Pilot Gains New Confidence with New Rating
By Katharina Batista

Belgian pilot, Eddy De Reys, wanted to combine business with flying and knew the only efficient way to make it work was if he were instrument rated. At the advice of his instructor, he chose to come to the United States to get his IFR rating. After a discouraging experience at a Denver flight school, he was impressed that the staff in Fort Worth knew exactly what he needed to do as a foreign student to get a US IFR rating.

Initially he came for a 3-day weekend in February to try out the school. The weekend was well organized to best utilize his time; he was able to do a lot of flying, and he was amazed by the patience the friendly staff had with him. The weekend went so well that Eddy was inspired to prepare for his written and to return for the last two weeks of April. Twelve full days of training, sometimes from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, got Eddy prepared for his check ride, which he passed on the 13th day. He flew home that evening as he had planned with his family.

Eddy has already taken a couple of flights in IMC and is enjoying his rating as well as the added safety it provides. "With a wife and three kids, you don't want to take any risks. Being 99% sure isn't good enough," he said.

New Pilot Has Big Plans
By Joe La Valle

After recently passing his private pilot check ride, Bob Palcher, 48, is already making plans. He is currently preparing for instrument ground school, and is hoping to sign up for the instrument flight course soon. Bob appreciated long ago the freedom, responsibility and mobility that aviation could provide.

Bob realized that “flying is a lot of fun, but is also a greatresource for business”. Bob has spent 20 years criss-crossing the country as an auto-parts consultant, and knows that efficient use of time is good for business. On the day of this interview, Bob was returning from the Cirrus dealer, a proud owner of a Cirrus SR-22 GTS complete with air-conditioning and an onboard oxygen system.

The things Bob most looks forward to is being able to take vacations down to the Bahamas. His most memorable trip so far has been a trip to an island off of Panama City. Located in a dense jungle, the airstrip was a short canoe ride to a deep-sea fishing port; a short while later marlin and sailfish were putting up a fight. Bob is not only seeking adventure, but a chance to share the thrill of flight with his grandchildren (when they are old enough). Granddaughter Colby is 14 months old, and his grandson Elliot is on the way. Very soon, these two will have a proud grandfather to share the skies with.

July Destinations
By Joe La Valle

For a relaxing and exciting outdoor experience this summer, the Cleburne State Park has everything you need. Conveniently located near Cleburne Municipal Airport, (CPT), this historic park offers the ultimate camping experience without leaving the comforts of home too far behind. First opened in 1938, Cleburne State Park is situated on 528 acres of park with a 116 acre lake on-site. Activities include boating, fishing, bike trails to suit all experience levels, as well as three golf courses. The campgrounds can accommodate everything from a small pup tent to large trailers to RVs. Campsites include picnic areas with tables and benches, grills and fire pits, as well as restrooms with hot showers. The kitchen area and dining hall are furnished with seating for 60 guests, commercialstyle stoves and griddles, refrigerators, freezers, sinks, worktops and electricity. All you need to bring is cookware and silverware. Nearby attractions include Dinosaur Valley State Park, Acton State Historic Site, as well as Six Flags over Texas theme and water park. For outdoor relaxation with a touch of home, don’t miss the atmosphere and fun of Cleburne State Park.

How Can You Forecast Tomorrow Morning's Low Temperature?
In our "Horizons" video series about weather, airline pilot and meteorologist Gordon Barnes gives us a tip on forecasting tomorrow's low temperature. He says the dew point on today's 1:00 PM METAR will be tomorrow morning's low temperature.

I tested Gordon's theory for accuracy. The June 4th, 1:00 PM METAR stated a dew point of 48.0 degrees F. The lowest temperature on June 5th was recorded on the 6:00 am METAR as 48.0 degrees F. It works! Now you can use this little known tip for your next early morning flight.

The Benefit of Practical Flight Instruction
By David Menconi, Chief Flight Instructor

You have been waiting all week for an opportunity to get with an instructor and receive some badly needed flight instruction. You may have even taken some time off from work or delayed or rescheduled a meeting in order to complete this flight training session. When you arrive at the airport you find out that there is an obstacle. Be it a thunderstorm, icing, low ceilings, low visibility, or an equipment malfunction, there always seems to be an obstacle present that can be used to prevent you from accomplishing your mission. An instructor that understands the benefits of practical flight instruction will take advantage of such situations in order to train a student in decision-making and risk management. Reviewing all available options and determining the risk associated with each will often allow the flight session to be conducted safely. Developing the student's knowledge and skill to safely exercise the privileges of their pilot certificate comes from gaining experience in dealing with the practical realities that pilots deal with on a daily basis. If an instructor only trains in a sterile environment, they are not preparing the student for the practical, real life, situations that they will face when they encounter an obstacle after they are certified. Instead of disappointing a student by canceling the flight training session, the student will learn and understand how to apply their knowledge to maintain a safe operation. Isn't that what it's all about?

This Month in Aviation History
by Joe La Valle

CThe Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress has become an enduring symbol of the aerial conflict in World War II; however, it almost never left the drawing board. During the mid 1930’s, the U.S. Army Air Corps was looking for a multi-engine heavy bomber. Three companies designed and built entrants: Boeing, Douglas and Martin. Originally known as the Boeing Model 299, it first flew on July 17th, 1935; this was the first flight of a mass-produced four-engine bomber. During competition flights, the 299 lost to the Douglas DB-1. However, on October 30th, 1935, the Army Air Corps gave it a second try, and it won the competition with the Army ordering thirteen aircraft, now designated as the YB-17. With production accelerated at the onset of the war, Boeing eventually produced 12,700 of the venerable aircraft by 1945. After the war, B-17s served as airliners, reconnaissance aircraft, and aerial firefighters. Only 15 are still flying, with the remaining few relegated to museums and memories.

Ask the Pilot Professor
By Dr. Michael Bliss

Q: If you depart on a cross country and encounter weather conditions that delay your return trip two days, does the flight still count as one cross country?

A: Yes, it still counts as one cross country. The regulations do not require a cross country flight to be completed within any certain time frame, nor does it make sense that a pilot should be penalized when acting prudently concerning weather.

Please send your questions to dr_bliss@af.tv

Calendar
Ground Schools & Events

Click here for a more detailed map