofanotheraircraftresultedin multiplehazardsduringpushback.
• DuringpushbackfromgateX, GroundtoldAirCarrierXthatnormally ourcompanystopsthepushmuchshorter.AirCarrierXwasparkedbehindus andoffourrightwing;ashorterpush [forus]wouldhaveallowedthemspace togetbyus.Groundthencalledand askedifwehadcommunicationaccessto ourpushcrew,towhichIansweredyes. Atthispoint,thepushcrewhadus stoppedatthepointtheyintendedtoend thepush.Shortlyafterthat,Ground askedustopushdeeper,andIrelayedto theCaptain,whorelayedtothepush
crew.Inpiecingthistogetherafterthe fact(sinceIwasonRampandthe Captainonintercomwiththepushcrew), webelievethatrightbeforetherequest fromtheCaptaintothegroundcrewto continuethepushdeeper,theground crewsaid,“Setbrakes.”TheCaptaindid notgivethe“brakesset,pressurenormal”verbaltothepushcrew,but…asked themtocontinuethepushdeeper.They pushedusafewmorefeetandthen Groundcalledmeandsaidtojuststay wherewewere,whichIpassedalongto theCaptainandhepassedalongtothe groundcrew.Atsomepointafterthat,the Captainsaidtostartbothengines.Istartedthefirst[engine],andbefore…thesecondstart,ourattentionwasdivertedto AirCarrierXsqueezingthroughatight spotoffourrightwing.TheCaptain releasedthecrewtodisconnect,we receivedasalute,andthesecondengine wasstarted.Towardtheendofthestart, theaircraftstartedrollingforward,perhapsafewfeetatmost.Wenoticedthe movement,andtheCaptainimmediately broughtustoastopandsettheparking brake.Thegroundcrewwaswellclearof theaircraftduringmovement.
ThisEmbraerFirstOfficerrelated howlackofcommunicationwiththe groundcrewandSOPnoncompliance becamealife-threateninghazardforthe groundcrew.
• Duringpushback,…thenewATIS statedconditionscodes5,5,5and100% wetforourdeparturerunway.Theperformancedataindicateddryconditions,so IcontactedOperationsduringpushbackto havethemchangetheconditioncodeto wet.IalsostartedtheNumber1Engine, thenrequestednewperformancedata throughACARS.Asthegroundcrew stoppedthepushback,thenewperformancedataprintedout,andIbegan inputtingthedataintotheFMS. Simultaneously,theCaptainconducteda controlcheckasImonitoredandcalled, “Flaps2,taxi,”tobeginmovement.I lookedattheEICASandverifiedsteering
wasdisengagedandtheflapsweresetto2. Ilookedupanddidn’tseeanyground crews.Ithensaid,“Flapsset,steering engaged.”TheCaptainthenbegantotaxi forward.That’swhenInoticedthetugand groundcrewsdirectlyundertheairplane walkingback.Iimmediatelyyelled, “STOP,STOP,STOP,”andappliedbrakes. Theaircraftmovedforwardabout3to5 feetbeforecomingtoacompletestopwith equipmentandpersonneldirectlyunderthe aircraft.TheCaptainacknowledgedand settheparkingbrake.Nogroundpersonnel orequipmentcontactedtheairplane.We thenreceivedasalutefromgroundpersonnelastheydepartedtheareaofoperations.
TheCaptainandIdiscussedthesituation andcontinuedtherestoftheflightwithout incident.
Thiseventoccurredearlyinthe morningwhenbothcrewmemberswere tired.Airfieldconditionscalledfornew performancedatawhichcausedaslight distractionforbothcrewmembers.The Captainhasjustover80hoursasPilotin Command(PIC)followingalongbreak fromtheCompany.Distractionwiththe performancedata,inexperience,andlack ofsituationalawarenesscausedthe Captaintolosefocusandforgettowait forgroundpersonneltoleavethearea beforeconductingthecontrolcheckand callingfortaxi.AstheFirstOfficer,I shouldhavebeenmoresituationally awareofwhattheCaptainwasdoingand ofthelocationofgroundpersonnel.
ThisB767Captainreportednon-standardcommunicationandSOPnoncomplianceduringpushback.Theaircrewwas leftwithoutadditionalguidance,andthe aircraftwasmadevulnerable.
• Theinitialcontactfromthepush crewwasnotSOP.AfterIreceivedpush clearance,Isaid,“Clearedtopush,east taxi.”TheGroundresponsewas, “Clearedtopush.”Afterinitialpush, Rampinstructedustopushdeepabeam TaxiwayXX.Ivocalizedexactlythose instructionsandmygroundcrew
While2023willbringanewevents strategyatAOPA,thesamecommitment tomeetingandengagingmemberswhere theyliveandflyremainsakeycomponentofthefocusmovingforward:partneringwithexistingandwell-attended aviationeventsaroundthecountry.
Members,thegeneralaviationcommunityandenthusiastswillexperience thisnewdirectionwhenAOPAjoins forceswiththeBuckeyeAirFair,Feb.17 through19,atBuckeyeMunicipal Airport(BXK)inArizona.
Locatedjust35milesfromPhoenix, theannualBuckeyeAirFairisahighly anticipatedeventthatdrawsmorethan 30,000visitorseachyear.AOPAwilljoin theshowwithseminars,exhibitors,and informativepresentationsfromsenior staff.
“Wearejoiningestablishedairshowstopartnerwhatwedobest–avia-
tion–withwhattheydobest–putonan airshow,”saidElizabethO’Connell, AOPAdirectorofoutreachandevents. “Memberstoldustheywanttoseemore aerialacts,sowewillprovidethebasics you’vecometoexpect–aviation,safety, andindustry–withtheexcitementofa localairshow.”
TheBuckeyeAirFairfeaturesairshowperformancesonSaturdayand Sunday,militaryaircraftdisplays,and airplanerides.Featuredperformershave includedJonMelby,BradWursten,and theVanguardSquadron.AOPAwillpresentinformativesafetyseminars,handsonaircraftdisplays,andindustryexperts, aswellasrepresentationfromsomeof theleadingmanufacturersinaviation. VisitorswillalsohearfromAOPA PresidentMarkBaker,aswellasother seniorstaff.
BuckeyeAirFairwillalsohave
plentyactivitiesforkidstodoatthe ArizonaScitechAreaandKidsZone.
“Thisfocusprovidesanexcellent opportunitytoengagewithmembersand thegeneralpublic,”O’Connellsaid.“We willhaveastrongpresencefromourYou CanFlyteam,whichwillbeabletointroducetheexcitementofaviationtoanew audience,bringingthemtheinformation theyneedtotaketheirinterestintheairshowbeyondtheevent.”
