Grand Rapids Senior Squadron Civil Air Patrol GLR-MI-190

The Beacon
Volume 1, Issue 1 Spring 2009

Inside this issue:

MI190 ELT Search SLS Coming to AZO Wing Conference C182 visits GRR Promotions/Awards New Members Commanders Corner 2 3 3 3 4 4 5

The Beacon Has Returned

It has been more than ten years since The Beacon, the official newsletter of the Grand Rapids Senior Squadron, has been published. Today, the Beacon returns. Created using some of the newest software available, future editions promise to be the most colorful editions ever released by the Grand Rapids Senior Squadron. Since this is the first edition of the new Beacon, feedback from the unit is welcome and changes will be made as needed.

See a Need; Fill a Need: Squadron Members Build SAR Simulator

With the weather in Michigan, during the winter months and the occasional maintenance issues with the aircraft, Lt. Mike Shoemaker and Maj. Bob Whitman decided to make a SAR flight simulator. They were able to obtain the computer, twin monitors, video cards, and speakers from members of the squadron, along with the foot peddles and a yoke. Lt. Shoemaker, being the expert with the computer, took a basic 2004 Flight Simulator program, added to it the Abacus CAP Search and Rescue addon, and thus was the start of their simulator. Lt. Shoemaker was then able to create the exact instrument panel that is in the squadrons C-172. He was able to mimic each and EVERY dial, switch and level work, even the compass, DF equipment, and the radio stack. Mike was able to create the location of the start up, right outside their hanger at Northern Air East, Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The taxi ways and runways are that of the GRR airport.

FAA Seminar

Lt. Shoemaker and Maj. Whitman demonstrating the new SAR flight simulator.
built the cockpit for the pilot and observer trainees. Thus they can use their two way, short range, radios to practice air to ground communications. Now, new mission pilots and those who want to be missions pilots can practice flying search patterns and actually look for a target on the ground.

Lt. Mike Shoemaker (left) and Maj. Bob Whitman and the SAR flight simulator they designed and built.

While Lt. Shoemaker developed the PC and software, Maj. Whitman designed and

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The Beacon

GR Senior Squadron Participates in ELT search

take-off, the aircrew picked up the signal and tracked it to an area approx. 4.5 miles south/ southeast of the Ionia Airport. The location was noted from the GPS, then an attempt to contact the ground team was made, however the aircrew was not able to raise the ground team on the radio. The ground team, lead by Maj. John Johnson, had apparently encountered a rare double failure with their comms equipment when both the mobile and handheld radios failed. The aircrew landed at nearby Ionia Airport to relay the location via cell phone to the ground team. Capt. Evans and Col. Hickel then relaunched and returned to the target area until the ground team arrived on the scene. Members of the Grand Rapids Sr. Squadron participated in an ELT search on Wed. 4 March 2009. This was the first ELT search performed by MI-190 since the SARSAT/ COSPOS satellite reporting system was shut down last month. At 17:45 local, the squadron commander was contacted by Lt. Col. Raj Kothari to see if a ground team could be assembled to pursue the ELT. Col. Kothari was informed that an aircrew could be launched, however he would have to contact another squadron for a ground team. Still trying to narrow down the search without the satellites, Capt. Dan Evans and Lt. Col. Steve Hickel were asked to stage at the GRR airport, preflight 99508, and wait for launch orders. Multiple reports placed the ELT somewhere between Ionia and Muskegon early on, however all ground reception was lost by the time the aircrew reached the GRR airport. Although it was believed that the ELT may have already been shut off, Capt. Evans was instructed to launch with Col. Hickel as the observer, and fly a large oval pattern that included Ionia, Greenville, Sparta, and Muskegon airports. Within seven minutes from Once the ground team reached the location, they tracked the ELT to a barn where a helicopter was parked. The ELT was shut off prior to 9pm. The ground team members included 2nd Lt Matt Porter and Cadet Alex Gaunt.

There are no more approximate lat/longs for the legacy ELTs that only broadcast on 121.5. No longer will a ground team be able to drive to a likely location and quickly receive the ELT signal and shut it down without an aircraft to lead the ground team to the target. - Capt. Dan Evans

The ELT was found in a helicopter that was parked in a pole barn, approx. 4.5 NM SSE of the Ionia Airport

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Squadron Leadership School

Group 703 is hosting a Squadron Leadership School (SLS) on 18-19 April in Grand Haven. is Friday, 3 April 2009, and the class registration is limited to 25 participants.

Attendance of an SLS can be crucial to your success in your role as a squadron officer. Therefore, we would like to see a minimum participation from the Grand Rapids Senior Squadron of no less than five members.

For more information, see the recent Wing email, or you may contact Maj. Jason Sherwood at glrmi119@hotmail.com, or by phone at 231-638-1561.

functions and improve its operations. This is an important step in completing Level II and becoming a staff officer for your squadron.

The registration deadline to

SLS will enhance your performance in your squadron, increase your understanding its basic

SLS will enhance your performance in your squadron, increase your understanding its basic functions and improve its operations. This is an important step in completing Level II and becoming a staff officer for your squadron.

The SLS will be held at 750 Taylor St. Suite 160, Grand Haven, MI

Wing Conference
The 2009 Michigan Wing Conference will be held on 27-29 March in Bay City. The Wing Conference will offer many training workshops in several areas of professional development. This can include Communications, Emergency Services, Administration, Personnel, Public Affairs, and more. Like the SLS mentioned above, it is important to have a significant presence from the Grand Rapids Senior Squadron. Please mark your calendars and watch Wing email for further details.

The conference will be held at the Bay City DoubleTree Hotel.

