February, 1997

Still soggy? The crystal on your watch the color of Kermit-The-Frog's T-Shirt? Take heart. I saw a big, bright light in the sky around noon the other day. It was too bright to be a coal miner in a parachute and too dim to be Liz Taylor wearing her jewelry.

It's almost Spring. Time to starting thinking about a shake-down to Woodlake for pie and coffee. And by all means, if the weather's clear and the forecast calls for more of the same, go get 'um, Ace. But if you haven't flown recently, you'll need an afternoon in the hangar with (1) your plane and (2) your mother-in-law. I'll explain (2) later.

The air machine been sitting for a while, has it? Plan to spend a couple of hours in your grubbies. Bring a powerful flashlight with brand-new batteries. They'll be dim before you're finished. Climb over it, walk around it and crawl under it. Pull the nose cowl. Look at and touch everything: control cables, electrical and plug wires, fuel, oil and hydraulic lines. Some of those clamps, fittings and seals have torque requirements.

Are the fluid reservoir caps tight? Clean 'em and check the quantity and quality of the fluid. Give close attention to the components of the cabin heater. Carbon Monoxide still remains a Probable Cause in far too many events.

You'll need something like a clear, clean wine bottle for fuel sampling. Get two or three full samples from each drain before you move the airplane. Don't think, every time you empty the bottle, "There goes a $1. There goes a $1. There goes a $1" If, after the first few samples, the fuel isn't clean and bright, don't use it.

Here's where your mother-in-law comes in to the process: have her determine that nothing has taken up residence in the wheel pants that's not part of the Type Certificate. And remind her not to believe everything she's heard about wheel pants being the first place that 'rattlers go to hibernate. When she's finished, check the tire pressures.

Inside the cockpit, move every control, lever and switch before engine start. Anything feel different? Too tight? Too sloppy? Binding?

After the engine is warm and the temperatures and pressures are stabilized, check each radio separately. And as you begin your taxi and check each brake, listen for growls and squeaks even as you remain alert for grabs and asymmetry.

Will there ever be a better time for a tune-up with your CFI than during your first time out of the chute in a while? I don't think so. You've heard me say that when I was averaging 70 hours a month, year-in, year- out, if I went a week without flying, I could tell the difference in my performance. More than two weeks, my crew members could tell the difference; and beyond three weeks, my passengers could tell the difference.

Your A&P or your CFI represent a percentage of your aviation expenditures. A good way for you to maximize your peace of mind and their effectiveness is to take a lot of notes during your first flight after a long lay-off. What gave you pause during your pre-start inspection? During warm-up and taxi? What were your CFI's comments?

Take a close look at your notes when you get home. Any commonality in your CFI's comments (airspeed control, coordinated flight)? Do the items that you noted during pre-flight, run-up, taxi or flight possibly point to a trend? Any questionable items found during pre-flight should be referenced to. Ask your A&P.

Sounds like a convoluted, time-consuming process, doesn't it? It is. It's supposed to be. And the truth is: you don't have to wait for a CAVU day to start. If the TV Weather guy says, "Clearing by Thursday afternoon and the weekend weather is going to be guaranteed beautiful," take the keys to the hangar off the nail on Tuesday, get "Mom" out to the hangar, and set up a Friday appointment with your CFI for the Woodlake Pie-and-Coffee Run.

1997 SAN DIEGO AREA CFI WORKSHOP
RESERVATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED!

This year's workshop will begin April 9th, and continue each Wednesday through June 11th. If you are a certified flight instructor and haven't had a chance to join in before, I guarantee you'll have a fun learning experience. If you have participated in the past, we've got some new wrinkles for your old faces.

The location will be the Southern California TRACON, 9175 Kearny Villa Road, and as always, is free of charge. By moving the workshop to the FAA TRACON we were able to expand this year to a minimum of 35 participants. You may contact Keith Ballenger or Carolyn Schmid at the FAA FSDO to sign-up, at (619) 557-5281 x245 or x254. We will send you a brochure explaining this year's format and logistics, and requesting a confirmation of your intention to attend. Since access to the TRACON is restricted, special procedures have been implemented for you to gain access at one time. So, it's imperative that if you plan to attend, that you show up on time for admission. You snooze, you lose!

