Jacksonville Chapter

Newsletter

 

Last Meeting:

     The March meeting was held

on Friday, the 13^th in the FBO conference room at the Herlong Airport.  There were 32 members present.  The food was plentiful and delicious.  Helen Kress’ cabbage rolls got high marks from everyone, but especially Millie Thomas. 

     Leonard Kress reported the account balances were still in the black.  Juan Blanco said the Flying Tigers’ breakfast for March was as good as a Denny’s Grand Slam.  He counted 40-50 airplanes.  Suzanne and George Towers said they enjoyed the ‘Wings of Freedom Tour’ in Keystone last month and saw several FAC members there.  Gil Porter announced there would be a BIG Air Show at Cecil Field on April 18^th and19^th to benefit the family of a paralyzed aerobatics pilot, Alan Henley.  Millie said there will be antique cars, too.  Al Knoepfel proudly announced that his wife, Linda, had passed her private pilot check ride.  Gene Minot asked if the Jacksonville FAC would again sponsor a scholarship for the FCCJ Summer Youth Aviation Camp.  Everyone agreed and Gene said he would handle everything.  Interested students from local Middle and High Schools in ROTC or Aviation will be asked to submit an essay.  The winner will selected by the FAC Jacksonville officers.

     Al and George presented a slide show and talk on ditching.  Of note was the fact that little or no training is available for ditching in commercial and general aviation.  On the other hand, retired Navy flight crew members, Leonard and George, said they were required to memorize all Navy ditching procedures. Dan Coffman's Navy ditching procedures required him to launch and recover his Douglas Skyraider with the canopy open and a one man raft under his parachute.  Juan said he flew frequently in the Caribbean with the Rosey Roads Navy Flying Club where each passenger/pilot was required to wear a life jacket during the whole flight.  Fergie Ferguson recounted his ditching experience and said the FAA jokingly threatened to cite him for not having a Sea Plane rating.

     Millie asked about bird strikes and a discussion followed.  It was reported that most birds on a collision course with a plane will tuck in their wings and dive.  The pilot should, therefore, climb in this situation.  Jim Usery said he has had two encounters with bird strikes.  Gene said he and his wife, Lilli were forced to land in a field after their plane was struck by a Turkey Buzzard.  Al recalled how the L1011 he was flying lost an engine when birds went through it. 

     The last subject discussed was dressing for survival.  Al commented that wool retains 50% of the insulation value when wet where cotton only retains 10%.  Jim added that wool was more fire retardant, and to a lesser extent cotton, but warned that synthetics could be highly flammable and actually melt.  Jim’s final comment was that tank tops and flip flops offer little protection…in water, cold or heat.

     Fergie Ferguson coordinated the 50/50 tickets and drawing.  George picked the winning ticket which belonged to Bob Romanelli.

     The next meeting will be in Gil Porter’s hanger at Herlong Airport on Saturday, April 11^th.  It will consist of a cookout lunch with Chefs Gil and Jack Schultz grilling hotdogs and hamburgers.  Everyone else will bring their favorite side dishes. 

             

Next Meeting:

     The next meeting will be a ‘Hanger Picnic’ at Gil Porter’s hanger #54, Herlong Airport, on Saturday, April 11^th  from noon until 3:00pm.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be prepared on the grill.  Everyone should bring their favorite side dish or dessert.  The cost will be $5.00 per person.  There will be a guest speaker to discuss the advantages of light sport aviation.

 

Phone Committee:

    Committee members (Linda Knoepfel, Helen Kress, Lupida Romanelli, Sandy Sepuch and Suzanne Tower), please make your calls and give Gary Goodenow your count of FAC members/guests attending on or before Wednesday, April 8^th.  Thanks in advance for your dedication.

 

 

Upcoming Events:

·        April 18-19 – Cecil Field Airshow

World-class Aviation performers including: Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, John Mohr, Iron Eagles, Sean Tucker, Patty Wagstaff, Dale Snodgrass, Lee Lauderback and more! Static display aircraft will include: several military aircraft, warbirds, experimental home built aircraft, and commercial and General Aviation displays.  Military demonstrations and displays to be announced.  Classic Car Show, Motorcycle Poker Run, Kid Zone, Food and more!

·        April 21-26 – Sun ’n Fun

Once a year, all kinds of flying machines swoop down on Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Central Florida for the “Sun ‘n Fun” annual aviation convention.  A Florida fixture for 35 years, Sun ‘n Fun rates nationally as second only to the renowned Oshkosh, Wisconsin aviation convention.