Polaris Composite Squadron Meeting Notes  
January 16, 2007  

• Ken Nessler is the new commander of the SE Squadron. Congratulations.
  
  
• A printout of expiring tasks will be posted on the reading board for you to review and determine what tasks may be coming up for renewal.
  
  

• BEWARE - There has been an unauthorized use of CAP insignia & e-mail list. A letter was sent to Capt James Deuvall, CAP regarding a recent unauthorized transmission. The message entitled "CAP Mission Pilot Standardized Software" was sent without authorization from CAP and, by it's title, is at first misleading in suggesting that CAP has accepted the software he is marketing as a standard for CAP - it is not. Later in his message he adds "If incorporated nationally," and "We believe national adoption should begin. . . ." acknowledging that it is not the standard.

  This is an inappropriate approach to market a product to CAP. Typically, the process begins with CAP establishing a "capabilities requirement" through the National Commander's appropriate deputy chief of staff followed by development of specifications and publication of requests for proposals through multiple competitors. This was not done in this case and we cannot vouch for this product.
  
  

• 2007 Pacific Region Staff College will be held at Nellis Air Force, May 19 - 25th. Information will be posted on the reading board for anyone interested in attending.  Click here for the registration information.
  
  
• Commander Kevin McClure went through our OAG inspection report. All staff positions that did not show up for the inspection got an unsatisfactory. Positions that did show received marginals to satisfactory. For more information and details, please see the Commander.
  
  
• There is going to be a change in the squadron's financial procedures.   All squadron funds must be turned in to Wing. A Wing supplement to CAPR 173-1 has been received. The new regulation is called, "The Wing Banking Solution". This follows the Virginia Wing model, but is somewhat controversial. If you expend money on behalf of the Squadron, to gas up the snow plow as an example, you must submit an AK Wing Form 9-Request for Reimbursement to get a reimbursement check written by Wing. Our squadron finance officer must submit an AK Wing Form 8 - Receipt for Assets with each deposit. The transfer to Wing must be complete by February 28. Contact Kevin if you are interested in reading the new regulation. Regarding the new finance procedure, please make all checks to the squadron payable to CAP AK015.
  
  
• The Deputy Commander is at a Wing conference call. Will report next week on the discussion.
  
  
• Skies are going to be placed on the Beaver
  
  

• Aircraft Availability

  • C-172   11.1 hrs/oil   61.1 hrs/100 hr

  • DHC-2   13.9 hrs/oil filter   63.9 hrs/100 hr

  • GA8   (not available)
    
    

• Tentative plan for a ski clinic on Feb 9, 10,11
  
  

• The Wing Guided exercise will be Saturday, May 12, 2007. There is a plan for practice exercises in April and May. Kenai will be the base of operations. Staff is needed for the practice exercises and the guided exercise.
  
  

• SmartCards for Merrill Field gates are going to be upgraded. These smart cards, to remotely open the security gates, have a small battery embedded within the card. If the battery dies, the card must be replaced. Currently the airport management will not replace any cards until sometime in March due to changes in the system.
  
  

• Professional Development - February 10th , Aerospace Career day for young women in high school, from 0900 - 1600. Angie will provide more information at next meeting.
  
  

• Reminder-  this is a new year so our annual squadron dues is due. The $15 annual fee pays for the ongoing expenses of the squadron. $15.
  
  
  

• Safety Spiel - Chuck Berns has several Flyer bulletins that he provides to the squadron. They are on the large table in the squadron. You are welcomed to take one home for your reading pleasure. 
  
  CAP is required to conduct an annual briefing on safety issues. Chuck reviewed form CAP 26 - CAP Safety Improvement or Hazard Report. 
  
  The CAP SAFE 2006 program is still in effect. Not may people have apparently sent in safety suggestions to capsafe@cap.gov <mailto:capsafe@cap.gov>. If you have a safety suggestion, email it to national.

  We receive the Safety Sentinal once a month. We only have one copy and it is posted on the bulletin board by the front door. It is also available on the National CAP website.
  
  This past November, CAP received  three CAP form 78s. These are incident reports. Chuck briefed all three reports.
  
  Form 8740-5, FAA Safety form which is similar to our CAP-26. You can report any safety issues to the FAA.
  
  FAA now has a new FAA Fast system. The Wings program is still available through FAST. Wing cards are available in the squadron. Once you complete the Wings requirements, you can submit your completed card to Roy Mann, FAA Safety Team, 222 W. 7th Ave. #14, Anchorage, Ak 99513, (907)271-5480. The Wings program also applies to your Bi-annual Flight Review.
  
  NASA report - if a pilot, mechanic, or dispatcher suspects they may have committed a violation of an FAA regulation or may have caused a safety situation, submit a NASA form. This action will provide some level of immunity from penalties, but the violation will still be on your record.