February 2008 CPA newsletter

NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held Sunday February 10th At Jim and Margaret's Hanger as outlined in the message from our President. So bring something for the grill if you wish and a dish to share.

The February meeting will feature Woodrow in discussing non-tower airport procedures and we will have a discussion and a Q & A afterward. This is deemed a proper topic resulting from the recent tragedy at our airport and is just a refresher for those of us who tend to become complacent in our flying.

The open house to show Classical Aircraft displays will be from 10AM until 2PM for the group display  along Aviation Drive and the open hangers display will continue until 4:30 PM. Plan on displaying your aircraft. This is an excellent opportunity to share with the community and to create interest in the airport and in flying, so let's all participate as much as we can.

LAST MEETING
The Corona Pilot's Association meeting was called to order by our President, Jim Nunally January 13, 2008 at 5 PM.

The minutes of the December meeting were read and approved.

The treasurers report was given by Dennis Voll and was approved.

Jim thanked Nabil Wareh for donating $100.00 for the purchase of Airpots for our coffee maker. Nabils gracious contribution will be enjoyed by all the club members.

Jim recognized our visitors and we had 4 new members join

Old Business: There was much discussion about the Airfaire, Jim asked for a volunteer to chair this event. As we did not have anyone to volunteer, this will be tabled for the February meeting. There's simply not enough people who have the time to do the heavy amount of work required to put this event on each year. If there are not enough members to commit to the airfaire then CPA will not be able to sponsor the event. CPA can provide substantial support for the event, but may not be able to take the lead.

The decision on the sale of the lift and tow was not approved.  This is be discussed again at our February meeting.

Painting by George has painted a CPA sign to be placed at the gate entrance. A motion was made and approved that we pay George $50.00 for this sign.

We have Antique Display Flags for sale. The flags are $50.00 each.  This flag is to flown on Antique Display day from your hangar. Installation is free. If you would like to buy a flag see Jim Nunally.

No scholarship update was given.

The meeting was adjourned with good food and fellowship following.

FROM THE PREZ
I have two issues to address this month, one is a sad event and the other is a happy event.

We all know by now of the tragic accident at our airport this month of a mid-air collision where five people lost their lives. This has a devastating effect on all those directly associated with these five families and also with each of us as these were fellow pilots and as such a part of our flying family. We must never forget just how fast such an accident can happen. Please, please, please be careful, courteous and alert while flying.

Now for the good news. Our January CPA meeting had 47 in attendance including four new members. There were not enough chairs and not enough space in our meeting room. Because we expect more to attend the February meeting, we will make adjustments to accommodate everyone in a comfortable manner. The February meeting will be in hangar 1967 - H (Margaret's hangar). If you have a folding chair please bring it. Woodrow will present our program this month and it will be a refresher on safety at uncontrolled airports with a discussion and a Q&A to follow. Remember our new meeting time is 2:30 and the program will be first followed by the monthly business meeting then the food. The program is limited to 20 minutes, the monthly business meeting will be limited to 60 minutes (hopefully less) and the food has no time limit. Remember this is still a pot luck function but this time we will have the grill for anyone who may wish to cook a steak, burger, hot dog, etc. to have with the usual pot luck dishes.  Some of the first timers or visitors may not bring a dish so don't be afraid to bring a little extra. On a related note, the 10AM airplane display on February 10 will have an airplane related swap meet table set up. If you have anything that may be considered airplane related and you would like to sell it, bring it out and just maybe someone will be looking for "one of those things".

NEWS YOU REALLY NEED

Words cannot express the sorrow and sadness the aviation community is experiencing in the light of a mid air collision of two airplanes believed to be operating in or near the traffic pattern on Sunday January 20th. One of the aircraft was from the Corona Flight Academy  and though the two pilots' were not well known on the airport they belong to our community and we mourn their loss. The following information about the two local airman has been summarized from obituaries posted on the web site.

Bandon Johnson: Brandon acquired his heavenly wings on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at the tender age of 24

As a child, Brandon said, "I was put on this earth to fly airplanes." He lived that dream until the very end.

When Brandon talked about airplanes and flying airplanes he exuded a magnetic energy and a contagious enthusiasm.  Brandon was truly inspired and in his life's pursuit; he could not wait to get up every morning to do what he loved to do, 'fly airplanes and talk about flying airplanes.'As Dr. Wayne Dyer said, living an inspired life means you live "in spirit."

