American Flyers • Morristown Airport • 50 Airport Road, Suite 120 • Morristown, NJ 07960 • 973-267-3223
Opportunities Abound for Pilot By Joe La Valle
Rob Wilkes became an instrument rated pilot on August 12, and on the 15th he began his commercial pilot training. Rob’s inspiration to fly came from his uncle who earned his pilot’s license in the early 90’s and flew for the Angel Flight organization. It was during this time that Rob would come along for the ride and he said, “I liked it since then.”As Rob grew up he took up motorcycle and dirt bike racing for excitement, but the prospect of flight was always present. “I just gave it a shot,” he said, and in the summer of 2007 earned his private license. It was the first day of this commercial training when he gave his interview and already one can hear the enthusiasm in his voice.
This fall, Rob will be starting his junior year at Villanova University where he is studying finance and accounting. When asked about his thoughts on the future, Rob says it’s a “tough call.” He is very interested in the world of finance, but also “really enjoys flying.” For the immediate future, Rob is planning on enrolling in the CFI Academy. “I really want to explore,” says Rob, adding that he really would like to teach, but also would consider a career with Angel Flight. Looking even further ahead he even considers purchasing his own aircraft and possibly opening his own flight school.
No matter which road he follows, it will lead to success.
Destinations
As the school year begins, students of all ages are getting ready to return to a life of learning. However, you don’t have to be a student to appreciate the exciting and informative exhibits and displays the nation’s aviation museums have to offer.
Located at South Jersey Regional (VAY), the Air Victory Museum and Runway Café is within easy reach for enthusiasts of all ages and interests. This facility prides itself on placing education as the top goal of its mission, and is dedicated to “inspiring today’s youth through technology and achievements in aviation.” This museum offers a wide range of static displays as well as an interactive kid’s area.
Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Air Victory Museum has many aircraft on loan from various military museums around the country and boasts a collection of aircraft and artifacts from all ages of flight. In addition, the museum also has an extensive collection of military uniforms from around the globe, a collection of aircraft engines from the air-cooled in-line to advanced turbo jets, as well as an assortment of ordnance including bombs, rockets, missiles and torpedoes.
For a fun day-trip into the annals of military air power, the Air Victory Museum is ready.
Career Aviator Well on His Way By Joe La Valle
With his commercial check ride only days away, Mike Babli is one step closer to his goal of flying for the regional airlines, and then for a major airline. The prospect of an aviation career is something that has always interested Mike, and now he is even getting his family involved.
Originally from San Jose, California, Mike began flight training with a local flying club called Squadron Two, eventually earning his private pilot license. He decided to make the move out to the Midwest to complete his fight training. Recalling his decision, Mike said that he “originally was going to stay just for the training, but now I just want to stay.” He added that the opportunity for flying in IMC conditions was better on the plains and that out here he could really experience weather unlike anything he had done back in California.
Currently, Mike is a year away from completing his college coursework in the field of aviation science. His flight training is also earning him college credit; with every successful written and flight test, he comes closer to graduating.
When he is not in training, Mike enjoys taking his father, brothers and friends flying. Very recently, his younger brother, Mustafa, has decided to follow his big brother and pursue a flying career as well.
First Impressions Mean a Lot By David Menconi National Chief Flight Instructor
Everyone knows that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Whether you’re interviewing for a job or trying to demonstrate to an examiner that you qualify for a certificate or rating, first impressions are important.
Everyone knows that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Whether you’re interviewing for a job or trying to demonstrate to an examiner that you qualify for a certificate or rating, first impressions are important. Each Practical Test Standard has a checklist that applicants can use to ensure that they have all the materials required for their evaluation. It includes things like logbooks, aircraft documentation, charts, etc.
Each Practical Test Standard has a checklist that applicants can use to ensure that they have all the materials required for their evaluation. It includes things like logbooks, aircraft documentation, charts, etc.
Be on time: This shows planning, judgment and respect for the examiner’s time.
Be on time: This shows planning, judgment and respect for the examiner’s time.
Be organized: Have all the eligibility materials ready. For example, paper clip all the pilot documents together and tag all the inspections in the airplane maintenance records, as well as the endorsements in your pilot logbook.
Have the airplane ready and accessible: Complete the preflight well before the flight test and make sure that all fluids and equipment are checked. Small things like having the airplane parked as close as possible to the building and having it serviced and fueled show both professionalism and planning.
Demonstrate a "pilot-in-command attitude": From making the go/no-go decision concerning the weather, conducting of the pre-flight passenger briefing or determining any other safety of flight issue, the applicant is the pilot-in-command and that needs to be demonstrated loud and clear.
