HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-12 - Agendas - Final AGENDA FOR THE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING
February 12, 2004
1 :30 p.m.
Airport Conference Room
4500 S. School Avenue
1 . Welcome: Otto Loewer, Vice Chairman,
2. Minutes of the January S, 2004 meeting.
3 . Receiving of Reports.
A. Ray Boudreaux, Director.
B. James Nicholson, Financial Coordinator.
C. Louise Powers, T-Hangar Report.
D. Construction Report.
E. Maintenance Report.
4. Old Business,
A. Mo-gas self-serve system discussion.
5 . New Business.
A. T-Hangar Presentation.
B. Fayetteville Flight Club Lease.
6. Other Business.
A. Items from the Public. .
B. Items from the Airport Board.
7. Adjourn.
L
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• MINUTES OF THE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING
January 8, 2004
MEMBERS ATTENDING: Charles Wallace, Frank Sperandeo, Dave Bowman, Otto
Loewer, Bob Nickle, David Holtman, Janice Stanesic
STAFF ATTENDING: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers
OTHERS ATTENDING: Mayor Dan Coody; Mike Andrews-former Board Member;
Rick McKinney-former Board Member; LaNita McKinney-tenant & wife of Rick; Mr. &
Mrs. Bob McKinney-Parents of Rick; Frank Burggraf-former Board Member; Terry
Collier-tenant; Judy Hammond and Robert Groom - Ark. Air Museum; Sarah Fisher-NW
Ark. Times; Brooke McNeely-NW Ark. Times; Robert Groom; Danny Center-
McKinney Insurance Agency; Wayne Jones-McClelland Engineers; Dan Craft-Moming
News.
ITEM #1 : Welcome, Chairman Charles Wallace.
Chairman Wallace noted this was the first meeting of 2004 and it will be a great year.
ITEM #2 : Appreciation of outgoing Airport Board Members, Mike Andrews and
• Rick McKinney,
Chairman Wallace acknowledged the Airport Board's appreciation of Michael Andrews
whose interest in economics, community, and aviation lead him to participate on the
Airport Board for two years. Mike has opened a second business and resigned because of
increased duties. We thank him.
Chairman Wallace recognized Rick McKinney as a supporter of aviation for thirty years
and had been on the Airport Board since its beginning. Now all of his membership terms
have expired. Wallace said Rick was the first person to welcome him to the airport. Rick
is a .member of the Arkansas Air Museum and assists with the EAA Young Eagle
program. He presented Rick with a sculptured paper weight from the Airport Board and
Ray.
Mayor Coody spoke of how much volunteers mean to the community. He thanked Rick,
Mike and all the Airport Board, saying not many people give that many years
volunteering, they usually get burned out. He then read a City Proclamation to Rick,
proclaiming Thursday, January 8, 2004 as Rick McKinney Day. Rick expressed his
appreciation and thanks to Mayor Coody, the Airport Board, and Ray. Rick's wife,
LaNita, and Rick's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bob McKinney were introduced. B. McKinney
told of Rick's interest in aviation which began with a grade school trip to the airport. He
said they were honored the Board had done this for Rick.
•
1
• ITEM #3 : Introduction of new Airport Board Members, David Hollman and Janice
Stanesic. C. Wallace welcomed and introduced the two new members saying: David
has forty-five years in aviation and holds several pilot ratings, for a Falcon 20 and a Gulf
Stream; and Janice has thirty years in investments, works for A. G. Edwards and is
involved in several volunteer groups.
ITEM #4: Election of Vice Chairman.
G. Wallace stated a Vice Chairman is needed to fill the rest of Rick's officer term, the
rest of year 2004.
D. Bowman nominated Otto Loewer, and the Chairman hearing none other nominations
closed the nominations.
A motion to nominate Otto Loewer as Vice Chairman of the Airport
Board was made by Bob Nickle and seconded by Frank Sperandeo.
The motion carried.
ITEM #5: Minutes of the December ll , 2003 meeting.
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Bob Nickle and
seconded by Dave Bowman. The motion carried.
• ITEM #6: Receiving of reports.
A. Charles Wallace, Chairman. He stated he was happy to report that the work to re-
build the airport image is working, the community is developing a sense of who we are.
B. Ray Boudreaux, Director. Told of the Airport's Annual Report to the Mayor which
is in the Agenda package. Notice to Proceed has been issued for the U. of A. Hangar.
