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Volume 3, Issue 10: October 2006

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
T-Craft Aero Club, 135 Municipal Drive Nampa, ID  83687

General Membership Meeting:
October 31, 7:00pm at the EAA/CAP Hangar

Board Meeting:
November 14, 7:00pm at the T-Craft Hangar

Ground School:
November 15, 7:00pm at the T-Craft Hangar

General Membership Meeting:
November 28, 7:00pm at the EAA/CAP Hangar

Board Meeting:
December 12, 7:00pm at the T-Craft Hangar

Board Meeting:
January 9, 7:00pm at the T-Craft Hangar

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CLUB? POLICES? OR GETTING A NEW MEMBER APPLICATION? WE HAVE THE ANSWER! CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!

FUEL RE-IMBURSEMENT PRICE FOR OCTOBER $3.70
Members who have purchased fuel "out of pocket" can deduct this price per gallon from bill, or the billing director can credit the amount on next statement. Please include copy of receipt either way.

New Members:
We have three new T-Craft members this month:
Aaron Bear
Todd Abischer
Steve Claus
If you see them around introduce yourself and
make them feel welcome to our club!

First Solo:
Michael Clayville

Heaters are on the planes again, so it is time to take a few extra minutes to make sure the heaters are hooked up properly, and blankets are back over the cowling. Please DO NOT adjust the thermostats, Jim Eyre has them set correctly. Watch out for the extension cords on the hangar floor.

The Board of Directors has voted in a change to the new backcountry policy. Level I now requires 150 hours total time. Please review the new policy. Any questions or concerns as well as the backcountry pilot approval process, please direct to the Membership/Safety Director, or any Board member.

There is a rumor circulating that Sulfur Creek sold, and that it has closed to GA traffic. Ray Arnold has been mentioned as the only way in.

Club Member Michael Clayville Soloed 10/12/06 in the C152,
and safely returned to terra firma.

Congratulations Michael!! from Jim Hudson

CLASSIFIED AD: For Sale: Bose X model ANR Headset asking $900.00 like new! Icom A6 handheld new in box condition $225.00. David Peterson 412-5640 or email david@singersinstacash.com.

We are interested in stories and/or pictures of trips from the membership! Please remit to james@t-craft.org or call James Ferdinand at 724-3309.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CANCEL YOUR FLIGHT IN SCHEDULE MASTER IF YOU CAN'T FLY. THE BOARD CAN CHARGE ONE HOUR PER DAY AT THE SCHEDULED AIRCRAFT RATE ACCORDING TO CLUB POLICY #15.

The EPA is cracking down on pilots dumping "sumped" fuel on the ramp. It is a very steep fine if you are caught. We have purchased devices to filter the fuel back into the aircraft. It is a little cumbersome the first time you use it, but it is necessary. Remove the top (strainer) section of the fuel tester, drain fuel, and place fuel strainer on top of tester. Open top of strainer and carefully replace fuel back into fuel tank.

It is always a good idea to check with FSS before every flight. There could be new TFR's posted in the area you are about to fly, or numerous other items you wouldn't otherwise be aware of.

You can order Apparel from Bulldog Shirt Shop in Nampa on 12th Ave. They have our logo and will put it on any item in their catalog. Click on their name for the map and phone number

THE 2005 ANNUAL REPORT IS AVAILABLE
TO MEMBERS ONLINE BY REQUEST.
Please send request to james@t-craft.org

375:  Nothing to Report.

686:  #2 Radio, Jim Eyre will do more shopping to determine the best options for the club.

64L:  Annual 12/30/06-01/07/07.

91X:  Nothing to Report.

29Q:  100 hr. complete still great compression.

0YD:  Nothing to Report.

93S:  Annual 11/06/06-11/10/06.

USE TACH TIME  FOR SQUAWKS PLEASE. This helps the maintenance team tremendously!  The sign-out sheets have not changed. Continue to use HOBBS time for sign out sheets. This will continue to be the way you are billed.

Please check Schedule Master and squawk sheets for new squawks on the aircraft you are about to fly. Also, please call the next pilot scheduled to fly if you squawk the aircraft. DON'T FORGET TO LIST YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER!


by Jeff Beers

IT'S HALLOWEEN SEASON, DON'T LET THAT "BIG, BAD AIRPLANE" SCARE YOU OR YOUR PASSENGERS.

To someone who has never flown in an airplane, or even someone who has flown a little, flying can be quite the adventure, but it can also be a little scary. For new passengers especially I will only fly when the air is real smooth. All my turns are gentle and I tell them ahead of time what I am about to do.

An example is on downwind, I tell them before I reduce the power what I am going to do, that way it's not a surprise when "all of a sudden the engine just quite!" If it does get a little bumpy I tell them it is normal and maybe explain why, but if they feel uncomfortable we can go back at any time (of course if the type of flight permits). I have just heard from a number of friends how their first flight and their first "exposure" to aviation was not a pleasant one. Either the pilot did maneuvers that made them feel sick or ones that scared them. Be nice to new passengers, we want them to leave with a smile and we want them to come back and FLY again.

As for us pilots the saying goes "it's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, then in the air wishing you were on the ground". Know your limitation and if you don't feel comfortable, don't go flying. An example would be if there is a strong crosswind and you haven't practiced crosswind takeoffs and landings in a while and you feel it is more than you would like to handle, don't go flying. Come back when the winds aren't so strong and practice then. Don't let the plane get ahead of you. The more you plan ahead the easier your "cockpit management" will be. An example is start your before landing check when your on the 45 entry instead of waiting until the last minute. Or the more you write down ahead of your trip, the easier it will be, fill out your flight plan completely, with all the radio frequencies you'll need etc.... How about fuel, running out would sure scare me. I always make sure I have plenty and I personally double the FAR minimum requirements (if you can't remember what they are then you have a homework assignment). Flying should be fun and not scary. Have fun flying and be safe.

Please let Jeff Beers  know when you earn new wings levels, or pass other milestones like first solo, new ratings, etc.

The Advertisement for 29Q is now available to the members wishing to print and post at other airports. Click on this link, 2629Q FOR SALE, print, and post at any bulletin board you know of. This will help a great deal in selling 29Q.

The Board has decided to allow any member wishing to post classified ads in the newsletter for aviation items only. 
Please email your ads to James Ferdinand.

ANY MEMBER CAN REQUEST THE MINUTES FROM ANY MEETING. Any member that would like a copy of any meeting minutes can contact James Ferdinand by email. Any member of the board can provide the minutes as well.

Please keep your contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, postal address) updated in Schedule Master. To check or update your contact information, login to Schedule Master, click the "User" tab at the top, then click the link that says "Click here to edit your user info" which appears just above the list of users.