Presidents Corner
by Richard Bartlett-May

Dear Fellow Members,

I am pleased to report that the Dakota is back on line and ready to fly. By the time this newsletter reaches you the plane will be available for full use including touch and goes etc. During the first few hours run in time it had to be flown at constant power settings until the engine was broken in. You will also notice that an auxiliary vacuum system has been installed adding an additional comfort factor during IMC conditions. We hope to have this auxiliary system installed on the Archers in the near future. The procedure for using the auxiliary system is in the Dakota POH and will be covered at the April General Meeting.

For the first time since I have been a member of Coastal Fliers the wash day was rained out. We still had a good turn out of several members and managed to wash the planes. The morning degenerated into a hangar flying session and a good time was had by all. However, they still need waxing. If anyone has a spare couple of hours feel free to wax at will.

Don't forget about the up-coming elections for the 2002 Board of Directors. Anyone who would like to run for a Board position should contact a current Board member.

Fly safe, Fly often.

Richard

West Gate at Royal Jet

The parking situation at Royal Jet has changed slightly. The West Gate is now functional and the code is the same as the East Gate. This will provide a more secure parking area now that an additional fence has been installed and security cameras are in place. Please be mindful of the ramp traffic. Royal Jet would like to thank you all for your cooperation in parking in the lot. If you go on a long trip we do request you leave a key with Royal Jet in case of emergency.

Thanks Again!!

Jean

From The Old Timer
by Harry McCoy

A LOVE OF MY LIFE
Part 11--1947

We had 10 pound dummy bombs that had to be loaded into a rack that sat on an opening from a trap door in the rear of the aircraft. You instructed in the front for an hour and loaded bombs for an hour. We often had very rough air along the Mexican coastline and though I didn't get sick when I was flying, the rear end of this bird really swung around. One day as I was loading bombs, I was afraid I was going to up-chuck so I emptied the bombs out of the box, and up-chuck, I did. I decided to throw it out the opening but I had overlooked something. It was a crudely made box and there were a lot of cracks in the bottom. The wind rushing by hit it, and threw it back up on me. I quickly unloaded another box and filled it. At least I learned how to throw it without getting it all over me on the 2nd try.

On our older aircraft, fuel leakage wasn't too uncommon, so we were always on the alert for signs. I was loading bombs one day and liquid began collecting on the edge of the opening. My first thought, of course was fuel and that I should alert the Plane Commander. I decided to smell it to be sure before I called him. I made several swipes with the liquid on my fingers, but it was breezy, I couldn't make up my mind for sure that it was fuel. I turned around to pick up the mike, and about 15 feet forward in the fuselage there was a guy using the relief tube. I did not call the Aircraft Commander!!!

Our trusty 1940 Chevrolet business coupe that had so valiantly pulled our trailer from Florida to California with its mighty 80 hp engine was getting tired and too small. Our daughter needed more room in the back. Cars weren't easy to come by yet since production was stopped during the war and it took most car companies a while to get into production again, but I finally located a beautiful black, 2 door sedan Ford that had been a demonstrator. I wasn't hot on a demonstrator, but I grabbed it anyway. It was a great car EXCEPT when I slid into the driver's seat across the woven plastic seat; I could get a ½ inch spark when I put the key in the ignition! Now you know how my hair got curly!!

To be continued...

Safety Corner
by Carey Peterson

Weight and Balance

One important and often overlooked part of preflight planning concerns the weight and balance of the aircraft. Regulations require pilots to become familiar with all available information concerning the flight. This could include a determination of the aircraft's weight and balance in order to ensure it is within allowable limits prior to flight.

Excessive weight reduces the flying ability of the airplane in almost every respect. The most important performance deficiencies are: higher takeoff speed required, longer takeoff run, reduced rate and angle of climb, shorter range, reduced cruising speed, and a higher stalling speed.

The location of the center of gravity (CG) is just as important as weight determination and is critical to aircraft stability and safety in flight. The forward CG limit is often established at a location determined by the landing characteristics of the aircraft. This is to ensure that adequate elevator deflection is available at slow airspeeds used during landing. With a forward CG, the aircraft becomes more stable in flight, stall speed increases, and the overall efficiency and cruise speed is reduced compared to an aft CG condition.

The aft CG limit is the most rearward position at which the CG can be located for flight. As the CG moves aft, a less stable condition occurs and stall speed decreases due to less drag from tail down-force. The airplane can be flown more efficiently with an aft cg, but within limits. This is an important consideration when determining how to load the aircraft during preflight.

Fly safely.

Operations Report
by Bob Finnin

8788E: 88E is working well with no major complaints this month.

2904K: 04K engine work is being completed and should be back on line by the time you receive this newsletter. The moving Map display has been repaired and replaced and is working well.

3015U: 15U has had no problems this month other than routine maintenance.

46404: 404 is working well and has been flown more hours this month than the previous several months. The new window covers have been received and are on the aircraft.

Thanks for the help and fly safe!

Treasure's Report
by Terry Paik

As of March 1, we $26,010 in the bank; February P&L net was -$2,929, and YTD net was -$5,848. The good news is that we have paid $7,500 towards 04K's overhaul. The bad news is we flew only 69 hours last month, and 64 hours the month before. That's an average of only 16 and 17 hours for the last 2 months! Consequently, April Receivables are only $4,968. This has been the lowest number of total hours in over four years, or longer! Remember, our low rates are based on a minimum of 20 hours per month in each aircraft. With spring coming I assume we'll all be flying a lot more. We will surely need to!

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