FMFC FLYER
The Fort Myers Flying Club
NEWSLETTER
February 2015
President’s Message
Inside this issue:
President’s Message ....... 1
Prez Notes & Comments . 2
Honor Flight.................... 3
Calendar of Events .......... 4
Poker Run ....................... 5
Study Group ................... 6
Board Meeting Notes ...... 6
Pinch Hitter Program ...... 7
Ground School ................ 7
Glad you asked (Cuba) .... 8
Maintenance report ........ 8
Contact........................... 9
LAST MONTH
Aircraft hours:
3521Q
944CC
9490X
TOTAL
50.8
37.6
27.9
116.3
Top Flyers:
Greg Frost
7.8
John Meiser
7.0
Jeff Gerrero 6.0
General Meeting 02/10
RSW Training Center 7PM
 Tower Talk with Bob
Schutlz
The FORT MYERS FLYING CLUB
by Dean Martin
Recently while at a neighbors watching Green Bay be eliminated
from Super Bowl contention I had an opportunity to speak with a
American Airlines Captain. This gentleman has worked for American more than 25 years and is only 2 or 3 years from the 65 year
old mandatory retirement age.
He is type-rated to fly the Boeing 757 and 767. This individual is
based in Miami and generally flies to South American destinations
including Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.
He had recently returned from Dallas where he had spent 3 days
doing recurrent training that included 2, 4 hour sessions in a simulator and 1 day of class room instruction.
The simulator sessions included failures of equipment and numerous emergency situations as well as take offs, approaches and landings. He told me this program of training is a requirement and the
cycle is completed every 9 months. Here we have a person that is
intimately familiar with the aircraft that he flies hundreds of hours
each year and he trains.
Moving this to our general
aviation sector we are required to have a Flight review, once every 2 years and
this process generally requires less than 4 hours.
Based on the previous scenario, I will be spending more
time with a flight instructor!
Dean Martin
President
Fort Myers Flying Club
Be sure to checkout the Club website at www.FortMyersFlyingClub.com!
Page 2
FMFC FLYER
President's Notes and Comments
On Friday January 23rd I attended the Lee County Port Authority, Page Field Runway Safety
Action Team Meeting.
Introductions were by Barry Bratton, Director, Page Field. Bob Schultz, Tower Manager provided an update on traffic during 2014. Jose E. Figueroa, Regional FAAST Team Manager,
FAA gave a slide presentation on incursions and incidents in the southwest Florida Region.
Scott Shedek, Senior Engineer, Engineering and Construction provided an in depth construction plan for Page Field. Currently an engineering study is under way, should be completed
late in the year, for runway and taxiway resurface, renewal or replacement.
This study includes straitening the dog-leg intersection at Detla-Alpha-Alpha2, on the way to
runway 5 Renaming Delta1-Alpha4-Charlie4-Echo to Echo and then extending Echo to the end
of runway 13. Ellen Lindblad.
Director, Planning and Environmental Compliance described a current project at Page, Wildlife Hazard Assessment that is funded by federal funds.
Scott Sheets, Senior Manager, Maintenance and Operations, provided an update on Page Field
Safety Initiatives. As with any government project, the implementation of construction depends on funding.
To those of you that have asked "what are you standing beside in your photo" [see page 1]
Thank you for noticing. I have been involved in the metal casting industry for more than 45
years. The device shown is a model of a cupola. The cupola is used to melt iron for the casting
process. A standard cupola is 8 to 25 feet in diameter and 50 to 80 feet tall. Scrap iron, scrap
steel and pig iron along with coke, limestone and flux are charged into the cupola. A blower is
used to assist the combustion of the coke, the iron is reduced to a liquid state generally in the
range of 2700 degrees F to be used in the casting process to make items such as engine blocks,
gear cases, pumps, brake discs and other industrial products.
Did you know the Cessna 172 is the #1 produced aircraft with more than 43,000 delivered.
The Boeing 737 is the most popular commercial aircraft manufactured with 8000 delivered
since inception and 4000 currently on order.
-Dean Martin
President—Fort Myers Flying Club
ATTENTION — NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION DATE MOVING — ATTENTION
You may or may not have noticed but traditionally the Flyer (Your FMFC newsletter) is
published on the Sunday before the monthly General Meeting, which is held on the 2nd Tuesday
of every month. The Board of Directors have decided to move the publishing date to the first
week of the month. This will allow for less time in-between communications.
Starting with the March issue of the flyer, expect the newsletter in your mailbox a little earlier.
ATTENTION — NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION DATE MOVING — ATTENTION
Page 3
FMFC FLYER
WWII—Honor Flight
Terry Voorhees, former President of the Fort Myers Flying Club is shown presenting a check
in the amount of $1000.00 to Mr. Henry Recosa, Vice President Southwest Florida, Honor
Flight Inc. as Dean Martin, Chairman of the Page Field Day Raffle and current FMFC President looks on.
Our donation will assist in sending WWII Veterans on the next Honor Flight to Washington
DC scheduled for May.