Aswithpastevents,AOPAwillwelcomevolunteers.Primaryneedswillcenteronairsideoperations(marshallingand parkingaircraft;greetingpilotsandpassengers;assistingintakingfuelorders), andshowsidesupport(registeringand greetingexhibitorsandattendees;assistingwithexhibitormove-inandload-out; assistingwithsafetyandcleaningprotocols).
Airsidevolunteersmustbeacertifi-
TakeastrollthroughtheAOPAExhibit AreaandAircraftDisplaytosee,touch andexperiencethenewesttech,gear, andservicesyouneedtomakeyournext flightsaferandmoreefficient.
(CourtesyAOPA)catedpilotorstudentpilot.Lunchwillbe provided,aswellasavolunteereventTshirt.
MoreinformationontheAOPAFlyin@TheBuckeyeAirFair,including registration,canbefoundat https://www.aopa.org/community/2023/ buckeye-air-fair.
DassaultAviationChairmanandCEO
EricTrappierannouncedinaninterview publishedbyLeFigaroonDec.1,thathe hasreachedanindustrialagreementwith Airbusonthenext-generationfighteraircraft(NGF),akeycomponentoftheFCAS.
“TheFCASisapoliticalproject launchedbyPresidentEmmanuelMacron andChancellorAngelaMerkelin2017,and atastandstillsincesummer2021.So,yes, todayitisdone.Wehaveanagreementwith Airbus,”theCEOsaidwithsatisfaction.
“We’llnowbeabletomoveintothe nextphaseofstudies,knownas1B,toprepareforthedevelopmentofademonstrator,whichshouldflyaround2029…We havebeenconfirmedinourroleasprime
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responsewasyes.Irepeatedtheinstructionsandreceivednoreply.Wesuspected thepushcrewwasnewandtraining,as wellastheMarshaller.Wepushedabeam TaxiwayXX,andthegroundcrewnever vocalizedaresponse.Ourgroundcrew disconnectedtheaircraftandleftwithout anyrequiredcommandssuchas“set brakes,”“clearedtostartengines,”or “disconnectingheadset.”Iheldthe brakes,andtheaircraftdidnotrollforward.Iflashedmytaxilighttwiceand receivednoreactionfromtheground
DassaultAviationannouncedonDec.1,thathiscompanyhasreachedanindustrial agreementwithAirbusonthenext-generationfighteraircraft(NGF). (CourtesyDassault)
contractorandarchitectoftheaircraft,and wehaveobtainedprotectionforourindustrialknow-howandtechnologies…Being thearchitectofanewfighteraircraftis verymotivatingforourcompany,our teams,thoseofAirbus,ourmainpartner, Indraandourlong-standingpartners, Safran,ThalesandMBDA.Nottomentionourecosystemofsubcontractors,inall threecountries,whowillbepartofthe adventure…Nottomentionalltheyoung peoplewe’llberecruitingtoworkwiththe experiencedones,whowereinvolvedin theRafaleadventure,”saidTrappier.
Learnmoreabouttheagreementat Dassualt’swebsite,https://www.dassaultaviation.com
creworMarshaller.Itriedagainand usedthegroundcallhorntwice.No result.Wetriedtousehandsignalsto otherMarshallerstosignalthatwe couldn’thear.Theywavedandturned around.Atthistime,Isettheparking brake.IaskedtheFirstOfficertocontact…Ramptoclearouraircraftfor enginestart.IaskedtheReliefPilotto call…Operationsandrelayinformation toourgroundcrewaboutthenoncompliance.Operationsreportedthattheywere unabletoreachthembutwouldforward theinformation.
ThisB767Captaindiagnosedseveraldangeroushazardspriortopushback. AlthoughnotonparwithSOPsafety,an alternatetechniquewasemployedtomitigatetherisk.
• Onmyflight,thegroundcrew obviouslyhadapoorunderstandingof theEnglishlanguage.Thegroundcrew triedtheirbest,buttheyhadaweak understandingofourgroundhandling
procedures,[whichwerefurther]complicatedbytheweakknowledgeofthe Englishlanguage.Thesetwoproblems combinedtomakeforanincrediblydangeroussituation!Iwasunabletocomply withGroundControl’spushinstructions becauseIhaddoubtthatthegroundhandlerunderstoodtheinstructions. Therefore,Ielectedtoholdthepushuntil Iwasassuredthatnootheraircraftwere closeby.Thegroundcrewdidnotfollow SOPforpushatall.Theywereverynice folks,buttheydesperatelyneedtraining toavoidagroundmishap.
FromIconAircraft’sdebutattheAir MobilityExperienceattheDetroitAuto ShowtounveilingournewICON EnclosedTraileratEAAAirVenture Oshkosh,ICONhasbeenincredibly activeacrosstheU.S.in2022.
CEOJerryMeyerhighlightedsome ofthecompany’saccomplishmentsin 2022.
Flying.Lotsofflying.TheICONA5 fleet–whichnownumbersmorethan 165aircraft–willhaveflownmorethan 30,000totalhoursbytheendofthisyear. That’salotofadventuresinthesky.
•Deliveries.ICONisonpacetodeliver35aircrafttoexcitedownersin2022, whichisthemostinasingleyearsince 2019.Andtheyarenotslowingdown. Thecompanyhasplanstoproduce55–60airplanesin2023.
•Demand.Theircurrentbacklogof orderswilltakeICONthroughproductionpositionsinJuneof2023.Bonus stat:morethan80percentofordersare fortheGarminG3XTouch-equipped ICONA5withautopilot.
•Expansion.ICONiscontinuingto developinternationalsalespartnersand looksforwardtoaddressingpent-up demandfromoutsidetheU.S.oncethey haveourTypeCertificationfromthe
FAA,whichisexpectedbytheendofQ1 2023.
•Events.“WelovesharingtheICON Lifewithexcitedfansandcustomers. Someofthisyear’shighlightsincluded Sun‘nFun,EAAAirVentureOshkosh, theDetroitAutoShow,anddozensof demodaysandpartnerevents,”said Meyer.
•Discovery.Morethan400newpeopleexperiencedflyingtheA5thisyear, whichmeansthateveryday,someone newwaslearningtoflyorexpressing
interestinowningtheA5.
•Community.“ThegrowingICON OwnerCommunityisincrediblypassionateandengaged.Chancesareifyoumeet anICONOwner,they’regoingtotalkto youabouthowmuchtheylovetheirA5,” addedMeyer.