C-182 Loaned to MI-190 for Two Weeks

Squadron Flight Operations was able to obtain a 2003 Cessna 182 for high performance training and for our members to complete a CAPF5 checkride. The 230 hp 182 (813CP) arrived on 15 February and was returned to Flint on 28 February. During that time, 99508 was traded to Flint. Unfortunately, the squadron was not able to get as much time in the aircraft as desired due to maintenance issues as soon as it arrived in Grand Rapids. To make matters worse, the aircraft was down during good weather, and returned to service just in time for the bad weather! Despite the difficulties, two of our members, 2d Lt Kevin Jarchow and 1st Lt Mike Shoemaker were able to complete their high performance endorsements while 813CP was here. Special thanks goes out to 1st Lt. David Hast for working on the arrangements, and Capt. Bob Rodenhouse for his efforts in providing flight instruction. We may have opportunities to bring 813CP back for more high performance training this spring. Stay tuned for details.

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The Beacon

Promotions and Awards

Recent Promotions: Mike Shoemaker, 1st Lt. Mike has recently completed his Technician Rating in Aerospace Education, as well as completing his Instrument Rating. Either accomplishment would have earned Mike the new rank. David Hast, 1st Lt. It was recently discovered that David also holds an Instrument Rating. Therefore, David is promoted to 1st Lt. Chad Worst, 2d Lt. Chad has completed his initial six months in Civil Air Patrol, as well as completing all of the Level I requirements. Therefore, Chad has been promoted to 2d Lt.

Congratulations to the above members on their achievements!

New Members
The Grand Rapids Senior Squadron welcomes its newest members: Gregory Forbes PhD, and Bill Reed. Greg is a Biology Professor at Grand Rapids Community College, and a commercially rated pilot. Bill is a sales manager at Extol, Inc., and holds a private certificate. ginning mission pilot training as soon as possible.

Bill and Greg have also demonstrated initiative by completing the online Level I, Cadet Protection, and OPSEC training within the first few weeks of their membership. Excellent work, gentlemen! Welcome aboard!

Greg Forbes, Ph.D.

Both Bill and Greg have expressed interest in be-

Bill Reed

Subordinate Unit Inspection (SUI) Results

Lt.Col. Jack Redeker said that he was pleased with the inspection results and that we completed our inspection very strong.
The Grand Rapids Senior Squadron has received the results from the July Subordinate Unit Inspection. tion very strong. Although there were some findings which will need to be addressed in the next 60 to 90 days, it was clear from both Group and Wing that we had a very successful SUI. assigned to members for resolution. A complete list of the findings and the assignments will be forwarded to the membership in the very near future.

Prior to the receipt of the SUI results, Lt.Col. Jack Redeker, Commander of Group 703, said that he was pleased with the inspection results and that we completed our inspec-

During our 6 January meeting, the findings were

Thanks to all of the Grand Rapids Senior Squadron members for making this SUI a success!

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Commanders Corner
In the past few months, weve seen several members putting a great deal of effort into beginning and continuing their Emergency Services training. This is very encouraging and your efforts are greatly appreciated. Although all of our members are important, I want to take this time to discuss our mission pilot status. Michigan Wing has reported concerns with the number of qualified mission pilots in the Wing. Clearly, the current economic issues have hit our state particularly hard, and this has had an impact on our mission pilots. Wings concerns really hit home recently, when we had an actual electronic search that required us to launch 99508. However, of the four mission pilots we have in our squadron, only one was current and in the area when the call came. In order for us to be an effective SAR squadron, and, in order to keep our aircraft, we need our pilots to remain current, and we also need to double the number of qualified mission pilots in our unit as quickly as possible. In addition to the four mission pilots we currently have, we also have three mission pilot trainees. Furthermore, we have eight members who could become mission pilot trainees, needing either CAPF5 check rides, Mission Scanner training, or both. Heres how you can help: If you are a pilot, but have not yet taken your CAPF5 check ride, please schedule that check ride soon. If you have not started your E.S. training, please take the necessary steps to begin that training. If you have started your training, please make every effort to continue your training. Your help is needed in achieving our goal of having a minimum of eight mission pilots by 1 June. Thank you for all you do for this squadron and Civil Air Patrol!

In order for us to be an effective SAR squadron, we need our pilots to remain current, and we also need to double the number of qualified mission pilots in our unit as quickly as possible.

Aerospace Education
First Lieutenant Mike Shoemaker, the squadron's Aerospace Education Officer, presented "Understanding Spatial Disorientation and Vertigo: The Vestibular System." This presentation explained the vestibular system's anatomic and physiologic basis for why spatial orientation occurs in pilots, especially when outside visual references are reduced or obscured. The spatial disorientation phenomena that were discussed included the graveyard spiral, coriolis illusion, somatogravic illusion, inversion illusion, and elevator illusion.

Grand Rapids Senior Squadron

Civil Air Patrol GLR-MI-190

The Grand Rapids Senior Squadron is a unit within Michigan Wing Civil Air Patrol. Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 57,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 90 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 67 years. For more information, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

2307 Wasabinang Rd, Hastings, MI 49058 Meeting Address: Plainfield Fire Dept. 4343 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI Email: mi190@miwg.cap.gov

Wing Website: http://miwg.cap.gov

Grand Rapids Sr. Sqdn. to Host FAA Safety Seminar

The Grand Rapids Senior Squadron (GLR-MI190) will host an FAA Safety Seminar on 21 April at the Plainfield Fire Dept. (PFD) Training Center. The seminar begins at 7pm. The PFD is located at 4343 Plainfield Ave., Grand Rapids, MI. Topics to be discussed during this seminar include tracking the new 406 MHz ELT, and Survival: How to help us find you. Special guest speaker will be Carol Callan from the FAA. Visit the FAA Safety Team at http://www.faasafety.gov

Attendance of an FAA Safety Seminar is one of the requirements for completion of the FAA Wings Pilot Proficiency program