VFR In November 11-26-13: This time of the year can put a damper on vfr flying. But if you're patient you can slip in between the weather systems along with a few fellow pilots. Taking a VFR flight to Florida might prove to be especially challenging by the looks of this metar map. For some pilots perhaps a winter hiatus from flying until next spring might be coming. Small home built aircraft and some light sport aircraft are especially sensitive to the cold. Although the light sports come with heaters, when the temperature gets below 20 deg F it can become a challenge to keep the engine oil warm enough during slow flight and descending from altitudes for landing. If I win the AOPA Beech aircraft I'm sure I'll be able to find reasons to keep flying it all winter long.

EAA CHAPTER 225 NEWSLETTER  11-21-13: The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm with a live Skype feed from Thailand, so John can part-take in the meeting. The majority of the
time will be devoted to taking care of chapter business and future planning;.

EAA 225 MEETING  11-19-13: Hello Everyone, The November 2013 EAA 225 BBQ Dinner portion of the meeting has been cancelled.  The meeting will take place at either the Skyhaven FBO pilot's lounge or at Dick Jackson's home.  We will send out another notice as soon as we have determined the location.  If you have any questions, please call me at (603) 512-2356.  If I don't answer, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Regards, Gerry

49-Plane Record-Setting Formation  11-17-13: Back in October Avweb did an article on a flight formation over a football field. The unusual part of this story is that the formation fly-over was done by general aviation pilots flying Van's RV kit built aircraft. The company KC Flight does regular formation flying with their Van's aircraft but apparently never did anything this big. It sounds like the lead aircraft are piloted by super jock pilots like military A-10 and commercial pilots, but also has some regular general aviation private pilots. Here's an excerpt from the Avweb article: "Forty-nine pilots (and planes) participated in a world-record-breaking attempt, flying a filled Vee formation in Van's RV aircraft at Arrowhead Stadium prior to an NFL football game Oct. 13. Officially, there were 49 airplanes flown by pilots from 19 different states as part of the KC Flight Formation Team. The performance was part of pre-game ceremonies for the Kansas City versus Oakland NFL football game. And the pilots used the flight to raise money for charity. Permission for the flight was denied before it was approved." CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO also, here an interesting website about the formation.

AVIATION SCHOLARSHIPS  11-15-13: The OUT-OF-THE-BLUE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, in an effort to assist deserving flight students and promote the love of flying will award flying, financial assistance to Private Pilot License candidates based upon an applicant’s merit, performance, and financial need. The Foundation will award 50% of the REMAINING cost of achieving a Private Pilot License to students who have achieved solo status, up to: •40 hours total flight time, or •$3,000 per student, whichever occurs first. Funds will be paid monthly directly to the approved flight school upon receipt of an invoice and a facsimile of the last two pages (or single page if it is the only page) of the student pilot’s log book. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, visit our website: www.outoftheblue.us

ROCHESTER AVIATION TO CEASE OPERATIONS AT SKYHAVEN AFTER NOVEMBER 30  11-10-13: On November 4,  Kelby Ferwerda sent an announcement to Rochester Aviation’s students and rental customers  informing them that R.A.  will be ceasing operations after November 30, 2013.  Since 2010, over 60 R.A. students have soloed and over 90 have accomplished check rides and endorsements. Rochester Aviation suggests customers with open accounts contact Nohea at nohea@flyskyhaven.com.  Students who have not completed their Private Pilot certificate are encouraged to email Kelby at kelby@flyskyhaven.com for referrals to alternative training options.
Cessna 150 N448EM is offered for sale. 

Multi-Modal Vehicle 11-4-13: Designers at Sandia National Laboratories recently came up with an "autonomous UAV" that can change from a plane to a submarine and to a land vehicle with wheels, or what would simulate the effects of a wheel. One of the things that seemed odd in the video is that the vehicle seems to shed components and discard them when it morphs from one shape to the other. On the original shape as a plane, the animators didn't show us what happened to the propeller and empennage (tail assembly) of the plane. It must of ejected them into the water before changing to a flying wing. CLICK HERE to see the video.
 

Spatial Hand Remote  11-3-13: Here's a unique entry to a contest for different ideas for gadgets and mechanisms. "USING AN ACCELEROMETER and a handful of sensors, a team of Colorado State University students has created the Spatial Hand Remote. The gadget controls the flight of a remote control airplane through the sensors in a glove. The movement of the plane follows the movement of the glove. As the hand in the glove tilts to the right or left, so does the plane. Sensors attached to fingers of the left hand are used to control the throttle, roll reverse, and the on-off switch. The hands control the plane like a maestro controlling an orchestra." CLICK HERE for more information.

