EHFC is a not-for-profit 141 (FAA-Approved) Flight School on the Ithaca-Tompkins Airport. We have been teaching flying safely for over 50 years.

Old News: Second Half 2010

AirCam

More on Air Cam

Here is a great article on the origin of Phil Lockwood's Air Cam. On the right is a typical landing strip for this plane: 600 feet long (you don't even need brakes! ) This plane will be featured in the January issue of Flying Magazine.

Air Cam Landing strip



Local market analysis

 

Market Analysis Reveals Website Effectiveness

A local marketing survey shows the effectiveness of our online advertising and a web presence. Please spread the word about our website to friends. and follow us on Facebook. This is a great time of year to expose your friends to flying with a Gift Certificate for a Discovery Flight. Our most effective marketing is members telling friends about their passion for flying. Please bring them by and give them a flight, then introduce them so we can get them signed up as members!


Chris Camadella will talk this Friday on weather!

Chris Camadella: "Making That Weather Decision" Seminar This Friday!

This will be a great show, with live internet analysis of on-line tools for weather decision-making. Chris has flown his C-210 all over the east for business and pleasure and presents an often humorous view of "getting there" and why you sometimes should just park it and enjoy the local scenery! Please register on the FAA site for a seat and Wings credit.

 

Annual holiday party is at Joanne's house! This Friday.

Please sign-up and attend our Holiday Party/Annual Meeting: Saturday, December 11th, 6pm at Joanne's House!

Joanne has a wonderful place for a party and we are lucky she is again our hostess (a natural!) This is a dish-to-pass event and signing up helps to avoid duplication. The event starts at 6pm and 9 Waterview Circle is west off of East Shore Drive by "The Rink" on a right base for 14 [MAP]. If you need a ride, let us know there will be drivers from the club.

In addition to the festivities this gathering functions as our annual member meeting. We will be voting on NEW By-Laws [html or pdf] and electing our board members. Get togethers like this allow us a quorum of 15 members (necessary to legally conduct business...we will try to keep this quick) Please read through these changes, we have been working on them with the lawyer for four months! To facilitate this process, if you have questions before the meeting please contact a current board member.



Cessna Skycatcher Draws a Crowd at East Hill
Cessna Skycatcher Crowd for Cessna Skycatcher
The two photos above are by Bob Chiang and linked to larger images (click!)
Cessna LSA draws a crowd The Garmin 600
New Cessna Skycatcher Garmin glass panel
The Cessna Skycatcher has been the big buzz in the sport plane market since Cessna announced its production. Cessna is the "400 pound gorilla" in the light plane manufacturing market and the Skycatcher validated the whole sport airplane concept and brought lots of investors into the market. . Though Cessna currently makes most of it's money from jets now, the decision to build the Skycatcher was seen as a choice to support the GA training market which initially built Cessna into the successful company it is now. It also was viewed as significant support for the flight training market and addressing the diminishing pilot population. There are now over 100 models of light sport planes flying in the US. Ironically, Cessna's sport plane entry is just now coming to market. This is one of the first Skycatchers flying in the US...42 people came to see this plane at East Hill Flying Club Sunday.


Dave Parkins talking on inflight icing

FAA Safety Seminar with Dave Parkins; this Friday Nov 19 at 7pm: "Inflight Icing"

We are fortunate to have such an authority on the subject of inflight icing right in our club! David is an FAA Designated Engineering Representative and specializes in icing certification (Eclipse Jet). His experience in flight as an IFR pilot flying a Cherokee six all around the Northeast makes him uniquely qualified and capable to present this topic. His presentations are always engaging and full of real world experience and advice. Sign up on the FAA safety web site to be sure of a seat for this presentation. Here is the direct link to this presentation. We meet in the county administration building (the one with the beacon on the roof) at 7. Please bring some goodies if you are able.


Seen and Heard at East Hill Flying Club
Beautiful WACO This beautiful WACO Mystery Ship showed up at East Hill this Sunday in the middle of a snow storm! The pilot took refuge for a while then caught a ride westbound. The model was a YMF-5C, powered by a Jacobs radial engine.
Here is our new credit card terminal. Our new service should save us somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,600 by current estimates based on our annual charges. We always prefer checks and paying at time of service is wonderful for the club. We do not need the large slip anymore but please sign your thermal receipt. This machine will also print a copy on request. Our new credit card machine
Running picture: this race actually at Skidmore Celebration 5K Thanks to everyone that donated to the Cancer Resource Center 5K on October 23rd. There were 700+ participants and 67 teams. We hope to have a team running next year. We raised over $100K right here in Ithaca in a single morning to combat this vicious disease.

