Volume 7 Issue 9
September 2001

Club Financial Update

At the last meeting I gave a financial report which was not totally complete and not totally correct.  The following is the current financial status of OSC.  First of all the monies owed OSC from members is quite high - $2800.  You all know who you are, so please pay up.  The club loan o 95Z has a current balance of $7626 at a 6% interest rate.

OSC currently has $8500 in the engine fund but should have $13500 since 1504 hours have elapsed since the last major overhaul (this assumes we will have to do an overhaul at 2000 hours at a cost of $18000).  OSC has no other debt at this time.  By the December meeting, we will develope a new budget to see how we are keeping pace with our costs.

Sorry for the mis-information at the last meeting.
Bob Craig

Soaring in September...

OSC flew seven days in September.  The longest flight for the month was two hours and 25 minutes for Herb Woike in the 1-26.  Mac McKain flew for two hours and 17 minutes in the 1-23 and Perry Mitchel flew the 1-26 for one hour and 13 minutes.  OSC gave 14 introductory flights in September which was quite good.  Also, three of these flights were given to paralyzed individuals.  Two instructors got their CFIGs renewed with Bert Aagesen and we finally got a good radio installed in N99950.  It was a very productive month.

About the Aircraft...

On Monday the 1st. the Pawnee was flown to CBF due to the problems we have had with the low battery output.  We found the drive belt was pretty loose and tightened it.   Followed that with an engine run with volt meter on board.  The generators output came up to 13.85 volts at 2,000 rpm.  That should be enough to keep the battery up but it is a little lower than we would like.  At idle the battery is actually discharging if ou have anything turned on.  That even includes the master switch.  A replacement generator will run around $340 plus installation costs.   So for now in an effort to extend the life of the gen/battery, here are some tips.   Make sure everything is turned off before killing the engine.  One could let the engine run for thirty seconds or so at fast idle (1,300 rpm) to peak up the charge.   Turn off the strobe light after landing and leave off till just before takeoff.   One more idea is to back the prop to compression so that it has some "free" swing before hitting the next compression stroke. (make sure mag. switches are off).  Also over at CBF I gound the Pawnee's lower tail wheel mount bolt was missing when I went to grease the unit.  A somewhat over length bolt was found and installed.  Keep looking at our aircraft for anything out of place or abnormal.   Your find could save a lot of money and much much more!

We are looking into having the annual done on the bird out at Loup City with Nov. sign off.  This may well be the best time to get this done since we are heading into winter at full tilt.  Bill has a much better place to do the inspection there than at the Blair airport.

Everyone help "keep em flying"
Mac

Comments from Flight Operations...
Jaime Alexander
October 2001
Comments from Flight Operations
This month I want to review the SSA ABC badge program.  If you don't already have these awards you may be close based on your flying this summer.  I can award the A, B, C, by reviewing your log and if necessary doing the required flying with you.   This is a good time to review your logs as the qualifying flight(s) must have been done within 6 months of the SSA receiving the application.  There is still time for some good flights this Fall.  In the Spring you could find that you could have qualified now but too much time has gond by.  Here is a recap of the requirements.  I will go over any of these in detail with anyone interested.

A Badge:
Applicant has accomplished first glider solo, plus a list of related items which probably have been done prior to the solo.

B Badge:
Applicant has demonstrated soaring ability by flying for at least 30 minutes after release from a 2000 ft. tow. (add 1.5 minutes for every 100 ft. of tow height above 2000 ft.)

C Badge:
Accomplish a list of knowledge and training items related to cross country soaring similar to part of what is needed in preparation for a FAA practical test.
Have over two hours (total) of solo time.
Has had a solo flight of over 1 hour after release from a 2000 ft. tow. (add 1.5 minutes per 100 ft. of tow above 2000 ft. i.e. 1:15 from a 3000 ft. tow.)
Make a dual simulated off field landing without reference to the altimeter and land and stop within a pre determined 500 ft. field length.
If you think you qualify, I am ready to be convinced.
See you at the field.
Jaime Alexander
Flight Officer-SSA Instructor

A Question for you
On the Blanik there are two Connections for the tow line, one on the nose (nose hitch) and one near the leading edge of the wing (CG Hitch).  Why don't we use the CG hitch during aerotow? (A written test question is based on this scenario) The answer below.

At the Airport
According to the Sectional Chart, what is the longest runway at our airport? The answer below.

Question:FAA Knowledge Code N31: Use of a CG hook for aerotows would cause a glider to pitch up.
Airport: On the second line of information, the 34 at the end indicates the longest runway is 3,400 ft long.