2018 accomplishments - bloomsburg, pennsylvania · 2019. 5. 22. · [email protected] 570-898-8868 ......

Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

NEWSLETTER March 2018

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BJ Teichman, Airport Coordinator - TOB Dave Ruckle, Pilot [email protected] [email protected]

IF you know of someone who would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please have them email me at [email protected]. I will be happy to include them.

____________________________________________________

2018 Accomplishments: The courtesy car has arrived! – It is a 2002, Toyota Highlander.

It was donated to Bloomsburg Municipal Airport by Bloom Flyers. Additional thanks to:

Bloomsburg University and Columbia Montour Visitor’s Bureau for their generous commitment to

contribute toward the insurance.

On behalf of the Town of Bloomsburg, and the many pilots who will use this vehicle, I would like

to thank all the individuals who helped make this happen by donating, time, talent, funds, or in

some other way contributed to obtaining this vital tool for N13. As many pilots know, a courtesy

car is essential when landing at small airports; to obtain a nice meal, support the local economy,

explore local sites, and, in many cases call on local customers. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who

made this addition to our airport a reality!

mailto:[email protected]





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Bloomsburg Flying Club Memberships available

www.flybloomsburg.com Contact: [email protected]

Flight Instructors:

▪ Phil Polstra – CFII (Parlor City Flying Club Member / Bloomsburg Flying Club) [email protected] (Independent) 563-552-7670

▪ Rob Staib – CFII (Independent) [email protected] 570-850-5274

▪ Hans Lawrence – CFII / MEI / RI (Independent) [email protected] 570-898-8868

▪ Eric Cipcic, CFI (Independent)

412-496-9954 (KIPT/home base/ willing to travel to other airports)

[email protected]

Fuel Prices: Currently $4.50/ Gallon, subject to change.

Currently accepting most major credit cards.

Hangar News: All hangars are full. –

If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please contact me. [email protected]

A Note of Thanks:

• Matt B. – Thank you for assisting with our new website: 😊 ▪ bloomsburgairport.org

• Phil P. - Once again, thank you for teaching private pilot ground school.

▪ Also, for making it possible to view photos from our many events now on

our TV as a revolving slide show!

• Dave T. - Thank you so much for offering to do a drone demonstration! o Please plan to attend Dave’s demonstrations on 12 May and 15 Sept. at 10:00 AM

• John L. – for offering to do a paramotor demonstration on 15 Sept.

http://www.flybloomsburg.com/








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On the Horizon / Save the Date:

FAA Seminar: Presenter by H. Paul Shuch, FAASTeam.

What: Safe Drone Operation

When: 11 April, 2018

Where: N13 – Airport Terminal Conference Room

Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

To view further details and registration information for this seminar, click here.

http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=81244



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On the Horizon / Save the Date:

FAA Seminar for Wings Credit: Presenter by Al Hubler

What: “A”, “B”, “C’s” of ATC

When: 12 May, 2018

Where: Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

Time: 11:00 – 12:00

Same Day: 12 May, 2018

What: Fly In / Drive In / Walk In Breakfast 8:00 – 11:00

What: Fly In /Drive In / Pig Roast 11:00- 4:00

Fund Raiser Breakfast and Pig Roast sponsored by Bloom Flyers!

Safer Skies Through Education

Whoa, take a look at this resume!

As a young man he learned to fly while in high school, joined

the Civil Air Patrol while in college and became a CFII in

1974. He then flew the F-106 Delta Dart during five years of

active duty in the United States Air Force Air Defense

Command at Castle A.F.B. in Merced, California, plus four

more in the Air National Guard. Toss in a two-year hitch

with Lycoming Engines in Montoursville as a research

engineer. On top of all that, add a 30-year career as a

captain flying 767’s with US Airways where he also served as

a check airman instructing in the 737’s. In 2003, he started

his own flight school at Keller Brothers airport instructing in

fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. And guess what; as if

that wasn’t enough, he was also a Designated Pilot Examiner. (Above John with wife Cynthia)

By the way, since retiring from the airline gig, he has been gainfully employed with the FAA.

He is certainly over-qualified to be a Wal-Mart greeter, wouldn’t you say?

So, who is he?

Give up?



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Well, if you haven’t had the

pleasure of meeting him yet, you

should take advantage of the next

opportunity…say, a future FAASTeam

seminar at an airport near you.

Please meet John W. Sibole, Jr.,

whose life-long career in aviation

now serves him and us well as the

FAASTeam Program Manager, out of

the Harrisburg FSDO office. Among

his many duties, John generously

presented eight different safety

seminars in 2017, two so far this year

with an additional five more slated for the remainder of 2018. That’s just for the pilots and

aviation enthusiasts at Bloomsburg Municipal airport and the surrounding area, not to mention

what he’s doing in the remainder of his territory.

