The Newsletter of your Cessna Pilot’s Society                      Volume III issue 2.0, June 2015

Welcome back to “NOTAMS”.  This periodic newsletter is sent to Members of the Cessna Pilots Society to keep everyone informed of Society News, Gatherings, and interesting threads under discussion on our forums. 

Whether we’re addressing a maintenance challenge, encouraging those seeking an enhanced rating, or planning that next big trip, the camaraderie and enthusiasm for flight that come from a participation on the forums adds to your enjoyment of aviation. We welcome you to join in. Registered members need just click on the links.

CPS Newsletter: Pre-Annual Gathering Issue!

Fort Collins, Colorado @ KFNL: Site of this year’s CPS Gathering - June 25 -28 2015

There’s always an undercurrent of excitement when a special gathering is ‘just around the corner’. Many of us will soon be setting out for Fort Collins Colorado. Member Steve Wolf took on the weighty responsibility of setting a place for this year’s gathering with his home field as the destination.

Steve, arranged Hotels, a banquet, Rental Cars, a group van, and we’re going to have a blast. Fort Collins is family friendly so non-pilots too will have plenty to enjoy. Rocky Mountain National Park is just a short drive away with all the beauty for which Colorado is rightly famous. For those that enjoy sightseeing, (besides the beauty that is the exclusive province of independent pilots enroute), there’s a world famous Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Drive that starts right outside Fort Collins. More Scenic Routes when you click here! Some of the group are thinking about a fly out to Cabella's on Saturday too. Hiking, fishing, great restaurants (cause no one has ever starved at a CPS fly-in), Brewers Festival and lots of ‘local color’ tours round out the ticket.

Dan Downing out of Nathrop is one of our foundation Members and has put forward an invitation to lunch at Salida (KANK) on Friday. Dan’s hospitality was made famous years ago when he hosted another ‘informal gathering’ around a Mountain Flying Seminar that packed his house solid for days. Betsy has just recently forgiven him for that effort and so Dan is up for another go, but this time based at his airport… A great time is in store for those that choose to attend. Let Dan know of your intentions by clicking HERE.

An early jump? While we officially begin the gathering on Thursday (Wednesday arrivals) some folks are arriving on Monday 6-22 to take instruction in a specialized Mountain Flying Course available through the Colorado Pilots Association. Bill Standerfer in co-ordination w/ Steve Wolf will host this two day (6/23-24) event (requires fee for course and instructor).

Dan Barley has a print list for name tags going. Please check in with him Here.

As you might expect, the forums are buzzing with the good natured banter that precedes any CPS gathering. Steve is following in the footsteps of some terrific hosts through the years and has set up an exceptional gathering. For those heading to Colorado, please take your time and respect the limits of your skills, equipment, and the weather. Remember to say a word of thanks to Steve, Dan, and their entire ‘support staff’.

There are always a couple of unfortunate cancellations so if you’re looking for a terrific destination, consider joining in. Click HERE.

CPS and the AOPA Homecoming:

Cessna Pilots Society was again flying the flag at the AOPA FDK Fly-In on 6-6-15. Led by John Matthews, a substantial crew of CPS supporters worked our booth and spread our message. Click Here to read all about it.

From the Forums:

Some fun and interesting conversations worth checking out…

Pilot Technique:
FAA New Transponder Guidelines
A.O.A. Discussions

Avionics:
Hardwiring a GDL-39
Wandering STEC AutoPilot
Checking your ADSB Installation

Maintenance:
Airbox Rebuilds
Engine Dehumidifiers
D.G. Overhaul Costs

Special Notice: Parts Manuals Free from Cessna…

Cessna/Beechcraft has made available many of their parts manuals for free download. These include several models that previously were available only upon the payment of a substantial fee. It has been suggested that owners download manuals of importance as soon as possible as there is no guarantee that this opportunity is open ended. Discussion HERE

Message from the Board of Directors:

Board of Directors: Steve Snyder joined the Board after being elected in May. John Matthews and Jeff Chipetine return to serve second terms. Phil Sprang, having served through his term deserves thanks for stepping up, always being a voice of reason, and for his exceptional work ethic. Please welcome the new and offer a word of thanks to Phil for his service.

CPS Incorporation: CPS filed paperwork to incorporate in Wyoming two weeks back. A check on the WY corporate website will show CPS as duly registered and in good standing. Paperwork from the filing agent is yet to be returned but by all indications, we’re now an official and legal entity. This has been a long term project and the Board is pleased to thank all those that have helped CPS get to this point. To all those that give of themselves to ensure our CPS family prospers, we are grateful to have you aboard.

More on the incorporation as things develop. Watch the forums for more news.

