Greenbank Newsletter, November 2005

Well I can’t believe it, it’s the transition from summer to winter and things outside are changing rapidly. Its colder, shorter days and winds are gusty.

            So what! Does it stop us from enjoying flying? I hope not. I discovered long ago that if you dress warm enough, you can fly in anything no matter how cold it is. Do you think that the plane really cares or that the motor knows its cold?

            If the plane doesn’t care then lets fly whenever we can. Any plane will fly better in cold air. It is more stable and will hit all the top numbers with performance.  

            Some things around the airport are nice to know so that you don’t get caught in a situation that might surprise you. Because of the weather changes, some of the things that I saw last year might help us know whether to attempt a flight.

            The ground does definitely get mushy when the fall rains are heavy, but once its stops raining for a day or more it’s fine. I would walk out to the runway if you were in doubt. Around the new hanger especially, you will run into very soft areas. Once the grass thickens next year that will clear up but in the meantime, wait until it’s a little dryer or when the ground becomes frozen.      

            Again in the spring and the precise thaw time is 15^th April to the 15^th of May. The ground again is very soft then but once the ground thaws out, its fine again.  It’s a great time to go to Sun n Fun in Florida anyway.

            Hopefully around the new hanger, we will have some paved areas that will fix the soft ground and runoff problems next summer.

            Believe it or not, snow blowing is easier than cutting the grass as only the main runway is blown. Not the taxiways and not the alternate so that’s not too much work. I did it last year and it was flyable most of the winter except perhaps after a huge snowstorm and the runway was not blown. This year we will attempt to blow the snow about 2-3 inches high and then roll the remaining height. I am told that makes for a great runway but remember, it might take a bit more to stop. You need to remember that the altititude density will slow down the airfoil twice as much in the colder weather but be prepared to abort the landing if you find yourself landing short and fast.

            As of this writing, the fuel system is working fine. We did have a Bell problem with a phone line that did not want to work in authorizing credit cards but we seem to have fixed that. We have already re ordered Jet A as we sold enough to warrant that and we are hoping to continue good fuel sales through the winter.

            There is no Mo Gas there yet but our supplier should have some soon and we will finally have some. I just didn’t want to purchase a pile and have to sell it too high. The price since we have placed the fuel system there has really come down in the meantime.

            In the new hangers, please let me know if you see any water leaks in the roof as the new roof is under warranty, and I need to know this year.

            About heating. Please do not use an open flame in any closed area especially in any hanger as you would be asking for a serious accident. All our aircraft fuel systems are vented and most probably, you would have an explosion that will hurt you and cause large damage to your aircraft and everything else in the immediate area. If you need heat talk to me and lets find out what is safe for what you are trying to do.

            The driveway into the airport has been leveled of all holes and again hopefully by next year, we will see pavement or something close to it.

            If any of you know of anyone that is seeking ground school and flight lessons, please advise our flight school which is on our website as a link. This winter will be tough for them and we need to pull together so that they will experience some income. It is tough to make money in that arena and we need to try our best to support them. I am sure that they would be grateful.

            I am working on the runway lights and have made about 20 of them. I have 20 more to go. The lights will add a lot to the airport. By next summer, it will be a lot busier with the lights being advertised in the CFS. 

Please remember the right hand circuits on runways 16 and 03. This summer believe it or not, I saw pilots flying left off of 03 over the town of Greenbank and I just shook my head. Wish I would have had my radio on hand. By the way I know your name. I really think it was just brain fade but remember that someone can report you and we all don’t want that. 

Have a great winter and please feel free to contact us anytime with phone or e-mail. By the way very shortly, Greenbank will be a WI-FI hot spot and you will be able to connect with your PC or cell phone. You will also be able to make any phone call you want to with VOIP if you are signed up for that with your pc or cell phone(voip enabled) It will be advertised eventually as a WI-FI hot spot as pilots flying in like to know that. The radius will be 1000 meters circular around the house to connect. Of course you will need a special number to log on but you will get more information in the coming months.

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