Busy Day for Blue Star Aviation at Wellsboro Johnston

Blue Star Aviation's flight instruction took off this week with a busy day of flight instruction at the Wellsboro / Johnston Airport.  CFII and Blue Star Owner Dr. Robert Clark had a full schedule of students this past Sunday.  This is a great resource for Tioga and Potter Counties as well as the Southern Tier Counties of NY.  If you have an interest in flying, need a BFR, instrument training etc., give Rob a call.  If you just want to brush up on a skill with a CFI, this is a good opportunity to do so.

Blue Star Aviation owner / operator / instructor, Rob Clark  (R) and student ( and Canyon Country Ultralight Club Member) Kevin Johns after a lesson at N38 in the Piper Warrior.

Pictured behind and above Blue Star Aviation's Piper Warrior are a pair of Bell 212 helicopters based at N38.  The Bells are part of the Marcellus Shale pipeline installation support.

A pair of Cessna 182's owned by two CPA members depart N38 on a very nice February afternoon.





Smart App's.

Pilots are members of a fairly small community.  Locally we have a diverse group pilots who are involved in keeping aviation alive and well in Pennsylvania's Canyon Country.  We are fortunate to have airline pilots, private pilots, sport pilots and ultralight pilots in our area.  We also have an active CFI who recently invested in an aircraft to do flight instruction at N38.  We also have A&P's, A&P I/A's and CFI's who are current but not actively instructing.  All of these folks are willing to share their experience and knowlege anyone, if asked. 

The use of technology with local aviators is almost as diverse as the pilot community.  Some of our local pilots and student pilots take advantage of technological adavancements and some have not yet even joined the email generation.  In either case safety is the bottom line.  A pilot who is disciplined enough to keep his or her skill set up to date by digging through volumes of paper is no less safe that a pilot who takes advantage of the modern applications.

Regardless of which side of the technology divide a pilot or student is on, one cannot deny the ease and accesability of the modern tools and toys that are available via the smart phones and tablet applications.  Below listed are just a few applications that you can use in flight, in preperation for flight or studying for a pilots certificate.  Even if ultralight flight is what you do, you need to be a safe pilot and many of these tools are good stuff that can help make you a safer pilot.

This is a resource that everyone uses from time to time.  Drop this ap. on you iPhone or iPad for an instant reference tool.  Part 103 ultralight guys need this as much or if not more than GA guys! 

Spin-a-Wind is a handy application to quickly calculate your crosswind component based on the wind speed and direction and given heading.  You can set personal wind warnings and maximum settings based on your comfort level and POH for your airplane.  This is a pretty cool app.  Ultralighers, GA pilots or Light Sport pilot?  This is an application for everyone.

Have you decided to study for a rating?  Private, Instument, Glider?  This is a great tool to help you simulate a test, study or quiz environment.  The graphic suppliment may be a bit weak in the test mode compared to an actual Lasergrade test but this is a pretty good practice tool.  If you want to take a great practice test, try http://www.mywrittenexam.com/  You can download graphics for the supplimental or you can buy the actual supplimental used by Lasergrade online. 

 The dreaded "whiz wheel" the E6B!!  For those guys who have the carboard spin doctor E6B and  know how to work the damn thing,  bless you!  For those of us who did not, we use an electronic version that makes us feel good and want to throw that blankety blank cardboard thing into the wood stove.  There are lots of electronic handheld E6B's available as well as dozens of online apps.

WingXPro is just one of the in flight tools that is available to to all pilots.  There are just way too many uses for this application to expalin here but if you have an iPhone or iPad the moving map alone is worth the money.  The AFD and associated tools tools are great too.   You can do away with paper charts as current sectional are updated on a regular basis.

Foreflight is another popular pre and inflight tool.  If you have a mobile phone or tablet that you use in-flight, these Foreflight or Wing X Pro are powerful tools.

Do you need to get current or get ready for your bi-annual flight review?  Your smart phone or tablet of choice has tools available to help you prepare.  iTunes is loaded with aviation applications.  If you dont have an iTunes account you may want to consider it.  Electronic study tools are a great way to keep current and safe.

















Sportys Webinars - Worth A Look!!

Looking For A New Headset, Check Out The Feb. 9 Webinar, Free From Sporty's

Sporty’s Webinar Series

Sporty’s is pleased to offer its Webinar Series as a new service to customers. These live, multimedia presentations are informative and interactive, allowing the presenter to use slides and audio, while audience members can participate in a variety of ways.



