WingsOfun.com BLOG #42: April 28, 2014
WELCOME PILOTS
I had a busy time this week with the airports conference in my home state of North Carolina this week. It was great to hear several “top drawer” speakers talk about everything from: future projections for the aviation industry, management, and human performance. Look forward to hearing about the wisdom learned from this conference in the coming weeks.
We have co-sponsored Operation: Fly North Carolina (NC) program since its inception in 2009. In this week’s Pilot Safety Minute (PSM) video I will talk about the origin, mission, and future of this program. Of course there will be a safety message as to how you can be safer by being an Operation: Fly NC Pilot.
~TC Freeman
High Performance Aviation Training
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NEW PRESENTATION
“PILOT AND AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE"
www.WingsOfun.com/books (products page)
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Your opportunity to continue the dialog is on Facebook:
http://tinyurl.com/woffb
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PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #41 ~ OPERATION: FLY NC
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Need a Speaker for your Next Event? We Can Help. See the Article;
How to Afford a Speaker for Your Group
http://www.wingsofun.com/how_to_afford_a_speaker.html
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BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE COCKPIT
By TC FREEMAN
It was one of those times where I had not flown in a while. Although legally current with a fresh check-out I realized as I gripped the control stick there was some rust that needed to be knocked off proficiency-wise. Descending from cruise altitude I noticed a considerable amount of turbulence. The Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS) confirmed my suspicion by announcing ever so automatedly that the winds were gusting past the maximum crosswind component of the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) I was in command. When you’re in an aircraft that has an empty weight of less than 700 pounds, wind and turbulence can give you a humbling lesson. Lining up for the approach my stomach turned into a big knot. I thought, “Can I actually wrestle this thing onto the runway in one piece?” and “Why did I decide to fly on a day that might be over my capabilities?” Excluding winds above what is outlined by the manufacturer pilots can prepare for flights such as this prior to sitting down in the cockpit. The solution can be found by exploring the origin of the gut wrenching symptoms. Most people would say that when in a situation like this that our minds default to the “negative setting.”
I attended a presentation recently by Bill Adams, Senior Faculty, Center for Creative Leadership, on the topic of human performance. His seminar reminded me about the importance of a positive attitude and visualization. Examples outlined consisted primarily of sports figures such as, Tiger Woods golfing (not personal life) and several Olympic athletes that place heavy emphasis on this technique. I know some of you are saying, “TC has gone all touchy-feely on us.” I challenge you to take a fresh look at the benefits of positive visualization by bringing up the example set by aerobatic pilots. The next time you are at an airshow try to catch a glimpse of a high level aerobatic pilot just prior to jumping the cockpit before their airshow act. The performer will be standing with eyes closed visualizing each flight maneuver in his or her show, complete with hand movements or “Top Gun style” as I like to call it. Mike Goulin is a great example that I outlined in the book How to Save Money on Flight Training, on how to maximize flight training performance through the positive visualization of flights and maneuvers.
Courtesy: Goulian Aerosports
In my mind, if it is good enough for aerobatic pilots, it's good enough for all pilots to have this technique in our toolbox.*
Before your next flight pick out something in your flying that tends to make you a little nervous, perhaps stalls or heavy crosswinds, and take a moment to re-create it in your mind. De-construct the sequence of events, successfully handling the maneuver or scenario. Word of Caution: Make sure your thoughts are positive. If negative thoughts creep in, repeat the flight segment(s) until positive visualization is accomplished throughout the flight task.
As a bonus benefit I encourage you to use this technique in other areas of life. I commonly point out to those interested in aviation that the skills learned in flying can be applied to other areas of life such as; sports, interpersonal, health and career goals. How about that, a “two-fer” of benefits in one article!
*Also search videos on pre-show preparation by Blue Angel and Thunderbird pilots.
About the author:
TC Freeman has been flying since he was a teenager and is now an aviation speaker and author. Being employed as an Aviation Safety Specialist for state government, he has a passion for spreading the thrill of flying just for the fun of it via the website, www.WingsOfun.com.
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“We are excited to donate this segment of the WingsOfun BLOG to this great program that promotes; airport visitation, education and tourism.”
~TC FREEMAN
OPERATION: FLY NC NEWS
Discuss OP: Fly NC with fellow pilots at: http://tinyurl.com/opflync
Stamp NOTAMS (See the previous stamp NOTAMS)
*Grays Creek (2GC) The FBO has non-standard hours, please call ahead. We are working on getting stamps for the flight school at this time.
*Laurinburg-Maxton (KMEB) The original NOTAM is invalid due to the Coke machine, where the stamp resided, has been removed. Please note the FBO has non-standard hours. We are working on installing a mailbox or other outside accessible location for the stamp.
*Richmond County Airport, Rockingham (KRCZ) We will contact the airport manager about re-locating the stamp to the unlocked portion of the FBO which has an access code of the numbers one through five.
*Anson County, Wadesboro (KAFP) It's been reported that the stamp is a little light on ink, we will add a stamp pad ASAP. Otherwise the building code access is the unicom frequency.
Upcoming Events: Good for OP: FLY NC stamp/signature, most posted to: www.SocialFlight.com.
* May 17, 2014 (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.) Fayetteville (FAY) Fly-in, Airport Road, Fayetteville, NC. For more information go to: http://flyins.com/events/view-event.html?id=5816
*May 17, 2014 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) IXA Wings and Wheels Fly-in. Halifax/North Hampton County Regional Airport (Roanoke Rapids, NC). Seminars, helicopter rides, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rides, food, camping, entertainment and more. More information available on the fly-in facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/1419097265010777/ or by phone at, 252-583-3492.
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IMPORTANT AUDIO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE:
“OPERATIONS AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS”… for pilots flying just for the fun of it.
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.
Available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tcfreeman
(Run time: 34 minutes)
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NEWS FROM THE WEB
Brought to you by:
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FLIGHT TRAINING
eBook by WingsOfun Media
*INCLUDES SPECIAL CAREER PILOT SECTION!
Available at Amazon.com at;
http://tinyurl.com/lw2s674
*Winston-Salem Fun Fly-in, May 9, 2014 (2 p.m. – 6 p.m.) Coordinated by subscriber Jonathan Miller.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winston-Salem-Fun-Fly-In/220046331535808
*WingOfun Call to Action: “Senate Acts On Third-Class Medical Exemption” (AvWeb). A quote from the article from Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, "The FAA has had two years to review this request for an exemption.....Let's get this thing moving."
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Senate-Acts-On-Third-Class-Medical-Exemption221581-1.html
Contact your elected officials in support of the “expansion of the driver’s license medical exemption to more (non-commercial) pilots. To find your senate representatives go to: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM THE WEB ~ NTSB VIDEO - Pilots: Manage Risks to Ensure Safety
This video contains some post crash pictures but has a great message.
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Questions? Contact: tom@wingsofun.com