16 Million served in WWII. At this time it is calculated there are approximately 855,000 living WW II Veterans. 202,000 died in 2014 and we are losing this group at a rate of approximately 500 per day. Of the 855,000 WWII Veterans Florida has the 2nd largest population at
79,925, led only by California at 85,435.
As quoted by Tom Brokaw we are witnessing: "The passing of the Greatest Generation".
Read an article on the Newstaar about the FMFC helping Honor flight:
http://newstaar.com/flying-club-helps-wwii-veterans-get-to-washington-d-c-memorial/3511991/
Learn more about Honor Flight the organization at http://.pchonorflight.org/
Page 4
FMFC FLYER
Events
Tuesday Feb 11th 7pm
Monthly General Meeting
RSW Training Center
This month we will have Tower Manager Bob Schultz, Speaking about airport and airpsace
Saturday Feb 14th
Fort Myers Flying Club Members: Fly your Sweetheart out this Valentine’s Day!
Sign up Today, http://fortmyersflyingclub.com/vday
Wheels up round 8, Land by 9ish, Sweetheart of a deal Breakfast Reservations at 9:30 !!!
Contact Skip Bentley for more information: 239-691-6698 [email protected]
Wednesday FEB 18—6:30p
Monthly Board Meeting
Page Field Airport Base Ops
Saturday FEB 28—9am
Aviation Study Group
See Page 6 for details
Saturday FEB 21
RSW tower and TRACON tour for Saturday Feb 21st is currently full, but I would like to get
the names of anyone else interested and organize a second date. Also, will be coordinating
with Page Tower to get some folks up to see that as well. The look from the other side of the
window is invaluable and really helps you understand what the towers have to work with and
how they are giving us instructions to keep us safe. They are there to help....lets take a look
through their eyes.
MARCH—TBD Piper fly out- some members have already expressed an interest in visiting
the piper aircraft manufacturing plant in Vero Beach. We would like to pick a date in March to
go. They are open Monday-Friday only, so it will not be a weekend day. If you are interested
and haven not already contacted me, please email me at [email protected] and I
will get you on the list. This is first come first serve.
Page 5
FMFC FLYER
More Events
Saturday March 14th
POKER RUN!
Poker run-- all of the cards are in place. Grab a plane and go out and get your best hand! The
game will be held at the EAA building on March 14th. As always we will have food available for
purchase and the games start at 1pm. There will be a pre-flight contest put on by Charlie & our
friends at Switlik as well. If you're unfamiliar, the team over at switlik takes one of our aircraft
and well, makes some modifications. The challenge it to see how many we can find. This years
winner will receive an ipad kneeboard made by iProAviator and will fit either the iPad or iPad
Air (sorry, mini version is not available at this time). This really is a lot of fun and a chance to
meet others in your club. Looking forward to seeing you out there!
Find out more information at http://fortmyersflyingclub.com/poker
Q: How do I keep track of the Club’s Events?
A: Visit our calendar website:
http://fortmyersflyingclub.com/calendar
Page 6
FMFC FLYER
Aviation Study Group FEB 28—9AM Base OPS
The Aviation Study Group will meet on Saturday February 28 in the seminar room (upstairs) at
Base Ops FBO at 9 AM. This group brainstorms and discusses techniques for IFR (and VFR) flying challenges in a scenario-based format. This is not an IFR ground school, but is an opportunity
to discuss topics of interest in real life operations.
The group discussion will focus on weather and flight planning at this meeting. Please bring your
suggestions for the website you find most useful for weather information.
Please advise me if there is a particular subject (approaches, navigation, etc.) you would like to
discuss and we will find a video that emphasizes this area, if possible.
CFII Nancy Moore moderates the discussions. Please bring an IPad or laptop if you use either of
these for reference or flight planning.
All pilots are welcome. Coffee and donuts will be available. If have any questions, please contact
Ellen Herr at 239 560 8526 or [email protected].
Board Meeting Synopsis
BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS
On January 21, 2015, the board met at Base Ops FBO at Page Field.
-The club’s financial status is good, and the club’s insurance has been renewed with no premium increase.
-The club has 159 members that flew 116 hours this month. Five new members joined this month.
-N3521Q’s engine replacement has been completed, and returned to service.
-944CC’s brakes are working properly.
-The club will reupholster 90X’s front seats after season.
-The rotating beacon of each aircraft has been taped in the “on” position to help the pilot remember to turn off
the master switch after each flight. The need to recharge the battery and the resulting inconvenience to the next
pilot has made this necessary.
-GPS Seminar will be held February 7, and two TRACON tours will be scheduled, one on a weekend and
one during the week.
-Del Rosario would like to move the release date for the newsletter to the first Sunday of each month,
to improve communication with members. Although this can pose some logistical challenges with
compiling the hours flown monthly on each aircraft, the club will make change the date.
-The CFI meeting to discuss club procedures in aircraft operations will be held January 29.
-Ledet proposed developing an Online Forum for the club where members can ask other members
or a CFI questions about flight planning, aircraft operation, etc. Ledet and Del Rosario will work on
this project.
