Sacramento County Sheriff s Air Squadron Newsletter

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Alicia Turner
5 years ago
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and around the globe. The exhibit is on loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

The crescent shaped tower at the Abu Dhabi International Airport resembles the sail of a dhow boat to emphasize the area s proud maritime heritage.

Exhibit photographer Carolyn Russo will be making an in person visit to the AMC on April 26 & 27. The exhibit is now showing in the McClellan Gallery and will be on display until July 6 th.

1 S NEWSLETTER April 2018 Sacramento County Sheriff s Air Squadron Newsletter SERVING THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFF SINCE 1941 APRIL MEETING Art of the Airport Tower: Exploring contemporary and historic air traffic towers Art of the Airport Tower is a new exhibit now showing at the Aerospace Museum of California (AMC). It represents a photographic journey that visits airports in the U.S. and around the globe. The exhibit is on loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Since often the first impression travelers have when they reach a new destination is the tower, each tower tells a unique and important story about is airport, community and culture. The crescent shaped tower at the Abu Dhabi International Airport resembles the sail of a dhow boat to emphasize the area s proud maritime heritage. Compared with the rather mundane Sacramento International Airport s tower, the exhibit gives a one of a kind view of airport towers which will perhaps change the way you think about flight. Exhibit photographer Carolyn Russo will be making an in person visit to the AMC on April 26 & 27. The exhibit is now showing in the McClellan Gallery and will be on display until July 6 th. This is the exhibit s only showing in California. Russo says that the towers in the exhibit are unsung heroes in the aviation environment. I am fascinated by their shapes, she said. Avionics Roundtable April 18, :30 pm Squadron Headquarters Executive Airport April s meeting features a round table discussion of the tremendous avionics changes included in the FAA s NextGen air traffic modernization. Representatives from Executive Autopilot, Airborne Electronics and Garmin will provide insights into the fast paced world of aircraft avionics. Mode C transponders must meet the ADS B Out mandate effective January 1, 2020.

2 FAR 43 provides performance rules for aircraft inspections. Aircraft undergoing annual inspection work. Checking the security of all safety wiring is an important annual inspection task.

Let s face it, many of our airplanes are over 30 years old and the annual inspection can be the biggest contributor to our yearly cost of operation.

The first and most important thing to do is establish a relationship with a shop that is willing to work with you. In my case, I have had a long term relationship with Ivan Air at Executive Airport.

3 (d) allows a person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate to perform work on an airplane.

2 2 FAR 43 provides performance rules for aircraft inspections. Aircraft undergoing annual inspection work. Checking the security of all safety wiring is an important annual inspection task. Commander s Column Owner-assisted annuals Two words that most general aviation aircraft owners hate to hear are annual inspection. Let s face it, many of our airplanes are over 30 years old and the annual inspection can be the biggest contributor to our yearly cost of operation. But thinking of the annual inspection from a positive perspective, an ownerassisted annual is a great way to save money and learn about your own airplane at the same time. The first and most important thing to do is establish a relationship with a shop that is willing to work with you. In my case, I have had a long term relationship with Ivan Air at Executive Airport. Ivan Air is a medium sized shop that is accommodating to the customer. FAR 43.3 (d) allows a person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate to perform work on an airplane. FAR Part 43 also gives guidelines on what should be accomplished during an annual inspection (Appendix D). My first step in the annual inspection process is to spend some time with Ivan Air reviewing my logbooks checking for any AD s and Service Bulletins. Next steps involve opening up the aircraft removable coverings, access covers, inspection plate, removing seats and carpets. Then taking a hard look inside the airplane and performing my own thorough inspection. The more eyes that look, the better. I look for corrosion, wiggle things that should be solid, look for anything that looks suspicious. Ivan Air develops a list of discrepancies as the pros inspect my airplane. They advise me on items that I can correct and those that require a mechanic s attention. Then after the paperwork is all completed, there is one final step and it is important. I let Ivan Air know how much I appreciate working together on the owner assisted annual inspection. Shops don t need to work with owners and many don t. But working together helps keep my budget lower and gives me additional insight into the operation of my flying machine. May all your squawks be simple and inexpensive. Commander Terry

3 SQUADRON ON THE WEB New web site is launched This month the Air Squadron s revised web site became operational with the site formatted to work on desk top and mobile devices.

Future enhancements are slated to include additional interactive features allowing members to sign in with a protected password to look up our current membership directory.

The new website is hosted on GoDaddy. Our URL is: www.sacairsquadron.com. BY THE NUMBERS This is the Air Squadron s 72 nd year of continuous operation.