The Airport's Minimum Standards were approved by the City Council on January 6w.
Copies are available in the Airport Office.
C. James Nicholson, Financial Coordinator. Reviewed the FBO report in the agenda.
Overall, the operations were up 34.5% in 2003. Fuel sales increased 20.4% over last
year. November was a good month for fuel sales. He then briefed the Board on the
Financial Report in the Agenda. At the end of Year 2003 there was $ 1 .4 million in the
Airport Reserve Fund. He mentioned that in Year 2004 critical decisions will need to be
made. C. Wallace mentioned that at the beginning of 2003 the Airport had $2,000,000 in
the Reserve Fund. Revenues increased for 2003, the budget was streamlined, and costs
were contained. R. Boudreaux answering questions about the tower costs, said that had
been added to the last quarter of 2004. Actual percentage of cost will be determined by
an FAA Benefit/Cost/Analysis and then we will have ninety days to respond. We will
not have to pay retroactive. J. Nicholson explained the City's 2003 accounting won't
close until January 15a', and the next report will have a more accurate accounting for the
year.
D. Louise Powers, T-Hangar Report. All T-Hangars and T-Hangar storage units are
rented. We continue to have a waiting list with about six on each list, for single engine
• and the twin engine size. In the FBO Hangar we have about six full-time tenants, of
which two are waiting for a regular T-Hangar. There were about five or six overnights.
2
• C. Wallace reminisced of the FBO Hangar's Grand Opening and how huge the empty
hangar had seemed, and then displayed a photograph of the hangar almost filled with
aircraft.
E. Construction Report. W. Jones said the taxiway project has been shut down due to
the wet and cold conditions. Excavation will begin Monday for the U. of A. Hangar.
Estimated completion date for the U. of A. Hangar is May 13's and the for the taxiway to
the Forest Service area is June to July. Hopefully the Forest Service can start their work
this summer and be ready for fall.
F. Maintenance Report. R. Boudreaux spoke of staff building the 18' x 18' concrete
pad for the self-serve fueling facility. They added an additional pump box in the pad for
possible future development, of work at the Air Museum on their sprinkler system, and
work on the terminal's boiler system. The maintenance guys have really been busy this
month.
ITEM #7: Old Business.
A. Auto fuel survey: Frank Sperandeo. C. Wallace stated he had asked Mr.
Sperandeo to conduct a survey of possible airport usage of auto fuel for aircraft. The
Board has been concerned about the safety issues for planes that feel the need to use auto
fuel, how it is transported to the airport, and fire safety. We have been exploring the
possibility of providing auto fuel for planes. F. Sperandeo stated Terry Collier had
assisted with the report and found 15 tenants that would possibly use auto fuel, and 11 are
currently using it now. F. Sperandeo said this one project would augment the aircraft
• traffic at the airport and asked if staff could develop a classy ad.
A motion stating the Airport Board has agreed in principal the
continuation of the intent to provide auto fuel for auto fuel rated
aircraft and to continue the discussion in the Strategic Planning
Meeting was made by Frank Sperandeo and seconded by Dave
Bowman. The motion carried.
ITEM #8: New Business. None.
ITEM #9: Other Business.
A. Items from the Public. J. Hammond introduced Robert Groom, one of the Air
Museum's newest Board Members. T. Collier asked all the pilots to fill out the Tower
Survey and turn them into the Tower or the FBO staff.
B. Items from the Airport Board. January 19`n or 20`s was suggested as the date for the
Strategic Planning Meeting and the date will be confirmed later.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 2:58 p.m.
• Dave Bowman, Secretary Date
3
FAYETTEVILLE
AIRPORT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
MONTHLY REPORT
Director, Aviation and Economic Development
Fayetteville, Arkansas
January 2004
Aviation :
The City Council approved the Minimum Standards for the airport at their January meeting. Anyone
wishing to have a copy should stop by and pick one up.
We broke ground on the new U of A Corporate Hangar so it is easy to see the outline of the building
on the new corporate ramp. The contractor is currently at work stoppage due to weather.
The Taxiway "A" extension and USDA Forest Service Apron Area project is at work stoppage due
to weather. We have completed the paperwork to apply to the FAA to continue the project to build
Taxiway "E" east of the runway to connect with the taxiway "A" extension. We hope to get the
funding at the FAA Partnership Conference in March.