 

Mike Stevens earned his CFI certificate

Congratulations Mike Stevens: New Flight Instructor

It looks like he doesn't believe it himself; Mike worked hard and finally finished his CFI with the FAA. He had a couple of false starts in the spring with weather and maintenance on the Mooney. Mike is a graduate of a four year aviation college, Daniel Webster in Nashua, NH (This is where Sarah Casselbury and John Golly also went). He did not however finish his CFI before graduating a year ago. Trying to work and study and fly through the summer was difficult but this all finally paid off with a successful completion. We hope to have Mike on staff helping out with the teaching responsibilities soon. Congratulations Mike!

 

Justin Maas presenting safety information

Thanks to Justin for a Great Presentation!

We had a good crowd for the risk management talk from Justin Maas. These airline guys really earn their pay with the continuous challenges of 16 hour days! Many techniques of the airlines can be applied to our everyday flying! Join us for Dave Parkins' talk on the risk of icing flight November 19th!

After the talk answering questions
Takeaway message for all pilots: More careful preparation and continuous awareness through self-briefing leads to a safer flight through situational awareness. The level of detail the airlines bring to accomplishing a safe flight is unbelievable. The greatest risk area in any flight is the take-off and landing. These areas of flight must be carefully planned and always contain "what if" contingency planning. It is especially important to plan and manage the descent phase of flight to "control the energy" on approach and achieve a stabilized final. If you are not stabilized (on speed and altitude) by a predetermined "approach gate" (1/2 mile for GA) a go-around is mandatory for safety. In the airline world this is required procedure; just go around! We can all be safer through incorporating these techniques into our everyday flying!

 

Our AspenAspen EFD1000 Replaced With a New Unit

The Aspen EFD 1000 in N97266 has been replaced under warranty with a new unit (Thanks Jerry!) We were out of warranty on this unit but the gracious people at Aspen agreed to cover the swap. Please make sure that you read the correct operation of this unit here and treat it with care. Having nice toys requires the pilot to be responsible and careful with the operation of the unit.

Gorillas in Planes!

The auto pilot in N97266 was broken due to pilot abuse. To actuate the auto pilot you have to PUSH the button on the turn-coordinator (gently). Twice now this unit has been ruined by pilots who have PULLED the knob. This totally screws up the inner workings and it has to be refurbished. This costs the club money and that means your flying just got more expensive.


 

Justin Maas TeachingTonight: Justin Maas, Airline Pilot (and former EHFC CFI) On Safety

We will be hosting an FAA Safety Seminar on October 29th featuring Justin Maas. Justin learned to fly in Ithaca (even getting high school credit for his flying through the WISE program). He earned his CFI at East Hill and worked at the club before getting hired by Air Wisconsin. He now splits his time between teaching in the training center, analyzing safety data, and flying the 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet.

Justin will explain the airline approach to safety and how an aggressive system of risk management leads to the amazing airline safety record. Join us for this program and learn risk mitigation skills that can help make your operation in general aviation aircraft safer. Justin also has some fun stories about what flying for an airline is really like...you will enjoy this show. Please register here: http://bit.ly/dk5Ayh This will fill up for sure and you want a seat. We are also looking for volunteers to bake goodies and contribute snacks (or we will fire up a grill and do some pancakes!) Please write me if you can help.

 



 

Welcome New Members at East Hill
New member Eknath Lemil, already a pilot, Cornell freshman
Eknath Belbase works in financial services and telecommutes to his job in NYC. He is starting as a student pilot at East Hill Lemil Cordero is a freshman at Cornell in Engineering. He obtained his private certificate 2 days before coming to Cornell.

 

 

Mark Finkelstein at Diamond

DA40 at the factory

Mark Finkelstein trying on a Diamond DA-40 for size at the factory in London, Ontario. In the background you can see our Mooney that carried us through the cold front up north: first snow and ice on that plane! The tour of the factory alone was worth the trip...might be a good club adventure. Everyone could have fun with the eAPIS and customs.

Talk to these guys or big problems!

 

 

Glenn Cobb solos!

Congrats to Glenn Cobb!

Glenn Cobb demonstrated his independent aviation skills on Monday and flew all alone in N25028. He doesn't seem to mind that big piece missing from his shirt!

Five New Members!

Please welcome five new members since the breakfast! Doudou is from China and at Cornell as a visiting scholar in the Johnson School getting her MBA. We are trying to convince her to stay for a PHd!

 

Doudou Zhou, new member

Member Adam and Wife Ellie Flying in Hawaii
Adam Phillips-Burdge and wife in Hawaii View from Cessna in Hawaii Views from Cessna in Hawaii View from Cessna in Hawaii

 

Fall Harvest Breakfast: Sunday, September 26th, 7am-1pm more information | MP3 file of our ad!