-A suggestion was made to have a raffle of one hour of flight time (done at the general
membership meeting) with profits used to purchase equipment, such as a Stratus. This will be discussed
at the next board meeting.
The next board meeting will be held at February 18, 2015 at 6:30 PM. Members are encouraged to
contact any board member with questions or concerns about club operations.
FMFC FLYER
Page 7
Pinch Hitter Course—LAST CALL!!
We have an improved margin of safety when the person sitting in our right
seat has some knowledge of our aircraft, how it flies, how to fly it, how to
navigate, how to communicate, and get it on the ground with minimum damage. We have the help of a co-pilot when everything is normal. In the case of
an incapacitated pilot, such a right-seater can save two lives. For several
years there has been a “Pinch Hitter” course authored by ASI and offered via
a DVD from Sportys. Such a course is not, however, complete without some
hands-on time in an aircraft.
This course is being offered to FMFCers. This would involve one or more of
our instructors teaching the course. It would start in Spring 2015 and run
for approximately 8 weeks and consist of 4 hours of ground and 4 hours of air
time. Ground classes would be every other week, with air time in between.
The cost would be only the aircraft time.
This could be a great belated Christmas present for your right-seater. To
that end, please contact Dave Bliek, one of our CFI’s, at 239-431-0628 or
[email protected] to indicate interest or obtain more detailed information.
FLIGHT
INSTRUCTION
CLASSES
INSTRUMENT GROUND SCHOOL
Base Ops Page Field
Mondays, JAN 19 thru APR 20, 2015
6:30-9PM $125.00 + Text
PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL
Cape Coral High School
Tuesdays, JAN 20 thru MAY 5, 2015
6-9PM $135.00 + Text
Cypress Lake High School
Thursdays, JAN 15 thru APR 30, 2015
6-9PM $135.00 + Text
ED FINK
MASTER CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
CALL 239-489-0443
Lee County Adult/Community Education
Page 8
FMFC FLYER
“Glad You Asked!”
Members Forum
Maintenance
by Charlie Carroll
MEMBER QUESTION:
944CC:
9490X:
The Great Cuba Question! Now that the United
States and Cuba are beginning to normalize
diplomatic relations, can we fly the club planes
to Cuba?
Auto pilot
Electric trim
50 Hour
Arm rest
Seat
3521Q:
ANSWER:
With Cuba being only 217NM away it sounds like
an amazing trip. Unfortunately private planes
are still blocked from entering Cuba at this time.
Read this avweb article for more information:
http://bit.ly/ganogotocuba
Mineral oil removed, use regular Aviation oil
Taxi light
Auto pilot
Electric trim
Thanks for all the calls! This keeps the planes in excellent
shape.
There have been many knowledgeable calls. Thanks for your
attention
To detail! Please keep it up.
Remember if you see the littlest thing that looks different,
CALL ME (239-281-3710) and we'll look at it.
Safe Flying---Charlie
*** Thanks, and We’re Glad You Asked!”***
Send your questions to
[email protected]
GPS Semimar
Will this be your path for the poker run?
Got an in-air photo from one of our Club planes or event that you want to share with other members?
Email it to [email protected]
Page 9
MEETINGS
General Meetings: 2nd Tuesday,
7:00PM @ RSW Training Center
Mailing Address:
605 Danley Drive, # 10
Ft. Myers, FL 33907
Board Meetings: 3rd Wednesday,
6:30PM @ Page Field Base Ops
Conference Room
FMFC Website:
Authorized Club CFIs
Frank Cerny 239-565-9763
Ed Hemsath 239-949-6330
Rhonda Culmer 239-292-9602
John Petrikas 239-565-8440
Dave Bliek 239-431-0628
www. FortMyersFlyingClub.com
Skip Bentley 239-691-6698
Fort Myers’ Oldest Flying Club
Ed Fink 239-489-0443
Like us on Facebook!
Al Ledet 239-272-1289
Len DeNardo 239-849-7984
Follow us on Twitter!
Tyler Baston 239-910-6654
Board of Directors
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Dean Martin
Al Ledet
Ellen Herr
Johnny Dorning
Charlie Carroll
Waner Del Rosario
Stephen Petrikas
President
Vice President
Secretary
Membership Chair
Aircraft Officer
Communications
Disciplinary Officer
(239) 848-2069
(239) 272-1289
(239) 560-8526
(239) 634-3422
(239) 281-3710
(239) 677-4903
(239) 851-2307
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Marc Scott
Steve Hall
Skip Bentley
Dave Bliek
Activities Director
(239) 357-6720
(239) 253-0285
(239) 691-6698
(239) 431-0628
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Legal Officer
Treasurer
(239) 482-8206 [email protected]
(239) 229-8759 [email protected]
[email protected]
Other Positions
Bob Adamski
Larry Denmark
*** OUR AIRCRAFT ***
Cessna Skyhawk 172 N3521Q
Piper Archer 181 N944CC
Cessna Skylane 182 N9490X
$ 65 per hour + 10 gal fuel per hour
$ 65 per hour + 10 gal fuel per hour
$75 per hour + 13 gal fuel per hour