PIKE SPEAK

PIKES PEAK SENIOR SQUADRON NEWSLETTER

Jul-Aug, 2010 Volume 2, Issue 4

Inside this issue:

Farewell to Dave
Our Operations Officer, Lt. Col. Dave Patton, is leaving the Pikes Peak Senior Squadron for the warmer clime of Tucson, Arizona. He was presented with the Outstanding Duty Performance Achievement Award for his service to our squadron from November 2002 to June 2010. During that time, Dave served as Operations Officer, check pilot, instructor pilot, mission instructor pilot, mission check pilot, and AOBD. He has accumulated about 10,000 flying hours. He has been a rock in supporting and guiding new CAP members into becoming CAP pilots. He served in the Air Force from 1952 to 1984 during which time he flew F-84s, RB-47E's as pilot and standardization and evaluation examiner, and U-2s. His mission varied, from flying over North and South Vietnam to the Directorate of Operations and Readiness, Headquarters U. S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1979. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Medal. From 1981 to 1984, Dave served as the Commander of Civil Air Patrol - U.S. Air Force, with headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He directed Air Force support of Civil Air Patrol and commanded all Air Force personnel assigned to the headquarters and the eight regions and 52 wing liaison offices. As the executive director, General Patton served in a civilian capacity and administered the day-to-day activities and was a voting member of the Civil Air Patrol National Board and National Executive Committee. Dave, we may fill your position, but we will never be able to replace you.
(picture submitted by 1Lt Dean Harder)

The Character of Safety 2 Exceptional Service Award Members Prepared to Save Lives PPSS Air Crew Training Program Ground Handling Procedures 4 5 6 7

Newsletter Staff: Editor: Capt. Susie Wickman (pictures by Capt Wickman unless otherwise noted.) Contributors: 1Lt Dean Harder

Members are invited to submit articles, news, and training opportunities. Your newsletter - your ideas.

Volume 2, Issue 4

Page 2

The Character of Safety

ed: Bill Rhodes, our Safety Officer, is mentioned is this June 2010 article of FlyingMag.com. It was written by J. Mac McClellan in his column Left Seat. I am unable to reprint the article for you, but it is available on FlyingMag.com after signing up for membership.

In his recent article The Psychology of Safety, J. Mac McClellan made the argument that there is a difference between what effect pilot training, experience, and skill level have on the accident rates for minor accidents and major accidents. Bill Rhodes, PPSS Safety Officer, was featured in that article. "The general aviation safety record has changed very little in decades despite continuous effort by regulators and the industry", stated McClellan in his article The Psychology of Safety. Avemco is the only direct underwriter in general aviation and thus is uniquely positioned to support Rhodes's research. "Avemco has established a formal study program to examine why general aviation airplanes crash and how to prevent accidents," said McClellan. Bill Rhodes is sponsored by Avemco in this study to find answers. In the case of MINOR accidents, the article explained, pilot training, experience and skill level make a substantial difference. Minor accidents include fender-bender type accidents like running off the side or end of the runway. They merit an insurance claim, but only about 25 out of 100 accidents meet NTSB reporting standards, Rhodes explained. As a result, the majority of minor accidents that occur are not investigated by the government; therefore, they do not provide information as to their cause. McClellan's article explained that there are currently over 500 fatalities a year in general aviation, or roughly 10 per week. In the case of MAJOR accidents, experience has not been shown to reduce accidents. Advanced pilot ratings and large numbers of flying hours do not make you a safer pilot in this respect. These have been standard measurements, but have not turned out to be good predictors. Rhodes has a doctorate in philosophy with a concentration in moral psychology and is passionate about flying. In his own words, what he does is study character and culture. "There is something in aviation culture that does not celebrate proficiency. As an example, 'Do your rating in X days' might be advertised. In contrast, imagine if a doctor got his certificate in X days. In medicine, older experienced people give instruction. As opposed to, in aviation, instructor pilots are generally not paid well and so instruction is done by the young." One of Avemco's motives is to identify risky pilots, sort of a risk analysis of character, if such a thing is possible. "Stress testing is to find out what a good pilot is. We dont really know. We are trying to define who are the good pilots. We have to do the observational work to determine the traits that keep people alive, and then develop those traits in our pilots." Rhodes stated. He is trying to identify character issues inconsistent with staying alive for a long time. A pilot has to know they have a problem before they can correct it, and they don't always know.
(Character cont on pg 3)