“With nothing on my resume but aviation, I don’t qualify to do anything else,” John

exclaimed with a broad grin. “At 67 years old, I’m not even thinking about retirement. I really

enjoy what I do!”

John’s extensive experiences and knowledge of aviation safety is a valuable resource

throughout the equally expansive region he serves. Along with 15 employees, working out of an

office in New Cumberland, PA., right at the Capital City Airport, John’s territory reaches from the

New York border south to Maryland. From east to west, John or any one of his 24 field

representatives may be doing seminars from Schuylkill County to State College. As John puts it,

“Our job is to provide outreach and education for the flying communities in Central

Pennsylvania.”

“There have been several reincarnations of the safety programs the FAA initiated in the

1970’s,” John explained. Adding, “In 2006 it became what we now call FAASTeam.” In addition

to the Harrisburg Region (EA-13), the state includes: Philadelphia Region (EA-17) which trickles

over into New Jersey and Delaware, Allentown (EA-05) and Allegheny (EA-03). Not only are

there two dozen field representatives John supervises in his region, there is one FAASTeam

Services Provider, N-13’s very own Airport Coordinator, B.J. Teichman.

To get a clear idea of what the FAASTeam does go to www.faasafety.org. If you’ve never been

there, you will be surprised to see the many ways FAAST supports: Safer Skies Through

Education.

Headlining some of the features on their website are topics such as; Hot Topics, Featured

Courses, Instructor Portal, Activities, Seminars & Webinars, Maintenance Hangar, Pilots and

Resources and the popular WINGS – a Pilot Proficiency Program also known as “Continuing

http://www.faasafety.org/



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Education for Pilots.” With WINGS you can earn credits that many insurance companies look for

to help reduce premiums. “Wings is a structure for pilots who want to improve their skills and

knowledge. It has “phases” that include both ground and flight instruction.” John stated. Going

on, he stressed, “A combination of both ground and flight programs completes a phase that can

also serve as your flight review.” What better incentive to participate in WINGS could there be

than that. For an expanded explanation of the WINGS program go to the FAAST website.

John’s connection to Bloomsburg and its airport goes back long before his FAA days. As a CAP

Cadet, attending Lehigh University, the squadron’s planes came in handing as a quick means of

transportation to Bloomsburg to visit his future wife, a student at Bloomsburg State Teachers

College or B.U. as it’s called today. After tying the knot, family visits brought John and Cynthia

back to Bloomsburg for various occasions. And for those of you who remember Dr. Ernest Witt,

a very well-known local physician and aviator at N13, John used Doc’s Aztec to take his ATP

check ride. So, John is no stranger to Parlor City.

It’s no wonder John’s logbook includes more than 25, 000 hours with a three-decade long career

flying trans-Atlantic routes out of Philadelphia in a Boeing 767. And, when you include his

military time, DPE and instructor hours, you’re probably asking yourself, “What now could

possibly satisfy his craving to fly?” Well, perhaps you’ve spotted him at N13 in his Cessna 180 or

a vintage Stinson Voyager or a Cap 10 as he commutes from Capital City to conduct seminars

here. It’s got to be a hoot to fly them

all!

Naturally, time and need creates

new subject material for FAASTeam

seminars, webinars, and workshops. So,

how are programs developed for

presentations? You could say,

“Necessity is the mother of invention”.

The FAA doesn’t take credit for the

saying, but they do borrow it

occasionally. “We have a policy

branch,” John explained. “Through the

combined efforts of the national

component of the FAA along with

subject matter experts, local and

national managers and their representatives, material is created and tested until the program is

approved for presentation.” Presenters are then trained to take it to the field. Currently, some

of the best attended and most popular seminar subjects include: Basic Med, The Barony Chair

and spacial disorientation, The Ins & Outs of ADSB, Survival – Staying Alive, Notam 101 Back to

Basics, Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft. To see the complete list of what’s available either as



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seminars or webinars check out the faasafety.org website. You can also view locations and dates

for upcoming programs you may want to attend.

According to the latest Joseph T. Nall Report, affiliated with the AOPA Air Safety Institute,

the trend in general aviation safety is improving. Pilot related accidents came down 31%

between 2005 and 2013. “As a FAASTeam Program Manager,” remarked John, “I am the

“Keeper of Statistics” or “Bent Metal” and produce the quarterly and annual reports that go to

the FSDO office manager.”

