June 22, 2020 : Sporty's Academy

Biweekly Bulletin – June 22, 2020

INSTRUMENT APPROACH UPDATE AT CLERMONT

RNAV RWY22 approach minimums lowered, some initial fixes eliminated

Scheduled to publish July 16, 2020, the RNAV (GPS) RWY 22 approach procedure into Clermont County Airport (I69) is set to undergo minor changes including the elimination of two initial approach fixes (IAFs). The remaining IAF, JERAL, includes a holding pattern in lieu of procedure turn required under certain circumstances.

Also new are modified minimum safe altitudes (MSAs) – 2,600’ is the MSA within 12nm of JERAL. The MSA rises to 3,000’ south/southwest of JERAL between 12 and 30nm and 3,100’ north/northeast of JERAL from 12 to 30nm.

MDAs have been lowered for all categories (LP, LNAV and circling) by 40’ which allows for a descent to 1,160’ (321’ AGL) for aircraft capable of LP approach minimums. The minimum visibility of 1nm remains the same.

Read the full description of changes.

View the full proposed RNAV (GPS) Rwy 22 Approach.

GARMIN GFC 500 AUTOPILOT ADDED TO SPORTY’S FLEET

2-axis control, vertical speed, Garmin ESP and more for 377ES

Cessna C172R, N377ES, recently received the first Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot installation in the Sporty’s fleet bringing sophisticated levels of automation including Garmin ESP, speed protection, automatic level mode, vertical navigation (VNAV) mode, and more.

Driven by the Garmin G5 and GTN650 interface, the GFC 500 provides smooth altitude roundouts and course intercepts and will fly a wide range of precision, nonprecision and GPS approaches as well as holds, procedure turns, missed approaches and more.

Flight director cues are displayed as command bars on the G5 and may also be used for visual guidance when you’re hand-flying. The “go-around” button, installed just above the throttle, will cue the correct pitch attitude required to fly a go around or missed approach and will even execute a missed approach procedure if loaded.

A control wheel integrated into the GFC 500 mode controller allows for easy and precise pitch, vertical speed and airspeed adjustments, while separate knobs allow quick twist control of heading and altitude. For added safety, a dedicated LVL button on the controller lets you command the autopilot to automatically return your aircraft to straight-and-level flight.

The included Garmin ESP technology functions independently of the autopilot to nudge the controls toward stable flight whenever pitch or roll deviations exceed the recommended limits or underspeed/overspeed conditions occur. If ESP is engaged for an extended period of time, the autopilot will engage with the flight director in level mode, bringing the aircraft back to level flight.

Before flying the new Garmin GFC 500 in 377ES, pilots should review these training resources (also available on the 377ES information page):

For an instructor-led checkout, contact us at [email protected].

FREE VISIBILITY TRAINING COURSE

Scenario-based program helps pilots make better-informed decisions

Estimating visibility is notoriously difficult for new and seasoned pilots alike, but it’s critically important to establishing personal limitations and accurately evaluating weather conditions. More often than not, pilots are shocked at how limiting and dangerous minimum VFR conditions can be.

Western Michigan University offers a free, interactive program that will lead you through a variety of scenarios with resources at your disposal to better refine your ability to estimate flight visibility.

Take the visibility training course.

VFR FLIGHT FOLLOWING: A PILOT’S GUIDE

From Sporty’s Student Pilot News

by Eric Radtke

If “flight following” is a new term, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s not exactly a staple in many Private pilot training programs and is easy to bypass on the checkride. But let’s rectify that here and now because it’s a service that every VFR pilot should take advantage of and it could even be a life saver. Flight following is a relatively simple concept – it’s an aircraft flying under VFR that is taking advantage of Air Traffic Control (ATC) services. Functionally, it indicates the flight is radar identified by ATC and a number of advisories may be available from the controller.

Some of the mystique of VFR flight following is a function of initiating ATC interactions which immediately invokes fear for many pilots. Because the service is provided on a workload permitting basis, and involves multiple layers of service, there’s not exactly uniform delivery among Center or Approach control facilities. The combination of these realities has resulted in misinformation, misunderstandings, and even no awareness of its existence.

FAA MEDICALS AND BASIC MED AT SPORTY’S

Scheduling now for summer 2020

Regulatory update: the FAA is allowing pilots to continue to fly if their medical certificate expires between March 31 and June 30 to reduce the burden on the country’s healthcare system and limit the potential spread of the virus.

FAA Aviation Medical Examiner, Dr. John Held, offers aviation medical exams and basic med evaluations at Sporty’s Clermont County Airport on select Saturdays. The cost of the exam is $120. An EKG (if required) is subject to an additional $35 fee.

DATE	TIME
Saturday, July 18	9am – 1pm
Saturday, August 1	9am – 1pm
Saturday, August 29	9am – 1pm

To schedule, please call Sporty’s at 513.735.9100 ext. 0.

For pilots pursuing Basic Med, the required online training is available through two approved sources – AOPA and Mayo Clinic.

VIDEO TIP: HOW THUNDERSTORMS FORM

Thunderstorms have a great ability to cause aircraft damage on the ground and in flight. Even airlines take extra precaution to divert around impending convective activity for the comfort of the passengers and the safety of the flight.

Use this week’s video tip to learn the three conditions necessary for the formation of a thunderstorm. A keen understanding of how and when a thunderstorm can develop will allow you to plan a route and departure time to avoid potentially dangerous weather.