PENNSYLVANIA PILOT Vol 24 No 3, Fall 2013

AERO CLUB OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA PILOT Vol 24 No 3, Fall 2013 www.aeroclubpa.org

Published quarterly by the Aero Club of Pennsylvania for those interested in aviation in the Greater Delaware Valley

Event Planning Scholarships awarded; Aero Club visits Hamilton Over $30,000 awarded Two Aero Club aircraft departed Golden Age Air Museum... Nearly 80 members, recipients and Wings Airfield for the trip to a rainy The Aero Club visited the wonder- family members attended the annual Niagara Falls and a short rental car ful collection of aircraft at the scholarship dinner on June 20 at ride into Hamilton. The next morning GAAM Museum at Grimes Airfield Wings Field. The Aero Club of arrived with blue skies and a sense of in Bethel, PA. on July 20. Most of Pennsylvania Memorial Scholarship anticipation. Arriving at the airport, the aircraft are meticulously Fund along with the Eastern PA we were instantly transformed into restored to good flying condition Chapter of the Ninety-Nines award- curious impatient children wanting to and regularly take part in muse- ed over $30,000 to 14 recipients. look and touch everything. On the um events. See photo below. Aero awards totaling $24,000 were ramp was the DH.98 Mosquito next to the Lancaster. Nearby were the Wings and Wheels... given predominantly to post-solo students, but two Bob Shannon Awards replica Me 262, DC-3 Dakota, Beech The Aero Club will have a table at Expeditor, Consolidated PBY-5A the annual Wings & Wheels Day were given to students to start their primary training. Also, two awards Canso, Westland Lysander, and B-25 on September 7 at Wings Field. Mitchell. We gawked at the Tiger The annual event is a fundraiser were given to recipients intending to specialize in aircraft maintenance. Moth, Hellcat, Spitfires, FU4 Corsair for Angel Flight East but the Aero and too many aircraft to mention as Club also sells aviation items to The Ninety-Nines awarded $7,500 to we retreated to watch the airshow. raise funds for the Aero Club three young women aviators. Memorial Scholarship Fund. Our guest speaker, Jon Martin, is The next three hours were spent look- manager of New Garden Flying ing skyward at the WWI era aircraft in Eagles Mere... a dogfight, an F18 performance, a The Aero Club plans to make a Field. He spoke about his lifelong love of aviation, his aviation inspira- Beech 18 aerobatics performance private visit to the Eagles Mere match none, the Me 262 in flight and Aviation Museum in northern tions and about ways to inspire young people to become interested in flying. the crescendo being the formation of Pennsylvania on August 25. If you the DH.98, Lancaster and two Super- are interested, email us at aero- marine Spitfire Mk V’s flying low [email protected]. Museum infor- Glimpse into aviation history overhead and all emitting the deep mation is available at the website Five members of the Aero Club of www.eaglesmereairmuseum.org. Pennsylvania journeyed to Hamilton, tones of the Merlin engines. Ontario for the annual airshow at the As the day concluded, we thanked Hammondsport, NY... Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. our gracious hosts at the Canadian Some members of the Aero Club There witnesses the DH.98 Mosquito Soaring Club, and our anticipation plan to visit the Glenn Curtiss in flight, the same Mosquito that the was replaced by a deep sense of sat- Museum on September 14 during club visited at the Fighter Factory in isfaction in having experienced the annual seaplane homecoming May. Michael Little recounted the trip: something truly special. event sponsored by the museum. For information, contact us at [email protected]. ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

