Presidents Corner
by Darrel Cook

Coastal Members:

Richard is out of town this month, so he asked me to write his article.

Winter weather is here again, so we must all check freezing levels and sunset times unless your night currency is up to date. The engine on 15U is being rebuilt. Hopefully it will be done by the time this article comes out. When 15U is done, it will need a break-in period of about 10 hours, so there will be restrictions on it until the break-in period is over. Since we will only have 3 planes available, please make sure you release your airplane as soon as possible and be patient while trying to schedule an airplane until 15U is back on line.

I am always very proud of our airplanes when I go anywhere¾ they don't look like rental airplanes. It takes everyone's help to keep the planes up. Please make sure the planes are tied down properly, all the trash (yours or not) is removed, the covers are on when the planes are tied down (this keeps the windows, avionics and interiors protected), and squawks are listed so they can be fixed.

This month's meeting is our annual washday potluck. We would like to get a few early birds out at 7:00 a.m. to start washing before the masses show up to start waxing. The potluck preparations will start about 10:30 a.m. The club will supply sodas and paper products. What we need is your goodies! Please call Bob Finnin at (619) 579-2287 to tell him what you will bring or ask what we need. We will also be giving away two $50.00 flying gift certificates, however you must be present to win.

Think and plan before you fly!

Darrel

Many Thanks to Steve Dari

for his outstanding presentation of the Control Vision portable flight navigation system at last month's meeting. We had an excellent turnout and everyone thoroughly enjoyed learning about this new system.

If you missed it or just want more information check out www.controlvision.com/map.htm

Safety Reminder
by Jean Garrow

Recently Gillespie had a VERY close miss between a Saberliner and a Comanche. When I say close, I'm told it was within a wingspan of the Comanche. Had the Comanche not been in a bank the wing would have hit.

Now that I have your attention, I'd like to remind everyone that our airspace is getting busier and we all need to remember to be alert--not just for traffic but to the controller instructions as well. As good as they are they too are not used to the increase in traffic and working with jet traffic mingled into slower traffic can be a real challenge.

In this case, as with most all close calls, there were more factors than one leading to the incident. The primary problem, though, was the tail numbers (last 3 digits) were very similar. After reviewing the tapes it was discovered that at one point, the pilot of one aircraft answered for the other aircraft and in the busy time of landing check lists, etc. it was not noticed by the controller or either pilot.

Fly sharp, Be safe

From The Old Timer
by Harry McCoy

A LOVE OF MY LIFE
Part 7--1945

I was issued a Jeep, and I had a ball with it. The Chaplain was about my age, and he and I would explore lots of areas around the island, although some of it was still out of bounds. There were hundreds of concrete pillboxes that were overgrown, but we decided to stay out of them! They said there were Japanese stragglers hiding out in the caves on the island and most of them had firearms; so we did have to be careful. I don't remember any showing up while I was there, but several years after the war, a soldier was found who had been living in a cave on the island for over 20 years! He didn't know the war was over, but was repatriated to Japan.

It turned out to be a rather leisurely life. We were such a small outfit there weren't enough jobs for everyone, but we didn't object. Every morning we'd fly a hop of about 45 minutes to dump 400 gallons of DDT and back to base. My roommate brought the plane back one day with grass stuck around the wheels, but he never said where he got it.

The war had been over a few months and the powers that be in Washington started cutting the Armed Forces back to peacetime levels. Carriers headed back to the states actually pushed Hellcats, Corsairs, etc., overboard to make room for the returning troops to use the hanger deck for sleeping. Public opinion wanted our troops "home" and no 2 ways about it! A lot of equipment, new and old, was left on the various islands that had been recaptured-no room! I got interesting news also. I got a letter from the Head of the Navy saying I was going to be reverted to Enlisted Status since I had not requested to retain my commission! I was shocked, but I immediately started researching all the regulations, etc., for any information that would help me retain my rank. I had quit a list of references that I took with me aboard a Cruiser back to the States. Since I wasn't qualified "under way" I had no duties, so along with others spent time in my underwear, lying on deck sunning!!! This was great until one day I heard something on the Bullhorn that I didn't understand, so I ignored it, as did several of the fellows-but not for long! All of a sudden there was this horrendous explosion not over 30 feet away from us. I didn't bother to stand up, I began to run "horizontally"!!! I thought the war had begun again!! Several more explosions, but we finally figured out they were firing their 5-inch guns-which is what they said on the Bullhorn. But not being old salts, we didn't recognize that this is what is done on a regular schedule-war or no!!!! This turned out to be the highlight of the trip; nothing else much happened.