•Optimization.Abigfocusin2022, “weworkedtirelesslyasacompanyto controlcosts,optimizeourproduction process,andputthecompanyonapathto success.Wemadesignificantprogress thankstoourincredibleteam,”saidthe
CEO.
•Challenges.“Yes,wefacedourfair shareofchallengesin2022(andwe knowtherewillbemoretocome),but whenyou’reabletoovercomeadversity, itischaracter-building.Wehadsupply chainshortages,increasesincomponent costs,andalistofotherchallengesinthe courseofrunningthebusiness.Butasa result,weareending2022evenstronger andmoretenacious,”hesaid.
•TheFuture.“2023willbeabouttakingourbusinessplantothenextlevel. Wewillcontinuetoimplementmanufacturingimprovements,developnew enhancementsfortheA5,andproduce moreA5sthaneverbefore,whilealso introducingtheCertifiedEdition,”said Meyer.“Ourinvestorsarecommitted, andweareevaluatingaglobalcapital raisetohelpaccelerateproductdevelopmentprojectsthatwillenhancemarketability.”
Bottomline:ICONcontinuesto scaleproduction,enhanceandevolvethe ICONA5,andsupportapassionateand growingownercommunity.
TolearnmoreaboutICONAircraft, visittheirwebsite:iconaircraft.com.
TextronAviationannouncedonDec. 21thatAerus,anewregionalairlinein Mexico,islaunchingitsfleetwiththe purchaseoftwo19-passengerconfigured CessnaSkyCouriertwin-engineturbopropsandfourCessnaGrandCaravan EXturboprops.Theairlinerecentlytook deliveryofthefirstthreeGrandCaravan EXaircraft.
TheCessnaSkyCourierandCessna GrandCaravanEXaredesignedand manufacturedbyTextronAviationInc.,a TextronInc.company.
“AfleetofCessnaSkyCouriersand CessnaGrandCaravanswillenable Aerustobesuccessfulingrowingservice rangeandfrequencyofflights,”said MarceloMoreira,vicepresidentofSales, LatinAmericaregion,TextronAviation. “Bothaircraftoffersuperiorperformance andlowoperatingcostsincombination withflexibilityincabinandpayload.”
TheCessnaSkyCourierandGrand CaravanEXaircraftareversatileandreliablebusinesstoolsthatenablecustomers likeAerustofulfilltheirmissions.Based inMonterrey,Mexico,Aeruswillcover unservednationalandinternationalroutes
inordertomeettheneedsofitscustomers.
“Whenwelookedatoptionswithin themarkettooperatetherouteswehadin mind,itwasano-brainerdecisionto choosetheGrandCaravanEXandthe SkyCourierfromTextronAviation, whichwillbethecornerstoneofthe Aerusproject,”saidJavierHerrera,CEO, Aerus.“Weareveryproudtobeoneof thefirstoperatorsofthenewSkyCourier, whichwearesurewillbeagreatsuccess forTextronAviationandAerus.We appreciateTextronAviation’ssupportas wesetlaunchoperations.”
AerusispartofGrupoHerrera,which has80yearsofexperienceintheautomotive,financial,andrealestateindustries, andhashadanairtaxipermitsince1990. Thecompanyplanstobeginitsairline operationsinthefirstquarterof2023.
Builtforhighutilizationoperations, theCessnaSkyCourierisatwin-engine, high-wing,large-utilityturbopropoffered inbothcargoandpassengervariants.The efficient19-passengervariantincludes
crewandpassengerdoorsforsmooth boarding,aswellaslargecabinwindows forgreatnaturallightandviews.Both configurationsoffersingle-pointpressure refuelingtoenablefasterturnarounds.
TheCessnaGrandCaravanEXaircraftisknownforitsdependableandefficientperformancebyregionalairlines, charteroperatorsandcargocarriersworldwide.TheGrandCaravanEXturboprop wasengineeredforchallengingmissions, highpayloadsandshort,roughrunways whiledeliveringsingle-engineeconomy andsimplicity.Withareputationasarevenuegenerator,itcarriesupto14occupants withanincreasedspeedandclimbcapabilityandofferslowdirectoperatingcosts.
Formorethan95years,Textron Aviationhasempoweredtheircollective talentacrosstheBeechcraft,Cessnaand Hawkerbrandstodesignanddeliverthe bestaviationexperiencefortheircustomers.Witharangethatincludeseverythingfrombusinessjets,turboprops,and
Aerus,anewregionalairlineinMexico, islaunchingitsfleetwiththepurchaseof two19-passengerconfiguredCessna SkyCouriertwin-engineturbopropsand fourCessnaGrandCaravanEXturboprops. (CcourtesyTextron)
high-performancepistons,tospecialmission,militarytraineranddefenseproducts,TextronAviationhasthemostversatileandcomprehensiveaviationproduct portfoliointheworldandaworkforce thathasproducedmorethanhalfofall generalaviationaircraftworldwide. Customersinmorethan170countries relyonourlegendaryperformance,reliabilityandversatility,alongwithourtrustedglobalcustomerservicenetwork,for affordable,productiveandflexibleflight.
Formoreinformation,visit www.txtav.com,www.defense.txtav.com, andwww.scorpionjet.com.
“Ihadissueswiththevisioninmy lefteye,soresponsiblysoughtmedical caretoenablemeetingThirdClass Medicalstandardsneededtocontinueas aDesignatedPilotExaminer”saidthe longtimepropilotandDPEwhoworks withuniversitystudentsandfutureairline pilots.Buttheprocontinues,“Ipassed themedicalexamwithflyingcolors,but wastoldbytheAMEthathewasnot qualifiedtoreviewthemedicalhistoryI hadprovided.TheAMEsaidhewould needtosubmitthedocumentstotheFAA review.Ihaveheardnothingsincethe
anddonotknowwhotoaskorhowto makeinquiries.”
Scarrypositiontobein,right?Itis notthattheFAAarethe“badguys,”but theFAAisacomplexbureaucracywith manydepartments,jurisdictions,procedures,andguidelinesnotnecessarily designedformaximumcustomerservice. Youneedateamofexpertsonyourside, helpingyouwithaprocessthatcanbe overwhelmingtotheuninitiated.Thisis wherePilotMedicalSolutionscomesin, offeringfullmanagementservicesfor yourspecificneeds.Resourcedwithfor-
merFAAseniormedicalmanagement experts,aviationlegalexperts,medical specialistandskilledsupportstaff,Pilot MedicalSolutionsisfarmorethanjusta consultingservice.
