DECEMBER 2006
CORONA PILOTS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
President Paul Bricker
V. President Shane Reichardt
Secretary Margaret Nunnaly
Treasurer Susan Brunner
Editor John Elwell
NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held Sunday December 10th on the terrace of Corona Aero Partners at 5PM. By this time of year the weather should remain enjoyable and we can expect a very pleasant evening. Be sure to bring a dish to share, a happy face and a desire to explore aviation. Fred Peters will continue his presentation of emergency flying or what to do when everything goes wrong.
Don't forget to bring a small unwrapped toy to add to the efforts of the Wings Of Faith mission to get Christmas gifts to reservation Indians and other deprived Children.
The open house to show Classical Aircraft is, as usual, scheduled for the afternoon from 1 PM until meeting time, so plan to show your airplane.
LAST MEETING
The November meeting will be remembered as the Shy-Officers night. Both the President and the Vice President were out of town leaving the honors to our esteemed Treasurer Susan Bruner. From what the editor understands, she did an excellent job but the editor was also absent. So it goes.
One of the small pickups given by Boeing was donated to airport security and a decision was made to purchase a new BBQ for CPA use.
Kevin Willis our newest member was introduced. Be sure to check out his profile in this newsletter
A discussion was held concerning an open house monthly with the aircraft displayed in a common area and advertised in the local paper and through the Chamber . A motion was made to set the display time from 9 AM until 3 PM
Tickets are now on sale for the Dinner-Dance on February 10, 2007 at 6:30 pm. It will be held at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim. See Bob Heer, John Elwell, Richard Brodeur (Airport Manager) or Margaret Nunally for tickets. Tickets will be $50.00 per person, which includes the Dinner, Band and Door Prizes. Those who went last year had a great time so we hope you will join us this year.
CORONA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
By Rich Brodeur, Airport Manager
Events: No major events this month.
Now is your chance to get rid of those unwanted metal and wire items; a Metal & Wire Only Container… is located at the east end of the airport. Please do not throw trash in this container.
Upcoming events: The City of Corona will be conducting a household hazardous waste collection event at the City's Corporate Yard located on Cota Street. This event will take place on Friday December 1st and Saturday December 2nd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Electronic waste will also be accepted at this time. This is a good time to recycle old televisions, computer monitors and other electronic devices. For additional information, please call (951) 486-3200.
I recently met with the City Public Works Department and the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the construction of a haul road which is scheduled to begin in March 2007.
This road should pose minimal disruption to the airport during its initial construction and once in place will serve as an emergency evacuation route for non-airworthy aircraft during a major flood event. This issue is tentatively scheduled for a public meeting sometime in February 2007. I will notify each of the Master Lease Holders once the public meeting date is confirmed.
Safety: One incident…on November 22, 2006 an aircraft struck the wing of a parked aircraft while taxiing to its tie down position.
Aircraft complaints: None this month>>>>THANKS!!!!!!!
Hazardous Materials: The rainy season is upon us… it is very important that everyone does their part to minimize the potential for hazardous material spills and contamination.
Please dispose of all materials properly. You can take your oil to the east end for $1.00 per gallon or in most cases you can take it to your nearest automotive center for disposal for free. Please do not leave any oils or gasoline in open containers in your hangars. If I am not available; please do not leave oil on the ground next to the oil reclamation area, at the east end of the airport. My office phone number is (951) 736-2289… call and arrange a time to drop off your oil. By the way, this area is under constant camera surveillance and anyone who does leave hazardous materials on the ground is subjecting themselves to severe fines. Smile you're on camera!
Insurance: Please make sure your insurance is current and up to date and indicates The City of Corona and the Army Corps of Engineers as additionally insured. The Master Lease Holders have been issued a copy of all non-insured aircraft and will be taking corrective action to ensure 100% compliance to this ongoing process. If your aircraft is not operational and does not have insurance, you must submit a Declaration of Non-Operation Status form. Please contact your Master Lease Holder or the Airport Manager for this form.
Please help me keep our Airport Safe and Neighborly! Thanks!!!!