We took delivery on all of the parts to the Self Serve System including the island modified for a
mogas pump should we decide to provide mogas. Weather has delayed the completion of the project
• but it should be completed soon.
January was a good month for the airport with the U of A Basketball teams and the Gym Backs
making several trips. DHL moved out following the purchase of the company by Airborne Express.
The Airborne Express distribution center is located across from the airport in Springdale.
Following the Strategic Planning session in January, staff will request a grant from the Arkansas
Department of Aeronautics for our new 8 unit T Hangar. Eight people on the waiting list completed
Letters of Intent for hangars. We have received indication that our request will be favorably
considered but we will know for sure at the State meeting Februaryl 1 .
Johnson and Sons have decided not to use the lot on the West side for tractor sales. They have sold
the business and have moved out of the north end offices. Another client has expressed interest but
decided against due to the investment required to set up a sales and display lot.
One of the boilers for the Terminal Heating system must be repaired or replaced. Replacement is
more than $20,000 and repair is still under consideration. We continue to review the options.
We renewed the Hangar Door Maintenance Contract with Jim Bell. We are very happy to have him
do the work and maintain safe doors for our tenants.
• James has started working on the RFP for the Fuel Service Provider. The AVFuel contract is up in
August. We would like to have a new contract in place before the current contract expires.
4500 SOUTH SCHOOL AVENUE, SUITE F • AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING • FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72701
PHONE 501 -718-7640 Ext. 5 • FAX 501 -718-7646
• Economic Development:
We coordinated several meetings over the last several months discussing the future of economic
development in Fayetteville. The group asked to bring in a consultant that had provided service to
the Northwest Arkansas Council several years ago. We coordinated the visit of Mr. Thomas Ticknor
of Ticknor and Associates, who during a three day visit interviewed more than 100 community
leaders. On January 15`h, Mr. Ticknor led a forum on "Building the Fayetteville Public/Private
Economic Development Partnership" for the group. The final presentation provided alternatives to
develop and finance a new partnership between the City, the U of and the Chamber of Commerce.
The group continues to work on the project.
We prepared a RFP for Lights of the Ozarks to see if we can do the project without tying up City
employees and equipment. The funding designated for the project was placed in the Economic
Development fund so we'll see if the proposals come in within the budgeted amount.
We continued to meet with the group interested in Baseball in Fayetteville. There remains a good
possibility there. We also responded to two ADED requests for property and buildings.
Respectfully Submitted,
•
Ray M. Boudreaux
Director
•
FAYETTEVILLE
THE CITY OP PAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
DAN COODY, MAYOR
4600 School Ave., Suite F
Fayetteville, AR 72701
478.718.7642
AVIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
RAY M. BOUDREAUX, DIRECTOR
TO: Fayetteville Municipal Airport Board
THRU: Ray M. Boudreaux, Director
FROM: James Nicholson, Financial Coordinator
DATE: February 12, 2004
SUBJECT: FBO Report
Tower Operations Graph: Below is a graph which illustrates monthly aircraft operations
as counted by the Fayetteville Municipal Airport ATC Tower. This graph compares
monthly totals of aircraft operations since January 2000. The 2003 cumulative total shows
a growth in operations of 34. 5% over 2002.
OPERATIONS - CUMULATIVE 2000 - 2004
0 50
a
c
eo
40 0 2000
82001
30 82002
❑ 2003
20 '0 2004
• 10a II � � II II ( I I I
0ar
FBO Fuel Sales: As can be seen in the graph below, fuel sales volume for the first month
of 2004 is encouraging . The January sales level is approximately 123% of the FBO's
monthly average volume for the past 12 months of 31 , 175 gallons. Volume sales have
increased 22.9% over the same 12 month period, (Feb-Jan '03/04) in the year previous.
FUEL SALES - CUMULATIVE 2001 - 2003
e 400
e
� 350 W2001
v° 300
02002
Ct 2003
g 250 02004
200
150
j 4
1054 0 - I I I JA
• ��e ��� � �� { S* os 41 yea �a opo
Local Area Data: Retail fuel prices in the local area increased at several airports in
January. Following is a comparison of regional retail fuel prices as of 2/12/04:
Regional Jet Center (XNA) Avgas: 3.08 Jet-A: 2.79
Pinnacle Air (ASG) 2.78 2.60
Beaver Lake (Rogers) 2.89 2.60
Hughes Aviation (Bentonville) 2.72 (ss-2.34) 2.70
Siloam Springs (City-run) 2. 35 (Ss-1 .99) 2.25
Fayetteville Municipal 2 .62 2.43
Regional Jet Center provides discounts on Jet-A; A0 @ 500 gals+, .20 @ 1 ,000 gals +
Fayetteville offers discounts for cash sale and quantity discounts on jet fuel.
