Brought to you by
A Publication of the Fresno Flight Standards District Office - (209) 487-5306
Well, now that we have survived another "foggy" and "soggy" winter here in the central valley, we aviators are looking forward to some clearing skies, fresh bellowing clouds and almost unlimited visabilities. What a beautiful day to fly you say, but gee, the last time I flew around the patch was last October. Do you think it would be prudent to at least practice as the British used to say: "a few circuits and bumps"? Well, if you've been out of the cockpit since last October (over 90 days) you are required by regulation before carrying passengers, to have at least completed three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category, class and type (if a type rating is required). Also, before carrying passengers, to fly at night, you must have completed the same three takeoffs and landings at night AND each landing must be to a full stop.
"My buddy, owns a Cessna 310 and he lets me fly it once in awhile as PIC alone with my wife to go to lunch at Porterville. If I'm 90 days current in my C-172, doesn't that meet the requirements for the 310?"...............NOT! Remember a C-172 is a single-engine airplane (class) vs. the C-310 multi-engine airplane (class).
Now you can get that
recurrent spring training
by attending an Aviation
Safety Seminar
scheduled near your local
airport and then setting up some recurrent flight training time with your favorite CFI.
Your CFI will have the details or you can E-mail me and request the Advisory Circular
61-91H PILOT PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM. Copies always available at
seminars. 
According to LAS FSDO SPM, Mr. Richard Hague (formerly of Fresno) the Las Vegas Air Traffic Control (ATC) controllers have been extremely vigilant in "writing up" errant aviators who may have strayed into the Class B airspace that surrounds the city. Many Pilot Deviation reports (PD's) and subsequent enforcement actions could be averted provided the PIC had properly reviewed the airspace boundaries and the proper procedures to enter this extremely busy airspace. Remember, Las Vegas is no small gambling town anymore, the traffic in their airspace includes major airliners (American, Delta, Continential, etc.), military traffic, F-16's, F-117's, KC-135's (Nellis AFB nearby), Grand Canyon Tours, helicopter sightseeing tours and perhaps every type of corporate jet or turboprop made to date from Lear 60's to Conquest II's. Remember, if you can not contact ATC while outside Class B airspace because of radio chatter, HOLD YOUR POSITION, BY CIRCLING. Always remain outside the boundaries of Class B until you hear the magic words from ATC: "November xxxxxx ........Cleared to enter the Class B airspace ........." Then be sure to follow and fly the assigned headings, altitudes and airspeeds required by ATC................... OTHERWISE, expect a certified letter from the LAS FSDO requesting your story as to why ATC "caught" you on radar inside Class B airspace without a clearance and that enforcement proceedings may have to begin.
ACCIDENT STATISTICS-NATIONAL & LOCAL
Were you aware that according to the NTSB's Comparison of U.S. Transportation Fatalities--Years 1995 vs. 1996, that General Aviation had 733 vs. 631 fatalities. Yet, Recreational Boating had 832 vs. 714 fatalities in the respective years. I guess it's better to be airborne rather than water logged! Fresno District Accidents / Incidents /Pilot Deviations 1st Qtr FY98 (Sept.-Dec.'97)
The following data is preliminary only. It is being published exclusively for informational purposes.
| Date | Aircraft Type | Description of Event |
| 09/02/97 | CE-150 | Loss of Power after takeoff. Struck wires (CLG) |
| 09/06/97 | Homebuilt | Fuel Starvation (O42) |
| 09/06/97 | CE-182 | Fuel Starvation (MAE) |
| 10/24/97 | CE-182 | Partial Engine power loss (FAT) |
| 10/25/97 | Lear 23 | Right engine flame out (FAT) |
| 11/17/97 | CE-172 | Engine roughness after takeoff through 2000' (FAT) |
| 11/18/97 | Lear 25 | Altitude Deviation at FL280. Malfunction autopilot |
| 12/02/97 | B-737 | Heading Deviation. Assigned 170, flew 070 |
| 12/12/97 | EMB-120 | Engine flamed out during taxi. Contaminated fuel. |
| 12/22/97 | CE-210 | Nose gear collapsed on landing (FAT) |
| 12/22/97 | PA-28R-200 | Engine failure at 4000 ft near Kerman. No injuries. |
| 12/24/97 | PA-J3 | Struck Power lines while landing. Aircraft destroyed. |
| 12/29/97 | CE-152 | Rough engine @12,500ft. Found cracked exhaust. (MCE) |
Flying to Baja: See how easy it is to Fly Baja. Learn about U.S. and Mexican customs, also valuable tips on avgas and autogas.(Video courtesy of Skycam Productions ©1996)
| 03-5
Madera (MAE) Main Terminal Pilot's Lounge Module 2: Fly Baja: The Pacific Side. Video 1hr 17mins. |
03-12
Bakersfield (BFL) Mercury Flight Center Module 2: Fly Baja: The Pacific Side. Video 1hr 17mins. |
02-19
Merced/Atwater Bld 411 Old Castle AFB Module 2: Fly Baja: The Gulf Side. Video 1hr 24mins. |
02-26
Fresno (FCH) Chandler Admin. Building Module 2: Fly Baja: The Gulf Side. Video 1hr 24mins. |
WINGS AWARDS
| October |
| Mr. Verne Adams | II | Mr. Michael B. Lewis | V | |
| Ms. Sharon Biloff | I | Mr. James N. Murray | IX | |
| Mr. Franklin S. Brown | IX | Mr. Larry Paquette | VII | |
| Ms. Alison Dale | VI | Mr. Richard L. Potter | VI | |
| Mr. Michael H. Davis | VIII | Mr. Wayne Preston | II | |
| Mr. Eugene Enns | VII | Mr. William (Gene) Reid | VII | |
| Mr. James Hallows | IV | Mr. Ted N. Turner | I | |
| Mr. Donald B. Hess | VII | Mr. Sean R. Wilkerson | I | |
| Mr. Masao Kagawa | II | Mr. John Wilson | I |
| November |
| Mr. Franz Benna | VIII | Mr. Ray Remy | III | |
| Mr. Johnny Chaffin | VIII | Mr. Henry B. Ryzebol | I | |
| Mr. Roger H.. Christy | V | Mr. Robert Simonian | III | |
| Ms. LaWanna Clark | IX | Mr. Michael Spiess | IV | |
| Mr. Mark Perkins | I | Mr. Denzle Thompson | II |
| December |
| Ms. Ellen Arnold | IX | Mr. Jon J. Lindskoog | II | |
| Mr. Albert Buccieri | III | Mr. Gregory Alan Mills | I |
ATTENTION CASTLE PILOTS (MER)
It has been brought to our attention that many pilots flying for the first time into Castle have been entering a left downwind for runway 31. Be advised that I/A/W the Airport/Facility Directory (Pg 39) that Runway 31 is published RIGHT Traffic. Always, always check for a segmented circle and / or check the pubs before you fly!
|
SEMINARS ARE FREE All seminars begin at 7:00 p.m. ending at 9:00 p.m. All venues are Fly-In/Drive-In. Restaurants at Porterville, Bakersfield, Fresno and Visalia. No reservations required.Your attendance at this seminar fulfills one of the requirements of the pilot proficiency award program (Wings Program). Completion of the requirements of the Wings Program, as outlined in AC 61-91H, will qualify you to receive a Wings lapel pin, ("Wings pins supplied by AVEMCO Insurance Company"),and a wall certificate. Registration details available at the seminar. For updates, contact the Rancho Murietta FSS,1-800-wxbrief X 315 or or E-mail: JAMES.A.HENRY@FAA.DOT.GOV |
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