Forming a Military Flying Club at Lewis and McChord

With the joining of Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base I think it's time to try to restart a flying club.

I know that something of this size and scope will require the approval and assistance of people of much higher rank than this Sergeant so I am asking all of you for help.

The old club closed for many different reasons but the reason that is the hardest to overcome is the fact that they weren't making a profit.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) manager saw it as a money drain and because of that and other reasons, they shut down this wonderful club.

With the combining of the two installations and the increased number of troops based at the complex, I feel that not only would there be an increased demand for training or ramp space but the increased numbers to support this.

My idea is to keep this separate from the MWR program and require the club to stand on its own without the support from either the Air Force or the Army.

Some ramp space, a building or a location for a trailer, plus a fuel cell would be required but not the DOD owned aircraft or the extra dollars from the MWR program.

Let me hear your ideas and help me to get this started, Auburn and Olympia (KOLM) are both too far away so even if you suggest a different location, have an airplane that we can use to attract members or happen to be a CFI then jump on board and lets get this club formed.

Please visit our advertisers either by clicking their banners, Google ads or the highlighted text in our posts to help support both this site as well as help finance the formation of this club.

Don't say it can't be done, instead help us find away!

Accident video of Cirrus SR22 during BFR

AvWeb safety profiles an accident involving a Cirrus SR22 from 2008.

In this video you will see just how much help the NTSB can receive from the burnt out remains of a glass cockpit and some in-depth testing.

I hope everybody that watches this video can learn something from it and to think that this type of accident could happen during a BFR.

FullFlap.Tv - Flying low over water world 29Aug09

Listen to Viki as she takes us on a tour from London to the South East coast of England in a Cessna 152

Red Bull Air Race 2010

This is the year for the incredible sight of racing airplanes over the Hudson River in New York.

The 5th race of 2010's schedule has been coordinated by NYC & Company, Jersey City, New Jersey and Liberty State Park to take place with the beautiful NY sky-line as its back drop.

Check out the event web page for more details and the full schedule.

Red Bull Air Race - Race over the Hudson

US Airways Flight 1549 Video and ATC Recording

There really isn't much that can be said about this video except that it shows you just how quickly things can go wrong when you are in the air.

The crew acted like professionals that knew their airplane as well as their trade.

My hat is off to your entire crew!

CPT. - Chesley "Sully" SullenbergerFO - Jeffery B. Skiles

We're the TSA and You Can Count on Us! (to overreact to tiny threats and ignore big ones)

I really can't say anymore than the video says for itself.

Flight: 100 Years of Aviation

I received this book last Christmas while I was stationed in Iraq.

Flight: 100 Years of Aviation doesn't just cover the highlights of the last 100 years but really captures the dream of manned flight from the beginning.

The photos are beautiful and numerous and the history held my interest from start to finish.

I might be in the Army in a combat role but I am kind of a nerd when it comes to history so your mileage may vary.

All in all I found this to be a wonderful addition to my collection and was very thankful to have it to take my mind off of my deployment.

I even carried it in my gun truck.

Enjoy!

Aviation Humor

I know that these are posted in various places around the net but this is the best list that I've seen so far and just had to re-post it here.

Enjoy!

Aircraft Service Requests and Responses

Problem as Reported: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
Service Response: Evidence removed.

Problem as Reported: DME volume unbelievably loud.
Service Response: Volume set to more believable level.

Problem as Reported: Main tire on left inside almost needs replacement.
Service Response: Left inside tire almost replaced.

Problem as Reported: No. 3 engine missing.
Service Response: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

Problem as Reported: Mouse in cockpit.
Service Response: Cat installed.

Problem as Reported: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
Service Response: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

Problem as Reported: Something loose in cockpit.
Service Response: Something tightened in cockpit.

Problem as Reported: Dead bugs on windshield.
Service Response: Live bugs on back-order.

Problem as Reported: Aircraft acting funny.
Service Response: Aircraft warned to "Straighten up, fly right, and be serious."

Problem as Reported: IFF inoperative.
Service Response: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

Problem as Reported: No. 2 ADF needle runs wild.
Service Response: Caught and tamed No. 2 ADF needle.

Problem as Reported: Suspected crack in windshield.
Service Response: Suspect you're right.

Problem as Reported: Three roaches in cabin.
Service Response: Two roaches killed, one wounded and missing in action.
Problem as Reported: Radar hums.
Service Response: Reprogrammed radar with words.

Problem as Reported: The autopilot doesn't.
Service Response: It does now.

Problem as Reported: Pilot's clock inoperative.
Service Response: Wound clock.

Problem as Reported: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200-fpm descent.
Service Response: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

Problem as Reported: Autopilot tends to drop a wing when fuel imbalance reaches 500 pounds.
Service Response: Flight manual limits maximum fuel imbalance to 300 pounds.

Problem as Reported: Unfamiliar noise coming from No. 2 engine.
Service Response: Ran engine for two hours. Noise now familiar.

Problem as Reported: Noise coming from No. 2 engine. Sounds like a man with a little hammer.
Service Response: Took little hammer away from man in No. 2 engine.

Problem as Reported: Whinney noise coming from No. 2 engine compartment.
Service Response: Returned little hammer to man in No. 2 engine.

Problem as Reported: Weather radar went ape.
Service Response: Opened radar, let ape out.

