Executive Flyers March-April 2008 Newsletter
(916) 427-1888
Congratulations to:
Dan Clark 
for soloing; Ian Lordanich and Alex Iverson for getting their flight instructors licenses; Marko Milicevic for passing his commercial multi-engine checkride; Steve Guenther for passing his commercial single engine checkride; Brad Cuquet and Alex Goetze for passing their instrument checkrides and Gregory Ertl, Ryan Kaneshiro, Richard Markwell and Marko Milicevic for winning the monthly drawing of a month's dues or an hour of instruction.
Introductory flight
Executive Flyers was featured in a "Weekend Adventure" news segment on channel 3 news In February. Ed took the newsman, Brian Hickey, on an introductory flight with a cameraman in the back seat. Here are the article and video:
KCRA Weekend Adventure article. If you know someone who might be interested in learning to fly, recommend them to Executive Flyers. If they join and start flying and list you as their reference on their membership application form, we'll put $60 on your account.
New WAAS capable GPS installed in Warrior AND IN THE TWIN
The owners of N44996 and N2882C have upgraded the Garmin GPS in their airplanes so that it is now accurate to within 2 to 3 meters in both the horizontal and vertical directions. This allows the plane to fly instrument approaches at many airports to close to ILS minimums (currently 250 feet and 3/4 mile) using only the GPS. The OBS connected to the GPS will display glide slope as well as lateral information just like an ILS approach. (VFR pilots please pardon the jargon). IFR pilots NOTE WELL: In order to use the glide slope portion safely, the approach must be published as one that allows vertical guidance (LPV, LNAV+V,etc). The GPS will show a glide slope on many lateral navigation only (LNAV) approaches, but this will not take into consideration possible step down fixes on the approach. Don't use the glide slope that is displayed if the procedure is only charted as LNAV AND you are in instrument conditions. One other difference between this WAAS upgrade and the standard GPS is that if you have selected an approach and chosen the "Vectors to final" option, the "SUSP" indication will appear above the "OBS" button until you are within 45 degrees either side of the inbound course to the final approach fix. The "SUSP" indication will automatically go out when you reach that area. DO NOT press the "OBS" button to turn out the "SUSP" indication in this case. You will fubar your approach and have to reselect and reactivate it if you do.
Birds nests
The house finches are building nests now and love to put them in any dark place, such as on top of the engines. Please check visually and feel between the two cylinders for possible nests before takeoff. They are a fire hazard.
Pilots wanted for local 135 operation flying Cirrus aircraft
FlyIndigo is looking for well qualified pilots to fly Cirrus aircraft in a 135 charter operation between Sacramento and the bay area and central valley. If you might be interested, click here to see the details.
99's flying companion seminar in April
What: Flying Companion Seminar
When: Saturday, April 19, 2008; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Sacramento Executive Airport
6151 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822
Terminal building, 1st floor conference room.
This event is designed specifically for any right-seater who wants to know more about the airplane, flight-planning, radios, weather, airport traffic patterns, and more in an informal atmosphere where questions are welcomed.
Sacramento Valley 99s are conducting this event. Along with the open discussion, participants will receive a workbook to take home with them.
Advance registration is required. Contact Gigi DeBerry at 209-727-3287 or Bobbie Campbell at 916-362-3164 by the April 11 registration deadline for more information and a registration form.
Using the GPS in the planes
A word of caution for those pilots who are GPS savvy and put in "User waypoints." Be careful not to put a waypoint that is already in the database in as a user waypoint. For example, KSAC is in the database. Do not put KSAC in as a user waypoint. This sometimes confuses the GPS as it doesn't know which point to go to if you give it a "Direct to" command.
Return to Executive Flyers Home Page