Member Profile: (Submitted by Lisa and Walt Frankewich)

Hello all! We are Walt and Lisa Frankewich, proud owners of a 1976 C182P based at KTYS in Knoxville, TN. Walt earned his PPL in February of 2011 and his Instrument Rating in March of 2013. I am slowly working on my PPL.

Walt is ex-Air Force ('80-'84) and the son of a retired Air Force veteran. Walt worked in Avionics Maintenance and Engine Vibration Systems on the C-5A aircraft in Dover, DE, and after three winters on that brutal flight line, he had no desire to even see anymore aircraft after he was out of the service… until the July 4th weekend of 2010.

We'd been looking for something to do over the holiday and saw online that a local flight school offered "Discovery" flights over our beautiful Smokey Mountains. We booked a flight, assuming that Walt would be in the right seat, and I would be in the back. Much to our delighted surprise, the instructor invited Walt into the left seat and said that HE was going to fly the plane! The flight only lasted an hour, but we were hooked. Back on the ground, it only took a few minutes of whispered discussion, a large financial deposit at the flight school (you've ALL been there) and Walt began the journey to his PPL, with me tagging along in back with my camera for most in-air lessons. By the following February, he had his ticket!

As soon as he finished the private, Walt set out to get all the experience possible to become an even better pilot. The biggest challenge was aircraft rental. So often when we wanted to take a trip (we LOVE the beach) or practice maneuvers, the aircraft we wanted would be unavailable. We began looking for our own plane and my only requirement (as a photographer) was that it be a high-wing. The only low-wings Walt had flown were the DA-20 and -40, and at 6'4" tall he didn't fit in those very well, so he agreed. A friend of ours mentioned his ownership of this C182, and was generous enough to actually loan/ rent the aircraft to us when he wasn't using it! After a few months of it always being available because he wasn't flying, Walt asked our friend if it was for sale. (His response was "everything is for sale.") By February 2012 we had worked out a deal and N15AP was ours! She is a182P with a stock O-470-S engine, and the avionics had been updated and upgraded by our friend over the years. We are very lucky to have had a friend willing to sell such a great aircraft.

N15AP ("our baby") rests in a shade hangar at KTYS. With McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard base using the same field, we get to see all sorts of interesting and amazing military aircraft. One of our favorite flying photos is of a KC135 doing maneuvers in the pattern with us on a parallel runway at sunset.

Walt is an Electronics Engineer. My #1 (favorite) job is Domestic Engineer and Family Project Manager, but I am also a Mary Kay consultant and photographer. We never got around to having human children, but adore our 4 indoor cats. Over the past few years, we have lost count of the rescue and foster cats that have been a part of our family.

Walt is into fitness and I love tennis, (and we both love music!) but on a sunny day we'd pretty much rather be in the aircraft, on our way to a great destination. Walt currently has over 400 hours on his logbook. Family projects and caring for my elderly mother keep me busy, but I am hoping to get serious about my PPL one day, and currently have about 17 hours.

We both joined CPS in 2014 and were thrilled to go to our first annual Get-Together in Charlottesville, VA last year. We made some awesome friends and met some of the nicest people we have met in the flying community to date. We are so disappointed to have to miss this year's Get Together, but look forward to seeing some of you at Tullahoma in October, and hopefully at other events as well!

Wrap-Up:

So that’s about it for this issue. 

Comments or suggestions, Subscription/Unsubscribe requests and Membership information? newsletter@PROTECTED

Have something to contribute? Questions and Discussions always welcome. Start a thread!

Know someone that might benefit from a membership? You are welcome to forward this email. 

Interested in joining? Membership request/registration is easy, and at no cost.  Click Here

TWITTER:   Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CessnaPilots

‘NOTAMS’ is the newsletter of the Cessna Pilots Society.  “CPS” is an all-volunteer group of aviation enthusiasts who maintain a forum for the unofficial exchange of ideas relating to technical, operational, and functional issues relating specifically to Cessna aircraft.  We provide a venue whereby the members may also choose to discuss destinations, and other subjects that touch on the aviation lifestyle.  No political discussions are permitted. The daily workings of CPS are overseen by a Board of Directors that also moderate the forum if needed. We also welcome members that fly other brands who wish to participate for the friendship, and unique access to a diverse set of good minds.   Dedicated owners, operators, AMT’s and all aviation enthusiasts are welcome at CPS.

The Cessna Pilots Society is not affiliated or endorsed by Cessna/Textron Corporation or its subsidiaries. All Cessna model designations and models are the property/trademark of Cessna/Textron.

Content Copyright© CPS NOTAMS 2015