Aviation-Related News from Around the Southwest

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NEW HANGARS, NEW FBO IN BELEN, NEW MEXICO
Lightening Bar-A Hangars has completed phase two of its extensive hangar construction project at the Alexander-Belen airport, located in the beautiful mid-Rio Grande valley of central New Mexico, just south of Albuquerque. The new hangars feature electric bi-fold doors, overhead lighting, and electric outlets. A limited number of hangars are still available, call Ray Auge at 505-864-4673 for more information.

Jet-A fuel, as well as Avgas, is now available at Belen from Alexander Aero. The fueling operation is open seven days a week from 8am-5pm, and at other times with advance arrangements. Call 505-864-3888 for more information

Belen’s popular on-field restaurant, Carolina’s Cafe, is expanding its service hours on select weekends during the summer months. The Cafe will be serving gourmet dinners several evenings a month, in addition to maintaining their regular breakfast and lunch hour of 8 am to 2 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Call Carolina’s Cafe at 505-362-2411 for specifics dates and menus.

NEW BOOK SHOWS PILOTS HOT TO STAY SAFE FLYING IN THE MOUNTAINS
Flying the Mountains: A Training Manual for Flying Single-Engine Aircraft, written by Fletcher Anderson, provides all the statistics, techniques, training tips, and examples small engine aircraft pilots need to better understand – and survive – flight in the mountains. Fully illustrated and logically organized by phases of flight - from preflight preparation to landings - Flying the Mountains covers essential topics such as managing the engine and aerodynamics, cold weather flying, reverse direction anomalous winds, density attitudes, mountain runway conditions, descents, search and rescue, and much more.

Fletcher Anderson is a veteran high-elevation pilot and flight instructor, and a frequent contributor to SW Aviator Magazine. Ask for it at your favorite bookstore, or order online at books.Mcgraw-Hill.com.

BIRDDOG ROUNDUP AT GILLESPIE FIELD
The International Birddog Association (IBDA) will sponsor an L-19 / O-1 / OE-1 "Birddog Roundup" at Gillespie County Airport (T82), in Fredericksburg, Texas, from June 15 to 18. The event hotel is the new Hangar Hotel on the field. All personnel who were associated with the Birddog aircraft in any capacity are invited to attend. Contact Carol Mulvihill at 830-896-7604, or visit site at L-19BowWow.com for further information.

FIREWALL FORWARD HELPS ENGINE REACH TBO
Loveland, Colorado based Firewall Forward International has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by the FAA for a modified internally lubricated camshaft for the Lycoming TIO/TIGO-541 series engine used in the Raytheon/Beechcraft BE-60 Duke and the Piper PA-31P P-Navajo. This series engine suffers disproportionately from excessive camshaft / lifter wear long before the engine reaches TBO.

Firewall Forward believes it has solved this problem by adapting high performance racing technology. They have added small holes to the cam lobes and route oil through these holes for enhanced lubrication and cooling. Research has proven that the lobes in Firewall Forward's modification consistently show a temperature significantly cooler than the un-oiled lobes and the oil runs much cooler around the full circumference of the cam. It is estimated that this will allow the camshaft to reach TBO. Work has already begun to apply this technology to all Lycoming engines.

For more information, call 800-444-0556 or visit firewallforward.com.

NEW RISK MANAGEMENT COURSE FROM KING SCHOOLS AND AVEMCO
Pilots can fly safer and save money by taking the new Practical Risk Management For Pilots course, according to Kings Schools and Avemco Insurance Company. "This course teaches specific, practical risk management tools pilots can use on every flight. It’s presented in an engaging and highly interactive format and takes a little over an hour to complete," said John King.

As part of Avemco’s newly enhanced Safety Rewards Program, pilots who complete the Practical Risk Management For Pilots course will be eligible for a 5% Premium Credit. Course completion will also make the pilot eligible for up to an additional 5% Premium Credit for operational recurrency training on his or her Avemco insurance policy. For full details on the Avemco Safety Rewards Program, call Avemco at 800-338-8702 or visit www.avemco.com.

The CD-ROM can be purchased for $49 by calling King Schools at 800-854-1001, or on the web at kingschools.com/riskmanagement.

