The Water Rudder

July 2009-Summter Issue Volume 3 Number 3

The Official Newsletter of the Civil Air Patrols Southeast Composite Squadron Juneau, Alaska

Commanders Call:
Its hard to believe that another three months has gone by. In a short time, the cadets summer encampment will be held in Juneau. I think this is the first encampment held here. Fantastic! We are still looking for Senior Members to help at the camp. Any assistance will be appreciated; even if its only one day. Let Capt. Karl or Capt. Lisa Marx know if you can help. We had a couple of pilots attend the flight emergency services academy in Anchorage. Very interesting with lots of good ideas to pass along as the various subject matter comes up. For instance, the next SAREX is ELT searching which was a whole day discussion and flying. Lots of good info to pass along. This should be a good exercise with plenty of opportunities for observers and scanners to practice their skills. A hearty thanks to Bryan for taking over the management and organizing the Snettisham SAREX. Thanks also to the others who pitched in. It was a big success and the cadets got a lot of great training. Another subject coming up soon is the Awards Banquet. This will be held the first week in December, so put it on your calendar. (December 5th) Anyone want to help with the planning? We had a couple who said they could help, but the more the merrier! Three other items come to mind. We have a new lift system for the hangar door, and a request in for a bigger generator to run the motors. We are still waiting word from Wing regarding the replacement of the hangar furnace. The outhouse will continue to be in operation until the wing comes up with the $$ to replace the lift station pump. This should occur soon. On a final note, I have been selected as an escort for the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE). My destination is the United Kingdom (England). I leave on July 17 and return August 6. It should be a great experience. I will have a fuller report in the next Water Rudder Major Ken Nestler The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska
For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

Commander, Southeast Composite Squadron

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska

For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

Cadet Goings-on:
Snettisham Training Submitted by Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Kiefer
Photos by Capt. Brooke Daly

Cadets and Senior Members were involved with training for Ground Team Level 3 and Urban Direction Finding at Snettisham, about 36 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska. During the two days of training out there cadets were looking for a simulated ELT signal in the vicinity. Cadets were learning how to use the device named Little L-Per that receives a signal to help locate the ELT device. During the two days at Snettisham cadets nearly completed Ground Team Level 3 and Urban Direction Finding. A quick brief before leaving for Snettisham, from left to right: Cadet Airman Basic Holt, 2nd Lieutenant Bryan Rice, 1st Lieutenant Bob Goetz, and Captain Lisa Marx.

First flight group to Snettisham right before departure, from left to right: Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Kiefer, Cadet Technical Sergeant Holt, Cadet Airman 1st class Collins, 1st Lieutenant Bob Goetz, and Major Kenneth Nestler.

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska

For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

Safety News:
Submitted by 1LT Rob MacDonald; Safety Officer

Aging Aircraft Aircraft aging has been a topic in the aviation world since 1988 when an 18-foot section of cabin tore off an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 and metal fatigue was the likely cause. Aircraft aging relates to CAP, personal, and commercial aircraft we fly or fly in. Aviation Safety Magazines May 2008 edition had an article on this issue and the following text comes from that article. Properly maintained, a 40-year-old airplane is as safe as one much newer. Unlike cars and houses, airplanes are inspected annually and maintained to a higher standard. The average piston-powered GA airplane is more than 35 years old and its not unusual for a light airplane to be 40, 50, or even 60 years old. This has brought up the question: Are airplanes this old still safe? However, fatigue and corrosion is more closely related to the use of the aircraft, the maintenance of the aircraft, and how it is stored as opposed to how old an aircraft is. Metal fatigues because of it flexing, bending, or corroding. Airplanes flown in high stress operations (like training, mountain flying or pipeline patrol) or near the limits of their design envelope (routine operation at high weights or frequent strong turbulence encounters) flex more and therefore rack up more fatigue exposure for the number of hours flown. Corrosion is a function of airplane storage (inside or out), humidity from physical location (e.g., Florida vs. Nevada), quality of paint preparation, proper preparation of areas where dissimilar metals are joined, and frequency of operation (lesser-flown airplanes stay damper longer, and corrode more quickly). If it were valid that airplanes become less safe as they age, its logical that confirmation would come from the NTSB mishap record and there should be a spike in accidents. That is not being seen and there is actually a drop in the number of mechanical accidents. Tests on several high-time piston aircraft have shown that fatigue was almost universally instigated by improper maintenance practices and errors in aircraft inspection and repair. Uncorrected accumulated fatigue exposure is an issue in older airplanes, not the calendar age of an aircraft. Given there has been more opportunity for fatigue in older airplanes, pilots and mechanics need to be more alert. In sum, as pilots and observers we should all be constantly vigilant for any signs of cracking, corrosion, or other damage and take problems to a mechanic right away.

