FLIGHT LOG

Pell City Squadron Alabama Wing Civil Air Patrol

November 2009
CALENDAR
Nov. 5th 6th-8th 12th 14th 19th 26th 29th Cadet meeting 1800-2030 WESS Cadet meeting 1800-2030 Officers meeting 1830-2030 Commanders Call MXF Cadet meeting 1800-2030 Thanksgiving Holiday Cadet meeting 1800-2030

Commanders Corner:
With Thanksgiving just around the corner we begin the holiday season. This is a time when we make plans to visit friends and family or they plan to visit us. There will be more people traveling by all available means but mostly ground transportation and some will travel by air. With more people traveling, the chances of a possible CAP mission increase. Therefore, this time of year makes it a good time for us, as CAP volunteers, to check our supplies and transition from our summer gear to our winter gear. Many people who operate general aviation aircraft will be pushing themselves to get to their destinations quickly. Unfortunately, this is when they find themselves in unfamiliar situations like flying VFR into IFR conditions. If the unspeakable happens we will be called to find the wreckage. So, while we are preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday take some extra time to make sure you are prepared for a possible mission. On another note, over the last few years the FAA has made an effort to prevent runway incursions. Most of the reports I have read say that the number of these types of incidents are down possibly more than 50%. This week a Delta 767 returning from Rio landed on a taxiway at the Atlanta international airport. I have flown a similar trip from Rio to JFK. This flight operates on

the back side of the clock, otherwise known as all nighters. I do not know what was happening onboard the aircraft but I can tell you that after flying all night each pilot must be extra vigilant and make sure all check lists and procedures are accomplished. When I mention the checklist I want to emphasize that I am not just referring to the before landing checklist. The flight is not over until the wheels are chalked and the engines are shut down. A flight begins before we ever get to the aircraft and does not end until the hangar doors are locked and the paper work is done. Before you taxi you need to have an idea how you are going to get to the active runway. If it is available to you, have an airport diagram out. When landing have an idea as to where you are going to park the aircraft and how you are going to get there from the runway. We can also use the concept in our everyday lives when we drive our vehicles. Before we put the car into gear, have we adjusted the mirrors, seats, seatbelts, and radio? Once you are on the road is not a time to be adjusting these items, your full attention needs to be on the road and not on other items. So, just like when we fly aircraft, whenever you operate any kind of vehicle, you need to make sure you are prepared to move. Planning ahead as well as being prepared can help move things along. Once you have gotten in your car and put on the seatbelt a few hundred times then try to drive without a seatbelt, it just doesnt feel right, does it? So, begin developing those good habits now in the aircraft just as you do in your car and it will become second nature to you.

Capt. Chris Iddins Squadron Commander, 118

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plan together. However, start formulating the plan ASAP. Maybe it will involve a change in altitude, either up or down (assuming the aircraft will still climb) or maybe the best action is to make a 180 and go back to where ice wasnt a problem. Start working with ATC early, they can help you find the best level or area based on other flights that they have worked through the area. A NASA map of the U.S. shows Alabama has icing conditions about 20% of the time during the period of November through March. We are exposed to this hazard a lot less than our northern neighbors but NASA also says that icing in our area can be Severe when it occurs. It is possible to be in a VMC area and a light mist or drizzle can still be an icing hazard. Some of our most destructive ice storms occur in this type of situation so VFR pilots are not completely immune to this hazard. In-flight icing must be dealt with while in the air. Frost, snow or ice on aircraft surfaces that accumulate on the ground should never be dealt with in flight! We are fortunate to have a hanger for N261CA but we sometimes fly other aircraft that are based outside and we need to be particularly vigilant about these hazards in our pre-flight inspections. The FAA issued INFO bulletin #09016 last month that basically said that even slight accumulations of frost or ice only as rough as light sandpaper can cause substantial loss of lift and lead to accidents. Accumulations must be removed prior to flight! And last, but not least, is the induction ice hazard. We all know that the air/fuel mixture flowing through a carburetor can drop in temperature up to 60 degrees F. We will fly several CAP aircraft equipped with carburetors during this winter period. Be on the alert if rpm or manifold pressure starts dropping off and dont delay pulling on full carburetor heat. Unlike, structural icing, visible moisture is not required to produce induction ice so do not let clear air lull you into not being on the lookout for this hazard. If you would like to know more about the subject of icing, consider taking the AOPA interactive on-line course Weather Wise: Precipitation and Icing on the www.asf.org web site.

First Lieutenant Ron Harlan

Safety Corner:
In January of 2006, a Cirrus SR22 took off from BHM enroute to Orlando, FL at approximately 1530. The pilot had an ATP rating and substantial experience. He was on an IFR flight plan and had filed for 9,000 feet. He reported entering the base of the clouds at about 5,000 feet and at 7,000 feet reported picking up some structural ice. He continued his climb with the autopilot and broke through the tops of the clouds at 9,000. The aircraft then stalled (at 80 kts, according to the pilot) and entered a spin back into the IMC. The pilot attempted to neutralize the controls, reduce airspeed and then deployed the aircraft parachute. The aircraft landed in some trees near Childersburg, AL and all occupants exited without major injuries. The pilot called on his cell phone and a nearby fire department picked them up. The investigator found that, although the pilot had received a weather briefing, it had expired well before his flight time. Had he obtained a more recent briefing he would have been told that there was an AIRMET out for his area of flight for light to moderate icing in the clouds above 6,000 feet. He would also have learned of several pilot reports (PIREPS) that detailed icing above 7,000 feet. Of course, none of our CAP aircraft have the aircraft parachute installed that worked pretty well for this pilot. We have to think of other ways to keep ice from being a major threat to our flights. The first is to obtain a current weather briefing shortly prior to takeoff so you will know the possible icing levels and locations. Ask for PIREPS and be sure to note the time they were made since conditions will change significantly over time. If possible, even if filing IFR, consider if the flight can be safely conducted below the cloud level. Visible moisture is required for icing to occur. If you encounter icing conditions in flight, dont panic, anything short of freezing rain will give you some time to get your exit