UTAH BOMBER FLY-IN
The Heber Valley Aero Museum welcomes the Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator back to Russ McDonald Field in Heber City, Utah, June 27 - 29. The air show includes an F-18, P-51 Mustang, T-28 Trojan, Stearman PT-17, parachute jumps, vintage aircraft flybys, and an Extra 300 aerobatics demonstration. You could win a ride in the B-17, B-24, or P-51 Mustang!

The event also features bomber and museum tours, as well as vintage aircraft demonstrations and displays, and a swing dance party. This air show is a fundraiser supporting the Heber Valley Aero Museum. Call 435-657-1826 for more information.

COMMUNISM: LOUSY POLITICS, EXCELLENT AIRPLANES
All Red Star is an annual owners gathering and fly-in for aircraft owners, pilots, enthusiasts, vendors, suppliers and service specialists supporting former Soviet and ex-communist designed aircraft imported to the United States - warbird, sport, aerobatics, jet or prop - all are represented at All Red Star. The motto of All Red Star is “Communism: Lousy Politics, Excellent Airplanes.”

The event will be held May 7 to 11 at Castle Airport (MER), near Merced California and is the largest collections of such imported aircraft anywhere in the country, with over 50 aircraft visiting the event last year from the Mig 21's, L-29's L-39's Jets to CJ6's the Yak 52's prop planes.

The event hosts an aggressive educational and training schedule which includes FAST formation, air combat, aerobatics, and unusual attitude recovery skills. Ground presentations include bailout and parachuting as well as engine & airframe service and repair.

This year’s event will host an aerobatic box over the field for dedicated and qualified aerobatics attendees in their Yaks, Sukois and Zlins.

The Saturday night banquet will include prizes and recognition for such categories as "Best in Show" and others for the different aircraft types. Although the event is specifically designed for Eastern Block designed aircraft and their owners, all curious general aviation pilots and enthusiasts are welcome to stop by over the weekend.

The website for the All Red Star association is at www.allredstar.com, and those attending are asked to register online there as soon as possible.

VOLUNTEER PILOTS HONORED FOR AIRLIFELINE SERVICE
Nine volunteer pilots from across the U.S. were recently honored with AirLifeLine’s prestigious "President’s Award" in recognition of exceptional service as AirLifeLine volunteers. The national network of 1,500 volunteer pilots fly patients at no cost in their private planes to distant medical centers, often far from their homes.
The AirLifeLine “President’s Award” is given annually to individual volunteers who support the organization in a variety of ways, including outreach efforts, pilot recruitment, flying and/or coordinating missions. The following volunteers were recognized for their service in 2002: Bobby Behel, Kurt Bosshardt, John Campbell, Elliott Franklin, Jerre McClelland, Tim Salapek, Ray Strecker, Keith Taylor, and Chris Whittet.

"These pilots represent the true spirit of AirLifeLine with their selfless acts of kindness and generosity toward every passenger they meet," said Randy Quast, AirLifeLine President & Volunteer Pilot. "We’re honored to have them on our team."

AirLifeLine is a national, non-profit, charitable organization funded entirely by tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations and the generosity of volunteer pilots. For more information, visit AirLifeLine.org or call toll-free 877-AIR-LIFE.

TEXAS JET MARKS 25 YEARS IN AVIATION
Texas Jet, Inc., an executive terminal for private aircraft at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, is celebrating its 25th year in the aviation business. Reed Pigman, Jr., president and owner of Texas Jet, acquired the company in 1978 when it was a struggling aircraft sales business. Today, Texas Jet operates 15 hangars totaling 260,000 square feet and housing over 100 aircraft.

"Our No. 1 priority has always been superior service for our clients and their passengers," Pigman said. Service at Texas Jet hasn’t gone unnoticed. Texas Jet was voted by pilots as one of the Top FBOs in the US for a fifth consecutive year in the independent category. And for the first time, Professional Pilot has named Texas Jet among the top five out of more than 4,000 FBOs in the United States. Texas Jet received high evaluations for its line service, customer service, facilities, quick turn performance, and value for cost. An anniversary celebration is slated for late May 2003. For more information, visit texasjet.com.

FLY THE WESY – WITH THE 2003 WESTERN U.S. PILOT'S GUIDE
Over 75 new airports were added to the Guide this year. Two-hundred and twenty-five interesting places to fly are presented with aerial photos that really tell a story. This book will get you thinking and planning on where to go next . . . for lunch, a weekend getaway, or a family vacation. It’s not a replacement for airport directories you already have. It’s an addition that will help you find new destinations — and it’s a great travel-planning tool.