The Graph below illustrates wholesale fuel price fluctuation since mid-2003, with
benchmark beginning at 1 /1 /2003. Prices showed a steep increase by the end of
December. This past week has seen decline in the Jet Fuel price.
Wholesale Fuel Price Trend
50%
25% 'X Chg Jrt A
• c 20% % Lhg 100LL
15%
0 10%
Y 0% i--
d 5%
-bz -
-15% U p
SC_ 6' iAi 1i
s s 6 s $ '
Week 200812004
FYV Fuel Ops Facts:
Average monthly fuel sales: 31 , 175 gals
January 2004 fuel sales: 34,690 Jet . 89.80/0
3.953 Avgas - 10.2%
38,643 Total
Jet-A sold to FYV-based customers in January: 18,024 - 51 . 9%
Jet-A sold to transient aircraft customers in January: 169666 - 48. 1 %
Avgas sold to FYV- based customers in January: 1 ,601 - 40.5%
• Avgas sold_ to transient aircraft customers in January: 21352 - 59. 5%
• City of Fayetteville Arkansas
Airport - Drake Field
Operating Statement - Airport Board
For the Month Ending: 01/31 /04
2003 2004 2004 2004 2004
Actual Budgeted YTD Actual YTD Pdctd Yr End Budget
Operating Revenue
Rents & Leases 315,719 30,850 52,525 370,200 370,200
Aviation Fuel 6819787 71 ,083 83,110 768,000 853,000
Miscellaneous 28,334 21083 21224 26,520 25,000
Total Operating Revenue: 19025,840 104,016 137,860 1 ,164,720 .1 ,248,200
Operating Expenses
Personnel 304,005 31 ,606 31 ,811 381 ,736 379,271
Materials & Supplies 34,777 2,896 19049 34,750 349750
Aviation Fuel Purchases 4649840 43,500 499913 468,480 522,000
Services & Charges 239,191 92098 10,283 123,396 109, 179
Cost Allocation to General Fund 144,612 12,650 12,650 151 ,800 151 ,800
Maintenance 55,833 59309 1 ,091 54,682 63,710
Operating Capital / Equipment 12,637 - 81000 15,000
ATC Tower Costs 16,250 48,750 195,000
Total Operating Expense 1 ,255,895 121 ,309 106,797 11271 ,594 1 ,470,710
• Change In Fund Balance (230,055) (17,293) 319063 (106,874) (222,510)
from Operations
• City of Fayetteville Arkansas Page 2
Airport - Drake Field
Airport Fund Statement - Airport Board
For the Month Ending: 01 /31/04
Beginning Funds Available - 01/01/2003 1 ,440,346
Airport Fund Revenue YTD Projected YE
Interest on Investments 41401 69,000
Non-Op Miscellaneous -
Unrealized Gain/Loss on Inv
Total Fund Revenue 41401 69,000
Airport Fund Expense 2004
Capital Project Expense / Grant Matching YTD Projected
AIP #30 - Taxiway A Extension Design 21681 3,155
AIP #31 - Taxiway A Ext. Construction -
Executive Hangar 2Q 60x60 - -
East-side Self-serve 100LL 10,591 16, 173
10 Bay T-Hangar 159,350
UA Hangar
AIP #32 - Taxiway A Ext. Phase II
Executive Hangar 2@ 60x60 - 198,000
• 100 x 200 Corporate Hangar -
Roof Maintenance 20,000
New Airport Entrance - 100,000
Repair Parking Lot 61920 6,920
MoGas Tank - 17,500
Debt Service -
Total of Project Expense - Airport Fund 20,192 5219098
Income Less Expense (15,790) (452,098)
Change In Fund Balance from Operations 31 ,063 (1069874)
Ending Funds Available 1/31/2004 1 ,455,618 Est. 8819374
•
• LEASE DATA SHEET
TENANT: FAYETTEVILLE FLIGHT CLUB
Keith Mosley, President
ADDRESS: 911 West Hughes #1
Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE: 479.200.0232
PROPERTY LEASED: 4140 S. School Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72701
USE OF PROPERTY: Flying Club
BEGINNING DATE: March 1 , 2003
TERM OF LEASE: 1 year
OPTION TO EXTEND: N/A
• RENTAL FEES: Annual amount: $5500.00
Monthly amount: $458.33
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: None
DESCRIPTION: The Fayetteville Flying Club has organized and has
applied for incorporation as a NFP for the purposes
of providing aircraft for its members and
opportunities for aviation education and
camaraderie. They plan to buy 2 aircraft and start a
project to build a kit aircraft.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval.