Peter French picture of sunrise

Great Breakfast: Thanks!

We had great weather, super organization (thanks to Peter and Joanne) and wonderful helpers: great time had by all! We had an amazing number of fly-ins (including a Beech 18) Too bad no one could tour these planes.

Please send your pictures or post them on the member blog. Thanks to everyone that helped make this a special day. Watch for more photos soon.

 

Curtiss Robin 1929 aircraft from Syracuse
Morning shift has it's advantages   1929 Curtiss Robin
Breakfast from above New member Dimitri Mike Meador artwork
It's good to be busy! Welcome new member Dimitri Starostin Mike Meador's "pancake art"

 

 

Fall Harvest Breakfast - Sunday, Sept 26th: Members Write Joanne to Volunteer: joannet457@gmail.com
Author "Ace Abbott"

⇐ Book Signing

This local author will be signing books at our breakfast. Quite a story here...though I have not read the book. This is a local farm boy who attended the Air Force Academy then had quite a colorful career. Check the website!

Curtiss Robin Coming ⇒

Please hang up your posters and sell those tickets!

Curtiss Robin


Carlos and Dave Solomon washing the Mooney

Clean Up: Spotless Planes!

We had a good turn-out for the plane cleaning event and everything was washed, waxed, and vacuumed out. (Club president, Mario, did two planes all by himself in the morning. Doug Bright cleaned every window in every plane.) If you fly these planes it is important to help maintain them! Thank-you to everyone that showed up. (We polished off quite a few hamburgers and beers too)

Saturday morning at the hangar 9am for table and chair pick-up and 9:45 at the club for set-up. The more hands on deck and the easier this goes! Thanks for helping. Write Joanne for a job on Sunday:   joannet457@gmail.com

Adam and Lucja cleaning the CT

 

 

East Hill display at the COmmons branch of the Tompkins Trust Co

Please Publicize Our Breakfast; Hang Up Our Posters!

Here is our display at the Tompkins Trust Company on the Commons. If anyone wants to stand down there at lunch and talk with people, that would help too!

Getting the word out about our breakfast is vital for the success of this event. Please hang up your poster and sell/donate those tickets to your friends.

We will have the Lightning LSA from Columbia County and a Curtiss Robin (1928 aircraft) as well as the Cornell Raptor Program...lots to see and do in addition to wonderful food!

 

 

East Hill Flying Club member web log "BLOG" East Hill Has a Member Blog and Twitter Feed

This is simple stuff: YOU can upload your flying story and pictures with little difficulty (surf for some of the really insipid stories of daily life here) This site allows members to share their flying stories and pictures and hopefully encourages others to break the "50nm barrier" they developed intheir student pilot days. Flying is fun! Share that excitement. Read about Brent Chidsey's flight in a P-51 or see how Mike Meador recently flew down the Hudson Corridor with his daughter on a business trip. Check this out. There is a poll question posted!

We also now have a Twitter feed for the digitally inclined. The idea is to provide more current information to those who look for instant updates. (A suggestion from member Justin Maas. They use it at Air Wisconsin to convey safety information) At EHFC this may be safety or dispatch information but basically very timely and perhaps annoying to those that may be inactive or currently not flying for some reason (We DO try to keep down the number of e-mails). You can view the page on the web here and sign up to follow it here (this will generate messages to your mobile device by web, SMS or email).


Try a Short Getaway Flight!
View on Approach to Fisher's Island A short trip south east
Try a quick day trip or overnight to a nearby resort! Peter Brodsky just got back from Fisher's Island off the Connecticut coast in our Light Sport Plane. This is a simple flight and only 211nm away. Enjoy the island ease and resort atmosphere.



Brent Chidsey with P-51

Visit our Blog for EHFC Member Flying Adventures!

Brent Chidsey discovered a P-51 in Kansas while taking his daughter to college orientation...well what would you do? Let's go fly! See more pictures on our member blog.

Michael Meador had a business trip to the NYC area so he combined it with a little sightseeing down the Hudson Corridor. See more pictures on our member blog.

Mike Meador NYC Trip


N53045 on the truck headed to Corning.

N53045 Is Being Repaired!

We awarded the contract and a day later 045 is on the way to Corning. Joe Costa, regionally famous (or is that infamous?) for Cessna salvage and repair will be doing the aircraft restoration and engine reinstall. His very reasonable bid kept us from having to total this plane! We will keep you updated on progress but expect to have this plane out of service until September.
Joe Costa and the body snatchers!


New Pilot: Congratulations Guy! - TSA Keeping You Safe!
Guy Hugot-Derville New Pilot!

Congratulations Guy: New Pilot!

