| The Southern California Clinic at Apple Valley Airport
|
 The Southern California formation clinic at Apple Valley Airport (KAPV) kicked off the training season for Cessnas 2 Oshkosh with a bang. A series of AIRMET for moderate turbulence below 14,000 managed to keep a couple of pilots from leaving home. Strong turbulence along the way over the Cajon Pass caused another pilot to turn around. Nevertheless, twenty-one (21) pilots, safety pilots and guests attended the session. This is very close to a clinic attendance record for Cessnas 2 Oshkosh.
In contrast to the turbulence over the Cajon Pass, conditions at the airport were more benign, with only 12-13 knot winds right down the runway, clear skies, and the typical 100+ mile visibility for which the Southern California desert is well known. Fifteen (15) airplanes made the journey and every pilot was rewarded with a challenging and educational, fun-filled day of flying.
 Lead pilot Mike Jesch began with a ground presentation on the techniques of formation flying, the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh way, with a focus on safety, planning, precision and fun. Many questions were answered, which made all the new pilots comfortable with Cessnas 2 Oshkosh formation techniques and considerations. The practice airspace was defined, with consideration given to several unique Southern California flying hazards including, the nearby restricted airspace at Edwards AFB, augmented with an active unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight training area, an aerobatic box right over the field, and a NOTAM for model rocketry over a dry lake near one of the practice zones.
We then split into four two-ship elements and covered the particulars of the assigned practice area, altitudes, frequencies, airspeeds, etc. We tried to make sure we had at least one well-experienced safety pilot in each element, and paired the most experienced safety pilots with the lesser-experience PIC to distribute the experience and expertise around the group. Each element had its own discrete practice frequency and an assigned backup. Everybody monitored the non-tower CTAF while practicing, so that if anybody got into trouble, we could assemble assistance as necessary. As usual, prior planning led to superior performance and contingencies were averted.
 The formation presentation, flight brief, element brief, and ramp preparation took longer than anticipated. We got into the air about 90 minutes behind schedule, but as the training elements returned two by two, ear-to-ear grins were evident on every face, along with maybe a little sweat! All the participants are eager to fly again into Oshkosh come July!
Each element conducted a debriefing of its experience, followed by an incredible lunch at the new Skidmarks Restaurant in the main terminal building. The feeling was unanimous; this restaurant is among the best airport restaurants in all of Southern California. If you ever find yourself in this part of the country, make it a point to stop here. Pulled pork barbecue and tri-tip sandwiches, barbecue ribs, and chicken led the fare for their weekend specials, as well as their normal menu. Hopefully by this summer, they'll have evening hours on the weekends, too.
After lunch, we conducted a flight debriefing of all the pilots, with an emphasis on the differences between the training environment and the Oshkosh flight, homework or things to practice between now and July, and discussion on how to arrive and enjoy the Oshkosh experience.
 I would like to note in particular, the presence of a few distinguished people: Ned Dodds, whom you may remember as the yellow-shirt "shooter" by the side of the runway at Juneau last year. He has been brave enough to accompany me on all three of my Oshkosh treks so far. Nice to see you again, Ned! Dan Barley, who participated in the inaugural 2006 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh flight, handled the logistics of the classroom facility and the restaurant. He is responsible for choosing this airport. Thanks, Dan! Jim Gandee, who flew in 2008 with his T210, is lined up to take on the lead pilot role in future Southern California clinics. And especially Larry Gaines and Jim MacKnight from Bonanzas to Oshkosh, who once again flew down on their own time and dime to provide well placed words of wisdom, encouragement and camaraderie. When you see these gentlemen at Oshkosh, please tell them thanks for the assistance they have always been willing to lend whenever asked.
In short, a "two thumbs up" day took place in the Southern California desert, and a good time was had by all! On behalf of Cessnas 2 Oshkosh, congratulations to the Southern California team of Dan Barley, Jim Gandee and Captain Mike Jesch for a tremendously successful clinic.
|
| Second Update on the Formation Training Clinics
|
Following is our current list of scheduled and planned clinics. A "TBD" entry indicates that the date and/or the location are to be determined.
To get the most up to date schedule of clinics, visit our website and click on the Clinics tab at the top of every page.
- Dothan, AL
April 3rd / 9:00 am CDT
Dothan Regional Airport (KDHN)
.
- Crossville, TN
April 17th / 9:00 am CDT
Crossville Memorial-Whitson Field Airport (KCSV)
.