•
• Friday, January 9. 2004 NORTHWEST ARKANSAs TKMEs
•
i
. ruawra:rwrtnr w,aw,eu Fayetteville Municipal Airport Board Chairman Chades Wallace,
right, presents Rick McKinney with a bust of aviator Charles Lind-
bergh on Thursday at Drake Field for McKinney's years of service
on the board. McKinney, who has served on the board since 1991,
is retiring.
McKinney acknowledged
for efforts on airport board
BTSARAR f6RER
is.aMevraavarma The Fayetteville Airport
Board tecognbxd one of its
founding members Thursday
in a moment of appreciation
that included a proclamation
by Mayor Dan Coody, when you see the kwk
Thursday was declared on his face when you see 'I remember how strongly
• -Rick McKinney day during Rick felt about keeping the
him taking a kid a thea
January's airport board first fl. l see that "the airlines here," Wallace told
meeting. McKinney Is leav- the group. "But when it was
ing his position after serving for him,it's worth a6 the obvious that the die had been
on the board since its cre- money in the world cast and change was .in the
ation in 1991. The acknowl- wind, I'm pleased to say that
edgment of McKinney's con- - Rick was able to get"behind
tributions to Drake Field, — Due Bowman the transition and the idea of
.and aviation endeavors in keeping Drake Field a viable
.Northwest Arkansas also entityfor the dry of Fayet-
included statements by his teville.' -
parents, Bob and JuliaArm McKinney accepted a
McKinney. sculpture .of aviator Charles;
'When Rick was about 14 . Lindbergh and reminded his
years old, give or take a few ' Coody's' proclamation colleagues that while he
years, his grade school class gave a brief overview of McK- would no longer serve on the
brought him out here to the inney'sinvolvement with the board, he intended to attend
'airport .and f got a phone airport board, the air muse- the monthly meetings and
call,' Bob MclCumey told the um and the Young Eagles, continue to serve on the
"crowd about his son's life- including his support of board of the neighboring a r
long love of flying and air- growth and improvement at 'museum. "
planes. 'He had run into a the Fayetteville Municipal . , colleague,
salesman and told me, 'I've Airport for 30 years, an air- Dave Bowman, mentioned
.got something out here at the craft owner since 1986, his . McKinneys particular dedi-
airport 1 want you to see.' He "service on the airport's advi. cation to the Young Eagles —
said, 'listen, I ihink we can sory board since the time it an introductory education
write this off ..: It was a pret- was established it, 1991, and Bight program sponsored by
ty good sales pitch.' his volunteer efforts with Air- the Experimental Aircraft
.McKinney who has also test - ' Association, that allows
served as the airport board's Airport Board Chairman .young people between the
'chairman;wasti t able to con- CharlesMcaiWallace talked about ages of 8 to 17 to explore their
'vince his father to make the detail
and mentioned their interest in flying.
• nnpurchase, but eventually 'He donates a lot of his
and contributions N
made the investment in 1986former chairman's o time and buys the fuel and
mm-
tion to the moving of cow-
with his wife faNita. The sen- takes people up in their air-
lot McKinney also recalled mercial Bights from Drake planes But when you see the
for the es friends and look on his facewhen you see
colleagues what a memo- .Field, and also his ability to him taking a kid on their first
w
table moment it as for his adapt when it was discovered dight, you see that for him,
son to show him the plane he that what he dreaded was inevitable. it's worth aft the money in the
had bought world.'
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SUNDAY, FEB. 89 2004
kk�.
+1 "When you add something
to it, you've got to take it
STUDENT PILOT SOARS away," Ross Said its much as
You push the pedal to right,
OVER NORTHWEST. ARKANSAS
YOU const let that much go
when back on track"
After several thousand .