President’s Message, pg 2 Scholarship Report, pg 3 Event Calendar, pg 3 Terry Hatcher, pg 4 Airport News, pg 5 Scholarship Awards, pg 6 Golden Age Air Museum at Grimes British Westland Lysander at Flight Safety, pg 8 Airfield, Bethel, PA Hamilton Airshow, Canada PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE James Kilduff The Scholarship Fund awarded many scholarships at the June annual dinner. Jon Martin, manager of New Garden airport (N57), gave an ORGANIZED: Dec 17, 1909; CHARTERED: May 10, 1910 excellent talk. Jon runs an aviation camp at New Garden that we all PO Box 748 Blue Bell, PA 19422 should know about and support. View the website newgardenflying- www.aeroclubpa.org field.com and click on the link for camp details. www.facebook.com/AeroClubOfPa [email protected] Four years ago, the Aero Club celebrated its 100th anniversary. This year, The Aero Club of PA was formed in 1909 to the Aero Club of Indianapolis will celebrate its 80th anniversary and your promote aviation in Pennsylvania and the club sent them a congratulatory letter on that occasion. Their website is Greater Delaware Valley. We are a social and civic organization which plans field www.Indyaeroclub.blogspot.com trips, holds an annual dinner, sponsors presentations, awards aviation scholarships, See elsewhere a recounting of an Aero Club trip to Hamilton, Ontario, and produces this quarterly newsletter. Canada for an air show of WWII airplanes. There were just a few of us New Membership is only $20 from the Aero Club. The setting was relaxed, and we were able to walk Signup at www.aeroclubpa.org right up to every airplane and put our thumb prints on all.

OFFICERS It was a Merlin weekend. Most of the engine sounds that we heard were President James Kilduff Merlins, made by the US auto company Packard under license from 1st Vice President Mary Wunder Rolls Royce -- wonderful sounding V-12's that powered the P-51 Mus- Secretary Elaine Farashian Asst. Secretary Nancy Kyle tang also. The planes included an Avro Lancaster four-engine bomber, Treasurer John O’Toole one of two flying in the world, the Mosquito, the ONLY one flying in Asst Treasurer John Stubbs the world; two Supermarine Spitfires and two Hawker Hurricanes. Also VP Membership Mary Wunder VP Spec Projects Walt Ellis featured were a Westland Lysander, an FW-190 and a Messerschmitt 262 VP Scholarships Debbie Harding Swallow, the first operational jet fighter (this was a new airplane, manu- VP Print & Web Robert Dant factured from the original design). VP Airports Elaine Farashian Solicitor Paul Heintz, Esq. The Me 262 project has a Philadelphia component. When Steve Snyder BOARD of DIRECTORS conceived of building a copy, there was a need for information and for an 3 Year Term: Robert Dant actual Me 262 to reverse engineer. Snyder found the aircraft in our back Steven Lindrooth Laren Pitcairn yard, at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, where an Me 262 had been John Stubbs sitting outside for years. Snyder made a deal with the owner, the US Navy, Bruce Thompson to restore the airplane at no cost to the Navy, and in the bargain was able 2 Year Term: Michael Dunleavy to use it as a model for the new production airplanes. Several more jets Timothy Fields Dan Kurkjian are under construction. See www.stormbirds.com/project/index.html Michael Little Robert Smith Deb Harding and I had lunch with her father and members Bill Hahn and 1 Year Term: Elaine Farashian Jack Freeman, both US Navy carrier pilots in WWII. Both had their air- Nancy Kyle planes shot out from under them and were rescued from the sea. We will Juliet Lindrooth have more reminiscences from these two pilots in a future issue. Glenn Long Dennis Ryan TRUSTEES BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT Aero Club Mem. Scholarship Fund: Elaine Farashian, Secretary Bruce Thompson, Chair Jeff Kahn, Trustee The Aero Club Board of Directors The group discussed upcoming James Kilduff, ex Officio met at Wings Field on July 18. field trips to Grimes Airfield, President Jim Kilduff presided Eagles Mere, Hammondsport and PENNSYLVANIA PILOT over the meeting. the Philadelphia Glider Port. Editor/Layout: Robert Dant Contributors: Nancy Kyle The group discussed the min- Some discussion ensued about James Kilduff utes from the April meeting, fol- the success of the Aero Club Walt Ellis lowed by financials, newsletter Facebook page and about how to Photographers: Rick Schimpf and membership. Membership increase the visibility to the page. Robert Dant stands at about 175. The meeting adjourned for din- Printed by: Graphic Impressions Next, Debbie Harding reported ner and a presentation by Presi- Editor: [email protected] on the success of the 2013 dent Jim Kilduff about the Aero 610-909-4467 Scholarship Dinner. Club trip to the Hamilton Air- Published Quarterly: February, May, August, November show in Canada.

