WELCOME PILOTS
After a little prodding by a newsletter subscriber, the
Operation: Fly NC page has received some much needed updates to the “Winners”
page. See the details in the Operation: Fly NC section.
~TC Freeman
Chief Executive Aviation Ambassador (CEAA)
PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #23~ Runway Design for Safety II
Other sources:
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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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CESSNA SKYCATCHER DOWN
FOR THE COUNTBY TC FREEMAN
In
a recent AvWeb article, “Skycatcher’s Demise: Barely a Ripple,” discussed the
ominous words spoken by Cessna CEO Scott Earnest, who said there was, “no
future for the Skycatcher” (Wichita Business Journal, Cessna
CEO: ‘No future’ for Skycatcher). Despite the attention grabbing headline there was the
clarification that no official announcement has been made regarding the halting
of production. The words “no future” pretty much sums up that the handwriting
is on the wall. What does this mean for aviation and the future of the
industry?
Some
point to the facts that the Skycatcher was over-priced, suffered from bad
publicity as a result of the test flight crash and the announcement of
production in China. Personally, I was a little shocked the price kept going up
on a regular basis. Perhaps Cessna realized that the profit margin on a Light
Sport Aircraft (LSA) isn’t anything like selling, for instance, a Mustang jet.
Having cost-sensitive, primary training type aircraft is important and worth
running a thin margin because of the bigger picture. You can’t sell Mustangs if
you don’t start with primary training aircraft (exceptions apply, such as pure
corporate situations).
There
do seem to be enough LSAs on the market to absorb Cessna’s total exit, if it
comes to that. I had a friend that specifically wanted to focus on purchasing the
Skycatcher because of the long term product support and better resale value due
to name recognition. I agreed at the time that he had a good point but
challenged him to check out some of the other cool LSAs on the market.
Surprising what happens to even the titans of the industry.
Price
is definitely an issue, but I do see all types of LSAs grabbing a larger and
larger market share as pilots realize their efficiency and the rising cost of
nearly four-decade-old conventional aircraft. LSA can make even more sense in a
club, partnership or fractional situation. When you can operate an LSA for the
same cost as fuel in a conventional aircraft it’s worth a look and more people
are doing so.
New
production LSAs are not the total answer. Look out for homebuilt aircraft
grabbing a larger part of the market share. Combine this with older LSA
applicable certificated aircraft and the prospect for a healthy market is good
despite gloomy comment. The final missing ingredient is inspiring a large and
diverse demographic to discover the magic of flight.
REMEMEMBER THE 1ST “NATIONAL TAKE FLIGHT DAY” is
Saturday,
APRIL 12, 2014
OPERATION: FLY NC
Thanks
to Jon Wells for reminding me to add Ramone Hemphill to the Bronze Level
section of the Operation: Fly NC “Winners Page.” Congratulations again
Ramone! As a result, I have updated the
complete winners list to show due acknowledgement of the Bronze, Silver and
Gold level pilots. I will also start adding back the winners’ pictures to the
site over the next couple of months.
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 an 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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eBook
Special $3.99
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FLIGHT TRAINING
*INCLUDES
SPECIAL CAREER PILOT SECTION!
http://tinyurl.com/lw2s674
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OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM YOUTUBE
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