Stay Safe! Ronald Harlan, Safety Officer/Squadron 118

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Cadets Page
WESS GOES TO WESS

Coffee only if you brought your own. Time for a quick team leaders meeting and then to corral the students on to a bus. Off for another day of training on compass courses and direction finding. Dont let us forget the other attendees of FTX this year. I myself have taken the plunge once again and have enrolled in the Team Leader course. It has shifted a little more toward an equal mix of training for the leader and not as much leading a team. That is where another change has taken place. The cadets that were once called G1s and assisted the Team Leader are now called CTAs. Cadet Training Assistants are taking a greater role now in training the Basic students and getting them where they need to be. C/SMSgt Jerrod Finlay is one of the CTAs this year. He arrived on the first weekend expecting to be on staff this cycle and was called upon by LTC. Long to step up and fill a CTA position. Jerrod was up for the challenge and additionally had to be the acting Team Leader as well. His performance did not go unnoticed. As we were preparing to leave, LTC Long was heard to say, Finlay, you did good this weekend. High praise indeed! There are many others of our squadron who are on staff this year. They are 1LT Cynthia Bennett (Deputy Commander for Cadets), C/1LT Peter Randolph, C/2LT Trent Johnson, C/CMSgt Rachel Shurbutt, C/SMSgt Brian Scott and our MIA (at Auburn) C/Col Morgan Bennett. It is rumored that others are planning to attend. Some would rather brake a foot than go but, that is another story. We expect that November will see additional students arrive to bring the attendance to a record level. Many thanks to those who support the Emergency Services portion of the CAP mission. Without you there would be a huge gap in our ability to respond to the call of our nation, our state and local officials when help is needed. Thanks Ground Teams and Pilots.

Well can you believe it? After having so many cadets attend FTX last year, we only have one cadet (so far) in the Ground Team Basic class this year. C/SMSgt Wesley Morris enjoyed the first weekend so much that he has decided to adopt the name of the school as his own. Of course I am speaking of the new name for FTX. For those who dont know it yet, the wing decided to adopt a name more fitting. FTX is now Wing Emergency Services School. WESS for short. Wesley is now Wess.

Even though the name has changed to WESS, it will always be FTX for some of us. It is difficult getting use to the new acronym. Some of us have decided that since it is still a Field Training Exercise, we can still call it FTX. At least until we get used to the new name. The first weekend in this training cycle was a good one. We began the weekend on Friday with a late training session that lasted until about midnight. That is always tough when you have been up since 0500. After a relaxing 5 hours of sleep, we were up and getting ready to leave for the field. Twenty minutes should be enough for anyone to get up eat, brush your teeth and pack your gear. Did I mention shaving and the potty break?

2LT Eddie Shurbutt

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A DYNAMIC TOUR OF GENERAL DYNAMICS What an opportunity our Squadron had as we took a tour of General Dynamics. There were no tricks here at this AE activity, only treats! Not only did the 38 Seniors and Cadets get to tour the plant, but we also got a special treat from General Dynamics. First, let me tell you about the company. General Dynamics is a world leader in the manufacture of large, medium- and small-caliber direct and indirect-fire munitions, mortar weapons and systems, artillery projectiles, bomb bodies, Ball Powder Propellant, solid propellants, non-lethal products and Force Protection products. The company also manufactures precision metal components; provides explosive load, assemble and pack services for a variety of munitions, tactical missile and rocket programs; and designs and produces shaped charge warheads and control actuator systems. General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical Systems empowers the U.S. military. Next, the tour! After a short safety briefing and receiving our own pair of safety glasses, the tours began. Our squadron was divided into three groups and tours were given simultaneously by the General Manager, the Operations Manager, and the Head of the Engineering Dept. WOW! What an awesome tour! We observed how the Fin and Nozzle Assemblies for the Hydra-70 Rocket System are produced from start to finish. We also saw various missile parts that they produce in the CNC shop. NEAT STUFF!! Finally, the treat! After our tours were completed, we were treated to General Dynamics hospitality. They had snacks, notepads, pens, pencils, and a bunch of other General Dynamics goodies for each one of us. Thank you, General Dynamics! We also got to watch a video of their products in action. They were very generous in their thoughts and comments about Civil Air Patrol. They knew a great deal about us and we learned a great deal about them. We share a mutual respect for each other. To say the entire evening was quite impressive would be an understatement. 2Lt Jeannie Scott SER-AL-118, CAP

AL-118s Cadets Assist with the Ashville Air Show The cadets of AL 118 once again were called upon to assist with both the traffic control and parking during the Ashville Air Show October 3rd. We had a beautiful day to watch the many aircraft and remote control aerial acts. This is a venue that the cadets use to raise money for their various projects and activities throughout the year. This year was another record turn out with the cadets parking in excess of fifteen hundred vehicles. I want to thank everyone who assisted with this. Capt Iddins

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