Sporty’s Webinar Series will touch on a variety of topics from training to new products and services to help you stay informed. For your convenience, all webinars will be archived so you can attend anytime your schedule permits.



•Stay informed and current

•Convenient and easy-to-use webinar format

•Opportunity to participate and ask questions

•Delivered by the expert staff at Sporty’s

Registration is required, and space is limited

Title Date Time Speaker

What’s New in Aviation Headsets Thursday, February 9 8:00pm ET John Zimmerman

Choosing the right headset is an important decision and significant investment. The process can also be confusing and complicated given the options available that often times seem endless. Passive or ANR? Bluetooth or no? Audio interface? Panel-powered perhaps?



This informative webinar from Sporty's will help take the mystery out of your next headset purchase by sharing the key features to compare. Whether you're buying your first headset or looking to upgrade to some of the great new features available only in the last few years, this webinar will equip you with the resources for an informed purchase.



Space is limited so register now.



Webinar Archive Title Date Time Speaker

Flying with the iPad: Apps & Accessories Thursday, December 1 8:00pm ET Bret Koebbe Watch Video

The Apple iPad has been quickly adopted by pilots. This presentation will cover both beginner and advanced topics relating to the iPad. You’ll learn how student pilots can use it as a training tool, how aircraft owners can use it to stay organized, and how current pilots can use it for navigation, weather & charts. See how to properly preflight the iPad, along with helpful tips and tricks. Also covered are iPad accessories and cockpit mounting options.

Video Cameras in the Cockpit: How To and How Much? Tuesday, October 25 8:00pm ET John Zimmerman Watch Video

Pilots are using small video cameras in the cockpit like never before – for reviewing training flights with a flight instructor, practicing aerobatics or just recording the next great adventure. What can one of these video cameras do and what can't it do? How do you choose a camera system that's right for you? What are the different technologies available? And how much

Click here to go the the URL for more details  http://www.sportys.com/webinars

New Flight Instruction Opportunity at N38

Blue Star Aviation Services

Robert L. Clark, Ph.D, CPA member and flight instructor has recently purchased his own aircraft a Piper Warrior, and will be commencing flight instruction at Wellsboro-Johnston. 



Blue Star Aviation Services Flight Instructor, Rob Clark

In addition to flight training for Private, Commercial and Instrument Certificates, Rob will provide other pilot services, BFR's, IPC's, endorsements, etc.  Rob has run Private Pilot Ground Schools in the area and plans to offer another ground school this summer.  There will be a sign up sheet at N38.  If you would like to contact Rob for any of the services provided by Blue Star Aviation Services, please contact him by calling 203-530-9331 or via email at rlclark@mansfield.edu



Blue Star Aviation Services Piper Warrior





2012 Canyon Country Ultralight Club Meeting Schedule

The Canyon Country Ultralight Club Is USUA Club 203

2012 Meeting Schedule

March 15, 7:00 pm  Wellsboro-Johnston Airport

The first meeting of 2012.  The first order of business will be to nominate and elect officers.  Your current officers are:

Tom Freeman       President

Dan Cooper          Vice President

Fred Ziegler          Treasurer

Kevin Johns          Secretary

Robert Fisher        Events Coordinator

The presentation for this meeting will be done by Shaw Siglin.  Shaw is an A&P and has a long history in aviation.  Today he will talk about getting your aircraft out of the moth balls and ready to fly.  He will focus on safety and airworthiness.  What to look for and where to look for it. Is corrosion a concern?  You may not think so, but it could very well be a hidden problem.  This discussion could also be good for anyone thinking about buying an ultralight.  Many of these things apply to pre-purchase inspections as well.  Join us as Shaw helps us take a look at our aircraft with a critical eye.

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  April 26, 7:00 pm Wellsboro Johnston Airport

Where Do I Begin?

This month club members will discuss their projects.  This is a very good meeting to attend if you are considering a purchase of a plane or a kit.  Do you want a legal ultralight (Part 103 legal)  Do you want to build your own?  How should you register it?  We will discuss the pros and cons of registering your kit as an expirenmental light sport or an expirenmental amature built.  Are you looking to buy one of these?  Is it N Numbererd?  Should it have been?  Don't be fooled by a low price aircraft that is not registered properly.  You could be wasting your money.  We have members who represent all forms of ownership and registration as well as builder experience.  Please join us for this informative presentation.  It should be valuable if you are considering a build, buy or registration.  This is a good session to invite a new person who is curious about our sport.