TFR OVER BOSTON Wed. 10-30-13 10-28-13: FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER BOSTON, MA ON WEDNESDAY A NOTAM has been issued that will restrict flight in the area during President Obama's planned visit. ==> 33 NM RADIUS TFR <== Location: On the BOSTON VOR/DME (BOS) 280 degree radial at 9.4 nautical miles. From the surface up to but not including 18000 feet MSL Times: 2:15 PM local until 7:30 PM local Wednesday, October 30, 2013. CLICK HERE for more information.

Rochester Aviation Air Race III 10-27-13: Hello All, Rochester Aviation will be hosting our final airport get-together for the 2013 season on behalf of the Air Race III on Saturday November 2nd between 2 and 5pm. The get-together will be potluck, with drinks provided by Rochester Aviation. We will also bring out the Grill for cooking burgers and hotdogs.  We will be announcing the Air Race III winners and raffling prizes. We will also be announcing the Scholarship results for 2013! Enjoy the Air Race and we will see everyone Saturday November 2nd ! Rochester Aviation

BFR, Wind, and Awards 10-26-13: The activity at Rochester Aviation is not just student pilots and cut-off shirt tails. Pilots are looking to Rochester Aviation for other flight services like the Biennial flight review. Today, AOPA refers to the review as, "The Flight Review," although it is still technically a "biennial" flight review. Keeping your pilots license current and up-to-date is not a casual thing. Staying proficient with your flight skills is important, but keeping abreast of the changing rules, regulations, and terminology requires an ongoing commitment. Industry likes to call it, "Continuous Improvement." Be sure to check out the AOPA awards up on the wall in the terminal office area.

TFR OVER NEW YORK CITY  10-24-13:FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER NEW YORK, NY ON FRIDAY. A NOTAM has been issued that will restrict flight in the area during President Obama's planned visit. Times: 2:00 PM local until 10:30 PM local Friday, October 25, 2013 Times: 2:00 PM local until 3:00 PM local Friday, October 25, 2013 9:15 PM local until 10:30 PM local Friday, October 25, 2013 Times: 2:15 PM local until 6:00 PM local Friday, October 25, 2013 Times: 5:00 PM local until 10:00 PM local Friday, October 25, 2013 CLICK HERE for more information

"NO FUTURE" For Skycatcher ? 10-22-13: The CEO of Cessna is being quoted as saying there is no future for the Skycatcher. According to recent articles it sounds like he is avoiding any commentary about the aircraft and surprised reporters with an abrupt response about the future of the Skycatcher by repeatedly saying, "No Future." Perhaps the difference between buying a Skycatcher for $149,900 vs. buying a fleet of second hand C150's for the same price might have something to do with slow market. Plane & Pilot magazine listed the Cessna Skycatcher as the #2 best selling light sport aircraft trailing behind Flight Design's CTLS.

Aviation theme Playground 10-21-13: Here's a pic from Peter when he stopped at the New Bedford Airport at the Airport Grille. According to the Atlantic Aviators website: "The Atlantic Aviators are dedicated to making their community a better place, which is why they are currently involved in the proposed construction of a public playground at New Bedford Regional Airport." Over 50 volunteers arrived at the New Bedford Regional Airport to build the Aviation Themed Playground. Packages were opened and the equipment spread out. The dirt area slowly transformed into the Aviation Themed Playground. A crushed stone base that will be the foundation for the poured in place surfacing that will really transform the playground into an aviation themed play space. The playground will be closed until all pieces are in place. The Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd at 10am.

2SEAS Surveillance Drone 10-20-13: The University of Southampton has designed the 2Seas surveillance drone for a number of purposes, "Going well beyond the traditional military role." It has been developed specifically to help the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands patrol the North Sea and the English Channel for smugglers and drug traffickers. The 2Seas UAV has twin engines that can reach speeds of 55 mph, which is fast enough to keep up with a smuggler’s speed boat. The drone can stay aloft for up to six hours at a time before having to return to refuel. The carbon fiber wings on the 2Seas measure approximately 13 ft. Still undergoing tests of its surveillance equipment, the 2Seas is expected to hit the skies over Europe by 2015.