2 PENNSYLVANIA PILOT Aero Club Scholarship Report AVIATION EVENT CALENDAR By Debbie Harding, VP Scholarships AUGUST The 2013 Scholarship Committee was happy to 17 Mid-State Fly In (PSB). Korean War Theme. BFast, Lunch award two scholarships for aviation mechanic 24-25 New Garden Pancake Breakfast and Airshow (N57) training. One went to a young 22 year-old Emily 25 Aero Club visit to Eagles Mere Air Museum Ritt and the other to HS graduate Tanner Stott. SEPTEMBER Both will be attending the PA College of Tech- 7 Wings & Wheels, Wings Field (LOM) nology in Williamsport. It is always difficult to 7 EAA 643 Fly-in, Sky Manor Airport (N40) 10AM-2PM get mechanic candidates to our program, but this 8 Heritage Airfield/PAOP Fly-In Breakfast (PTW) 14 Allen Airstrip Pancake Breakfast (3NJ9) year we have two! So, in light of our recent visit 14 Ocean City, NJ Airfest (N26), 10AM-3PM to the Boeing-Vertol plant, it is appropriate to 17 Essex Skypark Annual Wheels & Wings (W48) publish a letter from one of our first awardees 14 Aero Club Fly-Out, Curtiss Museum, Hammondsport for aircraft maintenance in 2009, Matthew Sides: OCTOBER As I walked through the turnstyle for my first 5-6 History Weekend at Lazaretto, Philly Seaplane Base day at Boeing’s Ridley Township facility, my 5 EAA 216 Fall Festival, Lunch 11-2, Alloway, NJ (NJ02) 5 EAA 240 Pancake Breakfast, New Garden (N57) knees trembled. I walked dead center down the 12 Allen Airstrip Pancake Breakfast (3NJ9) sidewalk for fear of stepping on the intimidating 17 Board of Directors Mtg, Thursday, 6PM, PACC white lines that marked the NOVEMBER perimeter. When I stepped through the door, the sights 8-10 Waterfowl Festival, Easton, PA (ESN) and sounds invoked the Board of Directors Mtg, Oct 17 image of Rosie the Riveter Wings Field, Philadelphia Aviation Country Club through my brain. It was as The Aero Club will hold its next quarterly Board Meeting on Octo- if I stepped back in time. I ber 17 at the Philadelphia Aviation Country Club at Wings Field. imagined P-51’s rolling off the North American Avia- Following the board meeting at 6PM, we will have dinner and a tion assembly line before presentation by Erik Kocher about his career in aviation. Mr. my own eyes. Drill motors Kocher is currently a helicopter test pilot for Boeing. Members whizzing while mechanics bucked rivets at the and guests are welcome to attend our presentations. speed of sound with a song-like rhythm. Old Dinner (optional) begins at 7PM and the presentation begins dusty prehistoric jigs straddled a set of railroad around 8PM. RSVP at [email protected] if you would like to tracks where an old steel foundry once moved it’s attend. Dinner is around $30 per person, not including drinks. product to support the Baldwin Locomotive production line. But we weren’t building Mustangs Scholarship Donation Drive or locomotives here. A different breed of war fighter was born at this plant, one capable of lift- The annual Aero Club Scholarship Donation Drive begins ing 24,000 lbs and traveling at 170 knots. The now with your contribution to help young men and women CH-47F is not the original escort-fighter but advance their careers in aviation. Donations can be made by rather today’s fighter-escort. mail or online. A $100 or more donation includes free mem- Before I knew it, managers were picking their bership for the year 2014. One hundred percent of your new employees like the NHL Draft. I was picked donation goes to scholarship awards each year. to work as a mechanic in the Final Assembly Aero Club PA Scholarship Fund line, installing flight controls which are featured PO Box 748, Blue Bell, PA 19422 in today’s modernized F-Models as part of the www.aeroclubpa.org digital ‘glass’ cockpit. The next three years seemed like a blur as construction crews brought new life to the plant. Boeing’s $130 million dol- because I’d like to advance into a management position within lar investment said goodbye to the old, and The Boeing Company or a Part-135 charter operation. Earning spared no expense for the new. Although I was my Private pilot’s license is also a long-term goal. surrounded by a new facility with a bright future, I’d like to congratulate the Aero Club’s two newest A&P scholar- I never forgot where I started and those who ship winners Emily Ritt and Tanner Scott. I advise you to pay helped pave my runway, including the Aero Club attention to everything, and if you are willing to learn, there will of PA. Aspirations of continuing education rank always be someone willing to teach. You never know where this highly on my list, in hopes of taking my career career can take you. Welcome to the Aero Club of Pennsylvania. to a greater altitude. A bachelor’s degree in Avia- tion Maintenance Science seems to fit the best, Sincerely, Matt Sides (2009 Aero Club A&P Scholarship Winner)