After three attempts at completing a test despite wind and clouds, Guy prevailed and earned his private pilot certificate. Congratulations also to his hard-working flight instructor Adam Dein! Adam has prepared every pilot this year.

TSA Earns the Paperwork Award!

Of all the federal agencies we deal with, TSA wins the award for meticulous/ridiculous paperwork and regulations. Four hours sorting through paper and we did not find one error (or terrorist!) Thanks to all members who carefully filled in their profiles (we checked them all!)

TSA Visit to assure all our paper is secure

Virginia Stomberg Instrument Rating!

Congratulations to Ginny on Her Instrument Rating!

Ginny Stromberg came to us from another flight school and completed her private pilot certificate as part of the TC3 Aviation Science program. She now has earned her instrument rating and immediately started on commercial pilot training. That is the way to move forward! Great work!




Two Great Events Coming Up This Week!

Thursday, 7PM; (Sept 9th) "Fly to Alaska" at East Hill: please attend!

Jack Henion will present a show on his recent flight to Alaska in his Cessna 210 covering planning and precautions. This is particularly valuable with the recent aviation accident killing Senator Ted Stevens.

Champ at Jac Henion's AirstripFriday, 5PM; (Sept 10th) Fly-In Picnic at Henion's: Map Here

The following day, Friday, we will have our "tailwheel picnic" over at Jack Henion's airstrip in Enfield. ALL MEMBERS INVITED (even you Bob) this Friday at 5 pm. If you want to fly and are qualified, please talk with Jack. We will have our Citabria there giving rides! There is a sign-up sheet posted at the club. This is a "dish-to-pass" format with the club supplying the grillables and beverages. This photo was taken by member Mike Cirri years ago before he joined the club!

Bob Chiang took pictures at previous events that may inspire you...click here.

 

 



Lightning

Lightning Was Here!

Thanks to everyone for showing up to see the Lightning Light Sport. This was flown in by Dave Jalanti from Ghent, NY. This is a unique and still fairly new kit-built LSA. This plane has the same Jabiru engine as Mark's plane but is quite fast due to the streamlined design. We might have this plane on the ramp for our breakfast if the details can be worked out: seems popular!

Pictured on the right is our new junior member Nile Gossa with Bob Earle who is learning to fly the CT-LSA at East Hill⇒

Nile Gossa and Bob Earle


George Urist back from Michigan

Weekend Trips: Maine to Michigan!

Here are a couple weekend trips our members flew. George Urist left Friday for Michigan to attend his high school reunion (and some great golf)! This was a one tank trip. IFR currency required however for the 800' and 1/2 mile return!

Brent flew up to Maine for a Cirrus owner's gathering (and some great lobsters)! This restaurant is easy walking distance from the airport and a dinner is under $20!

Flight Aware track from Michigan
Flight Aware track to Maine Lobsters within walking distance to KBHB


 Great Fly-Out Friday to Hamilton for Dinner at VJs
The club at VJ's Restaurant We had 15 attend our fly-out to Hamilton in five different planes, everything from a C-150 to the SR-22. We again kept Syracuse Approach confused and busy! The food was excellent and it was a beautiful night to fly. For anyone interested in a future trip, the restaurant is only about a half mile walk south along the road. Our next fly-out is September 10th over to Jack Henion's airstrip for a dish-to-pass BBQ dinner. The flying there is reserved for careful grass field checked pilots...ask around!

 

WOnderful night for flying!

 

Art and the VA approvalEast Hill is Now Approved for Veterans Benefits!

We received approval from the NYS Approving Agency to accept veterans' benefits on Wednesday. We attempted this once before but the paperwork jungle proved too immense. This time, after eight months of haggling, we prevailed and have been blessed. This is a complicated process but basically we qualify under Chapter 30 (Montgomery Bill) to accept 60% reimbursement for all flight training past private. Under our Aviation Degree program with SUNY veterans qualify under Chapter 33 and can get all their training (including private) paid and even a housing allowance. This second option is coordinated through our affiliated college program.

To start you must fill out the VA form 22-1990; you can download the application from the VA’s Website and file it electronically. If you are currently enrolled in another school, such as a college or tech school and receiving benefits, file VA Form 22-1995. Once you have completed the form, bring a copy of the filed form into the school along with your DD-214, if you are in the Guard or Reserves a copy of your NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility).


(7266 wing tip damage

Avoid Wingtip Damage

It makes little sense to fix up and paint planes if members keep running them into the walls! There is a newly painted "safe box" in front of the hangar. If the doors are fully open and you stay in this area it should be impossible to hit the wingtips! Please be careful moving the planes and get help from other members when attempting this. Students should not move planes in the hangar alone.

