I spent most of my“youth” in Gig Harbor, Washington, and I still consider it“home”, so when my 40th High School Reunion rolled around I thought I would make the trip. I don't remember much sun, but we had plenty of fun on the Tacoma Narrows – fishing, skiing, clam digging, oyster picking and on and on. August is always the best month for weather in the Pacific Northwest and this year was no different. Luckily for me, my high school reunion coincided with the AOPA Fly-in held at Bremerton National Airport(KPWT). With 6,000 feet of runway there was literally a mile of aircraft parked 3 deep on the ramps, the grass, everywhere the eyes could see! Triple digit temperatures didn't keep anyone away – in fact it brought planes in from everywhere. I arrived in time for a Foreflight Presentation – 10 Things You Should Know abut Flying with an iPad and Foreflight. Admission was free, there was a large exhibition tent – I stopped by and said hello to the local 99's who were sweltering in their booth – a main stage with non-stop presentations and lots of tables and chairs, most importantly, there were lots of families with young children. I heard little 5 year old tell his dad he was going to“buy one of these” as soon as he walked on the ramp – in his head and his heart he is already a pilot!
There was an incredible variety of planes on the field – several Beech C45H's, DeHaviland Beavers(with floats, Bremerton is home to a shipyard so there is plenty of water close by), and Air Cam, Beech Staggerwing, a replica of Miss Veedol, a 1931 Bellanca CH400. The original was the first airplane to fly non-stop across the Pacific. The replica at Bremerton was built by EAA Chapter 424 based in East Wenatchee, WA.
There were a few warbirds and plenty of both certificated and experimental aircraft. Hangars were open so the locals had a chance to display their aircraft also. Some visitors brought tents and camped under or around their wings – I would say it almost appeared to be a mini-Oshkosh!
As a long time member of AOPA it was fun to be able to participate in an AOPA sponsored function without having to travel to Frederick, MD. The event was extremely well organized, with plenty of volunteers and lots and lots of parking for both aircraft and automobiles – shuttle buses ran regularly. I rode a bus in to the“Main Event” but walked back to my car admiring all the planes in the grass.
My feet were pretty dusty when I got back in my rental car(thinking, hmmm, I would love to come back and land here, restaurant on the field) brown grass and dust are not things I associate with the Pacific Northwest! The next AOPA Regional Fly-in will be September 30 to October 1 in Prescott, AZ(KPRC). One more location that should be ideal for a fly-in. The weather in the desert is wonderful from October to April – I hope someone from our chapter will be able to attend and report back.
Minutes of General Meeting
By Grace Crittenden
Liz Ruth passed her check ride on the NASA 747SP“SOFIA”[the world’s largest airborne astronomical telescope] after 3 weeks of ground school and simulator time. She will have a little break and be going south for some actual flying next month.
John Hanf, the control tower manager was our guest speaker. He moved here from Henderson Nevada to take this position. His family are still in Henderson, and he is hoping to eventually return to Henderson as the manager. He shared lots of useful information.
The Tower is not currently fully staffed so for the time being, the current hours of operation will continue as they are. SkyWest is requesting the extended evening hours to provide for their later flights.
Currently the tower manages from 180 to 250 flights a day, mostly local traffic. KSBP has more than 100 aircraft based here now.
The Rotary overlook by the current terminal has a speaker that can broadcast the tower transmissions. Observers just have to press a button to activate the speaker.
IFR approach to 11 is available for practice approaches sometimes.“You just have to ask”. It is best to initiate the request with Santa Barbara approach.
It is a problem for spacing when a landing plane heading for Air San Luis stays on the runway instead of turning off at the first available taxiway. It is helpful when a pilot making contact with the tower provides all the information,“so we don’t have to play 20 questions”. He also realizes that it is a problem that pilots cannot hear the ATIS east of the Cuesta Grade.
The compass rose is the run-up for runway 25.
He emphasized that the tower staff were there to support the flying community and encouraged pilots to come visit the tower during the hours when there are 2 controllers in the tower.
Drones(UAS – unmanned aerial system) are not a problem here. FAA regulations require that any operator needs to get approval to fly in the vicinity of the airport. Operators who use a drone commercially do not have to have a pilot license but they do have to take a written test offered by the FAA[thenew Part 107 regulations went into effect on August 29]. Some of the UAS are programmed so they will not fly near an airport.
Don’t forget the Airport Day coming up on Oct 15 and it is time to pay local chapter dues!
1st Annual Paso Robles AirFest 2016 September 30 and October 1
PRESS RELEASE
Mark your Calendars Now to Join Us in Celebrating Airport Appreciation Day at the 1st Annual Paso Robles AirFest 2016
Paso Robles, CA, July 26, 2016: AirFest 2016 will take place on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1 at Paso Robles Municipal Airport located at 4912 Wing Way. The two-day event will feature aircraft displays, activities, and entertainment for the entire family and aircraft aficionados of all ages.
The AirFest kicks off with“The Party,” on Friday, Sept. 30, 5pm-10pm in The Hangar with tours, live music, food, wine and beer.
A Pancake Breakfast will follow“Run the Runways” from 9am-11am near the Airport Terminal Building. Breakfast is free for participants and $10 for non-participants.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, the AirFest gates will open from 8am-3pm for the Airport Appreciation Day celebration with a 12:00 parachute delivery of flag, Paso Robles Marching Band, National Anthem, Mayor Steve Martin speech officially opening Paso Robles AirFest, Airport Appreciation Day.
The event will showcase historic and modern aircraft displays that include military and private planes from restored antiques to modern jets, racers, and remote control models. Enjoy aerial demonstrations by the Cloud Clippers, a Kid Zone, and BBQ lunch. Tour the Airport and talk with pilots about their aircraft. Free airplane rides for ages 8-17 provided by the Young Eagles, sponsored by EAA Chapter 465, led by David Fretwell.
Tony Gaspar, Chairman of AirFest 2016 notes,“The vision of the AirFest is to connect the local community and the Airport. We want to excite the community about this wonderful asset they have access to.”
Experience Flight, Food, and Fun in beautiful Paso Robles! For more information please visit the official Paso Robles AirFest website: www.pasoroblesairfest.com.
Dates and Schedules
Comments, corrections, and suggestions are welcome. Fly-outs: any dates are flexible and we will confirm plans and set times at the chapter meeting before the scheduled fly-out. Seats will be available for non-pilots, students, and pilots without wings. We want every seat to be filled, so let us know if you want to come along.
Chairman’s Message
Minutes of General Meeting
1st Annual Paso Robles AirFest 2016 September 30 and October 1
PRESS RELEASE
Dates and Schedules