Gateway Pilots

Winter flying brings great climb performance, smooth air and great scenery. Also the extra time for a good preflight. Make sure all ice and snow is removed so it can’t freeze in hinge points while in flight. Most manufactuers recommend preheat at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for engine and cabin. Know the correct cold start procedure for the aircraft you fly. Get a good weather breifing so you can stay clear of ice. If you get in to ice get out as soon as possible. Last but not least, dress for the weather.

FLY SAFE: Rick: adv.av.training@sbcglobal.net

Why Now?

If it seems early to be receiving your Gateway Chapter MPA newsletter, you’re right. The last one came out just a couple of weeks ago. I am changing our “publishing” schedule to better coincide with the deadline for the statewide newsletter. Fear not, Gentle Reader, you will not miss out on late breaking news. Since we now have an email mailing list and a web site, you will find meeting announcements and schedules for upcoming events in your email inbox and at www.GatewayPilots.org.

From the November Meeting

I overheard one man complaining about these electronic newsletters. He likes to sit down in a comfortable chair to read things like this. You know what? I do, too. Feel free to print this out and read it on paper instead of off the computer screen. And you can feel good about doing it, knowing that you saved the club $0.41 in postage.

Steve Moore from St. Louis TRACON educated us in the most entertaining fashion. See Working with St. Louis TRACON on our website (www.GatewayPilots.org) for more info. Did you know that St. Louis TRACON is actually located in the Missouri Research Park off 94 near 40-61?

December Meeting

The Wednesday, December 12 meeting, at The Columns will feature

• The traditional Crazy Gift Exchange. If you want to participate (and who wouldn’t?), bring a $10.00 gift to exchange.
• Not one but two incredible musical groups for your acoustic pleasure.
• The world’s best dessert bar… because you and everyone else will bring a dessert to share. (Remember to re-check weight and balance before leaving the meeting.)

Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the less fortunate. Bob and Donna Crandell will collect the goods and deliver them to a local food pantry that is dedicated to the homeless in the Normandy area.

Doors open at 6:00. Dinner at 6:30. Fun and laughter all night long. Phone your reservations to Jean Murry.

Other Business

Look for a gala movie event in the near future, probably on a Sunday afternoon in January 2008. See Clara Bow in the 1927 movie Wings, accompanied by live music on a unit orchestra and sponsored by the St. Louis Theater Organ Society.

If you know anyone who would like to speak to our group in the future, please contact Donna Crandell.

Do you have something you would like to see in the newsletter or on the web site? Send it to Art Zemon.

Upcoming Events

You can always find the latest list of upcoming MPA events on our web site at http://gatewaypilots.org/upcoming-events/

Mark you calendars: December 9, 2007. MPA State Christmas Luncheon at Columbia Regional Airport. All MPA members are invited to attend. We have a “pot luck” lunch at noon and social before the start of the regular Board of Directors meeting at 1 PM. Please come and join us for food and fellowship.

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Gateway Pilots Web Site

Did you know that there are good things on the web site that did not make it into the newsletter? Drop by www.GatewayPilots.org for updates on Flight Service, St. Louis TRACON, and much, much more.

During the November 6 meeting, Steve Moore from St. Louis TRACON educated us in the most entertaining fashion. Not only did we learn a lot, we laughed even more. Here are a couple of tidbits that I picked up.

• Ask for VFR flight following, especially when fling over the river near Creve Coeur airport where, “you have company.” Not only does flight following enhance safety, it is a perfect example of your tax dollars at work. Since you paid for it, you might as well use it.
• When shooting practice IFR approaches, go ahead and file an IFR flight plan. You will get the full range of IFR services instead of “maintain VFR at or below 2600.” As a bonus, it’s less work for the controller because all of your info will already be in the system when you call on initial contact.
• Speaking of initial contact, when calling for VFR flight following, just give your identification on the initial call. E.g., “St. Louis Approach, November 7430 Juliet.” Then stop and wait for the controller to call you back. Any additional info on the initial contact will be lost because the controller is almost certainly busy with another task and not ready to process it.

Bonus: if you attended this meeting, you can get 1 WINGS credit for it.