Problem as Reported: Whinning sound heard on engine shutdown.
Service Response: Pilot removed from aircraft.

Garmin 696 Aviation GPSMAP

		Click for more details!
List Price: $3,295.00 Our Price: $2,999.00 Product # 5778 Shipping only $0.99! Email to a Friend Garmin GPSMAP 695 (Americas) Questions? Write a Review		Garmin GPSMAP 696 (Americas) - 10 customer reviews. Click for a larger/zoom image Meet our ultimate portable MFD: the GPSMAP 696, an all-in-one navigator designed exclusively for aviation. Featuring a large screen, detailed electronic charts and real-time weather, the 696 is your own personal avionics system. See the Big Picture The GPSMAP 696's bright 7-inch diagonal high-definition sunlight-readable display makes detailed mapping easy to see day or night - you can even view an entire approach plate on the large-format display. For easy operation, the bezel around the screen includes soft keys and a joystick control. And with a fast 5 Hz GPS update rate, the 696 renders graphics and presents flight data smoothly and continuously. No Chart? No Problem. With the addition of Garmin FliteCharts(R) and IFR map mode, the GPSMAP 696 has Class 1/Class 2 electronic flight bag (EFB) capability, reducing the use of paper charts in the cockpit. With FliteCharts, you can quickly find and view all U.S. NACO departure procedures (DP), standard terminal arrival routes (STARs), approach charts and airport diagrams. If the current approach is known, GPSMAP 696 automatically selects the correct chart based on the flight plan. When in IFR map mode, the 696 can display victor airways, jet routes, minimum enroute altitude and leg distance, much like found on paper enroute charts. Add Weather and Radio The GPSMAP 696 includes a GXM 40 smart antenna, which gives you access to high-resolution weather and audio entertainment right in the cockpit (XM subscription required). XM WX(TM) Satellite Weather includes next generation radar (NEXRAD), aviation routine weather reports (METARs), terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs), temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), lightning, winds aloft and more for the U.S. and Canada. In addition, the 696 can receive PIREPs, turbulence forecast and icing forecast information. The weather data can be laid directly over the unit's navigation and topographic map databases. With 170+ channels of digital music, news and programming through your aircraft headset or cabin audio system, you'll stay informed and entertained. Enhance Situational Awareness The GPSMAP 696 features a high-resolution terrain page showing hazards relative to your altitude and a vertical profile of terrain along your route of flight. It comes with a built-in Jeppesen database, and an Americas, Atlantic or Pacific terrain database. It also includes an obstacles database for the U.S. or Europe. Using this information, the 696 displays your flight route over contour terrain mapping. With information from the terrain and obstacles databases, the 696 monitors your current position in relation to surrounding terrain to provide alerts. You can even customize your own minimum clearance levels to receive terrain cautions. The 696 also comes with a realistic "view from space" satellite imagery basemap. Like other portable Garmin devices, the 696 includes the following enhanced aviation databases: Garmin SafeTaxi(R) Provides detailed taxiway diagrams and position information for over 850 U.S. airports. Preloaded on the unit, this information helps you navigate unfamiliar airports with confidence and shows your aircraft's exact position on the field. AOPA Airport Directory Offers detailed information for over 5,300 U.S. airports, along with the names and phone numbers of thousands of FBOs. Easily look up taxi services, plan an overnight, and choose fuel stops, plus find ground transportation, lodging, restaurants, local attractions and more. Private Airports and Heliports Provides data on private airports and heliports throughout U.S. and Europe, and materially expands your list of navigation and emergency "nearest" options. Receive Altitude-Sensitive Alerts When in the air, Garmin's new Smart Airspace(TM) feature makes it easier than ever to identify what airspace lies ahead. Smart Airspace automatically highlights airspace close to your current altitude and de-emphasizes airspace away from the current altitude, which gives you increased situational awareness. Expand Your Portable The GPSMAP 696 includes an SD card slot for extra memory and updates. Keep track of the databases on your GPSMAP 696 through www.fly.garmin.com, our online manager that helps you update, manage and purchase the latest aviation data for your Garmin device, all in one place. What's in the Box: GPSMAP 696 Free single database update Yoke mount GXM(TM) 40 smart antenna XM USB extension cable GA 25 remote antenna with suction cup mount 12/24 volt power cable AC power adapter USB cable Protective cover Owner's manual Quick reference guide List Price: $3,295.00 Our Price: $2,999.00 Shipping only $0.99! Other Helpful Documents: Garmin 696 Owner Manual Garmin 696 Quick Reference Guide Lowest Price Guaranteed: If you find a better price elsewhere on this product we will match that price and beat it by 10% of the difference. Buy With Confidence! Purchase today and you can return it in the original condition through Tuesday, February 02, 2010! Our return policy. Have a question about Garmin GPSMAP 696 (Americas)? Ask your question and see previous Q & A about this product.

Find your plane or partner today!

We've added a new page that is tied to a map from google that will help bring both current and future aireplane owners and partners together.

Click the link below to be taken to the new page and lets get you flying!!!

If you want your name and airplane request added, simply follow the instructions on the map page.

Find my airplane!

LetsFlyWA YouTube Channel

Stop on over and visit our YouTube channel.

There are a couple of videos posted and more will be added as they come.

I hope you enjoy and that you'll check back often.

YouTube Channel for LetsFlyWA

SportCruiser LSA Video