(Character cont from pg 2)

Page 3

Once a problem is recognized, "expert pilots that live solve it by disappointing something-the schedule, someone, the timeline while keeping safety as a higher priority (for example, disappoint the passengers because the plane will not arrive on time). Less expert pilots try to take the stress out of it by trying to satisfy everyone. The pilot may choose to continue the flight even if the weather conditions are deteriorating, because his passengers want to be on time or to get home.) If he is flying alone, he may be a better pilot." "Safety is a lifestyle choice. If pilots change their mindset from seeing small airplanes dominantly as transportation tools to seeing them as a cool lifestyle that also provides transportation, then it becomes easier to divert or delay until weather is better or youre feeling better," Rhodes explained.

Pikes Peak Senior Squadron Staff

Commander: Lt Col Earl Sherwin Deputy Commander: Capt Morris Hall Operations Officer: Capt Mark Haynes Emergency Services Officer: 1Lt Gene Schermerhorn Emergency Services Training Officer: 1Lt Loren Lancaster Safety Officer: 2Lt Bill Rhodes Stan/Eval Officer Capt Bill Adams Public Affairs Officer: Capt Susie Wickman Communications Officer: Maj Dave Novotny Finance Officer: 1Lt Gene Schermerhorn Logistics Officer: Lt Col Davie Lankford Supply Officer: Lt Col Davie Lankford Maintenance Officer: 1Lt Jon Bucher Transportation Officer: Capt Jim Derubis IT Officer 1Lt Dean Harder Alerting Officer Capt Milt Moores Professional Development Officer: Capt Susie Wickman Chaplain Maj Floyd Austin Aerospace Education Officer Maj David Micheletti Administration Officer SM Kathy Ritchie Health Services Officer 2Lt Steve Denning Get to know your staff members. We are here to help you.

"Safety is a lifestyle choice."

Rhodes discussed how the scope of his research has already changed, and he is just getting started. " When I started it, I thought the problem would be developing curricula, but not nearly enough people participate in the curricula that is already out there, even with a financial incentive. It seems that fewer than 10% of the pilot population offered optional curricula take it every year. Some FAA estimates show fewer than 5%. Adding more courses wont solve the problem. Our numbers show that the Part 91 pilot in general aviation is getting less than 2 hours of recurrent training annually. The question is, how to motivate people?"

"Our numbers show that the Part 91 pilot in general aviation is getting less than 2 hours of recurrent training annually."
For Rhodes, this will be a lifetime study. While the study isn't finished and the results aren't final, he did have some thoughts to share on what can be done to increase aviation safety. "Take the time it takes. If you have money to spend, would it be better spent on equipment or training? If it was spent on quality training, we might see a significant reduction in accidents. Even getting 3 hrs instead of 2 hours of training will reduce the runway loss-ofcontrol accidents. Make safety a lifestyle choice. Advance gradually in new equipment. Enjoy and get to know new equipment well before moving on. Dont zip thru your ratings. Be comfortable in them before moving on. Dont rush anything unnecessarily.
(Character cont on pg 4)

Volume 2, Issue 4

Page 4

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD

Lt Col Dave Novotny received the Exceptional Service Award for exceptional service in a duty of great responsibility during the period of January 1, 2010 to July 25, 2010. During that time, he acted as the Deputy Director of the 2010 Rocky Mountain Region Staff College (RMRSC). Lt Col Novotny provided outstanding leadership in the areas of planning and operations leading up to and during the college. He expertly arranged all lodging, food service, classroom facilities, administrative workspace, and security access to the base. He set up a communications link that provided Internet access to the college for the first time as a provided network. He was able to step into the Director's role when her time was claimed by other CAP commitments. Lt Col Novotny, through his superior actions and contributions to the RMRSC, has shown himself to be clearly outstanding and unmistakably exceptional whose performance is clearly above that of his peers. His actions have brought great credit upon himself, the Colorado Wing, the Rocky Mountain Region, and the Civil Air Patrol. Congratulations, Dave, on a job well done.

