Hot times at Northern Air
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.
 |
| Rick Peterson |
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.
 |
| Jeff Fouche |
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/.