Monadnock Aviation Newsletter 10-19-13: Here's a link sent in from Jim for the Manadnock Aviation Newsletter. They've been having regular barbecues over the summer but it looks like it's coming to an end. Click on the icon for more information...

Congratulations To Rochester Aviation at the AOPA Summit 
10-13-13: Congratulations to Kelby and Nohea on receiving the awards at the last AOPA Summit in Texas. Below are a couple of pictures featured on the Rochester Aviation Facebook page, Kelby with John and Martha King, and Kelby and Nohea representing Rochester Aviation at AOPA summit in Dallas, TX to receive the 2013 flight training excellence award and excellent flight instructor award. "The 2013 awards are drawn from 3,375 respondents who voluntarily reviewed their flight training experience through an AOPA online poll. The process yielded an evaluation of 508 different flight schools and 956 individual flight instructors."

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The Last Manned Fighter ? 10-12-13: "The F-35 Lightning II is the new state-of-the-art stealth, supersonic, multirole, next-generation fighter designed to meet the requirements of the United States and it's allies well into the 21st century. It will be four times more effective than legacy aircraft while performing a wide variety of ground attack, reconnaissance and air defense missions. According to some experts, the F-35 will probably be the last manned fighter built for the U.S. military." The F-35 is being featured in an automated assembly line article of the fuselage that will revolutionize the assembly of the F-35 like Henry Ford did with the automobile. There's also a hint that UAV's will eventually take over the role of the "Last Manned Military Jet Fighter." Hmm, an X-wing Fighter just wouldn't seem right without Luke Skywalker...

No October EAA 225 Meeting 10-11-13: "Hello Everyone, There will be NO October meeting for the Chapter. In lieu of the meeting, there will be extra work sessions for the Chapter Project, in order to get the wings painted. Also, the newsletter for October will be published within a week, possibly sooner. Thank you for your patience. Regards, Gerry"

Brigadier General Harrison R. Thyng 10-11-13: "The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will be honoring the late Brigadier General Harrison R. Thyng on Veteran’s Day weekend, November 9, 2013 as part of the Museum’s Second Saturday@Museum programs. General Thyng is one of only 7  US combat pilots who became an Ace flying propeller fighters in WWII, then jet fighters in Korea where he became "the premier air combat commander of his time.""
CLICK HERE for more information.

Southern Maine Aviation Pumpkin Contest   10-8-13: Southern Maine Aviation will be hosting a Carve a Pumpkin contest on October 19th at 1 PM. Contest is for adults and children!
We will supply the pumpkins; you will need to provide your favorite carving tools. Friends and children are more then welcome to join in the fun. Children will be allowed to carve under the supervision of an adult, or they can decorate their pumpkin with sticker and markers, which will be supplied. Hot cider and light refreshments will be served. Please R.S.V.P. so we have an idea of how many pumpkins and supplies we need to get. Thank you! Anne

 

Rochester Aviation AIRRACE III   10-3-13: Rochester Aviation is excited to announce the upcoming AIRRACE III.  We are currently collecting pre-orders for the AIRRACE III t-shirts.  The Air Race pre-orders will be due on October 11th, and the Race will begin October 19th and end October 31st.  This Air Race is designed to be attainable for all pilots from Students to CFI’s.  The four locations are pre published and are:  KCON KPSM KSFM KLCI.  The Air Race can be completed in less than two hours of plane rental. Everyone who reaches all four locations will be entered in a raffle at the completion of the Air Race.  Raffle prizes include an AV8OR touch screen aviation GPS (Donated by Ben Mahn, AIR RACE II winner), Flight goodies, and RA gear.  Air Race entry fee’s include T-Shirt and are only $30.  All Proceeds benefit the Rochester Aviation Scholarship, which will be awarded later this month.  We look forward to a huge turnout for this Charity Event! Additionally, We would like to thank all our Pilots and Students for their contributions helping us win the 2013 AOPA Flight Training Excellence Award's Outstanding Flight School AND Outstanding Flight Instructor (awarded to Kelby Ferwerda).  We know our success as a Nationally Ranking flight school is supported by our FANTASTIC community of Pilots and Students.  Thank you ALL! Happy Flying! Rochester Aviation