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska

For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

Other News from Southeast:

Submitted by 1LT Bob Goetz

C/SSGT Steffan Wilcox Heads off to the Air Force Academy

On 19 June I had the pleasure of seeing C/SSgt Steffan Wilcox begin the next leg of his lifes journey. Earlier this year Steffan received notice he had been accepted at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; an honor afforded to very few. There were other paths he could have taken, leading him as far away as Vermont, but the lure of a career in aviation proved superior. Im sure there are many of us who might choose such a path were do-overs possible. It was a small send off of mostly family, and the emotion of the event was heart warming to this observer. Mom, Dad, and Steffan shared memories, tears, and thoughts of the future as he boarded Alaska Airlines for sunny Colorado.

We wait eagerly for reports from Steffan on his latest adventure.

Aircraft Status:
Beaver N5142G Beaver N5347G Cessna N19MJ Cessna N4950R Mission Ready at JNU- Amphib Wing Mtc. Hangar ANC Mission Ready at JNU Wing Mtc. Hangar ANC

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska

For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

Training Opportunities: Subject

ELT Tracking Salmon SAREX Form 5 Clinics Radio communications

Point of Contact
Bryan Rice & Marc Finkelstein Dan Logan Rob MacDonald Marc Finklestein & Martha DeFreest

Primary Dates
7/1-13 8/14-17 8/21-31 9/23/09

Please call Commander Nestler @ 789-1492 for further infoand to confirm above listed activities, as training opportunities are subject to change with funding or weather cancellations.

Cadet Awards and Personnel Actions Austin M. Hales C/CMSgt, 28 March

Senior Awards and Personnel Actions: PromotionsSusan D. Finkelstein Frederick C. Fritsch Daniel W. Holt Awards1Lt Robert D. MacDonald SM Bryan C. Rice Duty Assignments-

2Lt, 16 March Maj, 13 January 2Lt, 11 March

Received CFI rating and CAP Instructor Approval Aerospace Education for Senior Members

No changes reported

Welcome to New Members: New Senior Members (2009): Jonathan S. Kullander Eric C. Seller Kirt D. Stage-Harvey New Cadet Members (2009): Coleman B. Adams 10 March Eli S. Carlson 29 January Sarah Sophia Donohue 03 March Logan Holt 27 May Trever Stafford 06 March Justin R. White 19 March The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska
For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

09 June 09 June 29 January

Departing Squadron Members: C/SSgt Steffan M. Wilcox Departed June 19th to the Air Force Academy. 1Lt Steven J. Florio Departed June 15th for the Navys flight school in Pensacola, FL SM Bryan C. Rice Departing August to Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, DC.

Visiting Senior Members: C. J., from the 17th Composite Squadron (Elmendorf Air Force Base), AK Wing; is working as a pilot here in Juneau. 2Lt Joel Kersting, from the Grand Rapids Squadron of the MN Wing; is handling sled dogs this summer here in Juneau.

CAP Supporters & Sponsors:

Terry Papf, owner of See Gee donated their Weight & Balance Calculator for both the U206 and the Beaver that we fly here in Juneau. The device makes a weight and balance calculation before every flight an easy operation.

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska

For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com

MEET OUR MEMBERS --- Really Gone to the Dawgs!

Submitted by: Major Jean Sztuk

MISSY SZTUK

Photo by: Capt. Brooke Daly

What is your rank? Rank? I NOT rank!! What CAP position do you hold? Unofficial cadaver dog and VIP (Very Important Pet). When did you join CAP? When I was six months old. Employment? I run a household of three. Pilot Ratings? I pile it here and there Other Ratings? Im the boss!! Family? Tell us about your family. I have a huge extended family which includes, but not limited to, Uncle Jon, Auntie Brooke, Auntie Linda, Uncle Ken, Cuz, Little Bit Flower Bingham, Benewah DeFreest, and all humans and other VIPets at the airport!

Photo by Jeff DeFreest

Little Bit Flower

Benewah Shes a great Beaver Pilot!

What else do you want our members to know about you? Please brag! We dont know unless you tell us! Im totally and without apologies, The Spoiled Pampered Princess. What is your most vivid memory of flying? Flying? Whats that?? Do you have pets? What types? Yes! Daddy Steve and Mommy Jean. Human types. Editors Note: This is why we need Senior Members to respond to Maj Sztuk when asked for a
Member interview

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southeast Composite Squadron - Juneau, Alaska

For further information contact Major Jeff DeFreest, Public Affairs Officer, PCR-AK-022 at: jdefreest@gmail.com