3RD ANNUAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAINTENANCE SEMINAR FRIDAY & SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21 & 22 HYATT REGENCY ALICANTE 100 PLAZA ALICANTE GARDEN GROVE, CA 92640 714-750-1234
Sponsored by:	Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Program Lynn's Aircraft Engines, Inc. Tom's Aircraft Maintenance, Inc.
Open to:	Mechanics IA Airmen	Repairmen Repair Stations
Inspection Authorization Renewal Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards
For reservations, contact the San Diego FSDO: (619) 557-5281

SAFETY SEMINARS

Save these announcements and post them
for handy reference

OAKLAND AREA

OAKLAND AREA
WHAT IS THAT GUY DOING
HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT
Decrease your chances of inadvertently instigating a midair or ground collision! Oakland ATC, Helicopter, and Fixed wing instructors discuss the close incounters of helicopters and airplanes sharing the same airspace.
WIN THE RAFFLE FOR A FREE HELICOPTER RIDE DONATED BY SIERRA ACADEMY OF AERONAUTICS
DATE: Mon., Feb. 11, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, Main Bldg., 9465 Earhart Rd. Oakland Airport North Field
SPEAKERS: Betty Stokes (SAA Chief Flight Instructor), Toni Redman and Orrin Schackleford (Oakland Tower ATC), Lindsey Wild Fixed Wing CFI
SPONSOR: Sierra Academy of Aeronautics and Bay Cities 99s
CONTACT: Lindsey Wild 510-521-6720 or ASC John Matula 510-538-4475 or FAA Howard Manning 510-273-7155 X235

LITTLE RIVER AREA
Why airplanes crash: On December 23, an aircraft impacted terrain 20 miles northeast of San Jose, California, aircraft was destroyed and two pilots were fatally injured. On October 2, an aircraft impacted terrain 3 miles east of Petaluma, aircraft was destroyed and four people were fatally injured. On November 8, an aircraft collided with terrain near Arcata, California, the pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries. The risk of being involved in an accident of this type is linked to a number of factors. This safety program will look at ways these and other terrain flight accidents could have been prevented by making us more aware of the risk factors involved.
DATE: Tues., Feb. 4, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: 43300 Little River Airport Road, Woods Retirement Center
SPONSOR: CFI Andy Becker and CFI Dick Ahern, Little River Airport
CONTACT: ASC Sinet " Chuck" Simon 707-456-0500 or FAA Howard Manning 510-273-7155

LODI/STOCKTON AREA
Why airplanes crash
DATE: Wed., Feb. 26, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: ADVANCED HELICOPTER. 6120 South Lindbergh St., Stockton
SPONSOR: ASC and Tutt Aviation and Advanced Helicopter
CONTACT: ASC Rick Tutt 209-478-6075 or FAA Howard Manning 510-273-7155

OAKLAND AREA
Bay Cities 99's to hold a RIGHT SEAT
SEMINAR in April
DATE: April 5, 1997 all day Saturday
LOCATION: Oakland Airport
SPONSOR: Bay Cities 99's
CONTACT: Marge Carmine, 415-435-3831 or eMail ZESW10A2PRODIGY.COM

SALINAS (SNS) WATSONVILLE AREA

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE - a guide for the owner/pilot;
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar
DATE: Fri., Feb 7, 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION: Airport Conference Room, upstairs, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPEAKER: Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
FLYING COMPANION SEMINAR - demystify aircraft operations inside and out - make flying experience enjoyable - develope flying companions as a cockpit resource
DATE: Sat., Feb. 15, 8:45 A.M. to 4 P.M.
LOCATION: Air Trails flight training facility, Salinas Municipal Airport
SPEAKERS: a variety of fine speakers selected by the sponsor
SPONSOR: Monterey Bay Ninety-Nines
CONTACT: for reservations and information, Kay Harmon (408) 424-0051
Space is limited. Reservations are required.

WATSONVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
AIRPORT EMERGENCY PLANNING; Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar
DATE: Wed., Feb. 26, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Fire Station #2, 370 Airport Blvd., Watsonville (on airport)
SPEAKER: Don French, Watsonville Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Watsonville Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Airport attendant or, Don French (408) 728-6075

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
METAR/TAF - the new aviation weather reporting system; Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar
DATE: Fri., Mar. 7, 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION: Airport Conference Room, upstairs, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPEAKER: Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214

SAN CARLOS AREA

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
DATE: Sat., Feb. 1, 10 A.M. - Noon
LOCATION: Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Terry Medeiros, Aviation Maintenance Technician, Airwest
SPONSOR: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Diamond Aviation dispatcher or Karen Toland (415) 591-7611
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
FLYING IN AUSTRALIA - and other remote area flying techniques
DATE: Wed., Feb. 19, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club, 701 Skyway Blvd. San Carlos Airport
SPEAKER: Mark Plamer, Australian CFI:AIM & West Valley Flying Club member
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club dispatcher or, Arian Sorkhabi (415) 595-5912

