Presidents Corner
by Darrel Cook

If you haven't been to the field since April 13th, you'll find the planes in a new location. We were asked by Royal Jet to move to the East end of their ramp. This will protect the planes from jet blast and will make room for additional traffic coming into their new FBO. The planes are a little closer together so please use the painted lines and watch the wing tips as you pull out and push in the planes.

Dakota News--The board has reduced the minimum hours required to check out in the Dakota from 200 to 150. If you are interested in checking out in the Dakota, contact one of the club's CFIs. We were also able to purchase Dakota POH's at half price, so if you would like your own POH or if you are planning to check out sometime soon, a limited number of these can be purchased for $12.00.

The board received Carey's board resignation last month. His new job keeps him in Palm Springs most of the time and he felt he was unable to serve as Safety Officer at this time. I have asked--OK begged Richard--to take Carey's position, which he has agreed to do. Thank you, Richard!

Donn Larson also informed the board he will not be returning as a board member next year. Donn and Barbara created our club web page and publish the newsletter each month, along with taking over for Terry while he is out of town. I would like to thank Donn and Barbara for all the help they have contributed. Donn and Barbara have agreed to continue to take care of the web page, and for that I am grateful. If you haven't seen the web page at www.coastalfliers.com you need to check it out. It is really great; without them we could not afford anything like it.

With Donn leaving the board, we will have an opening. If you are active in the club, or would like to become more active, contact any board member about running. Remember if you are an active member, one of the board members will be contacting you!

We still have several people on the waiting list to join our club. As I mentioned last month, if you haven't flown for a year please consider giving up your membership to someone who can fly now. You can always rejoin when you are able to start flying again. Everyone is always invited to all club activities whether a member or not.

I would like to thank Harry McCoy for bringing out his flight gear at last month's meeting. Everyone enjoyed his presentation tremendously. We even found a notation in his first logbook where the instructor stated that Harry was a little nervous at the controls. Everyone felt better knowing even the best had to start out like the rest of us.

The Santa Paula trip was a lot of fun. See the article in this issue written by Chris. If you haven't contacted Steve Dari to get a seat or two for the Calexico trip I urge you to do so. We will have several non-club planes going with us on the trip. Let Steve know if you are going in your own plane or another club's plane so we can coordinate a departure or look for you in Calexico. We need more ideas of places to go and people that are willing to arrange the trip. We would like to have trips at least quarterly.

Santa Paula Fly-In
by Chris Jensen

Sunday morning, April 7th the Coastal Fliers pilots begin to gather, logging last minute time in the jiggle seat in the new pilot lounge, checking weather on the new computer system and synchronizing GPS'. The early morning patrol returns and reports that there are clouds everywhere and few holes. The decision is made to dispatch a fast pursuit recon; the Dakota launches to check weather over target. The remaining pilots brief their plan of attack and go prepare their rides. The thumbs-up is given and each plane starts its engine and expertly calls tower to get permission to taxi to 27 right. By the time number three starts to call; the thought occurs "Maybe we should have briefed to have lead call a taxi for the whole flight;" the tower understands and helps facilitate a fast launch. In the upwind, I intently eye lead and number two while monitoring instruments; everything is green! Lead makes the downwind turn and it appears number two will form up shortly. I make my turn but fail to cut the turn on number two; I'm sucked back, as I form up in trail way back I discover multiple bug carcasses have made their final resting place right where lead and number two should be. I make mental note to 'clean windshield before flight' should be added to preflight checklist. Lead begins to maneuver to find a hole so I try to shorten the distance by cutting through his turning arc, but discover there is a cloud between us as lead continues to climb. I must dive below and this puts me out of position to use the same hole so I choose to fly up the El Capitan reservoir valley and we join up approaching Ramona.

The flight now settles into a routine of keeping position, practicing slipping in, holding position by matching momentum of lead and slipping out again on station. All this while enjoying relatively clear skies (from other airplanes) since it is broken to overcast below. Enjoying the view, we watch parachute jumpers from Parris Valley float through the clouds. We pass Homeland, Paradise, and Pomona VORs and head for Fillmore. Nearing Santa Paula, we start to hear lots of traffic so we know there is good visibility and clearance down below. After all Santa Paula is a VFR only airport. Lead starts to explore the holes to get down below; but the enemy spots our flight. An aerobatic plane spots and dives in on lead as lead turns under a cloud. The enemy loops and sets his sights on number two;

I call out and number two dives and turns to follow lead. I set my sights on the enemy and he turns and flees. After all that's what wingmen are for; protecting their wing leaders. After all that formation flying the most dangerous part was caused by an unrelated plane.

Therefore, we decide to climb and find another hole closer to Santa Paula. The next hole is what we need, with a little anxiety transiting from clear visibility to reduced visibility and obscure terrain below the clouds, we find Santa Paula to be surprisingly busy for a small remote airport.

Santa Paula was a fun successful adventure for the club and all participants are eager for the next trip. Come and join us!

From The Old Timer
by Harry McCoy

A LOVE OF MY LIFE
Part 24--1953

I had some interesting trips here. We occasionally went to Taiwan, sometimes called Formosa, where Chang Kai Shek went to escape the Communist regime on the mainland. They were industrious and have really made progress on the island. When we were going in there right after the war, they had just installed their 1st VOR's and all of their controllers wanted to talk to anyone who spoke English to improve theirs since overseas all tower controllers must be bi-lingual with their language AND English. We took off from Taipei in the north and headed for Tainan in the south, a distance of a little over 100 miles. I tried to give the 1st position report and the controller asked me to repeat it about 3 times!! By this time we had passed over the 2nd fix and now the controllers from that fix were trying to talk to us. In that short flight distance I think we had about 5 reports to give, and I must have talked to at least 10 different controllers, all wanting to practice their English!! I admired them for trying, but I'm not sure I ever got a complete report in.