DavidHale,ExecutiveDirectorof PilotMedicalSolutions,pointsoutthat PilotMedicalSolutionsdoesfarmore thanjustofferadvice.“Wehelpprepare andreviewdocumentation,makingsure thatthespecificinformationneededfor theFAAprocessissubmittedintheformatrequiredbytheFAA.Wepre-evaluatespecialmedicalexemptionsandcer-
tificateissuancedatabeforetheFAAsees it,dealingwithpotentialchallenges beforebeingevaluatedbytheFAA.Pilot medicalsolutionsevenhelpsobtain neededmedicaldatafromyourdoctor and/ormedicalcenter.”Halecontinues, “Ourteamapproachhelpspilotsthrough whatcanbeadifficultexperiencewith theknowledgethattheyarenotoutnumbered.”Formoreinformationandano costassessmentofyourspecialneeds, visitwww.leftseat.comorcall(800)6994457.
OnDec.21,theGeneralAviation ManufacturersAssociation(GAMA) announcedthemakeupofitsExecutive Committeeleadershipteamfor2023.The ExecutiveCommitteeiscomprisedof membersofGAMA’sBoardofDirectors, whoprovidestrategicleadershipforthe associationandleaditspolicycommittees.
EricHinson,PresidentandCEOof SimcomInternational,willserveasChair oftheBoard.Previously,Hinsonserved asViceChairandchairoftheSafetyand AccidentInvestigationCommittee.
ChuckWiplinger,Presidentand CEOofWipaire,willserveasViceChair. Previously,Wiplingerservedaschairof thePolicyandLegalIssuesCommittee andtheTechnicalPolicyCommittee.
MichaelAmalfitano,Presidentand CEOatEmbraerExecutiveJets,willserve asImmediatePastChair.Amalfitano servedasGAMA’s2022Chairofthe Boardandpreviouslychairedofthe CommunicationCommittee.
DavidColeal,CEOofIncora,will extendhistermaschairofthe AirworthinessandMaintenancePolicy Committee.Thecommitteeworkswith authoritiestopromoteappropriateregulationsandpoliciesformaintenanceand repairstations.Previously,Colealserved aschairoftheEnvironmentCommittee.
MariaDellaPosta,PresidentofPratt &WhitneyCanada,willextendherterm aschairoftheCommunications Committee.Thecommitteeworkstopromotethegeneralaviationindustryandits benefitstotheglobaleconomyandair transportationsystem.
JoeBenBevirt,FounderandCEOof JobyAviation,willcontinuetoserveas chairoftheElectricPropulsionand InnovationCommittee(EPIC).Thecommitteeworkstocreateanenvironment conducivetoefficientdesign,production, operation,integrationandmaintenanceof hybridandelectricpropulsionaircraft, includingeVTOLs.
TonyLefebvre,CEOofSignature Aviation,willextendhistermaschairofthe EnvironmentCommittee.Thecommittee workstodevelopandrepresenttheindustry’sviewsonpublicpolicyaffectingaviationrelatedenvironmentalissuesworldwide,includingCO2emissionsreductions, sustainableaviationfuels,supersonicaircraft,andupdatestotheBusinessAviation CommitmentonClimateChange.
DavidVanDenLangenbergh,Chief IndustryAffairsOfficeratLuxaviation Group,willcontinuetoserveaschairthe EuropeanLeadersSteeringCommittee.The committeeengageswithseniorEuropean politiciansandpolicymakerstoadvocate
fortheinterestsofgeneralaviationin Europeincludingregulatorychanges,policyinitiativesandcommunicationsstrategies.Previously,VanDenLangenbergh servedaschairoftheAirworthinessand MaintenancePolicyCommittee.
JohnCalcagno,PresidentandCEO ofPiperAircraft,willserveaschairofthe PolicyandLegalIssuesCommittee.The committeetracks,analyzesandresponds tolegaldevelopments,litigationtrends andpoliciespresentingbusinessandlegal risksoropportunitiestogeneralaviation manufacturers.ThiswillbeCalcagno’s firsttimeservingontheExecutive Committee,hehasservedonGAMA’s BoardofDirectorssince2021.
RonDraper,PresidentandCEOof TextronAviation,willserveaschairof theFlightOperationsPolicyCommittee. Thecommitteeworkstoensurethatan adequateairtransportationinfrastructure isavailableforgeneralaviationand addressesimpedimentstooperationsof generalaviationaircraft.Thiswillbe Draper’sfirsttimeservingonthe ExecutiveCommittee,hehasservedon GAMA’sBoardofDirectorssince2020.
CharlieGregoire,Presidentand COOofRedbirdFlight,willserveas chairoftheSafetyandAccident InvestigationCommittee.Thecommittee
workstoanalyzepolicies,industrystandardsandregulatoryactivitiesrelatedto proactivesafetyimprovementsandaircraftaccidentinvestigation.Thiswillbe Gregoire’sfirsttimeservingonthe ExecutiveCommittee,hehasservedon GAMA’sBoardofDirectorssince2015.
HenryBrooks,PresidentofPower& ControlsatCollinsAerospace,willcontinuetoserveaschairoftheSecurity IssuesCommittee.Thecommitteeworks toestablishbestpracticesforgeneralaviationsecurityandengageswithgovernmentagenciesonsecuritypoliciesand regulatoryrequirements.
JeffTrang,VicePresidentof EngineeringandFlightOperationsat AirbusHelicopters,willextendhistermas chairoftheTechnicalPolicyCommittee. Thecommitteeworkswithauthoritieson continuousimprovementofcertification andvalidationprocessesandtodevelop andimplementeffectivestandardsand technicalpoliciespertainingtothedesign, certification,validationandproductionof generalaviationproductsandcomponents.
TheGAMAExecutiveCommittee waselectedbytheBoardofDirectors duringitsFallBoardMeeting.
Formoreinformationaboutthe GAMAExecutiveCommittee,visit gama.aero.
BenjaminFranklinwasanextraordinaryman:FoundingFather,Renaissance man,polymath,andtheFirstAmerican. Undeniablyamanofgreatwisdomand acumen,hisaphorismsarelongenduring andthereforeveryfamiliar:
Hethatlieswithdogsshallriseup withfleas.
Fishandvisitorsstinkinthreedays. Anounceofpreventioniswortha poundofcure.
Whenitcomestomanagingone’s financialdealings,itwouldbefoolishnot toheedtheadviceofsucharemarkably sensibleman.Whenitcomestofiling one’staxes,anounceofpreventionmight wellbeworthtwopoundsofcure.
Unpreparedisill-considered.
Timeandtimeagain,taxpayersare deniedanexemptionsimplybecausethey wentintothetransactionunprepared. Oftentimes,thedifferencebetweenataxexemptrulingandataxliabilityissurprisinglysimple…aslongasactionsanddocumentationarehandledproperlyoutofthe gate.Inmyexperience,manyaircraftownersareessentiallydonatinghundredsof thousandsoftaxdollarstotheCalifornia DepartmentofTaxandFeeAdministration (CDTFA)everyyear–unnecessarily.