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May 27, Annual Memorial Day Fly In Breakfast 8:00 - Noon

Calling all members!!  We need you to join "Doc" and the rest of the Canyon Pilots to help provide the 1000 community members who come out each spring to Wellsboro - Johnston for buckwheat pancakes, great ham and eggs cooked with TLC!!  Anyone who wants to help is welcome to do so, sometimes pilots have been known to throw helpers in their right seat after the clean up is done and give them a "thanks for the help" ride over the nearby canyon.  Contact Rob Fisher to sign up for a shift n3zlg@ptd.net

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June 16, Sunrise to Noon.  Wellsboro - Johnston

2nd Annual Flight Demo. Day.  Members and CPA members will hope for a nice, calm, dry morning as they drag their aircraft out and fly for fun.  We also will invite the R/C guys to join us once again.  These guys have some very cool planes and have an amazing control over their flight.  We will invite friend of the club as well as members of the general public to join is for a fun flying day.  Check out some photos below from last years event.

If you have something to fly, come and fly it.  If you don't come and watch the activities.

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July - No Meeting.  This is "National Vacation Month" and nobody is left in the Twin Tiers (except tourists)

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August 16, 7:00 pm  Wellsboro - Johnston Airport

Flying as a Sport Pilot

Join us for this special joint meeting of the Canyon Pilots Association and Canyon Country Ultralight Club as we explore the Sport Pilot certificate.  If you are Private Pilot and curious about flying as a Sport Pilot, this session is for you.  If you are considering flying lessons and want to understand the differences between the Sport / Private certificate, this session is for you.  Are you interested in weight shift, lighter than air, gliders, powered parachutes or gyroplanes?  If so, this session is for you.  Are you a Part 103 Ultralight pilot who wants to know what is involved to transition to Sport Pilot?  If so, this session is for you.

We will have a special presenter for this meeting.  Prof. H. Paul Shuch, CFII, LSRM-A, iRMT and Chief Flight Instructor and Director of maintenance at AvSport http://avsport.org/  Paul and AvSport Aviation operate at "The Birthplace of Sport Aviation" , Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven Pa.  This will be an FAA FAAST Safety Team Presentation and attendees can get credit in the FAA Wings Program. http://www.faasafety.gov/  We expect seats to fill quickly once this event is published on the Wings site and local and regional newspapers so be sure to sign up early. 

If you have never attended one of our meetings, this would be a great time to attend and say hello and introduce yourself.  If you a member or an associate, please invite someone. 

Here is what Dr. Shuch has to say about the Sport Pilot Certificate for those who may be unfamiliar with the rule:

If you can drive, you can fly!


If you're looking for a Saturday afternoon stroll through the sky without a lot of burdensome expense and regulation, the FAA created the Sport Pilot certificate in 2004 just for folks like you. FAA’s Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category offers affordable, safe, basic aircraft for many people who would otherwise be unable to fly. What is a Light Sport Aircraft? What can it do? What can't it do? What are the certification requirements? What is a Sport Pilot? What are the requirements? What are the limitations? Join the Canyon
Country Ultralight Club and the Canyon Pilots Association in exploring the world of sport flying. While the most recognizable light sport aircraft is the fixed-wing airplane, the light sport aircraft category includes six additional kinds of aircraft as well:

Gyroplanes
Powered parachutes
Weight-shift control aircraft
Gliders
Lighter-than-air airships
Lighter-than-air balloons

Attend this interesting and exciting safety briefing and learn about the world of LSA!
 
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September 2, Annual Labor Day Fly In Breakfast
 
Once again we host the best breakfast in the region!  Buckwheat pancakes, grilled ham, and eggs. We need everyone to help with this event.  Our breakfasts help us to provide students with aviation scholarships, support the Grand Canyon Airport Authority, provide training opportunities and take care of club expenses.
 

Bring the family and enjoy a fall morning in Canyon Country.

 

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October 18, 7:00 pm Wellsboro - Johnston Airport

Season ending meeting.  Join us as we share our methods of "how to pickle your aircraft."  Members share their thoughts and ideas of how they put their bird up for the long winters nap.  We will also discuss how the club schedule worked for 2012.  What worked well and what didn't.  We will discuss what members would like to see for 2013 from the Canyon Country Ultralight Club, United States Ultralight Club 203!