Rich Brodeur
Manager, Corona Airport
FROM THE PREZ
By Paul Bricker
For some time I, along with other members of CPA and the airport community, have been trying to insure the continued presence of our airport. You may not be aware, but the lease of the airport land from the Army Corp of Engineers expires in 2017, and the city has not renewed the lease, despite urgings from the master leaseholders, and a willingness of the corps to renew the lease for another 25-year period. Without a longer-term lease borrowing money for capital improvements (new/additional hangers, etc) is not practical. This affects both the quality of the airport in the short term and the long-term future of the airport. In discussions with both the AOPA and California Pilots Association they have recommend we take action to increase the community knowledge and involvement in the airport. This, in turn, will motivate the city government to support the airport.
At the November CPA meeting a motion was passed to host a monthly Open House at the airport to attract the general public to the airport. This is an idea that has been around for some time, and is supported by the airport manager. The airport community at Santa Paula managed to turn around the attitude there using just this approach, and the airport is now supported by the city government and the community at large.
The idea is to display interesting aircraft in a central area on a regular schedule; nominally during the day on the same Sundays we have CPA meetings, and invite the general public. Obviously, there are many issues to be resolved before we can get this underway.
I believe the critical issue is how to have an attractive enough offering that people will be motivated to attend. If we can't attract the people of Corona to come to the airport we are not going to achieve the primary objective of more community support for the airport. We will work with Corona Parks and Recreation department to get the Open House on the calendar of events for Corona. We have kicked around several ideas to augment the planes (as an example, co-exhibits with local car clubs) but the critical need is to have a sufficiently large and interesting collection of aircraft every month on display. This is where the pilots and aircraft owners have control of their destiny. We need you to bring your plane out as often as you can. We all have plans and commitments that will prevent us from being available every month, but we need your support when you can give it.
At the meeting it was decided we would have the area manned by at least one CPA member to answer questions and protect the aircraft, and we would use flag lines to keep people on paths between the aircraft. Still people are protective of their planes, and many will want to remain with them. We will need to find a way to make sure someone is there at all times, probably a rotating volunteer position, but this is not finalized. The location is still up in the air (yuck yuck). The grass area immediately next to the used AC display area is available, near the gate, and out of the normal aircraft and vehicle traffic areas, but many people have concerns about taxing on the grass.
I intend to spend a considerable amount of the next CPA meeting (12/10 at 5pm) in a discussion on the Open House, and addressing the issues, only a few of which have been introduced above. Please, come to the meeting and let your voice be heard. We need to support to help insure the future of AJO.
- - - -
A few quick reminders. Tickets for the CPA recovery party are still on sale. It will be held next February at the Phoenix Club. Last year was the first year at the Phoenix club, and all reports were very positive. Plan to attend and party with your fellow aviation enthusiasts. In addition, if you haven't yet visited the new web site I encourage you to do so. Use the site as a tool to help with your flying, and if there is something you'd like to see let me or another of the board members know. We'll see what we can do.
Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving holiday, and here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you on the 10th.
PILOT PROFILE
By Margaret Nunally
Kevin Willis is our most unique member of the CPA. Kevin is deaf and is a pilot. In December 2005 Kevin took lesson from Chris Okudoboney until March 2006. Fly Corona offered a package deal that was attractive. In October 2006 Kevin took his FAA check ride and passed with 52 hours total time.
Kevin's first recollection of flying was when he was 12 years old flying on United Airlines from LAX to San Francisco with members of his family to visit Alcatraz Island and Fisherman's Wharf. Much of the flight, especially the turbulence had him a bit scared and wondering what was happening to the plane. He always loved the sights of low flying and found high altitudes to be old and boring, especially above clouds.
The Willis' have been married for 8 years. Melissa (his wife) works for the Orange County Department of Education. Kevin and Melissa have four children, Miacha 7. Josiah 5. Sydney 4, and Ezekiel 2. Melissa and all the children are hearing and they all communicate with each other using sign language.
Kevin has been deaf since birth and communicates with people using either American Sign Language or through written text (such as pen and paper or e-mails)
The Willis Family live in Irvine, Ca where Kevin is enrolled at Irvine Valley College as a full time student. He is looking forward to transferring to California State University at Northridge and majoring in Deaf Studies.
For the short- term, Kevin would like to get a tail wheel and complex endorsement.
