Presidents Corner
by Darrel Cook

The club seems to be operating with out any problems at this time. We are having a positive cash flow. We have a list of people waiting to get in the club and members are paying their bills. The only thing I would like to see change is there are about 10-15 members that only fly less than 10 hours a year. I would like to see these members start to fly more hours for the very important safety reason of keeping themselves proficient and helping keep the costs low for all our members.

Airport security has requested that all persons having access to Gillespie Field be certain that when they enter or leave by a gate that has automatic open and closing mechanisms, please wait until the gate closes before leaving the area. Let's all be watchful of the airport's and Royal Jet's security.

This month's general meeting is WASHDAY! It's the biggest reason our aircraft look as good as they do. Please join us and help our aircraft sparkle. It's a great way to meet other CFI members, too. If you wish to join us early, we start washing the planes about 7:30am. By 9:00 or so we are ready to wax most of the planes. We can usually be done by 11:00 to 12:00.

Hope we see you there!

New Ratings and Members

It's our pleasure to announce that Don Martin III and Paul Bain passed their Private Pilot checkrides. Also, Jake Wilkerson passed his Instrument Flight Instructor rating (CFII), and is now qualified to instruct those of you working toward your instrument tickets. In addition, we have two new members: Jim Beck and Robert Burroughs. Welcome to Coastal Fliers...

And congratulations to you all!

New Parking Guidelines

This is an important special note to all CFI members. In the past, we've been allowed to park our cars in the vacant space left by the aircraft we were flying. Effective immediately, please park your vehicles along the fence on either side of the Royal Jet entry gate. Because of large new aircraft using the Royal Jet facilities, CFI aircraft may have to be moved. It's much tougher to move your car. Royal Jet has suggested that in order to protect your car from possible blast damage, you should park it behind the Royal Jet hanger.

From The Old Timer
by Harry McCoy

A LOVE OF MY LIFE
Part 28--1954

Japan was a great place for a lot of bargains and I did some dealing for pearls. Since I didn't smoke, I used my cigarettes for bartering material and it worked great because Japan had to import all of its tobacco products so it was out of reach for a lot of the people. I also made some good deals for enamel ware, cloisonne, and several other things.

I never actually got into any combat situations (transport pilots weren't supposed to be fighters!) but I got a shock one day. I was coming into Seoul from the south and ahead of me I saw these puffy little "cumulus" clouds except they were quite gray, not like the others. For a few minutes, I wondered about it, and then the crew and I came to a decision, North Korea was firing at us!!! The DMZ was only a couple of miles north of Seoul and they had spotted us on their radar! Fortunately, they weren't too good shots, but I made a point of losing altitude and a 'slight' change of heading. The shells were exploding about 500 feet above us. It could have been interesting!

One night I wandered into Tokyo and went to Shinjuku, which is the entertainment center of Tokyo on the north side of town. It was easy to get to it since their trains made a complete circle of town and went right through this section. They also went through some of the basements of the largest Department Stores. I wandered around for awhile, and then decided to head home. I went to the train station, and was standing on the dock all by myself, not a soul in sight when I heard a group of young Japanese fellows coming - and they were obviously drunk! They headed for me, and all I could think about was I would have surely enjoyed having a couple more Americans around! I had learned to speak some Japanese and they started talking to me and wanted to know what I did. I told them I was a pilot and that really excited them! It turned out several of their fathers had been in the service and one or two of them said their fathers were "Kamikaze" pilots and were lost during the war. All I could think of was that my life wasn't worth two cents at this point and they would find me under one of the trains cut in several pieces! But, strangely, their friendliness never changed and they kept chattering away. My train finally came and I got on after lots of waving and laughter. This wasn't too many years after the war, so I wasn't too sure what kind of reception to expect.

I stayed in Japan for almost a year and then I received orders to San Diego to VU-7 (V=heavier than air aircraft, U=Utility). I liked this set of orders because San Diego was where I wanted to go anyway!