Check out Bill's Talon

click on the title to see the short video of Bill's "touch and goes"..

Pics from Flight Demo Day.

I forget the name of the gentleman that owns this pretty little bird.


These R/C airplanes sure were fun to watch.


Another shot of Toms Flightstar


Wes's 182 provides the backdrop for some R/C aircraft


Brad's Husky..


Hoopsy..


Bill Vickery's hang glider


Dan trying to hide behind Toms Prop


The "Frozen Pilot"


Freds Aerolite 103

Flight Demo. Day At Wellsboro / Johnston

On Saturday October 22nd the Canyon Pilots Association, the local R/C aircraft club as well as the local ultralight club met at the Wellsboro/Johnston airport in Pennsylvania's Canyon Country for a flight demo. day.  The weather was marginal but the flying activity was not. There was a lot of flying as well as static displays.  Bill Vickery get the award for most toys on display.  Bill brought a hang gliders wing, powered paraglider's set up as well as his Talon experimental fixed wing aircraft.  Thank you to all who participated.  I did a fair amount of flying and didn't get photos of everything that was there, but it was an fun day for all. 

Fred Ziegler and his Aero-Sport 103 flew in for the event

A ramp full of airplanes and aviation enthusiast's at N38

Jim Hoopes Scout, check out the landing gear on this plane.  Who needs floats with tires like that!

Tom Freeman's Flightstar II SC inbound

This was not part of our day but was part of the traffic and was fun to watch arrive at N38

Bill Vickery's Talon just prior to getting her wings installed

Another Bill Vickery way to fly!!  This burns less fuel per hour than any other aircraft on display!

Toms Flightstar

Thanks Tom for asking me to go...it was a great flight...you guys can click on the title to see the video.

Awesome flight! was up for about 30 minutes straight! beautiful night. would have went up again but didnt have enough fuel...darn.

new oilite bushings and old wheels back on tonight. theres a little bit of a crosswind, but goingto take her up...rpm still questionable. wish me luck

Enjoying a Little Time In a Little Plane

A Canyon Country Ultralight member having a blast in his new little airplane.

Flightstar II SC iPad Installation



 I have done a couple of cross country trips with my iPad with the addition of the Bad Elf GPS and WingX Pro GPS software.  I found it very user friendly and accurate.  Living on the border of the NY and Detroit Sectional, the moving map stitches them together.  The wind data and ability to add your CAS gives you pretty good data for a VFR flight without all the paper floating around you.  There is an auto update of not only the sectionals but the AFD as well.  There are also aerial photos of airports.  It is a pretty powerful tool, even if your aircraft of choice is something like a Flightstar II.  Below are some photos of how I attached the iPad to my Flightstar panel.  It is a little tight but with one bolt I can remove it if I am flying with a large passenger in a local flight.  Part of the beauty of owning and Experimental Light Sport is the fact that you can do things like this. 

In the center of the panel a pedestal mount for a hand held GPS was removed to make room for the iPad.  A template was created and 4 holes predrilled for the new mounting assembly.

The actual panel mount is a heavy duty, but light, aluminum mount that was used to attach to a tube on my powered parachute for a ICOM A-4 radio mount.  It was secured to the Flightstar panel with 4 machine screws with nylock nuts.  There are 2 small panels hanging below the attachment point that allow for angle adjustment and iPad aluminum panel mounting panel.

I purchased a rigid piece of sheet aluminum from Lowe's.  I cut it down to a size just a bit larger than the iPad.  I rounded the corners and deburred the edges.  I then painted it a color similar to the panel and used 4 machine screws to attach the aluminum to the mount.  The black material is a high quality Velcro purchased from Bear Perkins Powered Parachutes http://www.bearperkins.com/  The velcro will attach the iPad holder to the mounting assembly.

The iPad holder was chopped from a knee board purchased from Sportys.  http://www.sportys.com/  Yes, I said chopped, but the design of the iPad knee board was too bulky for the confines of a Flightstar cockpit.  It was secured to the mount by the velcro and is very secure and easily removable.






The final installation is secure and visible.  Even though it looks like some gauges are blocked from view, they are all visible from the left seat.



2002 Flightstar II SC