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American Flyers • Santa Monica Municipal Airport • 2501 Airport Avenue • Santa Monica, CA 90405 • 310-390-2099 |
Destinations…
Catalina Island is part romantic paradise getaway and part adventure island. When you think about visiting an island, quiet, soothing days and quaint villages, total immersion relaxation may come to mind. While you can undoubtedly find peaceful relaxation on Catalina Island, activity is more likely to be the buzzword when you get there.
Water activity rules on Catalina Island. You can boat, kayak, snorkel, fish, parasail, sail, scuba dive…all against a panoramic backdrop from your dreams. Did you ever want to golf in paradise? Then head over the Catalina Island Golf Course. Do you like to camp or is a luxury suite more your style? Black Jack Camp and Little Harbor Campground are for those who enjoy sleeping in the great outdoors. If roughing it isn’t for you, there is an abundance of hotels, B&Bs and resorts to choose from. If you harbor a secret fascination with pirates, visiting the Ning-Po is a must. This Chinese pirate ship has an exciting history of smuggling and raiding dating back to 1753. If back to nature is your thing, then a safari is in order. Biking and hiking are popular activities and permits are available if you wish to explore the Island’s interior. Ground transportation includes the Airport Shuttle Bus to Avalon and the Catalina Safari Shuttle Bus.
If you’ve been feeling like getting away, then fill up the tanks and enjoy the bounty available in paradise. Set your GPS for the “Airport in the Sky” and send us a postcard!
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Young Aviator has Big Plans for the Future
Seventeen year old Sam Irvine always loved aviation. He fondly remembers his grandfather who was an Air Force pilot and a captain for American Airlines, “My grandpa always encouraged me to fly, if I liked it.” Sam likes it and his whole family has been encouraging him. His Dad, Mom and brother will be the first passengers from his long list of family and friends to get a ride now that he has earned his Private Pilot Certificate.
A senior in high school, Sam is already looking forward to attending University of Illinois or Purdue and being a part of the ROTC program. His grandmother has always told him to get a degree in something other than aviation, so that he would have something to fall back on should ever be unable to fly and it may help secure future aviation jobs. Sam has been listening and though he’s not sure what direction he’ll go, perhaps a liberal arts degree or prelaw, he does know that he wants to be a Navy pilot after college.
Juggling flight training and school work was a challenge, but it was made easier by how much fun flying was… really fun! He advises student pilots, “Stay current. Don’t take time off, if possible.” Sam learned that it’s harder to catch up again, if you let yourself get out of practice.
When he’s not flying, Sam likes to play soccer, hang out with his friends and play disk golf. One of the first things he wants to do with his new Pilot certificate is see Chicago from above. Look up one of these days and you may see him fly by. |
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Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
Until recently Adeel Siddiqui had a job as an aircraft dispatcher for Ryan International Airlines. Now he has new position as an administrative intern at American Flyers in Santa Monica. “I was very happy at my old job, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity I couldn’t pass by,” he said of the internship.
Adeel was working on his Private Pilot training at the West Chicago American Flyers location, when he sat with school director, Tim Genc, to talk about funding options for his Career training. What fit his needs best was the administrative internship, which provides a working experience, as well as an education. Within a month he was accepted for the internship, passed his Private Pilot check ride in West Chicago and was on his way to Santa Monica. His wife, Rabiah, will be relocating to their new home soon.
During the one year administrative internship Adeel will earn his Instrument rating and Commercial Pilot certificate. When the year is done, he’ll attend the 30-day CFI Academy and hopes to be hired as a flight instructor. Ultimately, Adeel wants to work in cargo or corporate aviation, but right now he just wants to enjoy flying. |
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Did You Know…
That the wings of military hurricane-hunting aircraft are not specially reinforced for penetrating the eye of a hurricane?
The Lockheed-Martin WC-130J, like other airplanes, is not disturbed by the velocity of the wind. The crew gradually crabs the airplane into the wind as they approach the strongest winds until they penetrate the eyewall. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve, report that the average hurricane mission lasts 11 hours, 6 of those hours are spent flying within the hurricane. The aircraft holds 14 hours of fuel. The airplanes penetrate the eyewall four times on a mission, locating the center of the eye as well as sending information on wind speeds. Although it can get a bit bumpy up there, the Hurricane Hunters have flown 100,000 incident-free hours.
Source: http://www.hurricanehunters.com
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Laugh Out Loud…
Touch and Go Humor
Pilots spend a lot of time doing "traffic pattern work", a series of touch-and-goes. Non-pilots imagine this as being analogous to driving into a parallel-parking space, then immediately pulling out, driving around the block, and repeating the process over and over again.
