WWASHINGTON PPILOTS AASSOCIATION 42nd Year No. 2 April - May 2003 Inside WPAWings From h ! Page 2 Pilot Responsiblity President’s Nesko on WASAR The Frugal Flyer Message ! Page 3 The Last Stratoliner H. Allen Smith Pocket PC for Pilots Well, here we go... year num- ! Page 4 ber 43 of the existence of the Wash- Angel on Board ington Pilots Association, and 100 years Chapters since Wilbur and Orville mastered ! Page 5 heavier than air flight. Kicking off the Knock off the Rust new year was our booth at the North- ! Page 6 West Aviation Conference in February. The Queen is Dead A big thank you goes to all that worked WPA At Work so hard to make this happen. In just two days we signed up over 30 mem- ! Page 7 bers, talked to hundreds of pilots, and State Treasurer Wanted Flight deck personnel watch as an F-14 Tomcat from the “Black applications continue to come in. North Sound Chapter Knights” of Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) launches off At a recent Board meeting Jerry New Restaurant at TIW the angle deck, catapult three of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy Blanchard (State VP West) commented Calendar of Events photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Chris D. Howell. that a member had asked him, “Why ! Page 8 does the State Chapter exist?” this is a A Marine Corps Christmas good question... with many good an- INCREASED AIRCRAFT swers. Here’s my take... WPA brings 15 local flying clubs under the umbrella REGISTRATION of one large State organization. As a result we have a much louder and more ENFORCEMENT effective voice at the Aviation Division (WSDOT), the FAA, and at the State with the WSDOT. This directly affects the legislature. Let’s talk about that legisla- WPA supports the ef- preservation and survival of many airports, ture... I have worked as a member of forts by the WSDOT-AD to particularly in eastern Washington. Over the WPA since 1996. When the legislative enforce pilot and aircraft reg- years, the WSDOT Aviation Division has session opens... the WPA goes to work. PAID istration; to more uniformly done what it could to generate compliance of Much of our effort is focused on fight- Permit #5 spread the burden of finan- the state registration laws, but many remain ing off “sounds good - feels good” PRSRT STD. cial support for aviation. The U.S. POSTAGE Snohomish, WA unaware of the requirements. legislation that someone, somewhere, following is a proposed letter Beginning April 1st, WSDOT Avia- thought was a good idea. Many of these which should be self-explana- tion will launch a registration compliance and bills do not even make it out of com- tory. - Ed. enforcement campaign using the FAA data- mittee because the Washington Pilots Dear Airport Sponsor: base to identify non-registered Washington avi- Association is there at hearings and in The Washington State Department of ators. Every non-registered pilot, mechanic hallways telling “our” side. We usually Transportation Aviation Division provides and aircraft owner will receive a letter provid- receive little credit for this never ending grant money each year to airports across the ing registration information and offering the battle and yet our impact on General state that desperately need pavement mainte- opportunity to comply by July 1st without in- Aviation in this state is very real. nance and improvements. Airport preserva- curring a penalty. After this amnesty period, If you have the time for, and in- tion projects are made possible through the WSDOT will begin assessing civil penalties in terest in, actively enjoying the activities WSDOT Airport Aid Grant Program and accordance with Senate Bill 5961 (see en- and the friendships of one of our many over $10 million in airport preservation needs closed document). chapters throughout the state... good for are currently identified. Unfortunately, over We need your help. Airport sponsors you. If you don’t, you can still do your $7 million in preservation projects will go un- can play a major role in spreading the word part and make a contribution to the great funded even when state and federal funds are about state registration. When entering into fun of flying around in Washington in a combined. The condition of airport pavement lease agreements/renewals with aircraft own- small plane. Be a proud member of is rapidly dwindling, leaving many facilities at ers, please direct them to www.wsdot.wa.gov, WPA and continue to send in your $31. risk. where they can take advantage of the new Yes the money helps, but what really Over two-thirds of the pilots and half online registration system. WSDOT also en- counts is our membership numbers. of Washington’s