Polaris Composite Squadron Meeting Notes  
March 27, 2007  

• A Pacific Region wide exercise, Operation Grey Flag, is being conducted 25 March through 4 April. Alaska Wing may get some tasking, so if you are available let Kevin know of your availability.

   

• The Squadron Unit Inspection(SUI) date has been changed to the 28 - 29 April. Kevin requested that all staff positions make themselves available.
  
  
• Kevin participated in a conference call with the Wing Commander and other squadron commanders. One item discussed is the Kotzebue Representative Joule is trying to cut CAP out of the State budget. If you know Rep Joule or know anyone in Kotzebue, your position on funding CAP in the budget should be made known.
  

• Nome squadron is looking for people to go help them with training. Contact Lea if you are interested in helping them. She will help you with the transportation to Nome.
  

• The idea was floated to have a once per year centralized training for all squadrons in the Wing. This would be an opportunity for small squadrons to get with larger squadrons for needed training.
  

• All level one training is now done on the computer. Kevin McClure, John Wahl, and Angie Slingluff will grade the tests. However, a completion of training form (hardcopy) must be signed and sent to National Headquarters before the individual's records are updated with the training completion dates.
  

• Building maintenance. Our water supply froze out under the street. We had to jack hammer out the thaw wire, got the line thawed, and then found out the sewer line was frozen again. Please make sure water is flowing in the sink, and when in the building run a good volume of water down the sewer to thaw any accumulating ice. Water lines are freezing all over Anchorage due to the long cold winter.
  
• All the gridded charts are available in PDF form on our squadron computer and lab top .
  
  Aircraft Availability:
  • C172   ? hrs /100 hour inspection  ? hrs/oil change
  • Beaver ? hrs /100 hour    ? hrs/oil filter change.
    
• Medallion Flyer Program, Steve Franklin, provided a presentation on the Medallion Foundation and the Flyer Program. Glenn Northrup, from the Madallion Foundation was also here tonight. 
  
  The Medallion Foundation program is a way to teach decision making and operational risk management. The program is FREE.

  The main thrust is CFIT avoidance. Less than 20% of accidents are CFIT but they generate 67% of fatal accidents in Alaska.

  31% of accidents are Maneuvering, 24% are Cruise, and 16% are Maneuvering to Reverse course.

  The program provides an Introduction consisting of an application and a King CD on decision making.

  Next is an Orientation class consisting of two training modules totaling 8 hours. Semi-Annually fly 3 hours in an ATD including a CFIT scenario and conduct a Safety Audit. Annually be current in the FAA Wings program, attend 2 approved safety courses, read one safety article,apply the King risk assessment, complete a weight and balance for every flight, and complete 3 runway risk assessments.

  There are benefits to participating in the Medallion program.Upon receipt of the Medallion Card, Alaska Wing CAP will pay up to $200 towards your annual form 5 checkride. Other benefits, Avemco offers a 10% reduction in insurance premiums. ATD rental around town costs $35 to $140/hr. And the best benefit is the program can save lives, your own and others.

  Several supporting businesses provide benefits to participants in the program such as:

  • a $25 certificate towards discount on a flight physical;
  • $10 gift card from Don Jose's restaurant;
  • $25 gift certificate card at Northern Lights Avionics;
  • and 10% off any Learn to Return class.

  Accidents by aircraft

                2005  2004  2003

  PA-18 =    21     17      23

  C-206 =     8     6           6

  C-180 =     8     7           8

  C-185 =     6     6           8

  C-170 =     6     8           5

   

  Primary Factor of accidents
  
  2005
  1 Pilot Induced
  2 Hit Known Object
  3 Loss of Control
  4 Lost Power
  5 Weather

  2006
  1 Pilot Induced
  2 Hit Known Object
  3 Loss of Control
  4 Lost Power
  5 Other than pilot

  The difference between 2005 and 2006 was that weather is no longer in the top 5 causes of accidents.

  Medallion has 13 ATDs scattered around Alaska. This includes a helicopter ATD.

  If you join the training, the next Orientation Class is on April 4 - 5.  Go to the site to get information about the program and other events.  www.MedallionFoundation.org