PENNSYLVANIA PILOT 3 Terry Hatcher, 1923-2013 Member Story by Walt Ellis & Rob Dant

Terry Hatcher, former Aero Club of Pennsylvania presi- bombing missions in Germany, Austria, Poland, Yugoslavia dent, took his last flight on May 3, 2013. and Italy. But it was the 19th mission, on March 16, 1945, in which he bombed the Schwechat oil refinery in Austria, Terry Hatcher was one of the that he called his “longest day.” longest continuing members of the Aero Club of Pennsylva- On March 16, 1945, the plane took off early that morning nia. He joined in 1958 and with a 6,000-pound payload and rendezvoused over the was a member for over 50 Adriatic Sea with hundreds of other planes. Their mission years. In retirement, he was to bomb the Schwechat Oil Refinery on the Danube in stayed active in the Aero Vienna, Austria. Just after releasing their bomb load and Club, was a Trustee of the starting a turn back, they encountered heavy flak, and Bob Shannon Memorial Schol- engines #3 and #4 quit. They were able to feather #3, but arship Fund, was a Quiet were unable to feather #4. The decision was made to stay Birdman and was active in the with the airplane and try to get out of enemy territory. aviation club of the Union Shortly after that a third engine quit and the airplane League of Philadelphia. Terry Hatcher would no longer hold altitude and started descending at 1500 ft/min. They were able to make it to the Hungarian Terry Hatcher was a long standing asset to the Aero Club border and made a gear up landing on some farmland. and we are very proud to have had him as a member. He They were greeted by local farmers, one of which had a was president from 1974 to 1984 and was instrumental bottle of vodka and offered in resurrecting and preserving our Aero Club and Bob “Do you want a drink, com- Shannon scholarship funds. Even after his passing, Terry rade”? The answer “why will continue to support us. His estate will donate to the not?”. The farmers turned Aero Club Scholarship program over the next decade and the crew over to the Russ- additional donations are being taken in his memory. ian military that took them east and turned them over I told you the story of Terry’s aviation career a few years to an American Mission. back, but it is worth repeating the details... Later in 1945, Terry was Terry was one of those people who was interested in avi- assigned to an Air Transport ation for almost their entire life. When he was four years Group ferrying troops. He old he wanted to emulate Charles Lindbergh and be an returned to the U.S. and aviator. World War II gave him the opportunity. was discharged. He then accepted a commission as a In 1942 he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. of the U.S. Army. After training at bases in Ohio and Texas Army Air Corps Reserve. He he graduated in 1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant and entered served for 26 years and As a civilian flight instructor combat as a co-pilot on a B-17 bomber. Stationed in Fog- retired with the rank of for the U.S. Army during the gia, Italy during that time he completed 24 strategic Lieutenant Colonel. Korean War around 1952.