Korea was extremely cold in the winter and I was always happy to get out of there and head back for Japan, which was also cold, but a lot more amenities for comfort. One day we ended up having to change a carburetor. The whole crew pitched in because it was in such a tight area you had to put the screws in barehanded. Each of us would put in 2 and then back inside of the plane (which was open and very cold too!!) for gloves and a hot cup of coffee. We eventually got the thing on, though it took all day. It had to be test flown before we could head home, so we stayed over night. We slept in a transient tent with an oil stove going full blast in the middle. We didn't undress, just piled on all the blankets they would give us. I don't know when Japan ever looked so good as the next day!!!

To be continued...

Safety Corner
by Richard Bartlett-May

Why should I get a flight review?

The purpose of the flight review is to ensure that you continue to update and expand your skills as a pilot. You can fly with an instructor of your choice who will assist you in improving your piloting abilities and make sure you're up-to-date on current regulations, operating practices, and other subjects he or she deems appropriate. The object is to make flying safer for everyone. Additionally, you would be in violation of applicable FARs if you acted as pilot in command after the expiration date of your review. Flight reviews are valid for 24 calendar months.

The flight review concept

The flight review is required by Federal Aviation Regulations for all pilots who intend to act as pilot in command of an aircraft. It is a cooperative endeavor to provide the pilot with a periodic assessment of his or her flying skills and to determine if there has been any deterioration in areas that may adversely affect personal flight safety. The review should be a proficiency evaluation accomplished in an economical and expeditious manner while providing a learning experience, rather than the pressure of a test atmosphere.

The character of the review should be established in a discussion between the pilot and flight instructor prior to beginning the review. This can be done by discussing the flight review's basic content, including the elements to be covered in both the oral and flight portions. These elements should be understood by the pilot and the flight instructor prior to initiating any phase of the review.

Each review should and can be individually tailored to meet, at the reasonable discretion of the flight instructor, the safe operating demands of the pilot. The primary objective of the review is to access the pilot's knowledge of, and ability to successfully perform, safe flight operations. Rather than using standard guidelines or a list of maneuvers, flight instructors are encouraged by the FAA to determine the safe operating needs of each pilot and then formulate a meaningful review tailored to meet those needs.

So what are you waiting for? Give your favorite friendly flight instructor a call today.

Fly safe, fly often.

Operations Report
by Bob Finnin

46404: had the nose gear strut rebuilt and door locks repaired or replaced. All other systems are working well and this aircraft is in top shape.

8788E: is working well and has had no major work done during the last month.

3015U: is also working well. We have about 25 hrs. on the rebuilt engine. During the rebuild period, we had the annual inspection done and will not have the aircraft out of service during August. A new luggage door lock was installed and the Pilot seat adjusting bolt on the seat back was repaired.

2904K: had its annual completed and the IFR certification completed during April. A problem with the Auto-Pilot was corrected and the Database for the GPS has been updated. The VOR was recalibrated and is within specs.

Please take time to make sure you refuel the airplane after you land and clean and lock the cabins. This takes only a few extra minutes and can provide a plane that is ready to go when the next member arrives to fly.

Thanks for the help.

From the Board of Directors
by David Cooksy

The April 4 Board meeting included a discussion of club finances, operations and maintenance. The Board also discussed two other issues.

For the past several years Carey Peterson has served the club Safety Officer. At the general membership meetings Carey would share his observations, experience and recommendations for safer flying. Carey spent hours some months preparing a presentation of statistical evaluations, reports from the FAA, and reviewing videos on pertinent topics.

As you know, last summer Carey accepted a position with Sky West. His home base is Palm Springs which makes attendance at the meetings difficult. As such, Carey submitted his resignation as Safety Officer.

Past-president Richard Bartlett-May will fill that void, and with a unanimous vote, Richard has succeeded Carey as the new Safety Officer. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our appreciation to Carey for the years of service to the club, wish him the best of luck in his career.

Included within the newsletter this month is your official Notification of Annual Meeting. This meeting is held each June in accordance with the Bylaws and serves as the election of officers to the Board of Directors for the following year. With the exception of Assistant Treasurer/Newsletter editor, all incumbents have expressed a desire to run for reelection. However, all club members are encouraged to participate in the election and seek an office on the Board. Should you desire to have your name placed on the ballot, contact Vice President Chris Jensen, Election Committee Chair.

Although I have spent just one year on the Board, I can say it is a great way to become involved with the fun of flying in ways beyond the aircraft. As a relatively inexperienced pilot, my skills have improved by participating in the monthly discussions of operations, maintenance, ATC communications techniques and other topics too numerous to include here. I would encourage anyone interested in the business aspect of the club to consider running for a seat on the Board of Directors.

Treasure's Report
by Terry Paik

April

As of April 1, we had $15,606 in the bank. March P&L net was -$893; YTD was $11,542, however we did make the quarterly insurance payment of $3,438. A/R balance is $8,879, and we flew 117 hours. This is above last month's, but less than either January or February. The bright spot for the month was that 404 flew 60.5 hours-a near all-time record!!! (Last August, 404 flew 61.4 hours!)

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