The Safety Corner…

  I am reminded about the first time I was with my new instructor….  While taxing the Cessna out of the club hangers to the run-up area and while everything was going great, I was listening to the METARS  report, and setting the barometric pressure. You know, trying to “kill two birds with one stone” or showing that I could multitask. Wrong thing for me to do.  My instructor had just started to admonish me for this foolish error in decision making when another plane started to pull out of the refueling area. Well, this should have been something I could have anticipated had I not been multitasking while taxing. This taught me a very primary lesson for my future years of aviation; not to mention the chewing out that I got.  I am very glad he was so adamant about it. Now I wait till I get to the run-up area and use the checklist.

 I told you that true story, to tell you this.  I was at another airport recently and saw what I think was the same scenario. Two planes trying to acquire the same ground at the same time. Fortunately there was no bent metal, because the tower was watching and alerted the two planes, but only one responded. I was in the FBO at the time and heard the whole thing. You guessed it, “return to the FBO and call the tower” was heard in a very stern voice.

 How many times do we get in a hurry and rush through situations or try to multitask only to rediscover that maybe the expression “Do one thing at a time, and do it right”, is what the right stuff is all about. I won’t forget that lesson.

Safety Seminar on the Garmin 430 in May!

  It’s different.  On its left is the newest flip-flop radio in the fleet. It knows all the frequencies if you ask it. In the middle is a color backup(?) to your indispensable handheld GPS.  On the right is access to every approach in the US.  It can take you direct to your destination VFR or IFR.  With familiarity  it makes 62RP safer, without familiarity ….   It’s the subject of the May 19 safety meeting.

Poker Run

The 2004 Poker Run planning committee held its first meeting on April 6.  Last year brought out a big crowd for flying, food, and fun in spite of “marginal” weather.   Its a great opportunity for members of our club and other local pilots to get together.  You can still volunteer to help out on the event at the April club meeting

Lights and Paint

If you volunteered this winter to help with either of the planned Spring hanger improvements, expect a phone call in April.  Tom Dow is ready to get started now that the weather is getting warmer and he doesn’t have to work on the newsletter.  So if you volunteered to paint new rollback lines or put up new hanger lighting, expect a call.  If you don’t get a call or want to add your expertise to the effort you can find Tom at (937) 534-8853 or noah92@ameritech.net.

The DPC Classifieds

For Sale:

¨ 1 David Clark and 1 Telex Headset.  Contact Norm Meintel 937 434-6597.

¨ 1 ea David Clark and 1 Sigtronics Headset.  Contact Dick Bridgman 937 428-5820.

Buy one for a spare or for your passengers.

If you have anything you are looking for or would like to sell, please submit your request to the Newsletter Editor