After the war, Terry enrolled at the University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in business administration.

Terry then flew DC-3s for Turner Airlines in Indianapolis. Turner Airlines was owned by Roscoe Turner and later became Lake Central Airlines. During his time with Lake Central, Terry was assigned to the CAM (Civilian Air Movement) in San Antonio. There he flew military personnel in civilian DC-3s and C-46s. Terry was soon laid off when the military contract dried up. He heard that instructors were going to be needed by the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in Greenville, Mississippi for a civilian contract training Air Force pilots. As Greenville was on his way home to Maryland he stopped in and applied. After attending the Air Force flight instructor school Terry went to work there instructing pilots in T-6s. After three years Terry was beginning to feel burned out so he resigned and went to work for the Martin Company in Baltimore. He worked in the flight test department as Terry seen here in December 1974 as the current Aero a Human Factors Engineer for five years. Club President with former club presidents. From left to right: Normay Greene (1954-56), Jack Schreffler (1971- In 1958 Terry went to work for Atlantic Aviation as an 74), Joseph Simcock (1949-50), Terry Hatcher (1974-94), airplane salesman. He later worked for Page Beechcraft Haig Kurkjian (1968-69), and Thomas Keyes (1969-70).

4 Regional Airport News Continued... Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Report and became Vice President of JUNE 20, 2013, ELAINE FARASHIAN progressing for the 42nd annual Festi- sales. He retired in 1991. val of Flight air show Aug. 24-25. A PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL Piper Arrow has been added to the East end taxiway improvements (EE Recently Congress authorized a flight school fleet. The June 1st Open and H) are in preliminary design. program called “Voices of War” to House was a success. Two week long Taxiway K extension was bid. interview World War II veterans “Future Aviators” summer camps are and preserve their stories. Terry PENNS LANDING HELIPORT [P72] being conducted in July and August. was interviewed by WHYY and his This heliport on the Delaware River QUAKERTOWN [UKT] story is featured in the Ken Burns services corporate needs and refuels The fuel farm repair project is film “The War” which is currently medevac units. Presently, Pier 36 S almost complete and awaiting final housed in the Library of Congress. seawall is being rehabilitated. Sterling approval. The Airport Authority is Helicopter, owned by Common- waiting for bids to rehab the parking We will miss Terry Hatcher very wealth of PA, operates at this site and lot for the former Upper Bucks Vo- much. He had aviation in his blood services Agusta helicopters. Tech School that currently houses and he was a true gentleman. Sur- BRADEN [N43] Verizon. The Authority is funding the viving Terry are his wife, Terri project which will be finished in July. (Theresa); two stepsons, a brother, The Airport Authority is trying to and six grandchildren. sell the airport. Local pilots are rally- QUEEN CITY [XLL] ing to find a suitable airport owner. The Airport Authority has formally Donations in memory of Terry are BRANDYWINE [OQN] committed to keeping the airport being made to the Aero Club of PA Phase 2 of the 4-phase apron drainage open. This releases funds that were Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. project is near completion. Grants stopped during FAA investigation Box 748, Blue Bell, PA 19422 or are expected for rehab and relocation about airport closure proposals. The Home Care Network, Jefferson of airfield lighting and stormwater Construction of new hangar access Health System, 240 Radnor design for runway widening. way is being planned. Chester Road, Radnor, PA 19087. CECIL COUNTY [58M] SOUTH JERSEY REGIONAL [VAY] The airport is included in the recently The consultant is preparing for submit- published Maryland airport economic tal of final master plan update. The fuel impact study at www.marylandregion- tank installation nears completion. alaviation.aero under the publications SPITFIRE [7N7] tab. The airport as a medevac site and Grant reapplication will take place Autonomous Airport Authority desig- under the new owner. nation continue being discussed. TRENTON MERCER [TTN] CHESTER COUNTY [MQS] Runway 6/24 EMAS construction to In Phase 5 of the south apron project. begin in August. A new was grant CROSS KEYS [17N] approved for taxiway H,B,F because Working with NJDOT to recover tests revealed damage is deeper than expired grants. expected. Additional funding from FAA Terry as aircraft salesman for Atlantic Aviation may be needed. Frontier Airlines now DOYLESTOWN [DYL] offers commercial service and tremen- Acquisition of easements for proper- dous passenger growth is expected. Philadephia Class B changes ties under runway 5 approach is near- After many years of trying, the FAA has ly complete. NTSB is investigating a TRENTON ROBBINSVILLE [N87] published final changes to the Philadelphia tragic incident of an experimental The stormwater management plan Class B airspace, designed to improve Cricket (Cri-Cri). Grants are antici- study and the environmental assess- traffic flow into and out of Philadephia pated for obstruction removal of ment study are completed projects, International Airport. The change took approaches. The Authority held its but are waiting for final invoice for effect on July 25 and new charts have 10th annual open house. closeout. The runway repair and been published. The biggest changes detention basin cleanout need time include east and west extensions of the NEW CASTLE [ILG] modification approval. Frontier Airlines began new service existing Class B to accommodate traffic VAN SANT [9N1] into and out of the main runways at to five US airports: Chicago, Orlando, Denver, Houston and Tampa. Family days are scheduled one Sat. Philly. Base altitudes of most of the air- each month this summer with food, space rings have been lowered and the NEW GARDEN [N57] activities and an outside movie. surface area around KPHL is extended Final design for runway widening and from 6NM to 8NM. The final design reconstruction will be completed in WINGS [LOM] includes some but not all changes sug- September with subsequent bidding. The preliminary design to rehab the gested by local pilots and aviation organi- JMC Contractors of Glen Mills will GA terminal apron is to be complet- zations such as AOPA, including a cutout rehab the west GA apron upon ed in August. A grant was awarded by for parachute activity at Cross Keys air- issuance of a BOA grant. Plans are the BOA the end of May. port in New Jersey.