Source: http://www.peak.org/~parsont/rockgard/PilotThoughts.htm
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Considerations When Choosing an Alternate Airport
By David Menconi,
Chief Flight Instructor
What makes a good alternate airport? Besides complying with the regulations concerning the selection of alternate airports, one should consider other factors that will make a big difference if a diversion is required. Items like the approaches available at the airport should be considered. Does it have an ILS approach with an approach lighting system, low minimums, to a long runway? Does it allow for a straight-in landing based on forecasted winds? Does it have fuel service and maintenance available at your time of arrival? And lastly, does it have lodging and a good steak joint close to the airport? Considering
these factors when selecting an alternate can make a diversion, a pleasant experience.
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Good Habits Provide Savings
By Rick Freidinger, Director of Maintenance
The cost to operate your aircraft tends to fluctuate arm-in-arm with numbers found in your newspaper's business section. However, there are ways to save money without cutting your flight time. Proper tire inflation and appropriate use of your brakes can provide a savings. An under inflated tire will wear rapidly on the outer treads, which means changing tires earlier than would be necessary had you kept the pressure at the proper level. Hard braking wears out your brake linings and brake discs faster and could also cause excessive wear or a flat spot on your tires, which means changing the tire earlier than normal and spending money earlier than needed. Developing these habits could save you money on tires and brakes and give you more money to spend on flight time. |
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Words of Wisdom…
Quotes on Adventure
Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.
– Johann Friedrich Von Schiller
You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.
– Rabindranath Tagore
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
– Helen Keller |
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ABC's of a Successful Checkride
The PTS and Oral Exam Guide that will help you considerably as you prepare for your checkride. What they don't contain, though, are some practical tips that our instructors have learned along the way. Here is a brief list of tips that will keep your checkride running smoothly.
- Arrive early. Not only is it respectful and courteous to the examiner that you be prepared when he arrives, but it will give you some time to unwind before you begin. Our instructors suggest you plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before your checkride is scheduled to start.
- Bring the fee. Keeping the examiner waiting while you race to the nearest ATM can set the tone for the rest of the checkride.
- Call the examiner if you know the checkride isn't going to happen so he doesn't have to drive out to the airport, just
to find out that you're unable to proceed.
- Dress appropriately.
- Equipment can be checked that it's all in good working condition prior to the preflight portion of the practical exam. This preparation can help you avoid uncomfortable surprises if you take checkrides in rental airplanes or at smaller schools.
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Commercial Careers You May Not Know About
To the non-flying public the words "commercial pilot" are often synonymous with "airline pilot", but there are numerous ways to make a living as a pilot. For the pilot who's open to opportunities that are a bit out of the ordinary, there many options. In agriculture, pilots dust crops and spread seeds. Pilots test airplanes for the aircraft and avionics industry. Selling aircraft can be an enterprising business. Government jobs include fire fighting, law enforcement, rescue and evacuation, military flying and FAA positions. News stations need pilots to monitor traffic and crime scenes. Pipelines crisscrossing thecountry need surveying. Ministries hire pilots for missions and environmental groups use pilots to survey the migration of birds and whales. For newly licensed Commercial pilots site seeing, banner towing, and aerial photography provide a great way to build experience. Flight instructors are needed to teach new pilots and keep experienced pilots current.
With so many opportunities a pilot can discover other areas of interest while pursuing his passion. A good way to find these uncommon opportunities is by hanging around the airport and getting to know other pilots and airport employees. Flight instructors are often the first to learn of companies seeking pilots, because they are at the airport and they have the experience needed to get the job. Why don't you call us to find out how you can become a flight instructor and open up a world of opportunities.
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Gallery
"F-4" Robin Olds is the son of Major General Robert Olds, described as the USAAF "Bomber Expert" in the years preceding World War II. Robin Olds was an All-American football player at West Point, a P-51 Ace in World War II, and was one of the most effective combat leaders of the Vietnam War. In a long war that produced hundreds of heroes, Robin Olds stands out as the ideal combat leader. While commanding the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base in 1966-67, he flew the toughest missions into the toughest air defense network in the history of aerial warfare. Under his leadership, the 8th became the most feared counter-air unit in the air war over North Vietnam. Olds shot down 4 MIGs himself, and passed up many opportunities for his 5th, fearing that "ACE" status would mean automatic rotation out of the war zone. He was a warrior who wanted nothing more than to lead his troops into battle. He did so superbly. |
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Ask the Pilot Professor
By Dr. Michael Bliss
Q: I'm training for my instrument rating and I get confused by holding patterns. I seem to be able to understand them on the ground, but in the air I get lost. Any good ideas?