Oneofthemostcommonmistakes involves‘firstfunctionaluse,’whichby itsverylabelindicatestheimportanceof knowingthelawbeforemakingapurchase.Inordertoqualifyformostavailableusetaxexemptions,youmust alwaystakepossessionwhilethepropertyislocatedoutsideofCalifornia,and youmustmeettherequirementsofthe legaldefinitionof‘firstfunctionaluse’ beforetheaircraftentersCaliforniafor thefirsttime.
So,whatexactlyis‘firstfunctional use’?
Unfortunately,thatisnotacut-anddryanswer;‘firstfunctionaluse’is dependentuponthetypeofaircraftas wellasyourintendeduse.
Takeforexamplethecaseof Michael,a30-yearveteranpilot-for-hire andaviationmanagementconsultant. Michaelcametomeafterbeingdenied anexemptionduetoerroneousverbal advicehereceivedfromanagentatthe CDTFA.
Michaelwiselytookthepurchaseof hisaircraftinReno,Nevada,andhad plannedtooperateitfromNevadauntil the90-daywaitingperiodqualifyinghis purchaseas‘out-of-state’hadbeenmet. Seekingconfirmationofsomeadvice
he’dreceivedfromafriendregardinga potentialexception,Michaelcontacted theCDTFA.Theauditorhespokewith advisedthathecouldbringhisaircraft intoCaliforniabeforethe90-daywaiting period,aslongasthetripwasforservice purposesonly.Unfortunately,theauditor wasreadingthewrongregulation,and wasabouttocostMichael$177,000.
Greatnews!
Inlookingovertherecord,IdeterminedthatalthoughMichaelwasactually exemptunderadifferentregulationthat appliestoaircraftusedininterstatecommerce.Regulation1620(b)(4)statesthata vehicleoraircraftpurchasedoutside Californiabutbroughtintothestateis regardedasexemptfromusetaxifthe‘first functionaluse’occurredoutsideCalifornia.
Denied…again.
Toourastonishment,thealternate exemptionwasalsodeniedongrounds thatMichaelhadfailedtofulfillthe‘first functionaluse’requirements.Airplanes aredesignedtofly,andforthepast30-40 years,flyingonemetthedefinitionof ‘firstfunctionaluse’.
Notanymore.
Withthestrokeofapen,thelead counselfortheCDTFAdeterminedthat anyaircraftwithjetengines,turbine engines,ormorethansixseatswerenot designedtoflybutwasdesignedtocarry passengers:arequirementthatwould havebeeneasytofulfillatthetime,and impossibletomeetafterthefact. Michael’ssituationistheepitomeofan ounceofpreventionbeingworthapound ofcure.
Asluckwouldhaveit…
Michaeldidindeedhaveapassenger onboardwhenheflewintoSacramento formaintenance,andtheCDTFAwas forcedtogranttheexemption.Thepresenceofasinglepassenger,onaflight fromRenotoSacramento,savedMichael almost$200,000.
Michaelisonlyoneofthemany numeroustaxpayersIhaveconsulted withforwhomextremelysimpleactions havemeantthedifferencebetweena heftydonationtotheCDTFAandawelldeservedtaxexemption.
Knowing,understanding,andmeetingrequirementsfortaxexemptionsdo involveameasureofinvestmentintime andexpense.However,thatmeasureis trulyinsignificantwhencomparedwith thepotentialsavings.Consultinganexpert inaero-marinetaxlawpriortomakinga purchaseistheonlywaytotrulygointo battlearmedwiththeknowledgeyouneed tosaveyourhard-earneddollars
AuburnisasmalltownintheSierra FoothillsoffofHighway80thatmany passthroughontheirwaytoRenoor Tahoe.It’sjustnorthoftheSacramento MetropolitanArea,andmanyknowitfor itsfamousIkeda’sPieShop,butdidyou knowthatAuburnishometoarather largegeneralaviationairport?Itturnsout it’sagreatplacetofly!
Likeothergeneralaviationairports, ithasacomfypilot’slounge,hangarsand
availabletie-downspace,avgas,andof course,flightschools.ThresholdAviation ofChinoalsohasapresencethere.Ofthe manygreatbusinessesatAuburn,this month,wewouldliketofocusonMach 5Aviation.Mach5hasbeenaninstitutionatAuburnformanyyears.Theyoffer first-classflighttrainingwithexperiencedinstructors,butsomethingvery specialishappeningatMach5goinginto 2023.
Rentersandstudentscannowrent andflytheDiamondStarDA40G1000. SeeimageonPage43of InFlightUSA Dec.2022andPage2 InFlightUSA Jan. 2023.Thisaircraftoffers21stcentury technologyintrainingandcross-country aircraftandoffersanexperiencelikeno other.Thisisawonderfulopportunityfor anyflightstudentlookingtotaketheir trainingtothenextlevel.
Inthead,youcanseethesleekair-
craftflyingovertheSierraMountain rage.Whatareyouwaitingfor?Geta smoother,faster,andhighertechexperiencewhenyoucallMach5Aviationin Auburn.Theycanbereachedat530-8892000andcanbeemailedat info@mach5aviation.com.Mentionthat yousawitinInFlightUSAwithcode M5DA40foraspecialdiscountonthis once-in-a-lifetimeopportunity.
TecnamannouncedonDec.21that therenownedCANAVIASpanish AviationAcademybasedintheCanary Islands,willincorporatethreenew Tecnamaircraft:OneMulti-engine P2006TMarkIIandtwoP2008JC MarkII’sintotheirfleet.
Theschoolalreadyoperatestwo multi-engineP2006TMarkII’sandthree single-engineTecnamP2008JCMkII”s operating365daysayear.
WiththisnewacquisitiontheacademywillhaveatotaloffiveP2008JC MKII,andthreeP2006TMKII.The P2008JCisanidealaircraftforallphases ofsingle-enginetraining,asitisequipped withthelatestGarminG3XGlass Cockpittechnologyandtherenowned Tecnamflyingqualities.
TheTecnamP2006TMkIIisatwinenginefour-seataircraftwithfully retractablelandinggear.Itssimplicity, performance,efficiencyandergonomics arewhatmakethisaircraftidealfor multi-enginetraining,aswellascrosscountryflying.TheP2006Toffers unbeatablevaluepropositionandinnovativedesignwiththemodernGarmin avionicssuite,andtwoRotax912S3 engines,allowingunrivalledfuelsaving.
