USPA News

NEW FLIGHT PLAN RULES TAKE EFFECT SUNDAY, JUNE 29

As called to our attention by USPA VP Bob Worthington, the form for filing a flight plan for IFR flights that include RNAV arrival or departure routing (including SIDs and STARs) will change this Sunday. To learn more about the changes, go to http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/enroute/flight_plan_filing/

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA

USPA FLYOUT GENEVA, IL, August 21-28

USPA VP Bob Frantz has set up a great time in the Chicago area for August. Check out all the details at www.uspilots.org, and then register on line, by fax, or by snail mail.

See you in Illinois!

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK

Imagine this scenario. You are flying into a tower controlled airport and are number three to land. It is about 10:00PM and you have no idea where the traffic ahead of you is. You are depending on the controllers to space you. You hear aircraft number one cleared to land and the radio suddenly goes silent. Why? Because the tower closes at 10:00 and everybody leaves, and leaves you to your own devices. This is exactly what was happening at an airport in the U.S. And when a controller "blew the whistle" on these goings on, and when he advised his superiors, he was demoted and transferred for his attitude problem.

Have you tried to fly into Mexico (or Canada) lately? Thanks to the esteemed head of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, we now have to have a customs stamp on our aircraft (for which we pay a user fee), a passport for all in the airplane when reentering the United States, and a specific flight plan advising customs of our ETA to land at the nearest airport of entry, instead of proceeding to the nearest airport of entry closest to my home base. What do you bet that soon we will be forbidden to carry after shave or spray deodorant on our planes? Do not even think of flying in an ADIZ without being on a flight plan. You must have a discreet transponder code or heaven forbid they might think you are up to mischief. For those who fly in the area from El Paso south to Laredo or McAllen and use the Rio Grande River as a navigation aid, you may find yourself in the company of a Blackhawk, Citation, or even an F-16.

Finally we have the subject of runway incursions. The FAA has embarked on another crusade to stop these errors that could cause the loss of many lives. If you are unfamiliar with taxiways and clearances as given to you, stop and ask for progressive taxiing instructions. Remember; when cleared to taxi to a runway, you are not yet cleared to enter upon that runway. Pull up to the hold short line and announce your location. Read and understand the LAHSO rules (Land and hold short). Do not under any circumstances cross an intersecting runway without a specific clearance.

My biggest complaint is that the border control people are downright rude to us American citizens. I for one am tired of the attitude they display, that I must be doing something wrong and they are going to find out what it is.

We have finally upset the Mexican government by all of the attention being given to fences and halting illegal immigration into our country. One of the results of our attitude is the Mexican army now has stationed Humvees with Gatling guns at all of the ground crossings into Mexico. Everybody crossing into Mexico is searched for "contraband.” After successfully getting past this checkpoint, we are confronted by the Mexican border control (customs) who perform a second search seeking "contraband.” It is now almost impossible to bring used clothing, appliances, toys,, and almost anything else except food into orphanages or settlements. By punishing us they are hurting their own people.

There was a story today from New Zealand and another from West Texas that should be of interest to all of us. In New Zealand a pilot preflighting his aircraft noticed his fuel caps were not in the correct position. After checking the tanks, he discovered 20 plus gallons of avgas missing. In West Texas a fire truck dispatched to fight a large prairie fire arrived at the fire scene only to run out of fuel. Someone had drained all but about 15 gallons of diesel from the unit. Pilots, please be sure to check your fuel levels before flying off. You very well may come back to earth a whole lot sooner than you expected to.

Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association

USPA MEMBER JOHN DELASHAW FUNERAL

This from USPA/TPA member Don Smith:

“Long-time TPA member John Delashaw died this afternoon (May 31) at about 1:15 after a long battle with cancer. John participated in most of our events-fly-ins, second Thursday meetings, and other events for several years.

John was generous with his time, energy, and enthusiasm.”

There will be a visitation of the Delashaw family at the Dewberry Funeral Home on West University Avenue in Denton, TX, on Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m.

The funeral will be Thursday morning at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church in Argyle, Texas.

Our sympathy goes out to Joan and the family. You may send condolences to Joan Delashaw at P. O. Box 995, Argyle, TX 76226-0995.

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA

JOHN DELASHAW FUNERAL CORRECTION

There is a correction on the time of the funeral for John Delashaw. It is 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, with visitation tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the DeBerry Funeral Home.

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA

USPA MEMBER JOHN DELASHAW FUNERAL

This from USPA/TPA member Don Smith:

“Long-time TPA member John Delashaw died this afternoon (May 31) at about 1:15 after a long battle with cancer. John participated in most of our events-fly-ins, second Thursday meetings, and other events for several years.

John was generous with his time, energy, and enthusiasm.”

There will be a visitation of the Delashaw family at the Dewberry Funeral Home on West University Avenue in Denton, TX, on Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m.

The funeral will be Thursday morning at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church in Argyle, Texas.

Our sympathy goes out to Joan and the family. You may send condolences to Joan Delashaw at P. O. Box 995, Argyle, TX 76226-0995.

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA

USPA MEMBER JOHN DELASHAW FUNERAL

This from USPA/TPA member Don Smith:

“Long-time TPA member John Delashaw died this afternoon (May 31) at about 1:15 after a long battle with cancer. John participated in most of our events-fly-ins, second Thursday meetings, and other events for several years.

John was generous with his time, energy, and enthusiasm.”

There will be a visitation of the Delashaw family at the Dewberry Funeral Home on West University Avenue in Denton, TX, on Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m.

The funeral will be Thursday morning at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church in Argyle, Texas.

Our sympathy goes out to Joan and the family. You may send condolences to Joan Delashaw at P. O. Box 995, Argyle, TX 76226-0995.

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA