KBAF Westfield

We will have an informal lunch at 12 noon at the restaurant in the terminal and wander over to the museum.

Mike Shehl and I are supposed to be organizing but his airplane is down and I am doing Young Eagles but we both are still going to try to come up.

Let Mike or me know if you are coming.

mikemcnamara88@aol.com.
610-220-3140

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:


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.

Poughkeepsie Brunch, Formation Training…

Mike

May 6 – KPOU, Poughkeepsie, NY. Brunch at Paula’s on the Airfield. Sacha Botbol, who imported a Ukrainian Yak 18T as the Russians were invading Ukraine, gave a great presentation about the challenges of buying an airplane in Ukraine as the war drums were beating and shipping it out during the war. The seller flew him around in a Baron which was destroyed by war shortly thereafter. The large WW2 hangar that the Yak sat in was reduced to ashes shortly after the Yak was moved out.

Lunch in Paula’s Café for the 13 of us was good, the FBO right next door had a large TV we were able to present on. Sacha brought the Yak to the field so the 13 of us could admire the unusual engineering (by U.S. standards) and see it firsthand.

May 18-21 – The Martinsburg Panhandlerz formation clinic is May 18-21. Come check out a great airport and airspace for formation flying–and a great bunch of pilots to fly with! The spring clinic will focus on training new formation pilots and regaining proficiency for all to participate safely in B2OSH. Clinic sign up information is now on the B2OSH web site.

See you May 18 – 21!
Zaz

June 1-4 – Hyannis, MA. I have landed at Hyannis but never stayed there. This village on Cape Cod is known for its wide beaches and the private Kennedy Compound. The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum chronicles the assassinated president’s family vacations through videos and photographs.

At the Hyannis harbor, the Cape Cod Maritime Museum has boat building exhibits.
Main Street in downtown Hyannis is known for specialty shops, restaurants, and attractions.

As for lodging, the Hyannis Harbor Hotel looks to be the place where we can gather, socialize, and depart for various activities. I have already made my reservations; less than $1K for 3 nights with fees.

ForeFlight shows 4 FBO’s. The best one for piston aircraft to use is Griffin which is on the west side of the airport, across from Atlantic. Michael Madigan & I are sharing a car.

August 13-19 — St. John’s Newfoundland. I am already getting inquiries about this trip; people are excited.

If you are new to flying internationally, I have a writeup about how to fly to Canada. You can request it from me, and I will publish it in the newsletter as we get closer.

Approximate schedule, subject to change (as you wish):
— August 12 – Ginny & I will fly to Bangor & stay downtown, probably in a Marriott property. If you are joining us there, let me know.
— August 13 – Fly to St. John’s, Newfoundland. PAL Aviation seems to be the place for the piston crowd. Comments talk about $125 (C) Handling charge but that includes 3 nights parking, so I guess OK (I think that is $90 US). Fuel is very expensive so if you have tip tanks you will tanker fuel in.
– Last time we stayed at the Sheraton hotel downtown, which is a 4-star hotel, in a great
location, and cheap. 4 nights.
– Enterprise will deliver cars to the FBO. I recommend a bigger car (SUV) for 2 couples to
share.
— August 14 – day trip to Terra Nova National Park.
— August 15 – day trip down the west side of Avalon peninsula
— August 16 – historic walking tour of St. John’s
— August 17 – Travel to St. Pierre and Miquelon, France. It’s a short ferry ride or a shorter flight. They do get fog there. If you bring a car over, you need French insurance. Stay two nights.
— August 19 – Fly to Bangor, ME to clear customs. Ginny & I will stay overnight Saturday night & fly home early Sunday. If your airplane is in St. Pierre France, you can overfly Canada and fly direct to the U.S.

CALENDAR

June 1-4 – Hyannis, MA. Stay downtown, JFK museum, beaches, shopping, great restaurants
August 13-19 – St. Johns, Newfoundland. Side trips to St. Pierre, France, Bonavista Coast (great history), Terra Nova National Park, Avalon Peninsula.
October 6-8 – Kennebunkport, Maine
November 4 – Reading, PA annual planning meeting.

Please sign up for events on northeastbonanzagroup.org .