“Since 2011 through 2017 the primary contributing factor to accidents is loss of control,”

stated John. “Number two is mechanical failure, and finally, number three is improper checklist

usage.”

“We focus in on the human factor,” said John. “In terms of reducing the accident rate, human

factors is the arena with the most potential to reduce accidents. Here’s where we can really

make improvements.” Going on, he said, “Most all accidents have an element of human factors.

It may not be the pilot. It could be whoever maintained the aircraft and it could be air traffic

control. So, if you consider all the parts of the whole system, human factors are involved in

almost every accident.” “When you

think about it,” he remarked, “A lot

of the seminars we do really are

aimed at human factors.”

“I also keep track of pilot

deviations,” said John. “It’s a very

generic term for such things as

penetrating a TFR, a restricted area

or flying into a class Bravo, Charlie

or Delta airspace without a

clearance or communication.”

Another very important initiative John was instrumental in providing leadership for at

N13 was the Emergency Response Program. A key element in this program is knowing the

proper procedures in contacting NTSB and the FAA in the event of an accident or emergency

situation. Working with N13’s Airport Coordinator, B.J. Teichman, and local emergency

responders, the Emergency Response Program was designed to assist firefighters, police and first

responders in becoming familiar with various aircraft they may encounter on the field in

emergency situation. Familiarization with aircraft fuel systems and tanks, batteries and

sometimes even where rocket deplored parachutes are located on an airplane could make a big

difference when time and life is in the balance. On the airport field, having a first-hand working

knowledge of how fuel farms work and where electrical services are maintained is critical when

dangerous conditions exit. It’s good to know that at Bloomsburg airport an Emergency Response



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Program has been completed and implemented and has been declared a working model for

other airports to follow.

(L) John’s handout for responding to an

aircraft accident. Below Dan shows

Firefighters where parachute and ballistic

rocket are located on the cirrus. Below (L) BJ

with overhead view of aircraft showing

location of critical features: Fuel shut- off,

battery, oxygen to name a few

Like many things over time, aviation has experienced its peaks and valleys too. Many

things influence these cycles or trends. Everything from the economy, wartime – post wartime,

supply and demands, costs and even demographics. The Golden Age of Aviation was definitely

when flying was in its infancy. It was new. A Depression in the early 1930’s certainly did not

help the growth of aviation. But World War I and II, on the other hand, created a surplus of

pilots that looked to use their war time skills to create post war opportunities like barnstorming.

Airlines benefited from this, too. And, in John’s opinion, the 1970’s saw a peak in general

aviation aircraft production. “For one thing aviation today needs lower costs,” John quickly

pointed out. “The cost of new aircraft, the cost to learn to fly, to maintain an airplane

(maintenance, fuel and insurance) have been negative contributing factors.” “However,” he

continued, “where the cost of new planes fresh off the assembly line is out of reach for most

pilots, enterprising businesses have started that are updating, upgrading and revitalizing our

aging fleet of aircraft, making our older planes once again safe and affordable to the majority of

pilots that dream of owning their own aircraft.” As another example, John pointed out, Part 23 is

also being revised and updated, making it easier and less expensive for product manufacturers to

produce and sell new and improve avionics merchandise.



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‘There has been a decline in the pilot population due to costs as well,” stated John.

Simply put, flying is not cheap. “The good news,” he continued, “is the people in general

aviation are fully aware of that and have created all kinds of great initiatives to turn that

around.” “One of which,” he noted, “is EAA’s Young Eagle Program. They have introduced

thousands of young men and women to aviation.” “Another increasingly popular program the

AOPA has created,” John added, “is called the Rusty Pilots Program, designed to reintroduce

inactive pilots back into the cockpit.” Of course, the Civil Air Patrol is a great way to get involved

in flying and has been a launch pad for so many that went on to pursue a career in aviation. As

an example, John pointed out that young fishermen and hunters today are introduced to the

sports by a mentor like a parent or friend. We, as pilots, need to take the same approach to

invigorate our sport. Introduce a young person to flying.

Perhaps, best of all, with the combined effort of EAA, AOPA and countless aviation advocates,

the Basic Med Program was created to overcome the often scary and cumbersome medical

regulation and costs that grounded so many pilots. It’s given them the opportunity to get back in

the cockpit, safely, effectively, and inexpensively. The same can be said for the Sport Pilot

Program as well.

“One of the things that are really going to turn it around is the demand for pilots in the

airlines,” declared John. “There is a true pilot shortage and the demand is outstripping the

supply.” Major U.S. airlines are hiring pilots at a rate not seen since before 9/11, and that is

encouraging more and more younger people, both men and women, to consider a flying career.