aircraft owners fail to register courages the continued commitment of airports Members need to bring in new mem- Continued on page 6 bers. To do your part you have to put a little effort into it. Find someone at your airport and tell them we need their name on our membership list. Can you do that? Well if you can’t I understand, but don’t complain when one of your favorite flying destinations receives freshly painted yellow X’s on the run- ways. WSDOT has made it clear that this is where we are headed. You see, our General Aviation “voice” is just not quite loud enough... Pull up www.leg.wa.gov and click on “find Washington Pilots Assoc. PMB 397, 227 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue, WA 98004-9721 Address Service Requested Continued on page 6 2 Washington Pilots Association April - May 2003 Pilot’s Responsibility: Flight Preparation Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) Nesko on WASAR Jackson, Wyoming WASAR WANTS YOU! remembered that in order to participate Harold Handke, FAA in an actual event, you must possess a Tom Nesko, WPA WASAR Director current valid SAR card which shows that The Jackson Airort Traffic Control ho/Utah/Colorado). The final two pi- The 2003 Board of Directors was you have either participated in a search Tower (ATCT) opened in June of 2000. lots were from Kansas and Oklahoma. elected at the annual meeting held on or training event within the last two The opening of the ATCT was to coin- Local pilots accounted for over 88% the 22nd of February at the Puyallup Avi- years. When (thankfully) actual need to cide with the publication of the new of all pilot deviations associated with ation Trade Show. The candidates were search for downed aircraft doesn’t hap- charts with all the appropriate data for fixed wing aircraft at this airport. elected and subsequently assigned du- pen, then the next best opportunity is the new tower. The charts did not get In all cases, the pilots had not met ties as follows: State Director – Tom the training exercise. Participation in this published until December of 2000. the requirements of FAR Part 91 Sub- Nesko, Eastside Coordinator – Chuck type of event in the past several years However, NOTAMs were issued stat- part B, paragraph 103, paragraph (a), Eller, Westside Co- has been woefully ing that the ATCT was open and oper- “Each pilot in command shall, before ordinator – Tom down. So the ating. The first reported pilot deviation beginning a flight, become familiar with Jensen, Secretary – Board has to come was on May 26, 2001. all available information concerning that Gary Evans, Trea- up with a strategy There were no pilot deviations re- flight. For a flight under IFR or a flight surer – Jack Krause. to increase your corded from June 2000 to May 2001. not in the vicinity of an airport, weath- Two other positions participation. Don’t The staff of the JAC ATCT felt obli- er reports and forecasts, fuel require- sit on the board and be surprised if you gated to give the pilots a chance since ments, alternatives available if the they are newly elect- get a call (as you this was a new tower. planned flight cannot be completed, and ed WPA President would in an actual There were several documented any known traffic delays of which the H. Smith and a yet to event) to come out pilot deviations that were not reported pilot in command has been advised by be announced rep- to a base of opera- during this period. In one incident a pilot ATCT.” resentative from the tions and participate landed on the runway while it was closed On August 12, 2002, an aircraft CAP. in a SAREX. While and under construction. He had not landed on Runway 18 at Jackson Hole The first task the urgency in a checked for NOTAMs. In December Airport and exited the Runway at Taxi- undertaken by the practice event isn’t as of 2000, another pilot landed between way A2. The pilot had not established Board is to seek re- great as a “real-life” the runway and taxiway with two feet communications with the ATCT prior vitalization of the event, I would ask of snow on the ground. Everyone to entering the Class D Airspace or pri- organization. Every member of that you do understand the degree of walked away but the aircraft suffered or to landing. There was a temporary WASAR will shortly receive a newslet- importance and participate. major damage. The pilot was flying with flight restriction in effect at the time for ter telling him or her why WASAR wants During the calendar year of 2002 outdated charts and he had not checked a 3 nautical mile radius of the JAC VOR their participation. The board is review- there were 350 reported aircraft inci- for NOTAMs nor did he contact the below 3000’ AGL.