When I arrived in San Diego, I took all the information I had gleaned from what few publications we had and reported in to the 11th Naval District at the foot of Broadway. The Chief that waited on me said I was the first person who had tried to help himself on this problem, and he would do what he could. I found out from him that we were supposed to have been offered contracts to request extensions as Officers in Ft. Lauderdale, but I never was, nor were any of my classmates. Many of them were on the East Coast, and they went to the Pentagon and signed their contracts, but the rest of us were never notified.

The Chief was gone for awhile and when he came back I got the news. It seems that the same people who, by the "flick of a pen," made me an Officer and a Gentleman also made the bill in Congress that made it expire at the end of hostilities, so there was no contract to sign!

I was probably the only person in the Navy who was an Ensign one day, a 1st Class Petty Officer with Wings the next day, and a Chief Petty Officer with a set of Wings the next day. So began my life as a Flying Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.

To be continued...

Safety Corner
by Carey Peterson

During the past few months, Camp Pendleton has experienced a significant increase in the number of civilian aircraft intrusions penetrating their restricted airspace. In an effort to reduce airspace conflicts, Camp Pendleton is trying to inform local pilots of the hazards associated with unauthorized entry and methods to better avoid their airspace.

A quick glance at the sectional chart will show three separate restricted areas northeast of the Oceanside VORTAC which makeup Camp Pendleton's airspace. Everyone should be familiar with locating specific information concerning each restricted area. They can be looked up by number (R-2503 A, etc.) on the rear tab of the sectional chart. Important information such as time of use, altitude, and the controlling agency can be found.

Many pilots don't realize they can fly through a restricted area as long as they have permission from the controlling agency or if the flight is conducted outside of the published times of use.

According to the AIM, unusual, often-invisible hazards take place in restricted areas such as bombing, missile and artillery firing. The level of safety and hazards associated with unauthorized entry are self-explanatory.

Probably the largest factor leading pilots into restricted areas is disorientation or confusion about their location. Camp Pendleton's airspace is surrounded by other airports. Oceanside to the South, Fallbrook to the East, and a federal airway to the West. On hazy days with limited visibility, pilots destined for Fallbrook or Oceanside could very easily and unknowingly end up in the restricted area while searching for their destination. Fortunately, there's a variety of VORs around the area to utilize for positional awareness. I recommend selecting a radial which parallels the restricted area to avoid. Using this simple method rather than visual landmarks, pilots can accurately determine position and more importantly, avoid overshooting their planned course and ending up in restricted airspace.

Fly Safely.

Operations Report
by Bob Finnin

Thanks for the help and fly safe!

Board Meeting Summary
by Don Davis

Board of Directors Meeting November 2, 2000

Donn Larson is now handling the Newsletter and the Web site.

The removal and installation work on the engine for 3015U will be done by SoCal. The engine will be rebuilt by ECI in Oceanside. ECI is an engine rebuild facility specializing in engine rebuilding.

A new Flight Manual supplement for 2904K covering the GPS Certification has been placed in 2904K. This supplement covers the additional information required to operate the ll Morrow Apollo SL50GPS/SL60 GPS-Comm installed in 2904K for IFR use.

The Board discussed the need to clarify Club policy concerning returning Club aircraft to Gillespie on cross country flights when repairs are required on the aircraft. A draft policy covering pilot and Club responsibility will be discussed at the December Board meeting. Any suggestions or comments would be welcome. Contact any Board member by phone or Email with your suggestions.

Final plans for the Xmas cleanup day and potluck were made. December 9, 2000 early birds for cleanup at 0730, family and potluck preparations at 1030. Bob Finnin will coordinate food assignments.

There will be a drawing for two separate
$50.00 flight time credits at the potluck this year.
You may be the lucky winner.
Come out and do some hangar flying.

Fly often, fly safe.

Treasure's Report
by Terry Paik

November 2000

October Net was -$3,677; that includes the Annual on 15U and $5,968 in sales tax on 04K; YTD was $21,801. Current A/R is $4,252, with only 64 total hours billed; the lowest in over 3 years! Total in bank as of November 1: $41,981.

We are down one member as Nicholas Marien resigned this month. However, we do have a waiting list of applicants, and his spot will be filled shortly.

Despite the paltry amount of flying last month, we are still in good shape financially. However, this cannot continue. If you have any questions, leave them at the Club Phone, (619) 441-2610 or email me (tpdvm@home.com).

Remember, the more we fly, the cheaper we fly!