Ross listed and rated to yards, the plane was moving
gy �Qy� bends Pu Ross noticed the situation straighter under my feet, but,
`,;°.nit WWW tear ;uowa@a WffJU gauges and switches in the and corrected it quickly, by then the plane was sitting
i . 1 ,1 cot ensuring they were adding that tie had installed a at the head of the runw
corre�y dizzying new, clean over the perhaps a pilot s
q o words writer , arra and. luckily, spot I asked if
y, kily, I didn't have mouthpiece for me.
dr 'spoken can ' P instruction included an entire
to worry about them Ross Ross flipped some of the
describe flying over peed session on taxi skills "By the
Northwest Arkansas took the appropriate actions marry switches and turned a time we bring it from the
on a cloudless winter day. = before and after the flight. key, starting the plane's engine hangar to the ternunat and taxi
The inspection continued as I could see the propeller on
especially when one is stating we climbed out of the cockpit the lane's nose start to spin.
to the runway, (a student pilot
flpflot�s"seat phas) got a lot of ground time,"
at do you, think?; asked and walked around the plane My adventure was about to Ross explained. "It takes some
nstrtuctor John'Ross in a clockwise direction begin time. It's something new"
Mimi Ross' actions, I S
-whom everyone calls eking Peaking into tate With his hand guidingmine,
ran my hands along the wings, microphone on his headset, Ross had me push the trottle
of Ross Executive Aviation,ip. me propeller, the sides.and the Ross identified himself to the forward to frill power, about 250
Fa tteville % tail of the craft to ensure air traffic controllers in the
I still was checking the view rpms. Then he started the plane
around Fayetteville's Drake were trot or crackedk. tower overlooking the airport down the runty. Near the end,
Field when Ross said, "You're and I nMeda€ ts were in "Are you just going out to d I heard instructions to itch itp"
fly., Place Ross a sample of some flying around today, on the yoke, and I pulled it to-
Ross took me on an fuel from three dufferettttanks, Pati" was the response. ward my body
as well chec
introductory flight — a trip he �d later to Hearing instructions to head A veteran of 12-hour car trips
takes with man prospective ensure fuel was plentaft$ and to runway "one-sfx," Ross to visit
y p pure. He checked that thistatic " turned the plane around and grandparents, I it a chai-
student pilots. ate air travel I consider it a chal-
"I'll put you . the�pilot's ports and air intake shields told me to take it to the num lenge to get my bearings from a
seat on the left, and ll sit were clear,,that the brake Imes Although the yoke reachinf different
y right-hand were sectwely connected and out directly in front of me 9Cv and re fed-
beside you in the is involved — not even preced-
that the flaps; ailerons and would seem to be the
seat;', Ross said. 'That right ing this.flight
seat is my office:' rotor moved smoothly:' � equivalent to a cars steering Ste, Ross' statement so soon
Ross began my lesson as Despite marry years as a , - . wheel, steering on the ground after take-off was unexpected
soon'was we approached the pilot: Ross uses the printed is determined by two rudder "You're flying," he said, after
checklist for each flight pedals under the ilot's (and
plane. P taking his hands off the yoke.
"Grab that handle and usebecauhe flies sq many luckily, the instructor's) feet. "You re at 2,400 feet"
that step to pull yourself up," different lands of planes: "I fust Pushing the tops of the pedal I looked out the plane's wind.
Ross said. "Becareful to stay dont have that warm
"Bfuzzy applies the brakes to stop the shield and realized he was telling
feeling if I don't," he said plane.
in this area," he continued, me the truth.
pointing to what appeared to Once pilot, instructor and With my feet getting used to Then, the plane hit an air
be black sandpaper — the passenger had seatbelts the new sensation, I wondered pocket and seemed to fall for a
wing walk — placed on the connected, Ross had me don a what the air control tower must few feet but I was sure the drop
near the cockpit "You set of headphones- matching thi* my eye•foot coordination was from my panic, my heart
to be careful what you one he was wearing. They needs work Ross asked me to falling to my feet.
grab on a plane:' mimed large+ and:I was follow a yellow line on the Ross was prepared for my re-
The flight started with a worried about them sliding off taxiway, but I couldn't action, took control and climbed
ground inspection of the the back of my head I 'Take your right hand off to 3,500 feet, out of the influence
aircraft.— a Beechcraft disregarded the fact that the the yoke," he instructed"Set it the mountainous landscape has
microphone was too tight on our knee. Relax "
Sundowner 180. Following a 1' on air currents near the Fayet-
two-page.listin a small binder, against my mouth, actually This didn't seem to help teville airport. "If you can fly in
pinching• much, but Ross was there to and out of Fayetteville, you can
return me to the line when I fly anywhere," Ross said.