Few of us have satisfactorily completed a flight test without a couple of hiccups along the way. Demonstrating an exceptional attitude with above and beyond preparation can go a long way in helping the examiner make their final decision.
Better Sleep Hygiene is Easy*
Insomnia is often the result of poor sleep habits and making a few changes can help you get a better night’s sleep:
Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol four to six hours before
going to bed.
Exercise promotes restful sleep, but not if it’s too close
to bed time.
Try to wake up at the same time every morning, even
on weekends.
Don’t go to bed until you are sleepy; if you don’t fall asleep in
15 to 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing.
Avoid napping during the day. If you do nap, do so for not
more than thirty minutes during the mid-afternoon.
Source: UT Lifetime Health Letter
*For more information about maintaining good health on the ground and in the air, stay turned for the November issue of the American Flyers Newsletter.
Flying Without a Parachute
A man jumps out of an airplane with a parachute on his back. As he's falling, he realizes his chute is broken. He doesn't know anything about parachutes, but as the earth rapidly approaches, he realizes his options are limited; he takes off the parachute and tries to fix it himself on the way down. The wind is ripping past his face and he's dropping like a rock. At 5000 feet, another man goes shooting up past him. In desperation, the man with the chute looks up and yells, "Hey, do you know anything about parachutes?!"
another man goes shooting up past him. In desperation, the man with the chute looks up and yells, "Hey, do you know anything about parachutes?!"
Q: I have to make a flight into an airport I’ve never been to before and was wondering what I can do ahead of time to be more prepared for the flight?
A: Good question. I think there is a lot that can be done to prepare for this kind of flight. The obvious answer is to study the sectional chart, terminal chart if appropriate, the AF/D and one of the various airport guides that are available. Maybe not so obvious is to make a phone call to the airport ahead of time to obtain what boaters call local knowledge. Call an FBO or flight school and ask if there is an instructor you can speak to. Ask about entry procedures and reporting points. Ask what you can expect from the controllers. Ask where is the best place to park and where the cheapest fuel is. You might also find out where the best places to eat are found.
When thinking about where to park your airplane, decide if there is one side of the airport or other that is more convenient for access to rental cars, motels, etc. After finding yourself on the “wrong” side of the airport a few times you begin to pay more attention to the details.
The most important thing is to never be afraid to broaden your horizons. Do your homework and visit a new airport each time you fly. It will add to the fun of being a pilot.
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“You’re Invited …” Join Us Saturday, October 4th, 2008 at 12:00 Noon For a Free Pilot Seminar & Lunch
October’s Topic is Weather Theory
Something that never changes is the challenge of predicting the ever-changing weather. Join us on Oct 4 for a guided discussion on Weather Theory.
Topics Include:
What goes into making safe go/no-go decisions
How to better understand and apply weather principles
Basic atmospheric theory
Avoiding hazardous conditions
Wingless Record Setting By Joe La Valle
The HL-10 was one of five aircraft built in the Lifting Body Research Program. It was designed by NASA to evaluate the "inverted airfoil" lifting body and delta wing planform. It was flown 37 times during the lifting body research program and achieved both altitude and speed records for a lifting body aircraft. On Feb. 18, 1970, Air Force test pilot Peter Hoag piloted the HL-10 to Mach 1.86 (1,228 mph). Nine days later, NASA pilot Bill Dana flew the vehicle to 90,030 feet, which became the highest altitude reached in the program. The lifting bodies normally carried enough fuel for about 100 seconds of powered flight and routinely reached altitudes of 50,000 to 80,000 feet and speeds above Mach 1.
First published in 1944, “Stick and Rudder is the first exact analysis of the art of flying ever attempted.” It has been continuously in print for thirty-three years and has often been called the Aviation Bible. With the principles of flight largely unchanging, this book has been a staple of pilots and instructors for decades as a resource and training manual for learning what, how and why the airplane does what it does. Whether you’re new to flying or a seasoned pilot, this book will make a valuable addition to your aviation library.
Written Classes
Free Simulator
IntroFlights
There isn’t a better, more enjoyable and guaranteed class available. Plus the class includes two free hours of simulator!
… you can enjoy two hours of VFR or IFR simulator instruction, free, by attending either one of our weekend classes or taking an “IntroFlight”.
Get involved… introduce friends to flying. If you have a friend or acquaintance who might be interested in aviation send them in, or better yet, bring them! We fly 7 days a week.