A: What you are describing is not uncommon. On the ground, you can give your full attention to thinking about the holding pattern. In the air you have to aviate and communicate while also working on the navigation. The key is to visualize the holding pattern and where you are in relationship to it. If it is not already depicted, draw it on the chart along with your position and route of flight to the holding fix. That is the hard work. Now you simply ask yourself, "Where will I be after I cross the fix?" If your current heading will take you into the head of the holding pattern it will be a direct entry. If it takes you into the body of the holding pattern it will be a teardrop entry and if you will be on the non-holding side it will be a parallel entry.
Do some "armchair flying" and assign yourself different holding clearances. Draw them on the chart and visualize what you will do when arriving from different directions. You will soon wonder why you ever had a problem. |
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Calendar
Ground Schools & Events
| Private |
October 5 |
November 2 |
December 7 |
| Instrument |
October 26 |
November 30 |
December 28 |
| Commercial |
October 12 |
November 9 |
December 14 |
| ATP |
October 6 |
November 3 |
December 8 |
| CFIA & FOI |
October 26 |
November 30 |
December 28 |
| CFII |
October 13 |
November 10 |
December 15 |
| CFI Revalidation |
October 20 |
November 17 |
December 22 |
| BBQ/Seminar |
October 6 |
November 3 |
December 8 |
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“You’re Invited … ”
Join Us Saturday, October 6th, 2007 at 12:00 Noon For a Free Pilot Seminar & Lunch |
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“How to Prepare for the Practical Test”
Throughout your training your instructor has been preparing you to be a safe pilot. He’s been with you every step of the way and you’ve depended on his knowledge and authority to reach your goal. Then the day comes when it is time for him to nudge you out of the nest and endorse your logbook to take your practical test. You are now on your own and a successful outcome is up to you. American Flyers has the tools you need to cross the finish line with flying colors! Join us for a free workshop designed to get you over that final hurdle. |
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“Flight of Passage”
by Rinker Buck.
In 1966 two teenage brothers flew across the country in a Piper Cub they had restored themselves. “Flight of Passage” is the true story of their adventure and their rites of passage into manhood, written by the younger brother, Rinker Buck, some 30 years later. Buck beautifully weaves his tale around the rocky relationships going on both between the brothers and between the brothers and their father. The boys discover that what began as a trip to get away from their father turned out to be a quest to win their father’s approval.
Buck writes in an easy style that moves the story along quickly. You’ll find yourself smiling often and chuckling at times as you fly to the Pacific Coast with Kern and Rinker. At times Buck will delve beneath the superficial, but without weighing down the story. The language is not G-rated by any means, but it is colorful and exactly what you’d expect to hear two teenage boys saying. Included are some foolish stunts you’d also expect from two teenage boys, like playing chicken with a bus in Arizona.
Enjoy this great story and pass it along to a friend when you’re done. Even non-aviators will find “Flight of Passage” a good read. |
Early Navigation
Today if you want to know where you are, just check with your GPS. Car, airplane, boat… your GPS can tell you in seconds how to get where you need to go. Some even talk to you. In ancient times, ship crews depended on the skills of the navigator, who would determine their latitude (position north or south of the equator), by measuring the altitude of Polaris (the North Star) above the horizon. Early on, the Arabs used hand measurements, like the width of two fingers to measure the altitude. Things have sure changed. It probably won’t be long before we all wear a GPS in our watch, but it’s still fun to think about how things used to be. |
Written Classes
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Free Simulator
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IntroFlights
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There isn’t a better, more enjoyable and guaranteed class available. Plus the class includes two free hours of simulator! |
“Great Food and Fantastic Seminar”
… you can enjoy two hours of VFR or
IFR simulator instruction, free, by
attending either one of our weekend
classes or taking an “IntroFlight”. |
Get involved… introduce friends to flying. If you have a friend or acquaintance who might be interested in aviation send them in, or better yet, bring them! We fly 7 days a week.
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| COURSE |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
FEE |
| Private Written |
5 |
2 |
7 |
$295* |
| Instrument Written |
26 |
30 |
28 |
$295* |
| Commercial Written |
12 |
9 |
14 |
$295* |
| *Exam fee and manuals not included |
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Click here for a more detailed map |
To subscribe to the newsletter please call Katharina at 800-323-0808, email kat@af.tv or to sign up online click here |
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What your PTS can do for you.
