Slipstream March 2021

Chairman’s Message

By Jill Drexhage

It's funny how much we rely on internet, especially over the last year. Working from home, streaming all of our favorite shows, Zoom calls, etc. Recently I was remembering getting my first e-mail address, which is the one I am still using to this day. My dad was excited to get AOL dial-up in the house and he was setting up an e-mail address for me. He kept putting in e-mail addresses for me, but they were all taken so he added the 999 at the end, and that ended up being my e-mail address. The number 9 has really been standing out to me recently. I just finished reading through Matthew in the Bible, and came across Matthew 18:12: "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?”. And the obvious reason the 9’s are significant to me is because of all of you 99s.

February 13 Drive-out: Santa Maria Fun

By Grace Crittenden

A drive-out to SMX - the second 2021 fly-out complicated by wind.

February 13 we we planning to fly to Santa Ynez for a traditional Valentines Picnic. The weather was just too iffy with cross winds and variable low clouds. It might be a struggle to get there and then it would be chilly for a picnic outside. The alternate day Sunday was forecasted to have more winds after the front passed through Saturday night. These weather calls are the hardest part about planning the fly-outs. It was just wind after all, but how much do we want to deal with. So we called to change plans to a drive-out
As it turned out, I was on my own driving south to visit our Santa Maria members Robin Shatto and Jolie Lucas. Robin’s tail dragger does not like crosswinds and was happily lounging in the hangar when I arrived at the entry gate. Shortly after I got there, Jolie arrived with her friend Chris Keran and we had a chance to visit and have some snacks and treats at Robin’s hangar. There is always lots to talk about when you get pilots together. Jolie’s big news is that there are plans to redevelop the New Cuyama airport (L88). 
From Robin’s, we went to a visit a nearby hangar belonging to Kim Huntington and her husband who have gleaming and polished matching Super Cubs. Kim would be a wonderful speaker for one of our meetings. Survival planning is one of her interests that goes along with her love of back country flying. Perhaps we could have our chapter meeting sometime in the spring in person at her very spacious hangar. We will see about setting a date.
Next we headed over to see Jolie’s hangar and Mooney. Every plane we saw had a lightweight nylon fabric cover that is lifted by a cord and pulley system. These covers are used in the hangar to protect surfaces from the dust. 
Chris is a commercial pilot and was visiting Jolie from Fresno where his plane is based. The plane is a beautiful black Pilatus PC-12 NGX that is owned by two companies. Chris is retained to fly it for them. It was parked on the tarmac outside the Radisson Hotel, so we headed over for a tour. He kindly let us climb in the plane and sit in the cockpit for some photo ops and a chance to imagine flying it. It has a brand new glass panel for the instruments and computerized everything, but he still uses his iPad mini for backup “just in case".
It did turn out to be a pretty windy day with cross winds and quite a few clouds coming and going - whether or not I made the right call, it was a fun day to share at SMX. 
Here is hoping for better weather for the next fly-out! We are planning for March 13 to Fox Field (KWJF) for lunch and a chance to see the wild flowers and the Poppy Preserve.

Minutes of the General Meeting (2/3/2021)

By Anele Brooks

Attending via Google Meet only: Jill Drexhage, Susan Steeb, Erin Ayers, Lynn Edlund, Elizabeth Dinan, Grace Crittenden, Theresa Theiler, Jolie Lucas, Janice Odell, Dana Davis, Anele Brooks.
 
Chairman Jill Drexhage called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
 
Theresa Theiler is scheduled for her check ride on February 16 in Fresno. The DPE would like her in Fresno at 8:00 a.m. She would prefer to use the DPE in San Luis Obispo but he has not responded to her requests. Erin suggested Theresa's flight instructor contact the local DPE to make arrangements for the check ride.
 
Dana Davis is scheduled for a checkride on Monday the 8th. Her parents just moved to California to be closer to her and to her brother.
 
The 99s International 2021 Convention in Long Beach has been cancelled. The hotel management company has filed for bankruptcy. Registrations will be forwarded to next year's convention on the east coast.
 
A fly-out is planned for February 13 (alternate date February 14) [this turned into a drive-out, see trip report by Grace above, the ed.], a picnic lunch is planned. There is no rain in the forecast at this time. Grace requests you bring a picnic lunch and a Valentine's Day Theme for your table. Please remember to bring a mask. This is not an “official” event per the Ventura 99s. Grace spoke with Judy McDonald and there will be some Ventura 99s flying in. Lynn Edlund will be in town and plans to attend the fly-out. Please plan your flight for arrival at Santa Ynez at 11:30.
 
The January fly-out to Salinas was cancelled due to excessively windy conditions. Robin wasn't comfortable with the crosswind; Theresa turned back due to a possible runway incursion by a pilot landing on Runway 7.
 
Susan Mercer is now in Maryland and settling into her new home there.

Lynn Edlund filled us in on her flight to Ensenada with medical supplies for an eye doctor there. She flew with her instructor and the owner of the plane, she spent the flight dodging clouds and flew through a cloud, she had to search for holes in the clouds to descend into the airport at Ensenada. It took them 2 ½ hours to reach Ensenada. On the return flight she experienced IFR for the first time. Lynn is planning to go again when a seat is available. She is till looking for a plane and for people to fly with. She is looking for a group in or near El Monte. Cable Airport is the closest field to El Monte.
 
Susan Steeb's visit to Mexico to whale watch has been postponed, possibly to 2022. Elizabeth commented that she has flown to Cabo San Lucas four times as part of the All Women Air Race sponsored by the 99s. She very much enjoyed watching the whales there.