WillametteAir.com News: November 2017
Portland FSDO at Willamette for Second Saturday!
Our thanks goes to Willamette Aviation CFI Chris Tiller, who presented our October Second Saturday Seminar with a review of the Tenerife Air Disaster. A major accident typically is not a single catastrophic event, but instead the result of an accident chain, which can begin hours or days before the crash. Chris walked attendees through the events that led to the Tenerife collision, with an emphasis on the human factors that made the accident more likely, particularly at a small airport with large airliners on a fog-bound runway. Thanks to seminar attendees as well, who offered many comments and insights!
If you're an aircraft owner, you know that the life of a pilot involves more than your flying skills. Owners and partnerships enjoy the pride of maintaining a personal aircraft, but they also factor in the costs of ownership and maintenance. At this month's Second Saturday, FAASTeam Program Manager Curt Cowley will review Owner/Operator Maintenance, with a close look at what pilots are allowed to do on their own, as well as what the FARs require. Curt also will offer a look at the FAA's compliance philosophy, which encourages all of us to be better pilots through education and training.
This month's Second Saturday gets underway on Nov. 11 at 1100 in the Education Hangar at Willamette Aviation. The event is certified for FAA Wings credit and there is no charge — drop by or sign up on the Wings website to save your spot. We'll see you there!
Short Finals…
· We're delighted to welcome Ian McDonough to the team at Willamette Aviation! Ian began his aviation career as a pilot for the US Marine Corps flying OV-10 Broncos. After seven years as a Marine, he flew charter flights in California before being hired by his first major airline, Continental Airlines flying Boeing 727s. He then joined Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), spending five years flying in the jungles and mountains of Indonesian New Guinea. In 1989 Ian was hired by his second major airline and finished his career as a 737 Captain for Alaska Airlines. Ian now serves as a CFI to share the joy, enthusiasm, and challenges of an avocation that gave him an incredibly satisfying career. Be sure to say "Hi!" to Ian the next time you see him on our campus.
· If you're planning to add an Instrument Rating to your pilot certificate in 2014 — or you simply want to review what you knew when you passed your checkride — the AOPA Air Safety Institute's IFR Insights: Charts is an excellent interactive review of complex subject matter that gets easier over time. Click here to get started with either Jeppesen or NACO charts. The online course is free, and successful completion qualifies for both FAA Wings credit and the AOPA's Accident Forgiveness program.
· Finally, Night operations are well underway here at Willamette Aviation. Clear days in fall and winter make for the best flying, and with the days getting even shorter during November and December, it's an excellent time to build some night experience with a CFI. Pilots log "night" hours based on operations between evening and morning civil twilight (FAR 1.1), but remember — in order to carry passengers you must meet the requirements of "passenger night" — three full-stop takeoffs and landings between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, within the previous 90 days, or passengers are prohibited from flying with you during this same definition of night (FAR 61.57b). And don't forget a third "night rule" — position lights must be on between sunset and sunrise. Ready for a brush-up? Let us know if you'd like to get on the night schedule.
Look for more from Willamette Aviation in the next newsletter. Until then, fly smart and safe!
(503) 678-2252
dave@willametteair.com