TheP2006TMkIIcancompetewith singleengineaircraftonconsumption, andinasingleplatformitoffersdifferent
ratingsasMultiEnginePiston(MEP), VariablePitchPropeller,EFIS,and retractablelandinggear.
“Wearesoproudtohave CANAVIAasoneofthemajorflight academyusingourmodernfleetsolution. TogetherweareinnovatingtheFlight TraininginEurope,”saidTecnam’sChief SalesOfficer,WalterDaCosta.
“CANAVIAachievedthegoalto havingafleetcomposedexclusivelyof Tecnamaircraft,abrandcharacterisedby itscommitmenttothesafety,reliability andqualityofitswiderangeofaircraft. Bydoingso,CANAVIAguaranteesits studentsandfuturepilotsatrainingdis-
tinguishedbyexcellence,”said CANAVIA’sCEO,MarioPons.
Theaircraftdeliveryisalsoafantastictrainingopportunity:asfortherestof ourfleet,astudentwillferryflighttheaircraft,togetherwithaninstructor,from TecnamheadquartersinCapua,Italyto CANAVIAbaseinCanaryIsland,gainingexperienceofaninternationalcrosscountryflight.
BychoosingTecnamasthefleetfor theiracademy,CANAVIAisembracing thenewphilosophyinflighttrainingonly offeredbyTecnam.Thisfleetexpansion willnotonlyimprovethequalityoftrainingandreducethecostsforitsstudents,
butalsohelptopreservetheenvironment. Recentstudyshowsthatflightschools operatingwithTECNAMsingle-engine fleetcanreduceemissionsbyupto60 percent.ThisequatestotentonsofCO2 foreachstudentbythetimetheyreceive theirCommercialPilotLicense.
FormoreinformationonTecnam GreenAviationvisithttps://www.tecnam .com/soar-greener/
CANAVIAisalsoanapproved Tecnammaintenancecenter,performing themaintenanceofitsfleetandthatof thirdpartieswiththehigheststandardsof safetyandquality.
CANAVIAislocatedintheCanary Islandsandwasfoundedin2009.Itisthe onlyaviationacademyintheCanary Islandsthatcanofferallcourses,certificationsandratingsrelatedtoprofessional aviation,beingapprovedbytheMinistry ofTransportunderEuropeanEASAregulations.
Overthepast13yearstheschoolhas trainedhundredsofstudentpilotswho arenowflyingformajorairlinesallover theworld.Learnmoreat https://www.canavia.it/
Oneofthetrulygreatthingsaboutbeinganaviationbuffisthenumberof“GoodiesandGadgets”availabletoplay with.Here InFlightUSA hascollectedafewnewonesworthyofyourconsideration.
AircraftSpruce&SpecialtyCo.hasbeenthesupplierthataircraftbuilders,owners,pilots,andaviationbusinesseshavedependedonsince1965.Theycarryawide selectionofaircraftparts,buildingmaterials,avionics,andpilotsupplies,allofwhichareofferedontheirwebsite(www.aircraftspruce.com)andinthefamousAircraftSprucecatalog,nowover1,000-pagesavailablefordownloadorforfreeinprint.YoucandependonAircraftSpruceforpromptshippingandcompetitivepricingonallorders.
AircraftSpruceisyourgo-toavionicsshopforallyouraviationneeds,especiallyforclean-uptasksandupgrading andorganizing.Seetheirwebsite (www.aircraftspruce)forthousandsof productsororderaprintedcopy(free)of theircatalog.TheteamatAircraftSpruce wishesallahappynewyearandgreat, safeflyingin2023!
Theseheadsets aresolightyoumay forgetthatyouhavea headsetonwhenyou getoutoftheaircraf.
Theheadsetsare madewithcarbon fibermaterial,30percentlighterthanregularheadsets.They allowyoutoconnct totwodevicesatthesametime!Other featuresinclude:
•Recordoutcapabilitiestocamera/digitalrecorderorsmartphone.
• USB-Cexternalpowersourceinput.
•AUXinputcapabilities,dualvolumecontrol.
•TwoAAbatteries20-25hourcontinuesusage.
•Detachablecommcordfordifferent applications.(GA,Heli,6pinlemo)
• ANRattenuation19-21db@150Hz. •5yearwarranty.
AircraftSprucehastheseunitsin stockinDualGA($689),U-174Heli ($659)andPanelPowerLEMO($669). CheckspecificationsontheAircraft Sprucewebsite:www.aircraftspruce .com.
CenterlineiPadKneeboard
AllCenteredAroundtheiPad!
Themostimportantpieceofmany pilots’avionicspackagesistheonesittingonyourlap.TheiPadhaschanged thewayweflyandhavingitfirmly mountedintherightspotisessentialto
situational awarenessin the cockpit.A newsiliconeattachmentmechanism allowsyoutoseemoreofthescreen whiletakinguptheminimalamountof spaceinyourflightbag.Theflexible holderismountedtoafirmsurfacethat alsoprovidesrotationalcapabilities.Do youflylandscapeforcrosscountryand portraitforapproaches?Noproblem.The CenterlineKneeboardeasilyrotates aroundthecenter-of-massfortheiPad.
Theunitcomesinlarge($74.95)or small(69.95).SeetheFlightOutfitters kneeboardontheAircraftSprucewebsite andcheckforspecificationsonsizes. (iPadnotincluded.)
andfeatureslargercharactersforeasier reading.Oilpressurehasalsobeenadded totheentireEDMseriesline.Mounting isabreezeduetoitsstandard3-4/8”format,andbecauseitcanbemountedin eitherportraitorlandscapeorientation, thusaccommodatingvirtuallyanypanel configuration.Depthbehindthepanelis anamazing2-1/2”.Theunitis“Plugand Play”compatiblewithexistingEDM700/800units.
VisitAircraftSpruce(www.aircraft spruce)toselectyourcylindernumber andmodel.Pricesstartat$2,833.
sizes.
Ergonomically designedandengineeredforreliability,easeandconvenience,theASA FlightTimershould beconsideredessentialequipmentforall aviators.
GenuineBriggs&Strattontool usedontheL-Headseriesenginesto removeandre-installthevalvespring retainer.FitsvariousBriggsStratton modelsandisagenuineOEMreplacementpart.Eachunitsellsfor$32.14.
