Author: pstav@adelie.net

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KRDG Reading February WINGS Event

The first NEBG event of 2024 was to sponsor an FAA WINGS seminar in the departure lounge of KRDG. We had about 33 attendees, many of them aircraft owners of other than Beechcraft products.

We want to thank Aram Basmadjian for taking the time to put together this event. Thanks also to the FAA WINGS team and Bill VanArtdalen for getting this together.

Aram Basmadjian FAA WINGS

Coffee and danish provided by the NEBG for the attendees. Both a summary of the event and Aram’s PowerPoint slides are below.

There were quite a number of aircraft there. Here’s a photo of the ramp outside the restaurant:

–paul
N155JA

Aram’s PowerPoint as a PDF:

IFR Made Easy!Download


SUMMARY:

Speaker: Aram Basmadjian Date: February 10, 2024 Location: Reading Regional Airport (RDG) Target Audience: Single-pilot Instrument Flight Rated (IFR) pilots, primarily Beechcraft owners but open to all

Main Topic: Using the autopilot effectively to reduce workload and improve situational awareness during IFR flight.

Key Points:

  • Challenges of Single-Pilot IFR: Increased workload, multitasking demands, decision fatigue.
  • Benefits of Autopilot: Allows pilot to focus on other tasks, reduces fatigue, improves overall safety.
  • Importance of Knowledge: Understand your specific autopilot’s capabilities and limitations (RTFM!).
  • Basic Autopilot Operations: Know how to engage/disengage, switch modes, and troubleshoot common issues.
  • Setting Up for Departure: Pre-program desired altitude and heading before takeoff.
  • Vertical Modes: Understand the differences between IAS, VS, VNAV, and ALT modes and choose the appropriate one for the situation.
  • Autopilot Tips:
    • Don’t engage AP until desired modes are selected.
    • Use pitch wheel on mode controller for minor altitude adjustments in ALT mode.
    • Reactivate lateral mode after changing nav sources.
    • Use APR for approaches with vertical guidance, NAV otherwise.
    • Practice TOGA (Take Off / Go Around) mode in VFR first.
  • SIDs/STARs: Follow specific procedures for loading and flying these routes with the autopilot.
  • Approach Procedures: Use the “5 A’s and 5 T’s” checklist for a smooth and safe approach.

Additional Information:

  • The talk was sponsored by the FAA Safety Team and the NorthEast Bonanza Group.
  • The presentation materials were available to attendees.
  • Information about the FAA WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program was provided, including how to participate and earn credits.

Overall, this talk provided valuable information and tips for single-pilot IFR pilots on how to use the autopilot effectively to enhance safety and situational awareness.

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From the President, November 2023

Mike

We had our meeting at Reading Airport on November 4th with many ideas discussed and lots of participation.

We look forward to another great year of flying and enjoying travel in our wonderful machines during 2024. Collectively we layed out these events for the coming year:

  • February 10 – Aram Basmadjian – will present, “Use of the Autopilot in Instrument Flying,” Lancaster, PA KLNS. Aram is a former airline pilot, current FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and current owner of a V Tail Bonanza. 
  • April 20, Montauk, NY for lunch.  Walk to the great restaurant.  Michael Madigan to organize.
  • May 18, Westfield, MA (KBAF), great lunch spot and there is a museum to peruse.  Michael Shehl to organize (I’ll help).  Tentative date.
  • May 30 to June 2 – Chatham, MA (KCQX) on Cape Cod.   On the Atlantic Ocean, known for its beaches, including Lighthouse Beach near the landmark 19th-century Chatham Lighthouse. The Chatham Railroad Museum exhibits model trains and train artifacts in a former depot dating from 1887. To the south, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge provides a vast habitat for migratory birds.  Michael Madigan and I will organize.
  • June 6-9 – Formation flying clinic at Barnes (KBAF), Paul Stavrides to organize
  • June 23 – 29, Twillingate Newfoundland and Blanc Sablon, Quebec (near Labrador).  I have been to Twillingate and it really is the iceberg capital of the world.  Twillingate is a 2-hour drive north from Gander which has good FBOs but no 100LL.  For those without Tip Tanks, Deer Lake has fuel.
    • Blanc Sablon does have 100LL.  In Blanc Sablon, the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in June 2013. In the 16th century, thousands of Basque whaling ships swarmed Red Bay to hunt whales and export them to Europe, and today you can walk through the whaling town of Red Bay and rewind the history.
  • August 24 – KSCH Schenectady – Lunch and museum visit.  Michael Shehl to organize (I’ll help).
  • September 21 – Basin Harbor (B06) for lunch.  Maritime museum on site, great hiking trails, option to stay the weekend at the resort.  Runway is 3000’ of grass in good condition.
  • October – Harley Davidson factory tour, York, PA (KTHV).  They suspended factory tours for covid but plan to restart them for 2024.  Fly into York, PA airport & we’ll get ground transport.
  • November 2 – Back to Reading (KRDG) for our planning session. 

Mike McNamara
mikemcnamara88@aol.com

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From the President October 2023

Mike


Join us at the Reading, PA Airport (KRDG) for the annual recap of 2023 and to discuss plans for 2024.

Arrive at 9:30AM, meet 10AM, lunch around 11:30 or noon.

An airline is coming in at 4PM and they want us out of there by 2PM.

Ask for parking by the restaurant. If you will be there beyond 2PM, park at Millenium and walk over to the main terminal building (short walk). That is also where you would get fuel.

Please come with your ideas for next year. We need your help.

Mike McNamara
610-220-3140
mikemcnamara88@aol.com