PENNSYLVANIA PILOT 5 Aero Club and Ninety-Nines scholarships awards

2013 Aero Club of Pennsylvania Awards The Aero Club of Pennsylvania Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded 12 scholarships totaling $24,000, including a $1000 in honor of Bill Backenstose, and $3,500 in honor of Bob Shannon.

COLLEEN COX MATTHEW DALY CHARLES KEITH HEISLER EMILY LEWIS SECANE, PA PHILADELPHIA, PA OXFORD, PA MICKLETON, NJ Colleen is a trained Med- Second year recipient grad- Attending Bishop Shanna- Completed Private Pilot in ical Laboratory Tech with uated summa cum laude han HS. Completed first high school. Second year her Private Pilot certificate. from LaSalle University. solo on 16th birthday and recipient is working on her She will use her scholar- Aspires to become airline will use scholarship to com- Commercial and is attend- ship award to finish her pilot. Matt is working on plete Private, with checkride ing Salisbury University instrument rating and to the Instrument rating at planned for 17th birthday. with aspirations of being work on a CFI rating. Hortman Aviation. Wants to be a CFI. an aviation professional.

JAMES REAGAN EMILY RITT JOSEPH PITTS TANNER STOTT HOCKESSIN, PA MEDFORD LAKES, NJ AVONDALE, PA GLENMOORE, PA Got Private at New Garden Graduated Shawnee HS in Second year recipient is an Graduated Conestoga Airfield. Completed fresh- 2011. She will attend the engineering student at Penn Christian H.S. in Morgan- man year at Kent State Uni- Pennsylvania College of State. Working on IFR at town, PA. Will study aircraft versity. On Deans List and Technology to study aircraft New Garden. Aspirations to maintenance at the Pennsyl- Precision Flying Team. Will maintenance and will also become Marine Corps pilot vania College of Technolo- use scholarship for Com- receive an Associate’s and be accepted in U.S. gy in their four year Bache- mercial. Goal is to fly cargo. Degree in Applied Science. Naval Test Pilot School. lor of Science program.