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Following pilot Pat Ross' lead, Laurinda Joenks runs her hand along the propeller prior to
flight, checking for damage.
FLIGHT: Lesson Gives Student Pilot New .Perspective
the flight smoothed, Ross He pointed out the towns of photographer in the back seat or . Although Ross was back at the
was ready for me to try again. Prairie Grove, Lincoln, Farming- make him sick I don't even like controls, he had me involved in
He told me to keep the plane ton and Bob Kidd lake as we people riding in the car with me. other aspects of the flight He ex-
parallel to the horizon in front flew over. He asked about my "You doing OK>" Ross asked plained a tower call to me:
of me using the yoke. A pilot is history in Northwest Arkansas. "Sorta;' I replied, tentatively 'You're No. 2 with the option."
first certified to fly only with vi- Ross also gave an endorse- taking one had off the yoke to That meant another plane —
sual cues, but I was too short to ment for his favorite airplane give him the hand signal. called "traffic" — was ahead hof
see out the windshield clearly (a make — Beechcraft. The planes Then, the plane hit more.tur- us to Lind and that we could land
condition that could be correct- are sturdier, staying more stable bulence. Although slight, com- and takeoff again — in a "touch
ed with pillows, Ross said). I in turbulence, he said. bined with the banking, this was and go."
found the artificial horizon gauge "Do you see the traffic?" he
"You're lucky;" he told me. too much for me.
"Most people don't get to train ` "OK," I said. "I'm getting asked me. 'T had it while ago, b
— picturing the plane's orients- ut
tion along a line representing the in these kind of plane! I want a I scared now. I lost it. Did you see it?"
horizon — to be helpful. good airplane under m 9 The "Relax,^ he joked, '.you're in a Suddenly, I spotted it, a mi-
With the throttle pedals were Beechcraft is bulletproof." Beechcrafr." nuscule white airplane high-
forgotten by this novice pilot (ah After what seemed like lust a Not that I was in fear of crash- lighted against the background
though, thankfully, not by Ross), feu' minutes — although it came ing, in fear for my life. I com- , of a wooded green mountain
flying the plane was easy, re- halfway through the 48-minute pletely trusted Ross. I knew he "Very good," Ross said, and I
quiring no more effort than flight (or "eight-tenths" of an would not let me hurt myself the was quite pleased with my con-
keeping a car straight on a road. hour, as pilots call it) — Ross photographer, himself or his air- tribution
It was more difficult to under- asked me to turnthe plane to the plane; - -: _ , „ As he approached the runway;
stand that pitches from air tui'- right, banking it by turning the Ross assured me I Was fine, Ross note ttvhaat thea winds.
cent
bulence were just part' of the I Yoke• but he took the controls and Ys
g mie: there was no danger, and An aggressive driver on the headed back to the airport Ross "We're going to make a cross-
they were not my fault. road, I quickly discovered that is good. He knew instinctively. winds landing" - right wheel,
As the flight smoothed, I be= piloting an airplane requires a when rd had enough. left wheel, thennose, he an
comfortable, and m con- gentle touch — on the pedals on Knowing he was back in con- pounced
Y the throttle, on the yoke. trot, I relaxed a bit, noticingthe After the smoothest landing
nce increased. _ Banking is always an unset- I've ever felt, we were quickly
ou re doing greatl" I heard g Y muscles along the front of my back at the terminal — without
oss voice through the head- . [ling sensation, but, from the thighs and in my forearms were
phones, and, as if to prove it, he window of a small plane with to contracted. Ross asked me my taxi skills to slow us down
took his hands, off the yoke, his me at the controls, it was even how my hands were. They were
eyes off the skies and made no- more so. I was uncomfortable, fine, but I will admit to other
talions — about wind speed oth- afraid that I had turned too tense muscles.
er traffic in the area. steeply, afraid that I was going
to frighten the Morning Newq
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