(Character cont from pg 3)

"Even getting 3 hrs instead of 2 hours of training will reduce the runway loss-of-control accidents."
If advanced certificates and large numbers of flying hours do not make a difference in the reduction of major aviation accidents, then pilots are going to have to look elsewhere for the answers. While research continues and may someday give answers, in the end, it is the ultimate in personal responsibility. It is up to you, the pilot, to decide to fly safe. Decide. Right now. Fly safe.
(ed: Rhodes was also featured in a June 17, 2010 blog in the General Aviation News entitled The Perfect Pilot posted by Janice Wood. You need to click on the link and then scroll down. Read more about this same subject. C:\Users\User\Documents\CAP\Newsletters\The Perfect Pilot General Aviation News#more-24573.mht)

Volume 2, Issue 4
MEMBERS PREPARED TO SAVE LIVES

Page 5

2nd Lt. Steve Denning, a Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor for the American Heart Association, offered CPR training to the squadron and their families. Twelve answered the call and earned their CPR certificate, learning how to feel the pulse, how many compressions to administer, and when to call for help. Denning is PPSS's new Health Services Officer. He is an Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) instructor for the National Ski Patrol. In his 5th year as a patroller and 2nd year as an instructor, and an enthusiastic pilot, he is finding a way to combine both. We look forward to additional medical related training in the future, including first aid and blood borne pathogens.

Left top, 2Lt Steve Denning, Instructor Middle: Maj Merrill Westrope - Breathes the breath of life Bottom: SM Stoney Burke - Press harder and faster Right top, Capt Milt Moores - Counts 28, 29, 30. Middle 2Lt Frank Clark - Count 30, then two breaths PREPARED TO SAVE LIVES

Pikes Peak Senior Squadron Air Crew Training Program

Instruction Unit 0. Getting on base and finding hangar, getting a CAP membership card, operations overview (what do we do here) 1. Cadet Protection 2. OPSEC Lead Class Times After 1st Thursday Squadron Meeting Susie Wickman Susie Wickman No Class No Class No Class By appointment On-line On-line On-line Materials

3. GES qualification, CAPT 116 Susie Wickman & 117 4. CAP Orientation Level 1 InterSusie Wickman view 5. New Member Orientation: Basic online resources and access a. National Web Site Earl Sherwin b. Colorado Wing Web Site c. e-services d. Publications, forms, etc. 6. New Member Orientation: What it a SQTR and how does it Loren Lancaster work 7. New Member Orientation: What is a 101 Card and how does Milt Moores it work 8. New Member Orientation: Hangar and airfield operations orienta- Dave Patton tion 9. New Member Orientation: What is a SAREX and how does it Gene Schermerhorn work 10. New Member Orientation: Loren Lancaster PPSS Training Program Overview 11. Mission Scanner Gene Schermerhorn 12. Mission Observer, Becker, FM Milt Moores Radio 13. Mission Radio Operator & Charles Hailbronner Ground Crew Coordination 14. GX-55 Training George Mixon

2nd Saturday of the month Classroom, Laptop

2nd Saturday of month 2nd Saturday of month 2nd Saturday of month 2nd Saturday of month 2nd Saturday of month 1st Saturday of even months

Classroom

Classroom

Hangar

Classroom Classroom, handout Classroom, Denver Sectional, Plotter, Delorme Gazetteer

1st Saturday of odd months Classroom Classroom Classroom, Laptop Classroom, 60-1 copy Classroom, Laptop, Simulator software Classroom, Laptop, Simulator software Classroom Classroom, camera Classroom