Hangar with "saf box"

 

Cornell ROTCThanks Cornell ROTC: A Flying Great Day!

We flew 10 separate cadet flights for the Cornell ROTC. A great group of people, very motivated and talented. Thanks to Cadet Campbell (air traffic controller Scott's son) for arranging this event. Thanks to Eric Hummel for delaying his trip and saving the day!



The FAA approves our operationFAA Fun: School and Testing Center Approved

Patrick O'Neill and Amy Malcolm from the Rochester FAA visited and approved all our operations. Adam is now the test center supervisor and has been quite busy with knowledge tests. He has 5 complete A&P series to administer in the next two weeks (each requires a battery of three tests for each applicant) in addition to the usual private and instrument tests. Our test center has provided some good income for East Hill and we could use another proctor if someone is interested (so Adam can fly). This job does require regular testing to keep FAA current and a bit of computer literacy is necessary: talk to Adam or David

 

New Member Nile    Fly-Out This Friday to Hamilton for Dinner⇓
Ginny Stomberg and Nile Gossa

 

You have to love a polite and eager young person ready to learn about flying. Here, Ginny Stromberg is pre-flighting with our newest club member, Nile Gossa. For those that do not know, we have a "junior membership" at a lower rate for young people that are too young to solo. Three individuals have transitioned from juniors to full members in the last year so they can solo at the club. Nile picked right up on this opportunity and joined to be part of aviation at East Hill. Her uncle is a senior check airman with the national airline in Ethiopia.

   Fly-out dinner this Friday to Hamilton!⇒

 

Sectional for Hamilton, NYDinner Friday! Meet at East Hill at 5PM: VJ's is a short walk from the KVGC Airport

 

Doug goes flying with friends

Take Your Friends Flying!

Doug has the right idea; all your friends will enjoy a flight. Weather is great and a Skyhawk accommodates four so take them all flying.

The Mooney is currently at Finger Lakes Flying Service for annual inspection but all the Cessnas are available as well as the LSA for local sight seeing. The Citabria needs some company too if you feel like learning a new way of flying! The grass runway has been open lately for the adventurous pilots (dual only except tail wheel).


N97266 funnies Please Copy (all) Numbers Carefully

We have been chasing around a charge time problem with N97266 for the last month. We still are not sure whether this is a malfunctioning gauge or incorrect numbers being entered by members. Please verify all dispatch computer numbers on every plane and copy ALL the numbers when you finish and check in so we do not get these reports of 126 hours flown. Remember the lowest number showing is what we want to copy. Errors here make for hours of busy work fixing up the accounting snafus...thanks!

 

Oshkosh Adventure
Larry and Brent in AeroStar

We had a wonderful trip to Oshkosh in the Aerostar. John Hrubos flew out in his Skyhawk and joined us. There is always too much to see and do and you can never capture the whole experience in words and pictures or even videos. I would encourage any pilot to add this to their "bucket list," it's educational, motivational and lots of fun too.

Accommodations for everyone were at the "Waucau Stalag" and the return was at flight level 210 and took only a little over two hours.

Highlights: »How to increase the TBO of our Rotax engine for $40 in parts (this saves our club $5,000)

»EAA "Next Step" program which pays flight schools (like us) to fly the Young Eagles on their next flight and continue their training.

Adding Oil at KFDL
The front office of the AeroStar with new Aspen 1000 KFDL was jammed with planes and the crew adds oil
The crew headed to Osh Floats on a CT! Balloonng in the raw
The crew heading to Airventure New amphibious floats approved for the CT (this is the only pair in existence) Ballooning on the cheap (sit on the tank)

Oshkosh Warm-Up

Here are a few inspirational videos to persuade you to get to Wisconsin one of these summers. Something like seven East Hill members will be flying out there this week. You can follow the daily events on the EAA Website and plan for next year!

Here is a plane you can drive on the road when you arrive.

Hopefully if there is an easy internet connection so we will post some photos of club members at the show.

This guy flew a single seat helicopter all the way from France

 


Picnic at Tim and Betsy Fallon's HouseFun Gathering on the Lake: Thank-You Tim and Betsy Fallon!

What a wonderful evening to enjoy the company of friends at Maplewood Point on the shores of Cayuga Lake. Once again we were all impressed with what great cooks our members are. Bruce and Katie Thompson even arrived in a classic Thompson (yup, same family) boat. Thanks to our social director Joanne Taormina for arranging this get together and everyone that stopped by for the event. Watch for upcoming events on this page or by clicking the calendar button.


Carlos Santos III now a pilot!

Congratulations Carlos Santos III: East Hill's Newest Pilot!

