AOPA Safety Seminar — Close Calls, Lessons Learned

Looks like AOPA's Air Safety Institute will be coming through the area with one of their Safety Seminars titled "Close Calls, Lessons Learned."  From their course description: "At one time or another, many of us have found ourselves in "uncomfortable" situations aloft. In some cases the problems couldn't be predicted; in others the warnings show up in hindsight like neon signs. Either way, there are things to be learned. That's the idea behind "Close Calls, Lessons Learned," a riveting new seminar in which you'll meet five real pilots sharing true stories of their most harrowing moments aloft."

Starting in late April, going through early May, they have one presentation in NJ, one in CT, and 4 in various NY locations.  You can find detailed schedule information by searching here.

One particular venue for this seminar is particularly worthwhile.  On May 3, the seminar is being held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY.  For those of you not familiar with this museum, it is built on the site of the old Roosevelt Field, where Lindbergh took off for his cross-Atlantic flight.  The recently renovated museum contains a vast number of historic aviation artifacts including Lindbergh's Curtiss Jenny and an (unused) Apollo 19 LEM.  This museum comes highly recommended by our members.

So this is a good opportunity to attend a worthwhile seminar, and take in a "must-see" Aviation museum.

April General Meeting: Real Life Emergency - How would you react?

Speaker: Shane Lipson
Date & Time: Thursday April 7, 2011 @ 7:30pm
Location: NJ Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum at Teterboro

This month's general meeting will feature our very own Shane Lipson.  His presentation will be on "real life" emergencies.

We all read articles about pilots who had to deal with emergencies.  We often ask ourselves, what would we actually do confronted with a similar situation.  Unfortunately, these stories are usually 'distant' to ourselves, involving people we don't know and lots of theory and conjecture.

4 years ago, in our very own N4468N, Shane faced one of those situations.  IMC going below minimums, electrical failures, and guest passengers aboard ... all while trying to fly in the famed Washington DC ADIZ.  Fortunately Shane had a positive outcome.

Shane has obtained the actual ATC tapes, flight tracks, etc, and has a presentation that re-creates the actual scenario and decision points that allow you to participate with "what would you do" at each step of the way.

For those who haven't seen it before, it gives a much more personal encounter with an actual emergency, and let's you ask the question of "what would you *actually* do."

The meeting is open to the public. As an added bonus, the NJ Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum will extend free admissions to members and guests starting at 7:00pm. Refreshments will be served at 7:30pm, and the meeting will begin promptly at 8:00pm.

April Breakfast Flight

Finally, the weather is cooperating, and we kick off the flight season this month with a breakfast flight to Milleville (KMIV).  There is still some space available for members and alumni to join us for this flight. We will depart in the AM on Sunday 4/10 for a brunch down at KMIV, and a flight back in the early PM.  If you would like to participate, please contact Stan Sokolowski.

Local event: Ninety-Nines 2011 Poker Run

The North Jersey Chapter of the Ninety-Nines is planning their 2011 Poker Run for Saturday April 30th. Participating airports are KMSV, KMGJ, 39N, KCDW and 1N7. Proceeds from the P0ker Run are to be used to fund scholarships for deserving pilots.

Full information about the event can be found at their website. or by calling Angela at 973-575-8220.

The Ninety-Nines, Inc is an international organization of women pilots.  The Ninety-Nines mission is to promote fellowship through flight, provide working and scholarship opportunities for women and aviation education in the community, and preserve the unique history of women in aviation.