To be continued...

Safety Corner
by Jake Wilkerson

As summer begins to wind down, we're going to see our days get shorter and shorter. Now might be a good time to check your logbook to see where your night currency stands. Remember, in order to legally carry passengers at night, you must log three landings to a full stop at night in the preceding 90 days. The FAA defines "night" as the "time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight as published in the American Air Almanac, converted to local time." This definition is a little misleading because the "American Air Almanac" is now called the "Air Almanac." The Air Almanac is available annually from the government printing office and from a number of other private sources at prices ranging from $53 - $67. If you don't want to buy the book, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides a free online calculator that will calculate civil twilight for any city in the US. You can find this calculator at: www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/sun.htm

Of course, you can always estimate nighttime by adding a half hour to official sunset and by subtracting a half hour from official sunrise.

While your night currency makes you legal to carry passengers, it does not insure night proficiency. If possible, space out your three full stop landings over those 90 days, so everything stays fresh in your head. Also, since light bulb failures are common in airplanes, you may want to throw some simulated abnormalities into your night landings (burned out landing lights, burned out panel lights, etc.) Anything you can do to prepare for an abnormality or emergency will only make things easier when you are faced with the real thing.

Fly Safe!

Operations Report
by Bob Finnin

46404: 404 is running well and has just completed its annual inspection with little repair needed and is once again on line.

3015U: This aircraft is in top shape and giving great service with no down time during the last month. Keep it flying!

8788E: 88E will be going in for its annual at the end of September (24 - 30). Please arrange any checkrides around this time frame. Also the plane will be out or service for painting during the month of November.

2904K: The only problem that was experienced during the last month was a problem with the Glide Slope flag appearing when flying the ILS. This was repaired and is working again. This was unusual in that apparently the needle was working but the flag was still appearing.

Please remember we may no longer park on the ramp where the aircraft are tied down. Park near the fence and Royal Jet Gate. To protect you car from blast damage, park on the east side of the entry gate, behind the Royal Jet building.

Also, don't forget your post landing checklist. Ensure that the ignition and master switches have been switched off. Remove all personal gear and any trash. Straighten up the interior, fastening seatbelts and securing controls. Make sure the aircraft has been refueled. And of course, check that tiedowns are secure and the cover is back on the aircraft.

Fly often, fly safe!

From the Board of Directors
by David Cooksy

The Board of Directors met on August 1, 2002 at President Darrel Cook's house. The agenda this month was routine from a business sense, i.e., Treasurer's report, Operations Report, a review of the CFI calendar, and a review of current membership. But, within these items were two topics worthy of note.

After several years of outstanding service to Coastal Fliers, Incorporated, Assistant Treasurer, Web Site Designer and newsletter coordinator Donn Larson has resigned from the Board. On behalf of the Board of Directors a hearty thanks is offered to Donn for his hours of service to the Club. Donn has dedicated countless hours to CFI and we appreciate his dedication.

The second item of note was President Cook's comments for the new Board of Directors. Beginning in September the new Board will be seated and Darrel outlined his goals for CFI. While the financial condition of the club is significantly improved over last September, CFI was deeply effected by the events a year ago and has only shown signs of stability in the past few months. It is the goal of President Cook to maintain the financial stability of CFI, keep the aircraft properly maintained including paint, interior and new avionics where appropriate. In addition, it is the primary goal to increase the reserve account in anticipation of long term improvement to the club fleet.

The Board of Directors next meeting is September 5, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. As always, the Board of Directors meetings are open to all club members.

Treasure's Report
by Terry Paik

As of August 1, we had $19,053 in the bank. July P&L net was $1,227; YTD net was $14,797. We flew a mere 118 hours last month, compared to 183 hours in June; the lowest July in recent years and the third lowest month for this year! 04K flew only 15.2 hours and 88E a measly 15.8 hours. The current A/R balance is $8,721.

Remember, our rates are based on a minimum of 20 hours per a/c per month, and...

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