Carlos earned his private this weekend and now has to fly all the other recruiters who covered for him during his flight training. "Sharing costs" might still be costly! Congratulations on a job well done. Carlos is an Iraq combat veteran who was in the first assault through the desert into Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom.


East Hill Flying Club featured in e-How

East Hill On Line Ads Showing Up

We have been placing some on-line ads with Google (mostly through free $100 vouchers) If you have any of these mailed to you that you would discard, we can make them work for the club. Increasingly our market finds us on line. If you want a real charge, check out the quality of the other flying club web sites featured in this article.

 


Electronic Pilot: iPad and Other EFB Devices

There are efficient ways to display VFR sectionals or IFR approach plates without the "pile of paper." The new iPad or the Kindle display aviation data with different apps and success. The legal aspects are discussed in a recent article in FAA Safety Briefing. What would you think of the club getting a couple iPads with subscriptions instead of the "piles of paper?"

This weekend we will tour Elmira ATC, meeting at the club at 9. Glider rides will also be available from the Elmira Soaring School if you are interested in powerless flight.

 


N53045 on the truck headed to Corning.

N53045 Is Being Repaired!

We awarded the contract and a day later 045 is on the way to Corning. Joe Costa, regionally famous (or is that infamous?) for Cessna salvage and repair will be doing the aircraft restoration and engine reinstall. His very reasonable bid kept us from having to total this plane! We will keep you updated on progress but expect to have this plane out of service until September.
Joe Costa and the body snatchers!


Boating

Great Vacation: Back at the East Hill Monday!

If anyone wants a hint on where to vacation far away from civilization, this would be the place. Up by Queens University Biological Research Station in Ontario there are 1000s of acres where your only neighbors are the loons and bears (and bugs!).

Heron on Hart Lake

 

 

David Solomon: New Pilot!New Pilot: David Solomon!

You just gotta believe! The first big step for David was to retire. When you are as talented and competent as David, that takes time...they keep hiring you back! Then you have to make space in that newly busy retired lifestylle...yeah! We finally had to just push him into taking the test. But he did it and now can go out and scare his friends too. As you can see, it was about the hottest day you can even get a C-152 airborne...Congratulations David.


Gary Schultz: New Pilot!!

Congratulations Gary Schultz: New Private Pilot!

Great news: we have another pilot in the club. Gary got interested in flying with RC models and flying with his employer (and EH club member) Jack Henion. Then he came to a seminar at the club and got interested in our simulator...the rest is history. Gary will soon be checking out in the Skyhawks so he can take the whole family flying; congratulations Gary!

Video Posted From Our Breakfast

Here is a fun little video from our recent breakfast. One of the people on a breakfast flight posted this last week. Some good narration and scenery. Fortunately Mike had a good landing too!

 

 

 

 

 

 




Bad Landings Cost Us All Money: Get Some Dual!
The ugly result The result
Landing well is important to a safe flight. Staying current and practicing (this area and all your maneuvers) regularly is essential to safety. If your landings are getting flat or unpredictable, please get some dual. An annual check might not be enough if you are not flying regularly. This is money well spent. Fortunately nobody was hurt in this incident but we have an expensive insurance claim and a plane out of service for a month or more. We will all end up paying for this incident! Our annual focus on landings this year was meant to address the deteriorating skills in this area of operation we were observing. We will meet to decide on new initiatives to increase safety and your input is encouraged to make us all better pilots.

 

Thanks For Helping: Great Breakfast!
The incomperable Fran! Ron at ride table Frank at the table
Chris Purdy and Michael Bertenthal taking tickets Marcie on the line Goofy grill guys!
Thanks for making this a wonderful breakfast experience; lots of smiles! Peter and Joanne deserve a lot of thanks for all the effort making this run so smoothly. You members deserve the thanks for putting in the work (and doing it so joyfully) It was fun, we made new friends and some $$. See: Mark's Picasa Album

 

The Runway Cafe Jennie is a great waitress The overviewThe View from AirNav
The Runway Cafe in Blairstown, NJ is a great destination for food or a fun stop on the way south. The food here is exceptional and you can't beat the service. If you are lucky, Jennie Novack will be your waitress. She makes breakfast a fun experience! The Cafe is open 7 days a week 7am-4:30 pm and menus are available at the club. The airport has a dedicated website and fuel is currently $3.96 a gallon.

 

 

Pat Jessup, CFI Cessna 210 crash in Lock Haven

Plane Crash: Pat Jessup, CFI +2

Something went wrong on approach to Lock Haven and we lost a very nice guy and talented flight instructor at Hornell, Pat Jessup. Pat recently married Lise Lemeland and was starting a new life. More details will emerge regarding the crash but apparently something went wrong with the plane on approach from initial reports.