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
TRANSITING TRAVIS AIRSPACE
DATE: Sat., Mar. 1, 10 A.M. - Noon
LOCATION: Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Eugene Jiggits, Air Traffic Control Specialist, Travis Approach Control
SPONSOR: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Diamond Aviation dispatcher or, Karen Toland (415) 591-7611
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

SAN LUIS OBISPO AREA
MOUNTAIN FLYING AND DENSITY ALTITUDE - high altitude low performance takeoffs and landings
DATE: Tue., Mar. 11, 6:30-9 P.M.
LOCATION: San Luis Obispo Veterans Memorial Building, 801 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo
SPEAKERS: speaker tba
SPONSORS: San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Program and, The contributors to the SLO-FAA Safety Program Fund
CONTACT: Patrick Duncan (805) 466-9725 or, Alan Yecny (805) 541-1038
NOTE: If flying in for seminar, call one of the above contacts for transportation from the airport to Vet's Hall

PALO ALTO AREA

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
MULTI-ENGINE FLIGHT TRAINING AND YOU; IS THIS DISCIPLINE FOR YOU?
DATE: Wed., Feb. 12, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100, Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: Arian Sorkhabi, West Valley Flying Club CFI
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club dispatcher or, Arian Sorkhabi (415) 856-2030

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
FLYING THE BAY TOUR - from the controller's perspective
DATE: Wed., Mar. 12, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100, Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: (tba) one of Bay TRACON's finest
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club dispatcher or, Arian Sorkhabi (415) 856-2030

SAN JOSE AREA

REID HILLVIEW AIRPORT
FLIGHT PLANNING USING DUAT
DATE: Thurs., Feb. 6, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Nice Air (NE side of airport), 2575 Robert Fowler Way
SPEAKER: Russ Todd local CFI
SPONSOR: Nice Air
CONTACT: Nice Air dispatch (408) 729-3383 or, Mike Shiflet (408) 541-1324

SAN JOSE INT'L AIRPORT
THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AND AVIATION SAFETY
DATE: Thurs. Feb. 13, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport), 1144 Coleman Ave.
SPEAKERS: speaker tba
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Trade Winds dispatcher, Rod Thrasher or, Dave Finn (408) 298-9161

SAN JOSE INT'L AIRPORT
WHAT'S THAT SYMBOL MEAN? - reading aeronautical charts
DATE: Tues., Feb. 25, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: American Flyers ground training facility, San Jose Jet Center, 1250 Aviation Avenue, Suite #190,
SPEAKER: Dave Englehart, Chief Pilot, Hewlett-Packard flight department and CFI
SPONSORS: American Flyers
CONTACT: American Flyers dispatcher, Darryl Hanamura or, Fred Abrams (408) 297-2123

SAN JOSE INT'L AIRPORT
FLY THE GPS - a practical application
DATE: Thurs., Feb. 27, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: General Aviation Terminal Building (Southeast end of airport)
SPEAKER: Dave Henderson, local CFI
SPONSORS: Squadron 2 Flying Club
CONTACT: Jeff Faulkner (408) 275-0300 or, (408) 943-1727

SAN JOSE AREA
Meteorology 185, AVIATION WEATHER HAZARDS -
Turbulence, Thunderstorms, icing, Instument Meterorological Conditions
DATES: Tues. February 28May 20, 6 - 8:45 P.M.
LOCATION: San Jose State University, Duncan Hall, Room 614 (San Salvador @ 5th St.)
SPEAKER: Walter J. Strach, Jr., Meteorologist in Charge, FAA Oakland ARTCC @ Fremont
SPONSOR: San Jose State University, Meteorology Department
CONTACT: for reservations and information - (408) 924-5200
Space is limited. Reservations are required. Must have completed Met. 110 or a class in general meteorology AND at least 50 hours of flight time OR instructor's permission

REID HILLVIEW AIRPORT
AVIATION SPRING TUNE-UP - getting ready for a new season of flying
DATE: Thurs., Mar. 6, 7- 9 P.M.
LOCATION: Nice Air (NE side of airport), 2575 Robert Fowler Way
SPEAKER: speaker tba
SPONSOR: Nice Air
CONTACT: Nice Air dispatch (408) 729-3383 or, Mike Shiflet (408) 541-1324

