General Membership Meeting:
January 30, 7:00pm at the EAA/CAP Hangar
Agenda: Annual Meeting and Elections

Board Meeting:
February 13, 7:00pm at the T-Craft Hangar

General Membership Meeting:
February 27, 7:00pm at the EAA/CAP Hangar
 

WE HAVE BEGUN WORK ON THE NEW MAP WALL AND ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS! WE WILL BE PAINTING AND HANGING WAC MAPS, PLEASE LET A BOARD MEMBER KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY STAGE OF THIS PROCESS.

FUEL RE-IMBURSEMENT PRICE FOR JANUARY: $3.31
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.

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

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

Winter Flying Hours are in effect December, January and February. You may fly all three of your use it or lose it hours in one month, or any combination of these three months.

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 T-CRAFT 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.

All members need to remember to UNplug when going flying. Be extra careful when placing ducting into cowling as the ducting is very thin and tears quite easily. Please do not turn knobs to whatever you feel like. They all have been set where need be.

Aircraft Door Locks work best if you Press In on latch while using key (even 686 can be locked/unlocked).

2007 Registration in planes. Still no prop balance, will wait till spring.

375: Nothing to Report.

686: New Quartz taxi light installed. #2 Radio coming soon.

64L: Wind Damaged in North Bend, OR. Annual has been done in North Bend, sending elevators from 686 to get her home.

91X: Gunk on dip stick squawked, checked out. Could not duplicate.

29Q: Nothing to Report.

0YD: New space heater for cowling.

93S: Fowled spark plug squawked, cleared #2 spark plug.

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. AND DON'T FORGET TO LIST YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER!

by Jeff Beers
 

THE RADIO IS YOUR FRIEND

        For some pilots, talking on the radio can be a little scary.  We are afraid we might say the wrong thing or maybe not sound as good as other pilots.  The thought of going over to Boise and talking to the tower is "out of the question".   If you have these thoughts here are some suggestions. 
1.  Practice.  Practice making radio calls in your car or at home.  The more you practice the better you will sound.  Practice in the plane before you press the mic, sometimes it seems as soon as you press the mic you're not sure what to say.
2.  Remember all radio calls are the same:  Area you're calling, WHO you are, WHERE you are, WHAT you are going to do and end with the area you're calling. 
3.  Try and keep your transmissions short and precise.  The less you say can actually make it easier.
4.  If you are afraid of going to Boise, fly with another pilot and go over together.  One can fly and the other can talk on the radio.  If you want to tell them you are a student pilot and they will speak slower and help you out.  They are actually really nice over there.

        Another important concept with the using the radio is LISTEN.  Listen to other aircraft and visualize where they are.  Since there is no tower at Nampa, it is up to the pilot to watch for other traffic.  Listening and knowing where to look for other aircraft is a great tool in "defensive flying".  To listen to actual radio communications on the web type "listen to ATC" in Google and you will get a number of sites where you can sit and listen to actual live ATC.  It is an excellent learning tool.

Remember the radio is your friend.

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