 

 

East Hill Breakfast this Sunday: Sign-Up, Show-Up, Smile! more photos volunteer roster

Please Sign Up!
(Be Part of the Fun!)

Roll out those grills and get your spatula ready, it's eggs, sausage and pancake time. Every member will be getting a poster and tickets soon. We need to publicize this event to make it successful. Our breakfasts bring in new members and make money to pay for new toys like the new transponders, the Aspen, and new interiors. Please get involved and help out.
Call Joanne Taormina for a Job! @ 272-8339 or write joannet457@gmail.com

 

 

Looking Good!

Plane Washing Today 3-5: Food and Fun!

We are inviting guests over to our place and we want it to look nice. Please come by and give a hand even if you can just push a broom for a little while. We will be washing the aircraft, sweeping out the hangar and general tidying up the place.

Joanne has promised to fire up the grill with some burgers and dogs so please come by for some food and beverages too. Tomorrow we go get the tables and chairs to have the "diner" set up for Sunday!

We were required to obtain a food permit this year so there are some new food handling considerations you should be aware of if you are cooking.

 

 

 

The crazy East Hill people at a BBQ in June!

Great BBQ at the Club! (Thanks to Joanne!)

Great hot dogs, burgers AND RIBS and thanks to members for all the side dishes. We had a good turn out and can you believe it was wonderful weather? July BBQ will be at Joanne's house on Friday July 9th. Get ready for the breakfast this Sunday, June 20th. Still some slots to fill. More calendar items here.

 

Tom Weber earns his instrument rating!

Tom Weber Earns his Instrument Rating!

Tom is off to a job in Boston after five years at Cornell, but not without his instrument rating! Tom flew a great test, mostly in the clouds (we just missed the t-storms that rolled through Ithaca) Tom has been a great member and helper at all our events, he will be missed; best of luck in Boston!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology Today ArticlePerfectionist Tendencies Anyone?

Pilots often are self-confessed perfectionists. This article points out some of the negative implications of this personality trait (doomed to a lifetime of doubt and depression) Maybe strive for excellence?

 

 

 

FAA Issued its training recommendations after COlgin 3407

FAA Issues "Call to Action" For Pilot Training

This study came largely as a result of the Colgin 3407 crash in Buffalo NY in the winter of 2009. The investigation of that crash strongly implicated the flight crew actions and lack of training as causal factors. After years of burying their head in the sand and ignoring the root cause of accidents (deficient prefunctory pilot training), some action is finally being demanded by the flying public.

At every level, superficial training leads to pilot deviations and ultimately safety issues. We have a mandate as pilots to train thoroughly and maintain our currency to be safe. Download this document here.

 

 

 

 

 

NASA Safety Studies

The Aviation Safety Reporting System Research Papers

The Aviation Safety Reporting System is well known for its monthly on-line bulletin "Callback." This short, two-page publication treats the diverse collected reports from pilots and crew seeking immunity from prosecution for safety deviations. NASA also organizes these disparate incidents into subject matter areas and issues reports pertaining to specific operations. Download these excellent guides here.

 

 

The crew at Oswego County for fish dinner

KFZY Fish Dinner Success: 7 Planes!

We had a great fly-out to Melony's Landing with seven planes darkening the skies headed north. Syracuse Radar was busy keeping everyone separated. The dinner was fabulous and we even found three guys from Cortland that came up for dinner also (they were reading our web page) There are more pictures on the member's blog shot by Richard Rand. Thanks to everyone that participated! I would encourage every member to use this convenient airport restaurant so we keep this vital service available.

There are two breakfasts this Sunday: Perry-Warsaw and Wellsboro, PA. This is real "bee hive flying" with lots of planes and lousy radio calls to confuse you; bring another set of eyes and go have fun!

 

 

 

Julian Trutmann: new pilot!

New Pilot; Congratulations Julian Trutmann!

Thursday was a beautiful day to fly and we have a new pilot at East Hill! Julian flew a great test and earned his private pilot rating. For those preparing for the test, please consult this ppt on the FAA IACRA system; our biggest problem was getting the on line application process to function smoothly. More information is available on preparing for your flight test here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young Eagles with Dale Anderson Fun in the CT-LSA Young Eagle in flight

EAA Young Eagles: A Great Experience at East Hill

We flew over 80 new pilots at East Hill Saturday. Thank-you to the many members that donated their day and exposed these fliers and their families to aviation and our flight operation. Special thanks to Tim Fallon for organizing and attending to every detail. Especially missed next year will be Tom Weber and Eric Estey who are graduating from Cornell this spring. Link to Mark Sanford's photos on Picassa <here>

 

John, Theodore, and Carlos stuffing envelopes

The East Hill "Mailing Team" Sending You Breakfast Tickets!