For the mid-term, a multi-engine rating.
In the long-term, get an instrument rating (and yes, they have two deaf pilots that have those ratings, but it requires a qualified co-pilot to handle the radios), a CFI rating, and an A&P rating. Hopefully datalink communications with the ATC will allow for single-pilot IFR operations. He would like to have the opportunity to instruct other student pilots (deaf or hearing) and would love to build and fly a two-place Breezy
It is a pleasure to have Kevin in our midst. We can learn much from his experience in his life's journey.
NEWS YOU REALLY NEED
By John Elwell
There's a new CPA "Online-Bulletin-Board". Please go to the new website, read a few suggestions, and Register to the Bulletin-board. Here, we can keep each other advised on the daily happenings at the airport.
Please jump-in and contribute to the "Online-Bench-Talk". BB subjects posted in the past week include the "Metal Refuse Bin", Barney's travels, "Supercub Wanted", and "Who were the Strangers at the Airport". There's also Calendar function. If you want to add birthdays, please do. Presently, there are no postings about an airport flood. But in the future, this is where you'll find the daily updates. In our own words, to each other.
For those of you who can read your monthly newsletter online, the usual website is the place (right here, not the Bulletin Board).
Did you notice John Guenther was here for a visit and he spent a great deal of his time at the airport renewing old friendships and flying. John and Sandi are living in Salem Oregon but they admit to missing us.
Word-is that (2) Corona Pilots have decided to attempt one of the most difficult maneuvers, getting hitched. Dorothe is sporting a new rock on her left hand and Dennis isn't denying it. (Read more on the Bulletin Board...) Stop by and congratulate the happy couple.
IN CLOSING -- On behalf of the entire editorial staff of the Corona Pilot's Association newsletter we wish each and every one of you a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year. May all your dreams come true and may the price of Gasoline fall below three dollars. The bench will be alive with wisdom and fellowship there will planes flying like flies around a sugar bowl, and there will hopefully not be any accidents.
- - - -
HUMOR
Subject: 1917 AAR's
DO YOU THINK MAYBE FLYING HAS CHANGED?
The following safety tips from Daedalian Foundation are excerpts from Royal Flying Corps monthly report of December 1917.The report was signed St. John Culbertson, Royal Flying Corps Colonel and was dated 21 December, 1917.
INTRODUCTION
Another good month. In all, a total of 35 accidents were reported, only six of which were avoidable. These represented a marked improvement over the month of November during which 84 accidents occurred, of which 23 were avoidable. This improvement, no doubt, is the result of experienced pilots with over 100 hours in the air forming the backbone of all the units.
RESUME OF ACCIDENTS
Avoidable Accidents
1. There were six avoidable accidents this last month.
a. The pilot of a Shorthorn, with over 7 hours of experience, seriously damaged the undercarriage on landing. He had failed to land at as fast a speed as possible as recommended in the Aviation Pocket Handbook.
b. A B.E.2 stalled and crashed during an artillery exercise. The pilot had been struck on the head by the semaphore of his observer who was signaling to the gunners.
c. Another pilot in a B.E.2 failed to get airborne, by an error of judgment, he was attempting to fly at midday instead of at the recommended best lift periods, which are just after dawn and just before sunset.
d. A Longhorn pilot lost control and crashed in a bog near Chipping-Sedbury. An error of skill on the part of the pilot in not being able to control a machine with a wide speed and band of 10 MPH between top speed and stalling speed.
e. While low flying in a Shorthorn the pilot crashed into the top deck of a horse drawn bus near Stonehenge.
f. A B-E-2 pilot was seen to be attempting a banked turn at a constant height before he crashed. A grave error by an experienced pilot.
Unavoidable Accidents
There were 29 unavoidable accidents from which the following are selected:
a. The top wing of a Camel fell off due to fatigue failure of the flying wires. A successful emergency landing was carried out.
b. Sixteen B.E.2's and 9 Shorthorns had complete engine failures A marked improvement over November's fatigue.
c. Pigeons destroyed a Camel and 2 Longhorns after mid-air strikes.
COST OF ACCIDENTS
Accidents during the last three months of 1917 cost 317 pounds, 10 shillings sixpence, money down the drain and sufficient to buy new gaiters and spurs for each and every pilot observer in the Service.
