Another Trip to Art Camp

Plane: N8584B, C-172
Airports: LLU > K33 > LLU

Time: 3.6 hr
Landings: 4

Remarks:
Cross-country, GPS (handheld), Pilotage, VOR
9500 & 8500 ASL, 1 passenger

Comments:
Once more I pointed an aircraft to K33. My second daughter wanted to go to Art Camp, I wanted to fly, so to speak we both won, though I think she only sees it from a utilitarian aspect, where for me it is the experience.

After a slightly delayed departure, a landing at LLU to refresh my skills a little, we headed to 9500 ASL. Bumpy below the cloud layer ~ 5000 ASL, smooth as skill above. I had intended to use Flight Following, however, feeling a little rusty, I passed and concentrated on navigation.

I noted that my handheld GPS unit lost all signal just after I turned at the PYLER gps point. I noted it again on the return trip. (IF my memory serves me correctly, I believe I experienced this last year) This has left me wondering if it something associated with the CANNON MOA airspace.

My first landing at K33 was too high, tried to salvage it, but just had too much energy when I at to runway. We bounced. I quickly decided that I should abort and off we went. Our second landing went much better. I also found that the trip took longer than I had anticipated, which given that K33 didn't have fuel available left me making calculations about the return trip.

Delivering my daughter to the waiting camp director/owner, I then made my back, watching the time of fuel remaining, watching the fuel gages. I also noted that I lost my logsheet. This second have of the trip reminded that I don't have to have all the paperwork to fly. A sectional and the instrument panel are plenty, though the other is always helpful.

I landed with 3h 20 m, and filled with 26 gallons. So I should have had 3 gallons plus the reserve. I counted time on the ground like time in the air, so I had more fuel than expected.

All in all, a good flgiht and I learn something new on each flight.

A Promise Fulfilled

Plane: N8584B, C-172
Airports: LLU > (local)

Time: 1.4 hr
Landings: 3

Remarks:
Pattern work, Pilotage, Turns about a point, TO/Landings

Comments:
I finally followed up on a promise to a couple of young men who completely memorized all of the verses for our Upward devotions this year. I promise them if they did, I would get them into a plane. They really enjoyed themselves. I wanted to take us to NVD, however, a front was coming in and didn't want to take too much of a chance with the clouds coming in.

Woo Hoo, Back in the Air again! ! !

Plane: N8584B, C-172
Airports: LLU (local)

Time: 1.2 hr
Landings: 4

Remarks:
Checkout in 172, steep turns, slow flight power-on/off stalls, to/landings
With Tom Richards

Comments:
After months without wings, it was great to get back in the air with Tom.
N60614 is no longer available for rent, so I was glad to hear that Tom had made arrangements for N8584B.

This 172 is a little older vintage, and I was able to experience manual flaps for the first time. There is a part of me that prefers manual over electric. Just seems like I can 'feel' the flaps more in this plane.

I had forgotten how big a 172 was in comparison with the 150.

This is the first time I have flown OUT of LLU. I've landed here of course, but it is nice to fly so close to the house (~2 miles).

New Badge Requirement for GA Pilots

This is an article published by AOPA before the previous two articles,

Pilots unhappy with TSA security directive,

The bottom line is:

Under the current version of the directive, pilots based at air carrier airports are required to undergo a security threat assessment and receive a security badge in order to continue to have unescorted access to their airports.

How much will we endure before we realize we have sold our freedoms for the chains of slavery, all in the name of safety.

BE

Increased Security in CO Airports

This is another post to the same group:

Guys here is a news article related to the security measure that TSA is taking with GA (General Aviation) at airports with commercial operations.

The link:  Rule seen as badge of anger 

Here is a quote at the end of the article:

Dennis Heap, director of the Front Range Airport, called the directive draconian. "We've just taken a major step in shutting down the nation's general aviation system."

General aviation is the umbrella under which all nonscheduled and nonmilitary aircraft fall. It includes all charter aircraft and privately owned aircraft.

"No one will argue with security, but this is a nation in a lot of hurt. General aviation is a huge economic generator that polices itself very well," Heap said. "Why are we doing this?"

Just food for thought (and perhaps a look at the future)

BE

Impact of General Budget submitted by BO

Presently, I am without wings so I don't have any new log entries.  So instead I am posting some other Aviation related news items.

This is something I posted on a Yahoo! group I'm part of:

Guys,

Here is a link to the web version of an AOPA email, so you can read it for yourself:

General Aviation Serves America 

Here is the quote that caught me attention:

President Obama has submitted his first federal budget, and unfortunately it includes a well-hidden user fee provision that would be devastating for general aviation. At the bottom of page 131 of his budget, a small footnote reads… "Starting in 2011, the budget proposes to replace some aviation excise taxes with direct user charges."

Here is something about user fees in Europe

AOPA President's Position 

This is the part that got my attention, back in 2006:

Such cannot be the case, as a member from our AOPA affiliate in Austria demonstrates by citing user costs: a third class medical, $260; to fly an ILS, $31; the airport landing fee after the approach, $70; a mandatory shuttle ride to the FBO, $5; an arrival security screening, $12; and on and on. "In my situation, it's actually cheaper to fly with the whole family [four tickets] by airline to the States, rent an aircraft for about 30 hours...and have a nice two-week vacation (including costs for hotels and rental car) than flying the same amount of hours in Europe."

The cost estimate is $7,500 in Europe (plus fees) versus a vacation in the United States and 30 hours' rental for $7,200.

This is the reason why two-thirds of all GA activity in the world takes place here — it either has never been able to grow or has been killed in countries that implemented user fees as a means to finance air traffic control. Yet, a recent survey indicates GA contributes $150 billion to our nation's economy.

Just more food for thought.

BE

From Road to Air and back again

I have been watching The Terrafugia for some time wondering when it would reach this phase and eager to see how successful it was.  Apparently, it made it maiden flight March 5, 2009.

Unfortunately, at $194k the price tag is likely to prevent me from ever flying one of these "roadable" airplanes.

December Afternoon Outing

Plane: N60614, C-150
Airports: PTS > LLU > PTS

Time: 2.0 hr
Landings: 8

Remarks:
Pattern work, Pilotage, GPS, No Passengers

Comments:
Finally, back in the air.
I hadn't been in '614 since September.
It was a beautiful and mild December afternoon . Almost too nice, as there was little of any cross. wind, though to knock the dust off it was a wonderful day.

I began by just doing a series of standard landings, trying to do it by the numbers and keep my eyes outside the cockpit looking around. Flying is so much more enjoyable when you enjoy the scenery. I've been reflecting on those guys to get a buzz and relax hunting. While I might enjoy walking in the woods hunting, I feel much more in my element when I push the throttle in and pullback on the yoke, playing in ground effect, learning the 'feel' of the plane.

After about 5 landings (one short, one soft) I decided to head to LLU. I climbed to 3000 ft and tried to stay at +/- 100'. Landed at LLU, flew over our house at about 500' and headed back to PTS. I flew over the Millers at Praise State Park on the way back. Two more landings as the sun was approaching the horizon.

Topped off with some hanger talk' at the terminal,I would Say it was a very good day.

Given my God, my family, and the opportunityto fly, I would say I am anexceptionallyblessed man.