Incredible days for flying at Northern Air
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March 21, 2014 |
By Tana Schneider
Northern Air
Between the several hazardous weather outlooks
and winter weather advisories we endured early
this month, we sporadically experienced a few
incredible days, perfect for making holes in the
sky. Now that spring is here, we're hoping for
many more such days!
 Monica
Johnson of Bonners Ferry followed in the
footsteps of her siblings to officially become a
private pilot February 28, just a few days after
her 17th birthday.
Flying her family’s Cessna 150, she soloed at
16, the minimum age solo requirement, and has
worked hard since to earn her wings.
Congratulations Monica!
Danley Bistline excitedly earned his tailwheel
endorsement in the Citabria on February 26. With
clear blue skies, temperatures nearing 40
degrees and a calm atmosphere, the weather could
not have been more perfect.
 Danley
earned his private pilot license and additional
ratings with us in years past. With another
rating under his belt, his next aviation goal is
to obtain his instrument rating.
Airplanes with conventional gear, or a “tailwheel,”
have two main wheels forward of the center of
gravity and a small wheel to support the tail.
Tailwheel configurations (compared to a tricycle
landing gear with a nosewheel) have less drag.
They are also a blast to fly, but require
additional training for student pilots to master
the takeoff and landing techniques.
For years, nosewheel aircraft have been more
popular than taildraggers. As a result, most
pilots learn to fly in tricycle gear aircraft,
then transition to taildraggers later on.
Bush pilots and those flying the backcountry
generally use tailwheel aircraft equipped with
bushwheels, skis, or even floats.
Congratulations to both these pilots on their
new ratings and endorsements.
With several students interested in earning an
instrument rating, Northern Air is contemplating
on holding an official IFR ground school
beginning April 3. Classes will be each Thursday
from 5:30 to 8 p.m. through May 22.
Please call (208) 267-4359, email us at
tana.northernair@gmail.com, or inquire
through our website at
www.northernair.biz if you are interested in
joining the accelerated IFR ground school
program. |
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