Thanks to John, Theodore and Carlos for stuffing the breakfast mailing while waiting to fly. Enclosed in this mailing are your four tickets to sell or give away to prospective pilots (or hungry friends) and a poster to display prominently. We need to really publicize this event and have a good turn-out. Please let us know if you need more tickets.

Also enclosed in this mailing is a reminder about our next BBQ on June 11th at the club. This is a great time to meet fellow members and the grass strip is open for some tail wheel rides (open to everyone) There is a printed calendar of events for the whole summer to post on your fridge; the updated online version is <here>

 

 

John Neno

Proud Pilot and Former East Hill Club President Passed Away Recently

Johnny Neno, owner of many businesses in Ithaca and perhaps known to most for his airfield on Rt 79 west, was a club member and board president many years ago. His bright yellow J-3 Cub taught many pilots the basics of flying and was generously donated for exhibition in our 40th anniversary celebration in 1994.

 


Gettysburg Revealed
Mike Brown talking about Gettysburg

Mike Brown, club member and local attorney gave a very interesting and thorough talk about the battle of Gettysburg at East Hill. It is an amazing feeling to hold the rifle that an actual soldier took into the battle. Mike has swords, rifles, actual bullets from the battlefield and all the NY Regimental insignias.

The weekend weather looks terrible for our planned trip so watch for a future date to be announced for our group fly-out to Gettysburg.

Mike Brown's collection of memorabilia

 

Banquet Success; We Had a Great Time at the Wings of Eagles!


Tom Benenson at the Wings of Eagles Tom Benenson from Flying Magazine Mike Hall addressing the crowd

We had a wonderful evening gathering at the Wings of Eagles in Elmira. Corning Catering provided a superb dinner in the shadow of restored war birds (this is the last time this facility will be available unfortunately). Tom Benenson senior editor with Flying Magazine gave a great talk about his aviation history mixed with safety tips and humorous anecdotes from his past. Thanks to all that attended and helped with the logistics. Thanks especially to Brent Chidsey for providing the transportation for our speaker from Albany in his beautiful Cirrus. <more pix>

 

EAA 811 Young Eagles Hosted at East Hill May 15th: We Need Volunteers! more information

Mike w/Kids Flying! Tim W/Kids
We are aggressively advertising the Young Eagles Program this Saturday, May 15th and hope to fly 200 young people for the first time! This is part of our mission of promoting aviation. This open house also is an incredible boost for our business. We need EAA member-pilots to fly kids and people on the ramp to direct the crowds and TEACH at the learning stations (we set up five learning areas: simulator, navigation, weather, pre-flight, Sciencenter) There will be food all day and an ice cream truck as well as Code Red Robotics on site. Please sign-up to join the fun!
Frank and Dale teaching Young Eagles Peter French teaching Young Eagles Ryan Quigley teaching Young Eagles
These are members teaching last year at theYoung Eagles learning stations.
 
Get to Know East Hill People!
Mario At East Hill Mario Nha Trang Jean-Baptist and Friends Jorge
Mario Tomei washing planes in preparation for the breakfast Capt. Tomei, July '69, after 125 combat missions over Vietnam Jean-Baptiste flying with friends on a nice day at East Hill. Jorgen Overgaard is working on his Light Sport certificate.


Amazing Help; Our CT is on Display in the Terminal!
There is an airplane in the terminal! Wow, great bunch of pilots helping!
Not quite as easy as described but "many hands make light work." Thanks to those that helped move and assemble our light sport in the airline terminal! We had numerous volunteers staffing this display and meeting potential pilots; you guys are great!
Michelle and Joanne in CT CT from above
Wow, check out the new cute CFIs we have teaching in the CT (that is Michelle from Continental and Joanne our member) We successfully returned the aircraft to the hangar Friday night and it should be approved for flight by noon Saturday. Thank-you to everyone that helped; especially the crack disassembly teams! Watch for the mall show April 10th!
Fly for Food! The boys selling flying!
Our plane attracted lots of interest from all kinds of people (even pilots!) Our CT is now safely home in the hangar.

 

Our CT-LSA at the Ithaca Mall Saturday!
CT on Trailer

CT on the Road

CT Being Assembled at Ithaca Mall

Little girl in the CT The crew at the mall The display outside Borders
Thanks to the dedicated "CT Plane Moving Team" and all who came to talk to the potential pilots. We have quite a few names on a list and passed out lots of information. It was fun watching people stare and point as we drove the plane down there. Brent probably has enough rigging equipment to transport our whole fleet (we're not asking!) These events are what make us visible and continue to bring people into our club. We invited the Radio Control Society to our banquet May 1st.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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call us at (607) 257-1313.

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