Hot times at Northern Air
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July 5, 2013 |
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By Ashley Glaza
Summer is here and exciting things are happening
at the airport. New pilots, pancake breakfasts,
and a free flight day for kids are among some of
the upcoming events.
The blue sky days and summer holidays bring out
the pilots, but the heat can actually hamper
aircraft performance. This is the time of year
when pilots have to take into account the rising
temperatures especially when they take off or
try to climb out of a mountain canyon.
Density Altitude is the term given to the effect
of temperature on aircraft performance.
As the air temperature rises, the air becomes
less dense and airplanes don’t perform as well.
The effect is similar to an aircraft taking off
at a high elevation airport due to the decreased
density of the air that occurs as elevation
increases.
When the temperature at Boundary County Airport
(elevation 2,332’) is in the 90s, an aircraft
will have the same performance as if it were
taking off at an airport at about 4,800’
elevation. During take-off, a plane will take up
a significantly longer distance before lift-off,
and pilots need to consider the runway length
and any obstacles like trees at the end of the
runway.
During flight, the plane will have a lower climb
rate, so pilots need to stay out of situations
where they might need to climb in a hurry. On
days like this, pilots prefer to get their
flying done in the mornings and evening when the
air is still cool.
The flight school at Northern Air has about 13
current flight students working on various
ratings ranging from private pilot, instrument,
commercial and flight instructor.
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Rick Peterson |
Rick Peterson earned his private pilot license
on June 27. Peterson started his flight training
in January of this year with the Private Pilot
Ground School and has propelled himself through
his training with fervor, thanks to the help of
instructors Carla Dedera and Nathaniel Cheshire.
Rick already has plans to purchase his own plane
and hopes his wife, Kim, will start her pilot
training soon.
Jeff Fouche came to Northern Air to finish up
his Commercial Pilots License and to get checked
out in the Piper Comanche.
Jeff completed his commercial pilot check ride
on June 22.
His ultimate goal is to become a missionary
pilot, but first plans on continuing on with his
training to become a flight instructor.
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Jeff Fouche |
Jeff’s other hobby, besides flying, is designing
and building paper model airplanes that can be
customized to specific types and even tail
numbers!
Some assembly required so they would be a fun
project to do with the kids. You can see his
work at
www.goflygliders.com or stop by Northern Air
and see one for yourself.
The second Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast of the
season was a successful event with over 300
attendees. All-you-can-eat fresh huckleberry
pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice were
served all morning to pilots and locals.
The EAA is well on their way to generating more
scholarship funds for potential new pilots. The
local EAA Chapter 757 hosts a breakfast on the
last Saturday of the month from May through
September and donations go towards flight
training scholarships for local youth that are
awarded in January of next year.
This year’s scholarship winners, Trevor
Schneider and Dalin Hubbard, have both passed
their private pilot knowledge exams and are
working on their flight training.
The EAA Young Eagles Free Flight day has been
postponed to August 10. Put it on your calendar
and remember to bring your kids for an exciting
day of flying!
Kids between ages 8 and 17 are given a free
flight in an airplane. Sign in is from 8:30 to
10:30 a.m. at the Boundary County Regional
Airport terminal building.
All flights are donated by local pilots and
their personal aircraft to introduce youth to
the joy of aviation.
 A
couple of times in recent weeks you may have
heard the rumble of what sounded like a military
invasion overhead.
Not to worry, it was only a troop of Sikorsky
UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters being transported
from a base in Seattle to their new home in
Fairbanks, Alaska.
No, not a very direct line, but they have to
take a route via Moses Lake, Coeur D’Alene,
Bonners Ferry, Calgary, Edmonton, White Horse,
and on into Fairbanks.
This round-about way is best for their fuel
stops and military bases along the way.
So far, the U.S. Army has transported nine new
helicopters in two groups. They may be returning
with some older ones from Alaska, so if you hear
them coming, feel free to stop by the airport!
The guys are really nice and happy to answer
questions if they’re not in a hurry, and they
might even let you sit in one!
For more information about what goes on at your
local airport, flight training, the Young Eagles
event, or the pancake breakfasts, call Northern
Air at 208-267-4359 or visit our website at
www.northernair.biz.
More information about the local EAA chapter 757
and the Youth Flight Scholarships can be found
at
http://www.757.eaachapter.org/. |
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