- Philadelphia, PA
April 24th / 9:00 am EDT
Wings Field Airport (KLOM)
.
- Fredericksburg, TX
May 1st / 9:00 am CDT
Gillespie County Airport (T82)
.
- Port Huron, MI
May 8th / 9:00 am EDT
St. Clair County International Airport (KPHN)
.
- Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
May 8th / 9:00 am CDT
Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (KFNL)
.
- Walnut Ridge, AR
May 15th / 9:00 am CDT
Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (KARG)
.
- Montgomery, NY
May 29th / 9:00 am EDT
Orange County Airport (KMGJ)
.
- Alexandria, LA
June 12th / 9:00 am CDT
Alexandria International Airport (KAEX)
.
- Dothan, AL
June 19th / 9:00 am CDT
Dothan Regional Airport (KDHN)
.
- Newton, KS
June 26th / 9:00 am CDT
Newton City/County Airport (KEWK)
.
- Olympia, WA
July 10th / 9:00 am PDT
Olympia Regional Airport (KOLM)
.
- Waukesha, WI
TBD / 9:00 am CDT
Waukesha County Airport (KUES)
.
- Charlotte-Monroe, NC
TBD / 9:00 am EDT
Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (KEQY)
Sign up to participate in any of these clinics if you have already registered to fly the mass arrival.
Sign up to fly the mass arrival and any of these clinics using our registration form.
Read more...
|
|
| Our Mission
|
| The Pirep is the official newsletter of Cessnas 2 Oshkosh. Its purpose is to keep all the participants in the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival and our friends informed about our progress. It is published monthly, with additional issues published if the need arises.
|
| Progress Report
|
To date, sixty-five (65) pilots have registered to fly the mass arrival.
See the list.
Twenty-four (24) states and two (2) Canadian provinces are represented.
See the map.
California leads with eighteen (18) pilots, followed by Colorado with seven (7). Michigan with five (5), Virginia with four (4), New Jersey and Texas with three (3), Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania with two (2), and Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, British Columbia and Ontario with one (1).
The Skyhawk (C172) continues to lead the way among the models with twenty-two (22), followed by the Skylane (C182) with eighteen (18), the Centurion (C210) with seventeen (17), the Skywagon (C180/185) with four (4), and the Skylark (C175), the Cardinal (C177), the Stationair (C206/207) and the C310 with one (1) each.
These results so far have us flabbergasted. This year is definitely going to be a great year for Cessnas 2 Oshkosh.
We are especially glad that the Centurion owners and pilots are responding to our call to join the action by signing up early and counting themselves among the models leading the way.
|
| Cessna-Textron
|
Cessna-Textron has confirmed their participation as partners with the Cessna Pilots Association and Cessnas 2 Oshkosh in the festivities of the 50th anniversary celebration of the C210/P210 Centurion.
Cessna personnel will greet each pilot as we reach Cessna Base Camp after the arrival on Saturday, July 24th with a swag bag full of goodies. Participating Centurion owners and pilots will additionally receive commemorative coins, especially minted for the ocassion, and certificates.
On Monday, July 26th at 12:00 Noon CDT, Cessna will provide lunch for every Cessnas 2 Oshkosh pilot at Cessna Base Camp.
Do not miss the party; fly the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh mass arrival.
Register now.
|
| Mark Your Calendars
|
Monday July 26 to Sunday August 1
2010 AirVenture Oshkosh.
Thursday July 22 to Saturday July 24
Pilots, relatives and friends arrive in Dodge County Airport (KUNU) - Juneau, Wisconsin for the mass arrival.
Saturday July 24 / 11:00
Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Roll Call for Flight Briefing.
Saturday July 24 / 14:30
Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival.
Sunday July 25 / 17:30
Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Annual BBQ Dinner, Cessna Base Camp, North 40, Oshkosh.
Monday July 26 / 12:00
Cessna-Textron and Cessnas 2 Oshkosh First Annual Luncheon, Cessna Base Camp, North 40, Oshkosh.
Times are CDT (UTC-5).
|
| Call for Sponsors
|
|
We are looking for a business partner in a financial position to sponsor the shirts for the mass arrival pilots. The cost of production is $2,500.00. Please contact us via phone, email or through our website.
|
| Spread The Word!
|
Download and Post Our Flyers
Help Us Spread the Word!
|
|
|
|
