Polaris Composite Squadron Meeting Notes  
March 04, 2008 

• Ellen Paneok passed away on March 2. She had been very ill for several months. A memorial service has been planned for March 15 at the Aviation Heritage Museum at 9 PM. Ellen was a good friend of aviation, and a talented speaker and story teller.
  
• Lou Jenks has been promoted to Captain.
  
  
• Merrill Field Management sent out a recommendation to not use fractured gravel or sand when putting down material for traction on our wicked ice. Use find sand the consistency of masonry sand.

   

• The Merrill Field Advisory Commission meeting has been postponed until March 7 at the UAA Aviation Technology building at noon.
  
  
• The following members will have their memberships expire in less than 30 days:
          
  • Lucas Demont, 
  • Bob Esper, 
  • Jim Gray, 
  • Melanie Hancock, 
  • Rick Mingo,
  • Bob Price, 
  • Ken Thompson, 
  • David Wade, 
  • Charles Wainwright, 
  • John Williams.
    

  Here is the complete list - Explist

   

• Udo has arranged for a SAREX in April. Stay tuned for details.

   

• Don Stedding debriefed on his trip to Kodiak Island in support of Operation Arctic Care. He and Udo flew the beaver to several villages around the Island. They also delivered 1,600 pounds of medical supplies.

   

• Remember April 9-13 is a Unit Commanders Course. Please consider if you have aspirations of ever becoming a unit commander.
  
  
• Aircraft availability
  
  • The C-172 we currently have, will be going to Kenai. We will get the C-172 that Kenai currently has so we can fly off the hours.
    
  • The Beaver is in Kodiak.
    
  • The C-206 still has engine operating limitations.

   

• Charlie has been in the hospital. He is supposed to be released tomorrow. As he nears 100 years young, he is finding getting old is not for sissies.

   

• Our van is at Lake Hood for visitor use. We anticipate it will be back before the end of March when the tags expire.

   

• The Communications Officer noted the training curriculum is being rewritten.

   

• Remember OPSEC training must be completed by April 1.

   

• FAA is sponsoring an ACE academy March 27, 28, and 29 at UAA. The academy is for youth ages 14-18.

   

• Safety – Remember, this time of the year, the weather is changeable. Always leave yourself an out.

   

• Squadron dues are due.

   

• Marc B said an F-15 pilot came to the cadets and gave an aerospace education session.

   

• A new 60-1 is available on the web.

   

• Jenny collected and submitted flight suit sizes for all members. She had trouble contacting some members, so submitted generic sizes.

   

• Carl Siebe presented the safety spiel. 19 years ago this week, he got stuck on a remote lake. However the discussion was not focused on how not to get stuck, but rather some suggestions for your survival gear.

  Carl suggested that after working for several hours to get unstuck, he was really thirsty. He suggested that everyone should carry at least 1 liter of liquid water, and preferably 2 liters. Carl also noted that he had some candy bars and hard candy for quick energy, but due to the dehydration, he did not have any appetite for sweets. He did have a craving for salty foods, probably to replace lost electrolytes. Now he carries some salty snacks as well as sweets, and also carries powdered sport drink mix. However, he advised to mix the sport drink not as strong as recommended on the package. The idea is to get lots of liquid ingested along with the electrolytes.