3 3 SQUADRON ON THE WEB New web site is launched This month the Air Squadron s revised web site became operational with the site formatted to work on desk top and mobile devices. March meeting look back: Jonna Doolittle draws crowd Both current and back issue Newsletters can be accessed on the new site. Future enhancements are slated to include additional interactive features allowing members to sign in with a protected password to look up our current membership directory. Also in the future, social media via Facebook will allow members to post pictures and content sharing. We will have the ability to provide forums for aviation issues and ideas. The new website is hosted on GoDaddy. Our URL is: BY THE NUMBERS This is the Air Squadron s 72 nd year of continuous operation. Established in 1941, the Squadron was disbanded for a brief period during WWII when general aviation flying was not allowed in California. Our group reactivated in 1946, after the war. At the March meeting our Squadron Hut was filled with members and guests looking forward to Joanna Doolittle describe her remembrances growing up with her grandfather, General Jimmy Doolittle. Jonna autographed copies of her book Calculated Risk and described the book as a love story; Doolittle and aviation Doolittle and his wife Joe. Chuck Asbury brought to the meeting a special display of Doolittle Raider autographs from his personal collection of aviation art. The meeting highlight was Jonna s engaging presentation of rarely seen family photos. Gen. Doolittle was a true American hero not only in air racing and time of war, but also as an early pioneer in the realm of blind flight. Gramps had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self discipline. His sense of humor and his charm, his keen observations and his honesty and fairness were things that I observed firsthand said Jonna. My work as a Doolittle ambassador represents a goal of passing on to a new generation the story of Jimmy and Joe Doolittle, and to keep our collective memory alive for at least a little longer. He was best known for leading the Tokyo Raid, but the raid was not what he felt was his most important achievement. He firmly believed that his experiments, especially in blind flight, were his greatest contributions.

4 Mission 2.0 Tom Jones, AMC s new Executive Director (Ed. Note: The Aerospace Museum of California has a new Executive Director, Tom Jones.

Jones: Our future will involve inspirational technology exhibits that includes drones, robotics, programming and commercialization of space activities.

Team building using our Flight Zone offers 5 th 8 th graders a chance to experience a potential career in aviation. What funding tactics will the museum use to support this vision?

4 4 Mission 2.0 Tom Jones, AMC s new Executive Director (Ed. Note: The Aerospace Museum of California has a new Executive Director, Tom Jones. Your editor had an opportunity to discuss the museum s future plans with him at his McClellan Park office.) You ve characterized the museum s future plans as version 2.0. What will be different? Jones: Our future will involve inspirational technology exhibits that includes drones, robotics, programming and commercialization of space activities. We see our learning experiences based upon STEM as an important community asset and an outstanding guest experience. Team building using our Flight Zone offers 5 th 8 th graders a chance to experience a potential career in aviation. What funding tactics will the museum use to support this vision? Jones: After creating our vision, we understood that the path would require partners business partners, funding partners, speakers and community outreach. We have had discussions with Southwest Airlines to become involved in our Summer Camp that s a first step in what we hope will be a long standing business partner relationship. Art of the Tower is a new exhibit for the museum this month. Does that follow the museum s new vision path? Jones: Yes, definitely. The photo art exhibit comes at the end of California s Photography Month in April and will include a social occasion with a wine/cheese mixer. We want the community to come in and see what we are doing here. When kids come in to visit the exhibit we will have a docent guide them through the art. At the conclusion of the session, students will draw their version of what a control tower of the future might look like. We see art as an important part of STEM. What can we expect to see in new aircraft exhibits? Jones: We are looking forward to the SOFIA visit later this year. Strategic Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, is an 80/20 partnership of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) consisting of an extensively modified Boeing 747SP aircraft carrying a reflecting telescope with an effective diameter of 2.5 meters. What is your aviation background? Jones: I flew helicopters and C 130 aircraft in the U.S. Navy then moved over into the education field. My academic studies have been in the area of systems analysis. Currently, I enjoy flying my C172 based at Executive Airport. The museum s board of directors includes an Air Squadron member? Jones: We are very pleased that Ken Lux is currently serving as President of the museum s board of directors. Ken brings an outstanding ability to network with aviation leaders throughout the state along with strong leadership for our board. Movie star Harrison Ford produced a video about Flight Zone. Has that helped your outreach? Jones: Ford s video is an outstanding promotional tool for the museum. He is identified so readily among movie goers of all ages that his experience in aviation and support of our museum is a key component of our Dreams take Flight campaign.

Watching U 2 takeoffs and nearly vertical climb outs reminded all attendees of the tremendous engineering that went into this 1950 s era aircraft. Jim Phillips tries on the U 2 cockpit.

5 S NEWSLETTER April 2018 BEALE TRIP A SUCCESS Almost 30 Air Squadron members and guests attended our March 29 th mission to Beale Air Force Base in Marysville. At Beale, the group received a brief on U 2 Dragon Lady and RQ 4 Global Hawk operations. Then a trip to the flight line! Watching U 2 takeoffs and nearly vertical climb outs reminded all attendees of the tremendous engineering that went into this 1950 s era aircraft. Jim Phillips tries on the U 2 cockpit. Global Hawk aircraft were clearly today s technology applied to long duration recon data gathering. Jim Wilson cleared our trip with base authorities, arranged for lunch at the Officer s Club and shared personal stories of his involvement in the SR 71 program during his two assignments to Beale. Eventually Jim became the base commander. Jim s knowledge of the SR 71 program was clearly evident when the tour stopped at a Blackbird static display one of the aircraft that Jim flew on secret missions. Topping off the base visit were rides in U 2 chase cars which drew within feet of landing aircraft. Chase cars reached speeds of over 110 mph. JIM WILSON ARRANGES TRIP

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Participant s Guide. Hosted by NOVAAR, NAR Section 205

Participant s Guide. Hosted by NOVAAR, NAR Section 205 Participant s Guide National Association of Rocketry 2017 Convention Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel 2200 Centreville Road, Herndon, Virginia 20170 February 24-26, 2017 Hosted by NOVAAR, NAR Section