TheEDM730/830revolutionizesenginemonitoringbytheintegration ofbrilliantfullcolor graphicalLCDdisplaywiththeextremelypopularEDM700/800seriesfunctionallyandyetreducesthepackagesizeto thesmallestonthemarket!TheEDM730packsmorefeatures,functionality, andinformationontoitslargefullcolor screenthananyothermonitoravailable
CorrosionXAviation takescorrosioncontroltoa wholenewlevel!Featuring thelatestadvancesinPolar BondingandFluidThin FilmCoating(FTFC)technologies,CorrosionX Aviationisspeciallyformulatedtodisplacemoisture,stopcorrosion instantlyandprovidelong-lastingprotection.MadeentirelyintheUSA, CorrosionXAviationisqualifiedunder MIL-PRF-81309Rev.HTypeII(replaces andsupersedesMIL-PRF-81309G,MILPRF-81309FandMIL-C-81309E)forcorrosionpreventionandcontrolonairframes –andnow,generalpurposeuseaswell.
UsedextensivelybytheU.S.militaryaswellasNATOforces,all CorrosionXproductsandapplication equipmenthavebeenassignedNational StockNumbers(NSN)bytheGeneral ServicesAgency(GSA)andareavailable forprocurementthroughtheDefense LogisticsAgency(DLA).CorrosionXis theonlyproductavailabletothepublic thatmeetstheU.S.Navy'stoughnew corrosionpreventionandcontrolperformancerequirement(MIL-PRF81309H).
AircraftSpruceoffersavarietyof sizes,startingthea16ounceaerosolfor $25.49uptoa55gallondrumfor$4,950. Checkthewebsiteforavarietyofother
Pilotswillbeabletoaccuratelycalculatetimetothenextwaypoint,fueltank changes,turnsinholdingoraninstrument approachwithcompleteconfidence.The FlightTimerhasbeendesignedtomeetthe needsofallaviators,fromstudentpilots workingontheirfirstcross-countryto flightinstructorsandseasonedveterans. ApplicabletobothVFRandIFRflights, anASAFlightTimershouldbeinevery pilot’sflightbag.
ThisparthasnoFAAApproval.This unitisonsalefor$34.95each(originally $39.95).
Aradiothat offersmorethan anyotherinthe sameclass.AirLite Proisafullfeatured aircraftradioscannerandHam Transceiver,with groundbreaking newfeatures.The AirLitePro receivesallaircraft channelsbetween 118and137mhz.StandardU.S.spacing of25khzissupported.Significantly,this newproductalsoprovidessimultaneous receptionontwodifferentfrequencies, allowingalistenertomonitorfrequencies suchastowerandgroundatthesame time.Wecallthisfeature“Dual ReceptionTM.”Eachunitsellsfor$119. Flysafeandallthebestin2023!
VisitInFlightUSAforthelatestaviationnews... www.inflightusa.com
We’reback!Afterall,likeinthe classicoldie,“adreamgoesonforever.” PacificCoastDreamMachinesShow ReturnsSunday,April30,2023toHalf MoonBayAirport.
Afterthreeunimaginable,frustrating,chafingatthebityearsonthesidelines,organizersarebringingbackHalf MoonBayCalifornia’sremarkable,one andonlyPacificCoastDreamMachines Showin2023,markingits30thanniversarywithamassivecelebrationof mechanicalingenuity,powerandstylein aBigRevivalShow.
“TheCoastsidecommunityand devotedfansthroughoutCaliforniahave toldushowmuchtheymissedDream Machinesandourshowcommitteeis superexcitedandenergizedtobringit backtoavibrantnewlifein2023and makeitanevenbetterexperienceforour fansthanever,”saidJanieJames, ExecutiveDirectorofeventbeneficiary, theCoastsideAdultDayHealthCenter.
Thisyear’sspectacularshowwillbe heldonSunday,April30,aone-day mega-show,from10a.m.to4p.m.at HalfMoonBayAirport’sEddieAndreini Field,locatedinthepicturesqueseaside townofHalfMoonBay,Calif.,about20 milessouthofSanFrancisco.
It’squitesimply“TheCoolestShow onEarth”–awhimsical,fascinating,amusing,curiousandabsolutelyuniqueshow andtellspectaclefeaturingsome2,000 magnificentdriving,flyingandworking machinesfromthe20thand21stcenturies.
Theworld’scoolestcarsofeveryera andstyle,model-Tfireengines,vintage busses,custommotorcycles,trickedout trucks,sleekstreamliners,one-of-a-kind antiqueenginesandtractorsandhistoric militaryaircraftwillbeamongthemesmerizingdisplays.
Plansforthisyear’sshowincludea new“MachinesofTomorrow”showcase withfascinatingdisplaysofallthingsto comeinthenext-generationoftransportation–conceptcars,flyingcars,robotics, autonomousvehicles,EVsandmore.
AdditionalattractionsincludeactionpackedamusementsintheKidzSuper DuperFunzone,fabulousfoodanddrink withcraftbeer,premiumwineandcustom cocktails,andstellarlivemusicallday.
Thisyear’sshowwillfeatureanew, improvedeventlayoutbringingallthe
The30thPacificCoastDreamMachines ShowissettotakeplaceonSunday,April 30,2023atHalfMoonBay(CA)Airport. (CourtesyMiramarEvents)
attractionsclosertogetherandmakingita morewalkable,unifiedshowwithseparate entrancesforspectatorparking(access fromCapistranoRoadatthesouthendof theairport)vs.displayvehicles,vendors, sponsorsandvolunteers(accessfromthe airportmainentranceonHighway1).
Toshowacar,truck,motorcycle,aircraftorothermachine,thepre-registration feeis$40($50forentriespostmarkedafter April15)andincludesacustomdashplaque andadmissionfortheregistrantplusone passenger(mustbetogetherintheregisteredvehicle).RegisteronlineonEventbrite athttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/4828260 74787
Spectatoradmissionis$25in advance($30atthegate)foradults(age 18-64),$15inadvance($20atthegate) forages11-17and65+,Freeforkidsage 10andunder(withpayingadult). PurchasespectatorticketsonEventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/48282607 4787
ItalltakesplaceatHalfMoonBay Airport,9850N.CabrilloHighway,Half MoonBayCA94019–locatedonHighway 1,about20milessouthofSanFrancisco and5milesnorthofHighway92.
TheshowbenefitstheCoastside AdultDayHealthCenter.Thanksinpartto fund-raisingsupportfromDream Machines,thebeautifulandnewlymodernizedCoastsideAdultCommunity Centeropenedin2014.Dropbytheirfacilityat925MainStreetinHalfMoonBay.
Foreventinformationandregistrationforms,visitthewebsitehttps://dream machines.miramarevents.com;“like” theirFacebookhttps://www.facebook .com/dreammachinesshow/orfollow themonTwitterhttps://twitter.com/ dreammachinesandInstagram https://www.instagram.com/dreammachi nesshow/.
