Congratulations to:
Steven Price for soloing in August (sorry Steven);
Victor Chu,
Daniel Clark,
David Dolve and
Anthony Harriman for passing their private pilot checkrides;
Ed Georges for adding his instrument rating;
Jeff Cornett and
Chris Haynes for passing their commercial pilot checkrides;
Dave Connell and
Derek Fahrenfeld for getting their multi-engine ratings and
Daniel Sadler,
Chris Stone,
Prabhu Subramanian and
Garry Thomas for winning the monthly drawing of a month's dues or an hour of instruction.
Rental rate decreasing
The price of aviation gasoline is starting to decrease, but not as rapidly as auto gas. The rental rates came down in October and November and it looks like the decrease will continue for a while. The gas prices at Executive airport still are higher than many of the nearby fields. If you are flying at a field that has a gas price lower than Executive, please fill up (or whatever you can take and stay within weight and balance limits)and we will credit anything that you spend on fuel to your flight. If you have trouble using one of our gas cards at Executive airport, please tell the office staff when you come back from the flight, or leave a note on the blue sheet. We're trying to get this problem solved and need to track the times when the cards don't work.
G-1000 172 still for sale
The G-1000 172 that had to be taken off line is for sale. The owner is asking $200,000.00 for the plane which has only about 250 hours on it. One of our members is interested in locating three partners to buy the plane. If you are interested in finding out more about this, please contact Ed.
Please keep you address and telephone number current
If you change your address, telephone number or email, please let us know. If you are on the Flightschedulepro program, make sure that the telephone number there is current as we will call you if your scheduled plane has problems. You can call the office at (916) 427-1888 or email me if you have a change.
Birds, winds and starting the engines
The ducks and geese are migrating and can be a hazard to flight. Keep a good scan going for birds, especially over the delta area and if you can, fly over them if you get close. Birds tend to dive when threatened. As winter approaches, the winds are becoming stronger. It isn't uncommon to have 15-25 knot winds at 1000 feet when they are 5 or less on the ground. Always check weather (and winds aloft), even for local flights as it can change rapidly. As the temperature cools, the engines are harder to start. Try not to prime more than once on the 172s, so that you don't flood the engine and crank down the battery. Don't run the starter from more than 10 seconds and then let the starter motor cool for 30 seconds before trying again. Be prepared for carburetor ice just after start up in the older 172s when it is cold and wet. Use carb heat as necessary if the engine starts to lose RPM after start.
Please also remember to chock the wheels, tie the airplanes down securely, turn off the master switch and put on the control lock after each flight. Even if it's calm and beautiful when you tie down, it may be very windy before the next flight. Thanks.
Frequency change
University Airport (KEDU) has changed it's CTAF/Unicom frequency to 123.075. The old frequency will not be used after 11/20/2008. The airport also has a non-standard pilot controlled lighting for the VASI on runway 34 - click the mic
4 times on 123.075.
Runway closure
Runway 12/30 at Sacramento Executive Airport will be closed from 0700-2100 daily until further notice. The lights on the runway are being updated and it may take several months. Since the winds are often from the north in the winter, expect to use runway 02 and 34 more.
TAF date/time group format to change
The terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) coverage time is being extended to 30 hours. The date/time group of the forecast will be changed, starting on November 5th, due to this extended coverage time. See the following pdf file for an explanation:
http://www.weather.gov/os/aviation/pdfs/30-hr_taf-examples.pdf
Instrument rating and safety pilots
This is an ideal time of year to add your instrument rating. You will be able to get some "actual" instrument time during your training, and be much more comfortable in the clouds after you have the rating. If you would like to see what instrument flying is all about, schedule an hour with an instrument instructor for an introductory instrument flight. If you know an instrument pilot, offer to sit as his "safety pilot" while he practices instrument approaches in visual conditions. You must be a private pilot or better with a current medical and be able to act as pilot in command in the plane in which you act as safety pilot. You must also stay in visual meteorological conditions unless you are instrument rated and current.