Shortages of pilots, especially with small airlines have caused cancellation of hundreds of flights

in the past couple of years. Thousands of retiring airline pilots will need to be replaced in the

next few years with predictions that the U.S. will need approximately 117,000 new pilots by the

year 2036. Another rapidly growing area in aviation is with drones where new and innovative

uses are being created every day.

What does this all mean? Obviously, it appears that aviation is again poised for

resurgence. Stop for just a moment and think, even with the historical ups and downs in

aviation, look how far we have come since 1903 when the Wright brothers launched their first

successful flight at Kitty Hawk; when just a few people could experience flight as compared to

today where literally millions of men and women worldwide can now call themselves pilots. It’s

good to know that individuals like John Sibole and organizations like the FAASTeam are here

providing the resources and programs to help make Safer Skies Through Education.

Submitted by: Dave Ruckle



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The FAASTeam Mission Statement

Improve the Nation’s aviation accident rate by conveying safety

principles and practices through training, outreach, and

education; while establishing partnerships and encouraging

the continual growth of a positive safety culture within the

aviation community

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk with your eyes turned skyward, for there you

have been, and there you will always long to return.”

Leonardo da Vinci



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2018 – COMING EVENTS:

Gray background indicates completed events.

Month Event Special Event Time Presenter/

Sponsor

3-Mar Col. Stahl's Breakfast Poker Run / Fly IN Breakfast

8:00 - Noon

Bloom Flyers

15-Mar FAA Safety Seminar Barany Chair 6:00 PM John Sibole

11-Apr FAA Safety Seminar UAS 6:00 PM H. Paul Shuch

12-May Flea Market Breakfast – Community Welcome

7:00 - 11:00

Bloom Flyers

12-May Flea Market Pig Roast- Community Welcome

11:00 - 3:00

Bloom Flyers

12-May FAA Safety Seminar ATC - Presentation 11:00 -12:00 Al Hubler

2-Jun FAA Safety Seminar Survival Stayin' Alive 11:00 John Sibole

7-Jun 20 STEM Students Presentation – Planes and Pilots

10:00-11:30 BJ

29-Jun 30 STEM Students Presentation – Planes and Pilots TBA Diane

10-Jun Dream Machine Car Show- Community Welcome 8:00-3:00

Dream Machine

19-Jul 25 STEM Teachers Presentation Planes and Pilots TBA Diane

14-Jul FAA Safety Seminar ADSB 11:00 John Sibole

7-Aug National Night Out Bloomsburg Police Dept. 6:00 - 8:00 Bloom PD

11-Aug Movie Night - not confirmed

Ice Cream Social /Leiby's- Community Welcome 4:00 -8:30

Bloom Flyers

15-Sept. Community Days Scouts Earn Merit Badges- Community Welcome 8:00 - 4:00 Boy Scouts

13-Oct FAA Safety Seminar Surviving Winter Flying 11:00 John Sibole FAA Safety Seminars - Earn Wings Credits / Please Register via faasafety.gov / Seminars are advertised 2 to three weeks prior to the seminar.

Safety

Seminars

Community

Welcome

Community

Welcome

National Night Out – Sponsored by

Bloom Police Dept.



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Recently Completed Events:

It was our pleasure to host the following groups.

Rotary Club –

The Rotary Club recently held their monthly meeting at Bloomsburg Municipal Airport N13. It

was my pleasure to meet the members and introduce them to N13. It was also a pleasure to

meet Principal Sue Shipman from Columbia Montour Vo-Tech. CMVT student Hannah was

selected as the Rotary Club’s student of the month. It is clear from her presentation she has

bright student. Congratulations! Well done!

PennDOT – Bureau of Aviation –

Presenter: Mr. Reiner Pelzer, Sr. Project Manager, AECOM Transportation /Aviation.

Pennsylvania Statewide System Plan Update (PA SASP)

Mr. Reiner presented an overview of PA SASP’s purpose including but not limited to prioritizing

investments, identifying needs, understanding facilities that will be needed going forward,

ensuring criteria for each class of airport are appropriate, and trying to anticipate future

challenges, changes, and demands regarding supporting GA airports. It was an informative

session which covered a broad scope of AECOM’s work which addressed airport classification,

aviation forecasts, system requirements, as well as some deficiencies and constraints. Thank

you to the BOA for the opportunity to host this valuable seminar at N13.

2018 accomplishments - bloomsburg, pennsylvania · 2019. 5. 22. · [email protected] 570-898-8868 ......

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