This is a unique book that covers the 11 Western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and as a bonus, the sixteen airports in Hawaii.
For more information, call 800-521-2120 or 760-742-2281, or visit flythewest.com.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA SIGNS UP FOR 10 NEW PIPERS
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., continues to make solid inroads in the vastly competitive trainer market segment selling "full-lines" to aviation schools. The aircraft manufacturer announced that it has recently signed a deal for an additional 10 New Piper aircraft to the University of North Dakota (UND). This brings the sale of new aircraft to the school since 1998 to 77, and the total number of New Piper aircraft in UND’s fleet to 118.

For more information, call 772-299-2900 or visit www.newpiper.com.

TANGO ONE TAKES OVER
Tango One Aviation, Inc. has purchased the assets of Royal Aviation, Inc. and Royal Avionics Systems, Inc. both long time operations on Falcon Field. Tango One will continue the operations at the site providing aviation fuels, maintenance for aircraft up to and including turbine class, and avionics sales, service, and installations.

President and CEO Thomas Hertzler, has committed a considerable amount of capital for the acquisition and enhancements planned for the facility. This commitment will make Tango One Aviation a leading aviation facility in the Phoenix area.

Tango One Aviation, Inc. is an AvFuel Dealer, and through Royal Avionics Systems, Inc. an authorized FAA Repair Station (#HN3R5591), is designated as a dealer for UPSAT (Apollo), Honeywell, Garmin, JPI, and many other brand name products. The pilot supply shop will continue to serve the needs of student thru ATP rated pilots, providing charts, supplies, and aircraft care items.

For more information, contact Decki J. Beckett at 480-641-5000.

ASTRONAUT TO BE HONRED AT BIPLANE EXPO 2003
The National Biplane Association is privileged to announce that Astronaut Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford, USAF Retired, Gemini VI, Gemini IX, Apollo X, and Apollo-Soyuz, will be its special honored guest for the 17th Annual Biplane Expo.

It is particularly significant that General Stafford be the honored guest of the Biplane Expo in 2003 as the year marks the Centennial of Flight. The Wright Brothers created powered flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903, traveling 120 feet and reaching a speed of less than 30 miles per hour; less than sixty six years later, General Stafford commanded the first lunar module, Apollo 10, traveling to and descending within nine miles of the moon, where he selected the site of the first lunar landing which occurred two months later. After traveling millions of miles in space, during re-entry of the Apollo 10 mission, General Stafford recorded the highest speed ever achieved by man, 28,547 miles per hour.

The 17th Annual Biplane Expo will take place at Frank Phillips Field in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on June 6 and 7.

For further information, contact Charles W. Harris at 918-622-8400.

WILLIAMS GATEWAY WELCOMES CARGO IN A BIG WAY
The Antonov 225, the world’s largest aircraft, with a 290-foot wingspan and a payload of 250 tons, successfully delivered a 142.5 ton transformer for Salt River Project (SRP) at Williams Gateway Airport (IWA) this spring – being the first cargo operation to utilize the new on-site U.S. Customs inspection facility that opened at the Airport last March.

According to Airport officials, IWA was chosen for this operation because of its long runways, uncongested airspace and ability to clear customs on site. A new cargo ramp and taxiway are also under construction to encourage more cargo operations in the future. In fact, during a recent visit to the Airport by Senator John McCain, the Senator stated that Williams Gateway Airport is the ideal location for cargo operations, especially as Phoenix Sky Harbor reaches capacity.

For more information, contact Director of Marketing Marie Frank or Marketing Manager Amy Hall at 480-988-7606.

NEW MEXICO PILOT'S BASH
Pilots, as well as everyone associated with general, commercial, or military aviation, are invited, with their families, to attend the 30th Annual New Mexico Pilots Bash at Double Eagle II Airport on June 14. Proceeds benefit the Jim and Roz Kinlan Memorial Scholarship.

The Bash signals the culmination of the New Mexico Aviation weekend, consisting of airport operation seminars, General Aviation forums, and association meetings.

For more information, contact the NM Aviation Division at 505-476-0930.