2nd Thursday of the 1st month of quarter 3rd Thursday of 1st month of quarter 15. R60-1 familiarization and test4th Thursday of 1st month Dan Johanson ing of quarter 16. G1000 MFD 4th Saturday of 1st month Loren Lancaster of even quarters 17. G1000 PFD 4th Saturday of 1st month Loren Lancaster of odd quarters 18. Mission Staff Assistant 4th Saturday of 2nd month Gene Schermerhorn of quarter 19. Mission Videographer 4th Saturday of 3rd month Gene Schermerhorn of quarter 20. Transport Mission Pilot, Form 3rd Saturday of the 3rd Dave Patton 5, Pilot file, e-services month of quarter 21. Advanced online resources and access Earl Sherwin/Dave 3rd Saturday of the 2nd a. WMRS, mission numbers, misPatton month of quarter sion symbols b. Wing Management Utilities 22. Trainers Meeting 3rd Thursday of the 2nd All Trainers month of quarter

Classroom, Laptop

Volume 2, Issue 4

Page 7

Why you need to take Ground Handling Procedures

A doctor surgeon from Whyalla, Australia found the battery dead in his Piper Saratoga (a powerful single engine aircraft) at Parafield Airport on the night of August 26th 2001. A planned night flight from Parafield to Whyalla and the discovery of a flat battery should have been enough to go and find something else to do for the night. Night flights over water with any electrical problems should be avoided at all costs. But no... The good doctor-pilot proceeded to hand start the engine by turning the prop. While this is actually not illegal it should be approached with the utmost of caution and is really only used in remote areas where there is no help or decent pub within a long walk. To make matters worse, he did not chock the wheels or check that the handbrake was engaged, which makes one wonder what he had had to drink prior. Anyway, the engine fires up at about 2000 rpm and the aircraft starts taxiing toward the runway on its own. The only problem with that is that there were four Piper Warriors and a twin engine Seminole (the sliced plane in picture) in its way. So at a steady rate of forward movement similar to a fairly upset Hippo during breeding season, the Saratoga proceeds on its stately way. Ah, yes, the pilot. After being knocked down by his own plane, he's now hanging on to the tail of his aircraft trying to stop it going any further and watching in horror as bit by bit it shreds the tail and body of the most expensive aircraft in the vicinity. He thinks that any minute the engine will stop and the nightmare will come to an end. But no. The Saratoga then makes a sharp right hand turn and without conscience heads toward the second most expensive aircraft in its way. Hundreds of liters of avgas spewing out of the damaged aircraft and the pilot barely hanging onto the Saratoga is surely a recipe for total disaster, but, in fact things finally did come to an end. The University of Adelaide lost one plane completely and the use of four others (just freshly painted) for some time to come, all because of a flat battery and a really bad decision. The pilot was not badly hurt, except in his pride and his insurance company's wallet ($1.5 million). The end? Not quite. Said doctor is now going to court claiming that the handbrake was engaged at the time of the accident.
http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Insurance/Plane.htm

New Members Welcome

Links of Interest
Civil Air Patrol http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/ index.htm Colorado Wing http://coloradowingcap.org/ Pikes Peak Senior Squadron Calendar http://coloradowingcap.org/ FindAColoradoSquadron/ Group3SouthernColorado/ PikesPeakSenior/ PikesPeakSquadronCalendar/tabid/373/ Default.aspx Safety http://www.capmembers.com/safety/ Uniforms http://www.thehock.com/ http://vanguardmil.com/store/

New members are always welcome at the Pikes Peak Senior Squadron (PPSS) of the Civil Air Patrol. You do not need to be a pilot to join, nor do you need military experience. We have need of mission-related positions such as mission staff assistant, communications, and ground teams, as well as support related positions such as administration, personnel or finance. Visit one of our regular meetings held the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm in the Base Chapel on Peterson Air Force Base.
"Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 72 lives in fiscal year 2009. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 23,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 68 years." For more information on CAP, please visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

Security Math At Heathrow Airport, an individual, later discovered to be a public school teacher, was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a compass, a protractor, and a graphical calculator. Authorities believe he is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He is being charged with carrying weapons of math instruction. **************** If black boxes survive air crashes why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?

George Carlin