Warning - Ramp Activities Rant

The safety seminar at Latrobe Airport went well. We had quite a crowd show up willing to subject themselves to 2-1/2 hours of safety talk. It is much appreciated.

The day before, John and I headed out to the airport to finalize things and stopped by the local FBO, Vee Neal Aviation to see what was new. As I strolled past the door to the ramp, I noticed a typed noticed on the door. It read something like - PILOTS please do not do run-ups on the ramp. I quizzed one of the line guys and asked "have you had pilots doing engine run ups where the airplanes park?". "Oh yeah" one replied.  "One airplane recently pointed his airplane toward the runway, advanced his throttle and blew stones and debris onto the parked cars outside the fence located directly behind the plane."

Last summer, I saw an airplane ready to taxi and decided to do his run up before leaving his parking spot. Two observations: There was an airplane parked directly in front of this plane. A mechanic, a pilot and his passenger were at the plane trying to trouble-shoot a battery problem. So, as the pilot was running his engine at high RPMs, what would have happened if he diverted his attention inside the cockpit and didn't realize his brakes failed or the plane was moving? He probably would have taken out an airplane plus 3 people. My second observation was the fact that there were three airplanes parked behind this guy. I was happy my plane wasn't parked directly behind.

I've noticed three such incidents on our "apron" within the past five years. Those are the ones I have witnessed. Since I don't live at the airport, I'm sure there have been more.

So, when did it become customary to do engine run ups on the ramp rather than at the run up area at the end of the runway, where they're supposed to be performed? In my early flight instruction, my CFI emphasized that you do any run ups where there aren't airplanes, people nor cars around to be damaged. We taxied to the runway and executed a run up just before takeoff. We made sure the plane was angled so we didn't blast an airplane in line behind us.

Let's look at this logically. It's a matter of mere courtesy and awareness of what's around you. Foremost, it's a matter of safety. My suggestion: Pilots please try to keep in mind, you are not the only ones on the airport; think about what's behind you when advancing the throttle.

Early Flight Lessons

As I was looking back through one of my old log books, visions of past flight lessons danced in my head. Yeah, yeah, it sounds like a clip from Christmas; I think it's a good way to describe it. Back in the early 1980s, I have to say the flight training curriculum was pretty superior. I learned to fly at Vee Neal Aviation, a Part 141 flight school through the Cessna training program.
Back then, flight instructors used a syllabus to plan each flight lesson. The CFI and I would sit down, before each flight, and go over what we were going to do that day. Scary thought - today, we're going out to practice engine-out procedures. Gulp!

Early on I would take a lesson once every two weeks and with that amount of time between flight lessons it seemed each flight lesson was like learning all over again. I was fortunate to be able to schedule more frequent flight lessons and progressed more quickly toward my goal of getting a private pilot's license; Frequent lessons got me to the point that I was comfortable with various flight configurations and scenarios and they started to make sense.

We recently had an accident on approach to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport where the instructor made a split decision to get a crippled airplane onto the ground. The result - airplane damaged; no injuries.

I wonder, had he not been current would he have had the presence of mind to make the same decision. Remember, fly often and fly safely.

Well, time for me to get a life again

Suffice it to say that another crazy tax season is "officially" over and I'm now able to breath and take care of business at hand. I'm sure my dreams of tax forms and "did I get every tax benefit for this person" will diminish as time goes on.

Just wanted to let my followers know that I am back.

Throughout the past 2 months we've been holding meetings working to organize our mini air show to be held August 20th and 21st. The committee has come up with some pretty good ideas and, hopefully, will have something the public will embrace and enjoy. That's the name of the game, eh? Let the public know about General Aviation and show them the benefits of having an airport in their neighborhood. As Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Airport Support Network volunteer for KLBE (Arnold Palmer Regional) that is part of our mission and this is the perfect venue to spread that objective.

As the details become finalized, I will post.

For those looking for a safety seminar close to home, the FAA Safety Team folks are putting together Safety Stand Down. We held the same workshop last year on a Saturday. This year we are going to try it on Tuesday evening, April 26th from 7pm - 9pm at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in the Chophouse restaurant. Yes, that's next Tuesday.

John and I will be making the presentation; no hecklers, please.