Presidents Corner
by Darrel Cook

Happy New Year to all. Another year has gone by and I am looking forward to 2002. I hope everyone has a great flying year.

I would like to remind everyone to attend the meeting this month to vote on dues increases and how the Club is to raise needed money--whether by assessment or an increase in member shares. If you are unable to attend and haven't sent in a proxy, please do so and get it to a member who will be attending.

The pot luck/plane wash was great. All four planes were washed, waxed and put away by 11:30. We would like to extend a special thanks to Steve Dari for bringing out his bar-b-que. The tower almost had to close 27R because the great smell was distracting landing pilots. Howard Hawkins brought out one of his kit planes and was allowing members to take test flights. Every one had a great time.

During 2002, I would like to organize a couple of fly-ins. Chris Jensen has been looking into it. If you have any ideas or are interested, please contact him.

Holiday Potluck and Wash Day

Thanks to everyone who came out to help wash and wax our fleet.

Howard Hawkins brought the Tecnam P92 2000 RG and treated some lucky members to some fun flights. Here he is with Don Davis getting ready to go.

Howard and Don on takeoff roll on runway 17.

After the airplanes were done it was time for our potluck. This was a great time to visit with members and their families.

A special thanks to Steve Dari for bringing his bar-b-que and bratwurst grilling expertise! Here he is serving Shirley Finnin.

From The Old Timer
by Harry McCoy

A LOVE OF MY LIFE
Part 20--1951

I had my first introduction into lightning strikes. I was assigned the R4D to take the Old Man to Los Alamitos Navy Base just a few miles south of Los Angeles.

The weather wasn't bad at China Lake but the LA basin was socked in with low ceilings, rain, and no report on the tops of the overcast. I filed an IFR to be picked up before reaching Palmdale. I took 9000' to start and Center (which was then in LAX) started lowering me as I headed for Simi Intersection.

The Old Man elected to stay out of the cockpit, for which I was thankful. I had a friend of mine, a happy, fun loving Italian fellow who was not checked out in the airplane as my co-pilot. The Old Man sat on a radio set directly behind the co-pilot, so he could see what was going on.

Things were going nicely and we noticed quite a bit of lightning in the clouds here and there. I didn't give it too much thought at the moment, but all of a sudden there was a horrendous crack and a ball of flame shot forward of the left engine! I was sure the engine had blown up!! I pushed both prop controls forward and it dawned on me that the plane was flying straight ahead as opposed to trying to fly sideways with an engine out. This of course, meant that I hadn't lost the engine!! I reduced the RPM, and started looking around. I couldn't see any instrument indication that anything was wrong. I reported it to center and asked for further descent which I got. My co-pilot said "My God, we hit an airplane!!" I replied that if any dumb SOB was out flying in this, he deserved to get hit!!! I told him I didn't think so because the plane was flying very normal. The Old Man took it all in, but didn't say a word.

We landed at Los Alamitos, and crew chief checked the plane over and didn't see any thing wrong, so we flew it back to China Lake. They put the plane in check when we arrived and then things began to show up. About 15" of the trailing edge of one left engine propeller blades looked like a coarse wood saw with very jagged teeth. Apparently, this is where the lightning hit. The rest of the engine seemed to be OK, but things showed up as they checked the plane over. There wasn't a "wick arrestor" left on the plane, it blew the screws right out of their holes. They are on the trailing edges of all the controls and are meant to discharge the lightning and static electricity. I guess they did their job!!! Also the elevator was made of U channel ribs and covered with fabric, and one of the ribs was almost completely straightened out, the fabric sticking up but not broken.

One good thing it did, it cleared the static out of all the radios. They were all low frequency in those days except one 10 channel VHF for communications.

So went my introduction in 'lightning strikes'.

To be continued...

Operations Report
by Bob Finnin

46404 is working well. The altimeter has been re-calibrated and is working well.

8788E has had an oil change and has had the selector switch cleaned on the audio panel. All other systems are functioning.

3015U has had no problems this month and is working well.

2904K is in top condition and has not had any problems during this last period. New covers for the head rests are being made at this time and will be installed by the time you receive this newsletter.

Please use the pilot comment sheets in the time logbook. This will ensure that problems will be taken care of in a timely manner.

Thanks for all the help at the December cleanup day and party. It was great to see so many of you and to enjoy the company.

From the Board of Directors
by David Cooksy

On December 6, 2001, the Coastal Fliers, Inc. Board of Directors met to discuss the usual Coastal Fliers club business, i.e., financial status, airplane operations and new membership, but the most important item for discussion was the general membership meeting of January 10, 2002.

January special meeting will be an important meeting for the Club as the question of special assessment/increase in dues has been put before the Club membership for a vote. There is no question that the cost of operating our four aircraft has gone up and that cost will be passed on to members. The issue is, in what form will that increased be assessed and there are three options: increase in member share to $600, increase in monthly dues, or increase the hourly rate for the aircraft.

The Board has taken the position that the hourly rate for flying aircraft should be kept as low as possible, therefore favors the increase in assessment through member share and monthly dues. The Board will make this recommendation to the general membership at the meeting of January 10, 2002.

I urge you to attend the general membership meeting or exercise your voting right via proxy.

Treasure's Report
by Terry Paik

December 2001

As of December 1, we had $7,064 in the bank. November net was +$3,676 (including the $2,500 annual on 88E!); and YTD was -$21,352. Next month we'll have the year-end accounting.

Last month we flew 120 hours and the A/R is $9,130.

Remember, we must have proof of your currency for you to schedule aircraft or fly. Your Medical and BFR dates are on the top of each statement. We try our best to keep them updated and accurate, however it is your responsibility to make sure those dates are correct. Don't forget to send or fax copies of you Medicals and BFRs.

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