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
P2006T Twin Trainer solution for price ofaSingle.Quality aircraft since 1948. TECNAM, (725) 258-3759, cieloblu. aero. 1/23
SmallMannedAerialRadar Target, Model1.Tinyjet aircraft, long-range tank. SMART-1, Tucson, AZ, (202) 2132400, smart-1.us. 5/21
RV12i5
Experience the joy of gyro flight OrbicHelicopters,Camarillo,CA,(805) 389-1070, orbichelicopters.com.6/22
BD-10,factory-builtdemonstratorwith airplanesafetymods.Airframe465TT. $275K complete pkg. w/spares. Fuel Fresh, Phoenix, AZ, (480) 345-6677, fuelfresh@aol.com.12/21
Aviation Sales & Marketing by ABCI Idealforastartuporsidehustleinthe aviation industry. (702) 987-1679 or aviationsalestraining.com/startup.1/21
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
SeaplaneInstruction, ASESratings, amphibious flight reviews, re-current training.LakeHavasuSeaplanes,Lake Havasu City, AZ, lakehavasuseaplanes. com,(928) 733-7122. 12/20
Recurrent pilot training and services. L/D Aerospace, Grace Passmore, (916) 790-0501, idaerospace.com.1/22
Fly for fun or career Discovery flights, pilot training, AOPA Distinguished Flight School & Cessna Pilot Center. Smith Aviation Napa, Napa County Airport, (707) 345-6526, mikesmithaviation.com. 4/22
XL Aviation - Aircraft Maintenance. 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
Specializing in personal, business and charter aircraft Best price, coverage& customer service. Zanette Aircraft Insurance Center, (650) 5933030, (888) 723-3358. 10/06
Insurance solutions for all aviationrelated services. Business Aviation Insurance, bizavins.com, (925) 825-1900.7/20
Protect your whole family, including your pets. Comprehensive health and Medicare solutions. Jen Mathey, owner, Pixie Health Insurance, (941) 200-3738, pixiehealth insurance.com.10/22
Informed, accurate aircraft appraisals. jetvaluesjeremy.com, (636) 751-3987.7/20
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Specialpricingon 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,plus insulated engine covers. Bruce's Custom Covers, Morgan Hill, CA,(800)777-6405,(408)738-3959, aircraftcovers.com. 10/19
Seewhatyou are missing with new models from Rosen Sunvisor Systems. rosenvisor.com, (800) 284-7677.7/20
Apparel as unique as your journey Discounts to members. AOPA Pilot Gear, aopapilotgear.com.9/21
InPhones with pilot keypad. Convenience& versatility at one low price! Only $199/year. (650) 504-8549, (408) 2340045. 10/21
The World's Best CREEPER, adjustableheights. aerocreeper.com.4/22
Mountain Bike, Full-size, pilot-friendly, rugged. FLATBIKE, flatbike.com.10/18
Emergency services, group trips, consulting services. BizAvJets, Inc., Business Aviation Services, bizavjets. com, (702) 465-2027.10/20
Make the most ofyourbusiness aircraftownershipwithourManagement Services. Thoroughbred Aviation, thoroughbredaviation.com.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
Divorce-Paternity Cases Contact LawyersforMen'sRights,(213)3848886, www.mensrightslawyers.com. Offices of Stuart J. Faber.4/10
Aero & Marine Tax Pros
Legally avoid sales tax on your aircraft purchase. In El Grove, CA, (916) 691-9192, aeromarinetaxpros.com.18500:TFN
Left Seat Pilot Medical Solutions.A 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) 6GBL- AIR, (413) 335-7507.4/22
Safe, on-time, and customer-oriented shuttle service Tony Goes There Service, Brooklyn Park, MN, (612) 7908070, tonygoesthere.com.1/23
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
Airpark Lots for Sale Hawks Landing (7.62 acres); Duchy Airpark (four lots in gated community); Myrtle Beach Hardee Airpark (lots from 1 acre to 1.74 arcres. Carolina Airparks, Geneva Allen, (704) 798-5214, carolinaairparks@ gmail.com. 8/22
A Pilot's Paradise—Valley Airport Private airstrip in the Ozark Mountains on banks of White River. Custom 3BR, 3BA home, office and hangar/ workshop, $749,999. Leo and Dianne Doughty, Cotter, AR. Contact Ray (870) 421-7193 to show. 9/22
Becomean Aircraft Broker — #1Largest USA Network of Aircraft Start with USA’s proved system for listing and selling everything from highperformance single-engine airplanes, cabinclass through jets, and helicopters & jet fractional shares. Includes multi-million-dollar inventory to start. Complete turn-key proved system. Noexperience necessary. Will train. Licensed USA Aircraft brokerage. Call (504) 723-5566 orvisit
Business Opportunity Section at usaaircraft.com 4208:TFN
and incidents. (415) 320-9811, bert@ bertbotta.com, bertbotta.com.4/22
IN FLIGHT USA, the leading source of general aviation news, seeks writers and photographers to cover all aspects ofaviation. Send an SASE for writer’s guidelines to: In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, CA 94402.TFN Oakland Aviation Museum, CA, is recruiting volunteers. Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100, oaklandaviationmuseum.org. 6/21
SoCal pilot, experienced in aircraft design/flight test/aerospace industry. Willi travel as needed (and for repositioning). Contact Paul at (562) 714-6686 or ptglessner@aol.com. 17400:TFN
Rowland Freedom Center Vacaville, CA, (707) 449-3402 rowlandfreedomcenter.org
Castle Air Museum World's largest static display of vintage military aircraft from late 1930s. Atwater, CA, (209) 723-2178 castleairmuseum.org
Oakland Aviation Museum Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100 oaklandaviationmuseum.org
Planes of Fame Air Museum Chino, CA, (909) 597-3722 planesoffame.org
Pacific Coast Air Museum Santa Rosa, CA, (707) 575-7900 pacificcoastairmuseum.org
Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs, CA (760)778-6262, psam.org
Specializing
Custom
After
Aircraft
EAA
Women
Left: Ok,Honeywhoshrunkthemustang?Dr.Kentit’stimetogobutwecannotgetyououtofyournewtoy.
Below: Beautiful“RoughRunners” VMA124LemooreNASpictureframe withsignaturesoffellowofficers,crew andanF-35C.
BelowLeft: LemooreNASVMA124F35retirementplaquefromthechiefs.
BelowLeft: CMDRKris CauldwellwithwifeKrystal,son XanderanddaughterVioletat LenmoreNASonNov.18,2022.
BelowRight: Enjoyingthe moment.
r –Anthony
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