Blessed are the ones who know and live their passion and purpose in life. You don't see that every day.

Brandon's journey began on November 21, 1983 in Seaside, California. During Brandon's formative years he attended schools in: Lake Forest, Monterey, California, Falls Church, Virginia, Okinawa, Japan and Quantico, Virginia

Brandon's thirst for education and flying led him to receive a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Utah State University in 2004 and a Masters in Business Administration from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois in 2006.

Brandon earned his private pilot license in November 2007 and was successful on the Advanced Instrument Rating Test. He actually passed his instrument check ride on the day of the accident. Brandon was on a fast track to attain his commercial pilot certification in March 2008; however, God had a higher plan for his life. Ultimately, Brandon was awarded his heavenly wings so he could soar with God's angels above.

Brandon is survived by his father, William Clayton Johnson, a retired Colonel of Marines; his mother, Brenda Lewis, a school teacher; and his brother, Jameil William Lewis Johnson, a law school student at the USC Gould School of Law in Los Angeles California.

If you are desirous of making a contribution to the Brandon William Lewis Johnson Memorial Fund, request that all contributions be sent to the following address:

Brandon William Lewis JohnsonMemorial Fund
c/o Isciner Robinson122 Greenbriar Court
Jacksonville, North Carolina 28540

Additionally, Brandon's life can't be measured simply in terms of years, but rather by how fulfilling, rich, and satisfying his life was. He leaves behind loving parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends, all of whom feel privileged to have had him in their lives, however brief the moment The family is requesting that Brandon's family and friends call into the following number and leave a commemorative voice message for his family.   The message can include favorite stories, the word, phrase or quality would you utilize to characterize your interactions with Brandon. The call in number to leave your commemorative message is follows: 703-652-7799

Tony Guzman did not actually fly out of Corona gut did frequent the Air Corona operation and was a close friend of several Air Corona staffers.

As found in the Hesperia Star:

Anthony Joel Guzman, 20, passed away Jan. 20, 2008. Anthony came into this world on May 10, 1987, born to proud parents Daniel Gilbert Guzman and Teresa Elizabeth Guzman. He was the best Mother's Day gift they could have asked for. Anthony continued to be a gift to all who had the pleasure of knowing him during his short time here with us.

Anthony lived most of his life in Hesperia, where he attended Cottonwood Elementary, Mesquite Trails, Hesperia Junior High, and Hesperia High School, where he graduated in 2005. He was involved in football and track and field.

Known as "Guz" to his buddies, Anthony was an all around great guy. He was voted "Best Smile" by his senior class. He was passionate about many things in life, including family, friends, football and flying. He received his private pilot's license, his instrumental license, and was working toward his commercial pilot's license to become a flight instructor. He also acquired his AS degree at Mount San Antonio College and worked for Stanley Pest Control in Anaheim. He was very ambitious and always stayed focused and enthusiastic about his goals.

Anthony is survived by his parents, Daniel and Teresa Guzman; sister Emily Brooke Guzman, of Hesperia; grandparents Domingo and Dolores Guzman, of Rancho Cucamonga; grandmother Mary Lee McIntyre, of Albuquerque, N.M.; great-grandmother Lydia Rojas ,of Rancho Cucamonga; and a very large extended family, including numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Our angel is now in heaven and will be deeply missed.

A fund has been established by the family: Donations can be made to any Pomona First Federal to the Anthony Guzman Memorial Fund

This was not the only accident involving the airport family during January.

Dennis Heidebrecht crashed his Corsario in the Canyon Lake/Perris area on Thursday January 11th. There is little information available on this accident however we extend our Sympathies to the Heidebrecht family.

Dennis was located on the west end of the field in one of the red hangers and was active in the EAA chapter and had build the Corsario himself.

And then more info

It is the rainy season and we have had several rains so it seems there is a lot of discussion about flooding and what to do if the water is rising to the point that action is required. Though the information is somewhat late for this season it will be saved and used again in the fall of the year.

The City is required to assure the Corps of Engineers that in the event of major flooding the airport could and would be evacuated within twenty four hours thus each user need to be aware of conditions and of their individual responsibilities.

In the event of possible flood event the Airport Manager will issue an evacuation order to each master Leaseholder and the master leaseholder in turn will attempt to notify each tenant so it is important that your leaseholder has your current contact information and a key to your hanger.

CPA will attempt to assist the master leaseholders in notifying our members that we have e-mail address for and information will be posted on the web site as time and circumstances permit.

