In this issue:
Tues. March 23, 6:30 - General Membership Meeting at Plymouth Library (*)
Tues. April 20, 7:00 - Board Meeting at the Hangar
Tues. April 22, 7:00 - MDOT Safety Seminar, "Distractions
in the Cockpit", at Plymouth Library (*), and sponsored by MANG
Sat. April 24, 9:00 - Plane Wash & Barbecue
Tues. May 11, 7:00 - Board Meeting at the Hangar
Sat. June 5, 9:00 - Plane Wash & Barbecue & General
Membership Meeting
Tues. July 13, 7:00 - Board Meeting at the Hangar
Sat. July 24, 9:00 - Plane Wash & Barbecue
Tues. Aug. 10, 7:00 - Board Meeting at the Hangar
Sat. Sep. 11, 9:00 - Plane Wash & Barbecue
Tues. Sep. 21, 6:30 - General Membership Meeting at Plymouth Library (*)
Tues. Oct 12, 7:00 - Board Meeting at the Hangar
Tues. Nov. 9, 7:00 - Board Meeting at the Hangar
Sun. Dec. 5, TDB - Holiday Party at TBD
(Times and locations are subject to change.)
* The Plymouth District Library is located in downtown Plymouth, one block North of Ann Arbor Trail, at
223 South Main Street
Plymouth, Michigan 48170
(734) 453-0750
We will be meeting in the meeting room that is on your left on the main floor just as you come in from the East entrance.
Veryl Davis and William Wells have left the club, so we have two openings for membership.
MANG Aero Club members, please welcome new member Dan Di Sebastian:
I started flying when I was 18 years old in Tacoma, Washington. In the U.S. Army I joined the Army flying club. I was a helicopter crew chief and some of the pilots in my outfit were my flight instructors. I eventually would spend many hours in Link Helicopter simulators logging time as one of them. All my friends were pilots, so we spent 4-10 hours per week flying. I quickly obtained my instrument rating and was checked out in Cessna 150, 172, Gruman Cheeta, Gruman Tiger, Piper Warrior and the Piper Arrow IV. I also had a chance to fly a T-6. By time I was 20, I had learned a lot about mountain flying and fair weather flying as PIC and flying over 400 hours in Chinook and Huey helicopters. Most exciting event in my life was flying around Mount Saint Helens before and after it erupted. I completed my Commercial license in a Mooney M20C in Daytona Beach, Florida where I attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I completed my A&P mechanics license and received a B.S. degree in Aircraft Engineering. I have flown up and down the West Coast, the North East Coast, the Southeast Coast and now the Midwest. I have flown in out of numerous class B and C airports. I have worked at Boeing, GE Aircraft Engines and Ford. I then took ten years off from flying to work on my career and my Masters Degree, but now I am back. I am rusty, but have the bug again and hope to be checked out in all our aircraft by Spring. I am excited about being in the club and anxious to meet everyone.
MANG Aero Club members, please welcome back former member Carter Billiu:
I always wanted to fly, but with family and job commitments it remained only a desire. Then, in Dec. 1992, a friend of mine offered me a ride to Pontiac for lunch in his Cessna 182. I was hooked and two months later, at age 49, I began lessons at Olsen's Flight Training at DET. Due to changes at DET I became disenchanted with Olsen's program. That led to my joining MANG in the fall of 1993, where I continued my training at DTW. I received my private license and instrument rating there. I really liked the Cessna airplanes and decided that I should have one. Jim Delaney, another club member felt the same way, so in 1997 we purchased our own 182 which was hangared at DET. It was then that I decided to pursue more rating and went on to get my commercial license and instructor ratings. I maintained my membership in MANG, which I always thought was a great aero club, until the move to YIP (which I voted for). YIP was just to far to drive to when I had my own plane at DET which is only 7 miles from home. I continued to fly the 182 and began doing some instruction work. I really enjoy teaching and it certainly made me a more proficient pilot. The 182 was getting tired however, so it was sold and I found myself without a plane for the first time; but I still wanted to fly. Remembering my tenure with MANG, I decided against another purchase and elected to rejoin MANG where I can renew some old friendships and make some new ones. I am glad to be back.
Rich McCauley has just finished the annual on the Archer. Larry Millen (club maintenance officer for the Archer) reports that of the 18 squawks reported, all 18 were addressed. 15 have been completed and three remain open. Here are some of the items addressed in the annual:
Worn tire on left main. Tire was removed, inspected and
found OK. It was rotated to even out wear.
The plane is ready to fly.
Birdcage Gate Access - Openers Available
As was reported in the last newsletter, the West gate at the Birdcage may be opened with a wireless opener, available from Anglin Aviation for $35. Application forms for openers are available in the hangar office.
Mario Pecchia reports the following fuel prices. Please help keep club costs down by using the best-priced fuel when possible.
JET CENTER EAST (up quite a bit from last summer)
ACTIVE AERO (Truck Delivery Only!!) (about the same as last summer)
It seems the official checklist for the Warrior is missing. Please check your flight bag to see if you have taken it by mistake.
Engine Heaters - Plug them In!
In this cold weather it is important to remember to leave the engine heaters plugged it. Otherwise the next person to fly the plane may not be able to start the engine. Verify that the indicator lamp is glowing on the plug.
Here are the flying hours for January:
|
(Total HOURS) |
54115 |
43755 |
33149 |
All Aircraft |
|
January only: |
4.6 |
3.1 |
3.9 |
11.6 |