SAN JOSE INT'L AIRPORT
SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM THE AUTOMATIC FLIGHT SERVICE STATION
DATE: Thurs., Mar. 13, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport), 1144 Coleman Ave.
SPEAKER: (tba) one of Oakland AFFS's finest
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Trade Winds dispatcher, Rod Thrasher, or, Dave Finn (408) 298-9161

SACRAMENTO AREA

REDDING AREA
"A Talk With ATC"
Date: Tues., Feb. 11, 7 P.M.
Location: IASCO Flight Center, Redding Municipal Airport.
Sponsor: IASCO.
Contact: Garry Pohrman (916) 222-0100

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Preventive Maintinence for Pilots with Don Green of the Sacramento FSDO." Find out what you have always wanted to know about taking care of an aircraft if you are the pilot.
Date: Thurs., Feb. 13, 7 P.M.
Location: Sacramento Executive Airport, Airport Conference Room, Sacramento
Contact: FAA (916) 422-0272

GRASS VALLEY AREA
"On Landings Part I and Aircraft Icing."
Date: Wed., Feb. 19, 7 P.M.
Location: Nevada County Airpark, Airport Administration Building, Grass Valley
Sponsor: Alta Vista Aviation, Chase Air Unlimited
Contact: John Bauer (916) 272-8595

CHICO AREA
"The 17 Most Popular Ways To Fall Out Of The Sky Parts 3 & 4."
Date: Tues., Feb. 25, 7 P.M.
Location: Chico Airport, Airport Terminal Building, Chico
Sponsors: Pacific Flight Services, Mt. Shasta 99's
Contact: Diane Schneeweis or Linda Patrick (916) 893-6727

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Operation Takeoff" A three hour program that covers the services available from an Automated Flight Service Station. You'll learn how the system works and how to obtain the greatest user benefit. A Facility tour is included.
Date: Call Ahead For Exact Dates - 9 A.M. to Noon, Saturday
Location: Rancho Murieta AFSS, 14670 Cantova Way, Suite 101, Rancho Murieta
Sponsor: Rancho Murieta AFSS
Contact: Randy Colvin (916) 354-0161 ext. 138
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

FRESNO AREA

Module 1: The Fresno Flight Standards District Aviation Safety Program for 1997. A review of the accidents, incidents, pilot deviations and events of 1996. What's new for 1997. Answers to your questions.

Your opportunity to complete this sentence: I spent my winter _______________ Prize for the best answer: you get to go back to the small numbers on your airplane, scud-run to the Bay Area and, showing motorists the dirty side of your machine, fly under the bridge of your choice.

BAKERSFIELD
Thursday the 13th at 1900
Anton's BFL Restaurant

ATWATER/MERCED
Thursday the 20th at 1900
Bldg 411 at MER (formerly Castle AFB)

FRESNO
Thursday the 27th at 1900
Fresno Chandler Admin Bldg

All venues are Fly-In/Drive-In. Restaurants at Bakersfield and Fresno. No reservations required. Never a fee. All FAA Safety Seminars satisfy the requirements of AC-61.91; the Pilot Proficiency Awards Program; WINGS

WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

OAK FSDO
PHASE I
Wilfred Thorne
Brian Winterberg

PHASE II
Andrew Nicoll
Geoffrey Hand
Jennifer Smillie
Sharon Benseh

PHASE VII
James Long

SJC FSDO
PHASE I
Roger Capwell
William Cochran, Jr.
Kevin Foley
George Gould
Hasher Khan
James Lunsford
Richard Mittermaid
Pat Van Mullem
Russell Todd

PHASE II
Farhad Azarinfar
Brian Conley
Robert Garcia
Andrew Farrankop
Nicholas Gardella
Darryl Hanamura
Theodore Kalman
Howard Phillips
Mary Piramoon

PHASE III
Augustus Armstrong
Vance Cochrane
Judith Fisher
Kenneth Hahn
Theodore Lowpensky
John Sutton
Andrew Trujillo
Scott Winter

PHASE IV
Deborah Cunningham

PHASE V
Richard Girard
Cameron Rolfe

PHASE VII
Judy Pantages

SAC FSDO
PHASE I
Ronny Hill
William Perry
Garry Sease

PHASE II
Edward Charlton

PHASE III
Carol Andrews
Harper Lowe

PHASE V
Bverly Wilcox

PHASE VI
Milton Eberle

FAT FSDO
PHASE 1
Raul Sanchez

PHASE 2
Augie Paollercio
Robert Simonian

PHASE 3
Judith Carrillo
Tomas Carrillo

PHASE 4
Roger Christy
David Hatch

PHASE 6
Eugene Enns

PHASE 7
Franz Benna