There are simply too many variables for a certain criteria to be established when such an order will be issued. It depends on the rate of rainfall, the length of rainfall. The amount of saturation of the existing soil, the amount of snowmelt, in the higher elevations, the rate water is able to be released from the dam and a host of other matters.

Keep several important items in your thoughts. 

1. Based on requirements issued by City Hall the airport will be closed when backup water reaches the runway on the west end of the field. At that point no one will be allowed to fly in or out of AJO. Water gets on the runway at 515 MSL.

2. If the water is rising and if the weather forecast and the estimated fill rate of the reservoir made by the Corps appears to indicate that a flood event is probable the airport manager will attempt to issue an early warning to the master leaseholders to enable those who wish to fly their planes out can do so, hopefully, while there is VFR conditions.

3. When in the Judgment of the Airport Manager, a flood event is eminent the Manger will issue an actual evacuation order. If an evacuation order is issued you should be able to empty your hanger within twenty-four hours. Each tenant should develop their own evacuation, know where you can borrow or rent equipment to quickly evacuate your equipment.

4. In the last forty years there have only been three events when the water reached the area around the midfield fueling station and five events where the water neared 520 feet.  When the improvements are completed in about two years the Corps will be able to release substantially more water than they can at the present time.

5. While we hope we will not experience any flood event for some time we must nevertheless be vigilant during the rainy season and act accordingly.

You can find much flood information on your own through the CPA web site.
1. Open the web site Corona Pilots.com
2. Click on RESOURCES
3. Scroll down to the instructions for using the links/

While those links work each and every time...the following was contributed by BBS member "Super Viking" and sure is a lot handier (Thank You!). However, time will tell if it's reliable : Direct link to Prado Water Level
http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/cgibin/cgiwrap/zinger/rescal_cmd_last.cgi?prdo+24+line

Other contributions from "SuperViking"
Radar anyone (You can zoom-in)  http://tinyurl.com/yp2ld5
METARs (with KAJO at the top)  http://www.weathermeister.com/free/index.jsp

Last call for filing exemptions for your classical aircraft Your form must be filed before February 15th in order to be eligible for the exemptions from personal property tax for your 35 year airplane.

ACS ISSUED FOR MCCAULEY PROPS ON C-15-152 and PIPER PA-11

The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Concern Sheet for McCauley Propeller Systems, Inc. model 1A103/TCM[XXXX] propellers, which are installed on (but not limited to) Cessna 150/152 series, Piper PA-11 aircraft. The ACS says that two reports of propeller hub cracks found during inspection at first overhaul have been found since the issuance of an airworthiness directive for a cracked prop in 2003. Both of the propellers cited lie also outside of the serial numbers listed in both the AD and McCauley Service Bulletins 169C and 221C, FAA reports.

What's more, the latest cracked propellers had significantly less Time-in-Service (TIS) than the first low-time propeller that prompted the AD. The cracks appear in the hub area, in the mounting bolt holes, and extend to the hub exterior surface.

The FAA is requesting specific comments and examples from people experienced with current AD2003-12-05 and SAIB NE-05-61 the propellers. Comments are due by February 29, and can include proposed alternate inspections, inspection time to 1500 hours and; · Increases the repetitive inspection interval. The potential exists for propeller separation due to hub fatigue McCauley Propeller Systems has issued ASB221D, a revision to the Service Bulletin that  Includes all propeller serial numbers; Reduces the initial inspection time to 1500 hrs and increases the repetitive interval.

The potential exists for propeller separation due to hub fatigue cracking, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is requesting specific comments and examples from people experienced with current AD2003-12-05 and SAIB NE-05-61 the propellers. Comments are due by February 29, and can include proposed alternate inspections, cost impact, etc. Send comments to Contact Jeff Janusz, Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, ACE-116W, 1801 Airport Rd., Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209 316-946-4148, jeff.janusz@faa.gov

USER FEES ARE STILL UNDER SENATE CONSIDERATION.
While the FAA funding issue took a holiday break along with Congress, now that the Senate is back in session, user fees are once again on the table. That's because the Senate has yet to reconcile its two versions of an FAA funding bill; the "tax bill" (S.2345) from the Finance Committee, and the "authorization bill" (S.1300) out of the Commerce Committee. AOPA and the general aviation community are adamantly opposed to the $25-per-flight user fee on turbine aircraft in S.1300.