WELCOME PILOTS
On a better note, the week's Pilot Safety Minute (PSM) video
talks about how safety is designed into airport construction. Design safety is only half
of the equation. The pilot is the other half. It's nice to know that such consideration is
put into airports and we will explain the Runway Safety Area (RSA).
impressed upon me the benefits that recreational flyers can get from this rapidly
growing industry. In as little as two years pilots will be very aware of UAS.
~TC Freeman
Chief Executive Aviation Ambassador (CEAA)
PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #22~ AIRPORTS DESIGNED FOR SAFETY
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NEW
AUDIO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE:
OPERATIONS AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS FOR RECREATIONAL PILOTS
(Roll-Out Special $1.99)
With
the issue of sequestration, the shut-down of many Air Traffic Control Towers is
a possibility. Regardless, it is important to know how to safely and
efficiently operate at Non-Towered Airports. In this audio book TC Freeman
discusses; straight in approaches, dealing with aircraft on extended downwind
and traffic pattern entries.
(Run
time: 34 minutes)
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BENEFITS FROM UNMANNED
AERIAL SYSTEMS (a.k.a. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)BY TC FREEMAN
The FAA has their work cut out for them with
regards to UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), a.k.a. UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
implementation in the National Airspace System (NAS). At a recent conference I
attended I learned that “drone” is a bad word when describing unmanned
aircraft. Even UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is poor form. Now it's Unmanned
Aerial System (UAS). This sounds like a play right out of the Starbucks
rulebook by redefining common terms to redefine a product. A small is a “tall”,
medium-”grande,” and large is a “venti.” Anyway, someone has lit a fire under
the FAA to create a road-map of implementation for UAS. I have no problem with
showing due respect to the FAA for the work they have ahead. Noting the challenges,
there may be benefits for those of us in recreational aviation from the growth
of UAS. For specifics on the entire FAA game-plan go to:
http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/media/UAS_Roadmap_2013.pdf
Basically, the road-map follows a plan of
integration via stepping stones, from small limited use (4.4 pounds), to larger
aircraft that weigh up to 55 pounds, called sUAS that will fly in the NAS and
eventually under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Issues to be dealt with are:
airworthiness, pilot certification, airspace integration and safety monitoring,
to name a few.
With all of the controversy over public
concerns about privacy and unwieldy UAS flying out of control it's important to
examine the other side of the issue. As a wise person once said, “With any
adversity, there lies opportunity.”
The first benefit is activity, specifically
flight, production and maintenance. It will be good to have more aircraft
flying that, incidentally, look a lot like the aircraft we fly, to increase
total flight operations. We are not talking about over-congestion, but robust
activity that can justify additional federal, state and industry investment.
Second, is the additional aircraft and
technology that will be on the market as a result of new money brought in for
Research and Development (R&D). Something I learned in the FAA report is
that there were 22 unique models of aircraft were issued a Special
Airworthiness Certificate and 16 were UAS (through Aug. 2012). Of these, six
are called “optionally piloted,” operated manned or unmanned. My observations
are a much further look down the road but ultimately translates to more
aircraft being sold, with many of these duel use. Don't forget about advances
in engine and avionics systems. I can see a viable electrically-powered
aircraft capable of cross-country flying.
Lastly, is the subject of airworthiness,
initial and ongoing maintenance. As time progresses UAS will need to contain
FAA approved parts and meet airworthiness requirements. They will also need
parts and service. Forward thinking maintenance shops will have opportunities
to do required inspections and maintenance. It's not too hard to imagine that
avionics shops will continue to see growth as a result of UAS.
Before I get ahead of myself as to the future benefits
of UAS and the civilian applications of this industry let me digress. In the
short term we will see very small RC-type UAS operating in special areas
blessed by the FAA using a Certificate of Authorization (COA). The industry is
on course to experience rapid changes in as little as the next two years
ultimately benefiting recreational flying.
http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/media/UAS_Roadmap_2013.pdf
Saturday,
APRIL 12, 2014
OPERATION: FLY NC
A missing stamp was reported at one of the Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO), Greensboro, NC. After a site visit it was found that both FBO's, Landmark and Atlantic Aero have the stamps at the customer service desk. Like we said before, it can be somewhat of a Easter egg hunt locating the stamps from unaware customer service representatives. Both stamps are in drawers facing the customer (if behind the desk). A good technique is to ask the rep to pull open several drawers and look for a clear box (Landmark) or a lone stamp (Atlantic Aero).
The
JAARS/Townsend Airport (N52) stamp is reported as missing from the
telephone box. Feel free to take a picture while we track down the status of
the stamp.
*Tuesday,
January 14, 2014 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) Person Co. Pilots Association meeting.
Seminar topic: Pilot and Aircraft Performance
*Saturday,
January 18, 2014 (time?) B Bar D Flight Training (Allegro), Raleigh Executive South Jetport
(TTA). Seminar topic: Operations at Non-Towered Airports. Contact: B Bar D at:
(919) 775-2224
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OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM YOUTUBE
~ Starship YouTube*************************************************************************************
Keeping with the theme of
Burt Rutan is the his Beech Starship. Although not a commercial success it was
a revolutionary design well ahead of its time. Great music along with the
flying action!
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