Promoting the safe enjoyment of aviation for pilots, aircraft builders and enthusiasts.
I had an incredible flying weekend, starting with practice landings and a successful fly-in breakfast at Springbank. Enjoyed smooth weather, good company, and even pie afterward. I plan to add wheel skis to my plane for winter and discovered new aircraft products at Oshkosh. Excited for fall flying and upcoming maintenance chores.
This month's Skywriter issue is delayed due to an exciting trip to Oshkosh. The author recounts the adventures of flying with friends and family, navigating customs, and experiencing the overwhelming sights at AirVenture 06. Despite challenges, including weather and air traffic, the journey was memorable with valuable time spent together.
In May, promising weather accompanied successful events like the Sundre Mother’s Day fly-in, featuring nearly 200 aircraft. Despite poor weather thereafter, training progressed with almost complete night rating hours. The author reflects on a vintage Hawker Hurricane, once played on as a child, now set to appear at Oshkosh, rekindling family aviation ties.
The author reflects on recent flying experiences, including training for a commercial license. They express concerns about uncontrolled airport procedures, particularly at Linden, where right and left-hand circuit flying occurs. Emphasizing AIM guidelines, they note potential safety issues from conflicting traffic due to differing circuit preferences among pilots, stressing the importance of adherence to regulations.
The Cessna 150 project is complete after a year of upgrades, including avionics, a new engine, and a conversion to key-start. The installation went smoothly, with improved performance and no leaks observed post-swap. However, the plane unexpectedly gained 35 lbs, complicating future flight training arrangements within legal weight limits.
Significant changes to Springbank airport and its airspace took effect on February 16, 2006. The airport remains Class D, with new GPS IFR approach and altered Class C airspace extensions. Training areas were moved west to accommodate the changes, which are beneficial for local pilots. A brochure with details is available online.
In a busy month, the author managed home renovations and aircraft upgrades, including work on a Cessna 150. After successfully retrieving a salvaged plane in Florida with his father, they encountered delays and icy conditions. The trip proved worthwhile, yielding a core engine and quality parts for future projects, costing $4,000 less than anticipated.
February brought mixed weather but ended positively with a lunch gathering in Lacombe that featured multiple aircraft enthusiasts. The author recently introduced a fellow student to light flying, excelled in class, and continued working on their Buttercup project, focusing on rib construction for wings. Upcoming aviation events are in the pipeline.
Calgary Recreational Flying Club YYC 