Polaris Composite Squadron Meeting Notes
October 16, 2007
- Al Senese briefed on the Squadron Leadership School. We had 15 students,
7 instructors, and 4 staff. Students received 12
hours of instruction. Attendees were from BET, VDZ, OTZ, EDF, BCV, SEW, FAI,
ENA, and MRI.
- Cadets won a Squadron of Merit Award for 2007 for their outstanding
cadet activities in 2006.
- Jake Bainbridge received a Commanders Commendation
- Terry Teas received a Commanders Commendation
- Jesse Glosser received a Commanders Commendation
- Carl Siebe received a Commanders Commendation
- Membership dues changed effective October 1. Senior Member dues are $67
for new members, and $57 for renewing members. Cadets are $27. $3 of the
dues are returned to the Squadron.
- Kevin briefed on the Commanders Call on Friday.
- Some vehicles are not being maintained. Vehicles should not have a
collection of trash inside between uses. Some aircraft are also not being
maintained to Wing standards. This is from the SI inspection held this past
summer.
- Many squadrons complained about not having aircraft. We were not alone in
our complaint.
- Kevin complained about WMIRS and MIMS. Airframe time is hurting the Wing.
Wing is looking at moving aircraft from squadrons with little use to
squadrons that historically use the planes more to get the times up. Part of
the problem is outlying squadrons are paying $6/gallon or more for avgas.
- C-206 status. Since the propeller blade has to be replaced due to the
recent rock damage, Continental requires the engine be torn down for
inspection. However the engine is coming up on a 12 year required overhaul,
so the rock is accelerating the tear down. It was noted that pilots at the
conference have requested bigger tires on the aircraft to obtain more prop
clearance.
- Christmas Party is coming. Michelle LaRose volunteered to help
organize.
Potential dates are December
4, 11, and 18. The membership selected December 11. Time 6:30 PM. Cost $5 per
person or $10 per family.
- There was a safety stand down this past weekend. If you attended one ofthe
safety events around town, sign in on the list Chuck is circulating.
- DHC-2 Beavers are coming up on an AD on the door posts. It could be a
while before Beavers are through this check. Maintenance is working hard.
- Aircraft availability
- C-172 72.3 hrs/100 hr 22.3 hrs/oil
- C206 ??? hrs/100 hr ??? hrs/oil
(grounded for maint.)
- Phil Dean went to the SLS and Wing Conference and commented that both
had good information.
- Check pilot school is being scheduled in the future.
- The engine temperature gage in the van is not working. Administration
has posted new regulations and forms in the binders.
- Aviation North Expo will be held in Fairbanks this Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday
- Reminder to check the membership renewal date on the computer when you
sign in.
- Safety noted a National Geographic video "Seconds to Disaster"
about communication radio congestion. The Tenarefe accident several years
ago where 2 B-747 aircraft collided on the runway was partly caused by
radio congestion.
- Frank Neil provided the Safety Spiel. He was in Montana this summer when
the Canadian Snowbirds were practicing for an air show. One of the
aircraft crashed and killed the pilot. The aircraft was flying inverted
when the pilot's seat belt released and he could not maintain control of
the aircraft. Frank related two stories of his military flying. In one
incident he was flying a C-124 from California to Kentucky when the
aircraft hit a large downdraft and he hit the ceiling with his head. He
had just returned to the cockpit from the back of the plane and had not
yet fastened the belt. In another incident, while flying a C-141 doing air
drops, they got into wake turbulence from the aircraft in front of them.
In this case Frank had the seat belt loosely fastened, but still got
banged around.. The take home message is that when flying CAP flights,
keep the seat belts fastened and tight.
- Orange polar fleece gloves are for sale at AIH for less than $2. Carl
encouraged everyone to purchase at least one pair for your flight bag.
- Matt noted that SEA is having fog and Cat III conditions, so if you are
planning travel through Seattle you should leave adequate time for
connections.
- Earl Mullins is moving to Idaho, and was supposed to fly his plane out
this past weekend.