PLANE TALK

(Robert Perry is a commercial rated pilot with single-engine and multi-engine ratings, instruments airplane certification and was a former flight instructor. He currently operates a light sport experimental aircraft out of Santa Ynez Airport. Questions regarding this column can be directed to titanornado@msn.com)

Young Eagles Program's Saturday!

The EAA Young Eagles program which started in 1992 giving young people, ages 8 - 17, the opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. Since 1992 more than a million young people have been given the opportunity to fly through the Young Eagles program.”

The Young Eagles program will hold an event at Santa Ynez Airport on Saturday morning at 9:00am. Local pilot Lloyd Sorensen is leading the effort to bring local youngsters and airplanes together though the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association number 491. Local volunteer pilots will explain what will happen during the flight. This might include talking about the airplane; reviewing an aeronautical chart (or map); identifying reference points during the flight; completing a careful "walk around" preflight inspection of the airplane and identifying the parts that control the airplane.

Once in the air, you’ll see the earth and sky in a new and exciting way. You’ll experience the wonderful freedom of flight that many people only dream about. If you are like most Young Eagles, you’ll remember this experience for the rest of your life. For about 15 to 20 minutes the pilot will tour our local area showing passengers the operations of the aircraft, instruments, and local sights from perspectives usually reserved for birds (and of course pilots).

Youngsters who participate will receive a certificate signed by the pilot and by actor and pilot Harrison Ford, national spokesman for the Young Eagles program. No pre-registration is required; however a parental permission slip will be required before flight. Sign-up forms will be available at the airport for those who want to participate. A free hot dog lunch will be served to all participants’ compliments of EAA chapter 491. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Lloyd Sorensen at 805-688-3169 or Robert Perry at 805-705-3672.

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Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority Meeting

The Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority met at the airport administration building for their monthly meeting on Thursday at 7:00PM. Authority members Chamberlin, Margolis, Romero, Peterson, Foxwell, Carrier, and Kunkle attended. The nine-member board currently has one vacancy due to last month’s resignation of Ron Cline. Chairman Chamberlin reported that he met with county representatives regarding account procedures with the county and state and the yearly charge to the airport authority of $10,000.

Member Jim Kunkle, in the vice-presidents report, spoke about a letter received by the county and passed along to the Authority from the Chumash Tribal Council regarding airspace, environmental, abrogation rights, and possible expansion plans of the airport. The Airport Authority will respond to the inquiries of the tribe in writing. Until the Authority appoints a new treasurer, Dave Romero has assumed the duties and provided the treasurers report. The Airport Authority netted $15,000 in income during the month of March.

David Major the owner of a San Luis Obispo county parachuting operation again raised the subject of parachute operations at the airport during public comments. Airport manager Jim Kunkle described the safety concerns of adding a vertical component to the airports operations as the specific reason for denying parachute operations. In addition, during public comments Ron Ziegler, president of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association made an appeal to the Authority for the donation of a fuel credit for a deserving local youth who has been trying to learn how to fly. The use of an aircraft has already been donated as well as the services of a local flight

instructor.

The contribution of the fuel credit will enable this Santa Ynez High School sophomore to further advance in his quest for a pilot’s license. Other notable agenda items were the approval of $1,700 to hire Eric Cobb, a local website designer, in the development in a new website for the Santa Ynez Valley Airport. The new website will possibly incorporate a live web camera with a view of the fuel island that displays the current fuel prices as well as the weather conditions.

The Authority members discussed another agenda item regarding the nomination and publicizing of a new non-user member to replace departing authority member Ron Cline. Individuals who are currently members of the airport authority are encouraged to contact Authority Secretary Aggie Margolis through the airport office at 805-688-8390 to submit their names or to nominate persons who are willing to serve. There will also be nominations for two users and two non-users for the upcoming July election for these four positions that will be at term end.

Special events that will be held at the airport will be the “Young Eagles” program sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association on Saturday, May 12. (See accompanying story for compete details on the Young Eagles program). The next meeting of the Airport Authority will be Thursday, June 7th at 7:00PM at the airport administration building.

Fly Safe

-Robert "Captain Bob" Perry