FAA Safety Seminar at Southern Maine Aviation 9-28-13: Here's some informationabout the Safety Seminar & Chowda Fest at Southern Maine Aviation: 
Title: Flying in the Caution Zone! .Topic: Non Towered Airport Operations .Date and Time: Saturday, October 5, 2013 , starting at 10:00 am Download Calendar File .Speaker(s): Susan Tholen and John Gary .Location of Seminar: Southern Maine Aviation/Sanford Airport
199 Airport Road Main Terminal Sanford, ME 04073 ... Chowda Fest! Make your favorite chowda, soup or stew and bring it on down to Southern Maine Aviation, to be judged for prizes! Don't cook? That is fine. Stop on by and try some of the best chowda, soups and stews around! Donation of $6.00 accepted to help support our local food pantry. This event will be held in the "Event Hangar" at Southern Maine Aviation. Southern Maine Aviation is in the Main Terminal Building same as the "Cockpit Cafe". For more information call 207-324-8919. See you there! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

SAAC Meeting Notice  9-26-13: The Skyhaven Airport Advisory Council (SAAC) will be holding the October meeting at the Skyhaven Airport Terminal Building, Rochester, NH  Tuesday, October 8, 2013, 8:30am. This meeting will be open to the public.

F-16 UAV's ?  9-25-13: In a recent email newsletter from AvWeb there's an article of Boeing making their first test flight of a "QF-16." The video makes it sound like they've taken some old aircraft out of mothballs and found a useful way to use the aircraft by making it a UAV drone and pretend it's an enemy aircraft for U.S. fighter pilots to practice on... and actually shoot it down and destroy it? Wait a minute, I must be reading something wrong. It can't be the F-16 state of the art fighter jet that has a nickname "Viper" because it looks futuristic like the Vipers on BattleStar Galactica. Yes, that's the one! This aircraft may be vintage but not obsolete. "In May 2013, Lockheed Martin stated it has enough orders to keep producing F-16s until 2017, with more orders possible." They now essentially have the capability to fly one of the worlds most sophisticated fighter jets as a UAV. Holy Mackerel! If Paul Harvey was still around he could tell us, "The rest of the Story."

9-24-13: Here's some information about the Katahdin Wings 99s Fundraiser. "Easier this year. Join us! A Katahdin Wings 99s Fundraiser Test your clue-solving skills, cross-country planning and sectional chart knowledge. Upon registration you will receive a packet of clues leading you to “treasures” within a defined geographical area that will take you over the varied and scenic landscape of Northern New England. You’ll answer the clue and photograph the “treasure” (your answer) from your aircraft. THIS YEAR’S HUNTING GROUNDS WILL BE: NE corner N43.3 X W71, SE corner N42.0 X W71, NW corner N43.3 X W72.3, SW corner N42 X W72.3. Join us for an Awards Barbecue on October 26 at Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN) in Keene N.H. Registration Fee & Clue Packet $35. To Register or for more information contact Kate McGhee at clankeough@yahoo.com Fly on your own schedule Oct. 5th – 20th."

UAV Technology is Cars?  9-21-13: The new 2014 Chevy Impala is being announced as having the latest built in radar technology that promisses to add safety features that goes beyond warning lights and buzzers. Put the new Impala in "Cruise Control" and "radar technology senses traffic in front of the Impala to adjust the vehicle speed, including stopping the vehicle in heavy traffic and accelerating again." It also has "Crash Eminent Braking" "that detects a possible crash threat and alerts the driver. If the driver does not appear to react quickly enough or doesn’t react at all, this feature intervenes to apply the brakes in an effort to avoid the crash." (Tailgaters can override the system by just pressing on the brake or accelerator.) Consumers Digest says, "The automaker’s expansion of the feature is another example of how manufacturers incrementally add technology that could lead to self-driving vehicles for consumers by as early as 2020."

TFR OVER NEW YORK CITY  9-20-13: FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER NEW YORK, NY BEGINNING MONDAY A NOTAM has been issued that will restrict flight in the area during 
President Obama's planned visit September 23, 24, 25,  2013
CHECK NOTAMS for more information.

EAA Chapter 225 Meeting Notice  9-20-13: "Hello Everyone, Our September 2013 Joint Chapter Meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at Southern Maine Aviation, at Sanford Regional Airport. A BBQ Dinner will be served up beginning at 6pm, followed by the meeting at 7pm.   Please join us! Regards, Gerry

The Collings Foundation “Wings of Freedom” 9-19-13: Here's some information about the Wings of Freedom tour that wast at Manchester. CLICK ON THE PILOT for more printable information.