Presidents Corner
by Darrel Cook

Days are getting longer and spring is here. Soon the time will be changing to daylight savings time, so think about going out in the early evening before dark to get some pattern work in or flying up to French Valley for an early dinner.

Last month's washday went great--lots of help and lots of hanger talk. We only had 3 planes to do, so we were done by 11:00. Thank you to all who helped. I hope all of you enjoy working on our planes as much as I do.

This month we are going to Santa Paula as a club. We hope to get a good turn out and make these outings a quarterly event. If you have an idea for a destination and would like to help plan it please contact Chris Jensen. Next month, on Sunday, May19th, we are planning a brunch to Calexico. If you haven't contacted Steve Dari and would like to go please do ASAP so we know how many seats we will need and he can let Rosa know how many to expect.

Have you been to Royal Jet's new FBO facility yet? WOW!! It is absolutely beautiful inside. Go on in and ask Jean for a tour. They have a pilot's lounge and are installing a terminal for weather.

Our club is at 70 members now and insurance doesn't allow us to have any more with only four aircraft. At this time we have a waiting list of interested people who would like to be members. The list includes people who would like to learn to fly and others that have their licenses. If you are a member and haven't flown in a year or so, please consider giving up your membership to someone who can fly at this time. If your situation changes and you want to start flying again, you can always reapply for membership. Remember the more members who fly regularly, the cheaper the costs are for everyone.

From The Old Timer
by Harry McCoy

A LOVE OF MY LIFE
Part 23--1953

Our flying here was pretty boring. We took off at 7AM from Atsugi, Japan, flew south to Oshima Island, turned west over Osaka, over the Sea of Japan into southern Korea, and then north to Seoul. All fields in Korea had a K designation, and Seoul was K-14.

Our primary mission was to support the Korean War effort by carrying cargo and personnel. Usually we had a pretty good load of soldiers coming home because when they got R & R (Rest and Recreation) they usually headed for Tokyo. They actually looked pretty good here, but those that we returned FROM Tokyo often looked a little worse for wear!!

This all day thing meant that we had to have two box lunches, one for noon, and one for dinner since we didn't usually get home until at least 7PM. It didn't take long for these to get old. Every day a couple of pieces of turkey, usually one white meat and one dark. Two boiled eggs, a carton of reconstituted milk (and believe me it didn't take long to get sick of that!!!) Usually one piece of fresh fruit. When I came back to the United States I told my wife I did not want to see chicken or turkey meat for a long time!!!

There were only three of us AP's and about seven Officers who were pilots. It soon became apparent that we were not going to become Aircraft Commanders for some time. We had several Reserve Officers who seemed to resent us the most. So for several months we all flew as co-pilots. Sometimes they would trade off and let us fly one way, but not always. All of us had flown R4D's before; we weren't neophytes!!

I did eventually get checked out. A Reserve Lt. Commander gave me my check ride, and he was a lulu!! This was back in the days of the low frequency range and it was very difficult to stay right on the range leg as you neared the station, even if you were flying VFR and could see the ground. He gave me two passes across the Tokyo range, and I was off just a little period of time, but back on immediately after passing the station. This was all under the hood after an hours previous workout. He gave me a down on my check ride for that even though he tried to demonstrate and he didn't stay on it VFR. I was very disgusted with this misplaced English teacher---of all things from Alpine!!! I had another check ride the next day and I got an Up and became an Aircraft Commander so it turned out all right.

The other two AP's never did make it. They were both very resentful and unfortunately they allowed it to show. You couldn't blame them; they were senior in aviation to most of the Officers.

To be continued...

Operations Report
by Bob Finnin

46404: is working well and we have had no problems this month.

8788E: as I was writing this article I received a call from one of the members who was at Palomar airport. He called to report that one of the Mags was not functioning. I will be on top of this problem first thing in the morning.

3015U: has been out of service because of a faulty exhaust valve on one of the cylinders. I am pleased to report that the necessary repairs have been made and the aircraft will be returned to service as soon as it has accumulated ten or more hours on the rebuilt engine.

2904K: is performing well with the exception of a noise in the Com 1 receiver. The radio shop has traced the problem to the intercom module and we are ordering a new unit, which should be installed by the time you read this article.

From the Board of Directors
by David Cooksy

On March 7, 2002, the Board of Directors met for a review of Club business. Treasurer Terry Paik gave a review of the club's financial position and Bob Finnin reported on aircraft status. As you will see from their reports, the financial status of the Club is improving following the harrowing days after September 11 and, with the exception of the highly unusual circumstances of 15U, our aircraft are flying often and performing well.

Another topic of discussion was arranging two Club fun flights. All aircraft will be reserved for these flights; Club members are encouraged to participate. The first flight is arranged by Vice President, Chris Jensen to Santa Paula on April 7. Santa Paula has a static air show the first Sunday of each month with a wide variety of interesting aircraft on display. This is a great way to build friendship amongst Club members and fly to a new airport. Please contact Chris Jensen for further details or to reserve a seat.

The second flight is May 19, to Calexico. This flight has a different purpose; while it will also build camaraderie this flight is strictly for the food. The flight is being organized by Steve Dari who reported in last month's newsletter about Calexico. Again, all aircraft will be reserved for this flight; members are encouraged to participate. Please contact Steve for details or to reserve a seat.

Both flights are scheduled to leave Gillespie Field near 9:00 a.m. and only if weather is VFR.

In attendance at the March Board meeting was Steve Dari; as always, all members are invited to attend Board meetings, held the first Thursday of each month, at President Cook's house at 7 p.m.

Treasure's Report
by Terry Paik

March

As of March 1, we had $16,909 in the bank. February P&L net was $6,039; YTD was $12,436-Yippee! Our loan balance on 04K is $59,873, and we are still in the process of trying to refinance that loan. A/R balance is $8,409, and the Club is full at 70 members.

Last month we flew a total of 104.6 hours even though 15U was out of service for the month (04K: 16.5hrs; 404: 41.8 hrs; 88E: 46.3 hrs).

Remember, effective March 16, the new rates are:

• Dakota $98.00 per hr.
• Archers $57.00 per hr.
• Cessna $52.00 per hr.

We will reevaluate flying costs and hours periodically through the year and adjust rates as indicated.

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