There are safety briefs available for some of these unusual accidents those will be covered in future editions of the newsletter.
No. 1 Brief
No. 912 Squadron, 3 December;1917
Aircraft type B.E.2C, No. KY678, Total Solo - - 4.20
Pilot Lt. J. Smyth-Worthington, Solo in type - - 1.10
The pilot of this flying machine attempted to maintain his altitude in a turn at 2,500 feet. This resulted in the airplane entering an unprecedented maneuver, entailing a considerable loss of height. Even with full power applied and the control column fully back, the pilot was unable to regain control. However, upon climbing from the cockpit onto the lower mainplane, the pilot managed to correct the machine's altitude, and by skillful manipulation of the flying wires successfully side-slipped into a nearby meadow.
Remarks: Although, through inexperience, this pilot allowed his aeroplane to enter an unusual attitude, his resourcefulness in eventually landing without damage has earned him a unit citation.
R.F.C. Lundsford-Magnus is investigating the strange behaviour of this aircraft.
No. 2 Brief
No. 847 Squadron 19 December 1917
Aircraft Type Spotter Balloon J17983, total solo 107.00
Pilot Capt. ***, Solo in type 32.10
Capt * * * of the Hussars, a balloon observer, unfortunately allowed the spike of his full-dress helmet to impinge against the envelope of his balloon. There was a violent explosion and the balloon carried out a series of fantastic and uncontrollable maneuvers, while rapidly emptying itself of gas. The pilot was thrown clear and escaped injury as he was lucky enough to land on his head.
Remarks: This pilot was flying in full-dress uniform because he was the Officer of the Day. In consequence it has been recommended that pilots will not fly during periods of duty as Officer of the Day.
Captain* * * has requested an exchange posting to the Patroville Alps, a well known mule unit of the Basques.
No. 3 Brief
Summary of No. 3 Brief dated October 1917
Major W. de Kitkag-Watney's Neuport Scout was extensively damaged when it failed to become airborne.
The original court of Inquiry found that the primary cause of the accident was carelessness and poor airmanship on the part of a very experienced pilot.
The Commandant General, however, not being wholly convinced that Major de Kitkag-Watney could be guilty of so culpable a mistake, ordered that the court should be re-convened.
After extensive inquiries and lengthy discussions with the Meteorlogical Officer and Astronomer Royal, the Court came to the conclusion that the pilot unfortunately was authorized to fly his aircraft on a day when here was absolutely no lift in the air and could not be held responsible for the accident.
The Court wishes to take this opportunity to extend congratulations to Major de Kitkag-Watney on his reprieve and also on his engagement to the Commandant Gereral's daughter, which was announced shortly before the accident.
FLYING SAFETY TIPS
Horizontal Turns
To take a turn the pilot should always remember to sit upright, otherwise he will increase the banking of the aeroplane. He should never lean over.
Crash Precautions
Every pilot should understand the serious consequences of trying to turn with the engine off. It is much safer to crash into a house when going forward than to sideslip or stall a machine with engine trouble.
Passengers should always use safety belts, as the pilot may start stunting without warning. Never release the belt while in the air, or when nosed down to land.
Engine Noises
Upon the detection of a knock, grind, rattle or squeak, the engine should be at once stopped. Knocking or grinding accompanied by a squeak indicates binding and a lack of lubricant.
WATCH THAT FIRST STEP
The First Marine Air Wing had this write up in their safety publication, Wing Tips of an AAR board's comments some 40 years ago:
It was conceded by all that the pilot had accomplished a brillant piece of work in landing his disabled machine without damage under the circumstances. It is not with intent to reflect less credit upon his airmanship, but it must be noted that he is a well experienced aviator with over 40 total hours in the air, embracing a wide veriety of machines, and this was his seventh forced landing due to complete failure of the engine.
It was doubly unfortunate that upon alighting from his machine he missed the catwalk on the lower airfoil and plunged both legs through the fabric, straddling a rib, from which he received a grievous personal injury.
Some thought should be devoted to a means of indentifying wing-traversing catwalks to assist aviators in disembarking from their various machines.