6 PENNSYLVANIA PILOT Aero Club Award & Aero Club Bob Shannon Awards Backenstose Award Bob Shannon Scholarships are awarded in honor of Bob Shan- non, who operated West Chester Airport (Brandywine) and then Downingtown Airport (Shannon Airport) in the 1960’s and 1970’s. This year, the Aero Club awarded $3250 in honor of Bob Shannon.

STEPHEN JORDAN WEST CHESTER, PA Recipient of two awards from the Aero Club, Stephen is enrolled in ELEANOR GORDON YENI OCAMPO Franklin and Marshall and is a 3rd A 16 year old high school stu- Working in Sales at Flight Safe- year award recipient. Training for dent at the STEM Academy in ty in Delaware, Yeni will use IFR at Chester County with goal Downingtown. She is begin- the award to start her Private to become an airline pilot and to ning her Private Pilot training Pilot training at Aero Ways at participate in Air National Guard. at Chester County Airport. New Castly County Airport.

2013 Eastern PA Chapter, Ninety-Nines Awards The Eastern PA Chapter of The Ninety-Nines awards scholarships to woman interested in starting or furthering their interest in aviation. This year, they awarded three scholarships, totalling $7500.

JOY KAZIMER PAULINE PARENT GRACE PETERSON LOUISE SACCHI AWARD CONNIE WOLF AWARD THERESA DELLAQUILA AWARD

Enrolled in Aviation Institute of BS in Aeronautical Science Working on Commercial Multi at Maintenance pursuing A&P. from Embry Riddle, MS Aero- LeTourneau Univ. Goal to con- Works at Northeast Philadel- space Engineering from Univ centrate on mission work in phia Airport and also working of MD. Has Multi, Instrument, Alaska, instructing in tailwheel, on her Private Pilot. Scholar- Commercial. Scholarship to working as mechanic and as ship to help with tuition. be used to get CFI. missionalry to Native Alaskans.

7 FIRST CLASS Organized December 17, 1909; Chartered May 10, 1910 POSTAGE REQUIRED AERO CLUB OF PENNSYLVANIA P.O. BOX 748, BLUE BELL, PA 19422 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED www.aeroclubpa.org facebook.com/AeroClubOfPa

FLIGHT SAFETY BRIEFING

From July/August issue of FAA’s Safety Briefing Magazine: taxiways and in airways — can be quite challenging. It’s a jungle out there! Gen. George S. Patton: “Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the The principle behind defensive flying is to never unforeseeable and the unpredictable.” assume that other pilots, air traffic controllers, ground personnel, or even Mother Nature are looking out for Be Prepared your safety. Because pilots are human, we often get The latest issue of FAA’s Flight Safety Briefing plays on trapped in our own tiny universe and forget to consid- that theme as is considers ways to prepare for the unex- er the bigger picture. In certain cases, we have to pected things that can happen when flying a small air- defend against our own miscalculating and complacent craft. John Allen, Director of Flight Standards, points ways to prevent events that could lead even the most out that as in life, we have to make our own luck in avia- experienced aviators down the wrong path. However, tion by preparing for the unknown in two key ways. with a proper plan and good situational awareness, First, we prepare by learning as much as possible about, you’ll be much better prepared for the various factors well, everything related to aviation. Second, we learn that can adversely affect aviation safety. from how other aviators have coped with unusual cir- Mental Preparation, Prep for Takeoff, Checklists, and cumstances. Steve Sparks, CFI and aviation safety Preparing from Beginning to End. inspector expands on this in his article Fly Defensively. Dr. Steve Sparks is an aviation safety inspector at the Wichita Much like defensive driving, defensive flying involves FSDO specializing in part 141 flight schools, human factors, staying one step ahead of the curve when it comes to helicopter operations, and educational outreach initiatives. He is safety. As we drive to the airport in preparation for an a certificated flight instructor for both airplanes and helicopters. upcoming flight, we are bombarded with opportunities to exercise defensive driving skills and elude potential Read the full article and download the full issue at danger. In a similar way, navigating an aircraft — on www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing.